Shari Kendall has always loved bridal gowns. When she was a girl, she dressed up little porcelain dolls and performed pretend weddings.
Today, her daughter plays with the same dolls, and Kendall is the owner of In White bridal boutique on Harrisburg Avenue.
“I was always interested in doing something with bridal gowns,” Kendall said. Her mother’s side of the family worked in the garment industry, so Kendall grew up learning about fit and fabric.
Taking her love of gowns and turning it into a marketable local business is a dream come true.
“It’s a completely fun job,” Kendall said. “This is such an exciting time for a woman. I love being able to help them turn their visions into reality.”
Having lived in many different cities, Kendall enjoys the small-city feel of Lancaster and everything it offers.
She is grateful that she was able to fill a niche for local brides.
“I love the city, I love the people,” she said. “I wanted to bring something to Lancaster that wasn’t here.”
Age: 34.
Education: B.A. from Brandeis University, J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.
Family: Husband Mark and daughter Jaydin, 4.
Best part of my job: Getting to meet so many different, wonderful people and helping them find the perfect gown. It is awesome to see the happiness on a woman’s face when she realizes that she has found the gown that she wants to get married in.
In Lancaster, I like to: Walk around the city and window-shop. Like many cities, ours is growing and evolving constantly. We have such eclectic shops and restaurants; it is always a blast to see what new offerings each shop is highlighting and what new places are opening.
Favorite local restaurant: Tie between the Belvedere Inn and Fenz.
Magazine I enjoy: Brides (of course!).
Favorite book: Oh my, do I have to pick one? I love to read and have favorites in every genre.
Website I visit most often: People.com.
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, watching movies and traveling (although this hobby has been a bit repressed since opening the shop).
For fun with my husband and daughter: We go for walks and play board games.
Board game of choice: Trivial Pursuit.
Favorite place in the world: It would have to be either Paris or Edinburgh.
If I could meet my teenage self, I would tell her: Be whatever you want. ... You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone.
Snack of choice: That’s easy — popcorn.
Favorite movie: “Across the Universe.”
Most recent purchase: Shoes for my daughter.
Something that most people don’t know about me: I once dyed my hair purple.
Something the world needs more of: Compassion.
If I could go anywhere in the world: I haven’t been to Australia yet.
When I was little I wanted to be: A ballerina or a model (preferably both).
Biggest influence on wedding trends: Like history, fashion trends are cyclical. Wedding trends are influenced by the designers who are often influenced by historical figures, so right now we are seeing many designs that hearken back to the early- to mid-20th century.
Best thing about wedding dresses: I love the fabrics. Most of us don’t wear fine silks, lace, or even fine synthetic fabric on a daily basis. We usually walk around in cottons, denim and sturdy synthetics.
My favorite item of clothing: My fuzzy socks.
I believe: If we all focused more on our strengths and less on our weaknesses we would be much happier.
Valentine’s Day plans: Since the shop will be closed that day, Mark and I are planning on going to a few local wineries and for lunch. Later we will all cook together — and since I’m a bit corny — it will be something that incorporates red, probably meatballs and spaghetti with chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert.
Best advice I’ve received: “Always date your spouse.”
