Bridal Gown Shopping and Misconceptions:
So busy season has arrived! Newly engaged brides to be are busy preparing and shopping for those spring/summer/and fall weddings. With all the hustle and bustle, I wanted to clear up some common misconceptions and offer helpful tips for new brides as they are shopping.
Misconception #1: Bridal Boutiques are expensive:
When I was out shopping for my wedding gown five years ago and before I worked in the industry, the only places I knew to shop were places like David’s Bridal. I had no idea about bridal boutiques and when I did start looking I figured they were far too expensive. Boutiques are a bit smaller and don’t carry as much stock as big franchises, but the benefits of these boutiques is you get that personal one on one time with the very knowledgeable staff, the staff gets to know you personally, they are invested in your wedding and want to help you find the perfect dress, and often we find life long friends with our brides. Most boutiques have the same price ranges as the large franchises and the quality is always top notch. Our dresses range from $600-$5000 on average, and often you can hit up local salons for a sample sale with top couture designers ranging from $200-$3000.
Misconception # 2: I can’t wear this style because of my figure.
Ok, so there are some styles that look better with certain figures, but don’t rule out anything just because you read that it won’t look good on you in some magazine. I can’t tell you how many times I had a bride afraid to try something on because they were told or had heard that particular style wouldn’t look good on them, and guess what…it looked fabulous! I always encourage brides to try on a variety of different shapes and styles, because you never know what the dress will look like on YOUR body, don’t rule anything out. I’ve had some brides say to me that they didn’t want lace, and well they ended up with a lace gown. You just never know, and things look so different on the hanger. So just try it on, no harm no foul.
Misconception #3: I don’t want strapless.
I do understand that most dresses these days are strapless, and you want something different. I hear you ladies! I also hear that you don’t want to be tugging on your dress all night. Here’s what some brides don’t understand..there should be no reason your tugging on your dress all night. Bridal gowns are not like your normal everyday wear. They are built with construction to keep it up and on your body as you dance the night away. This is also where a good tailor comes into play. With the proper tailoring, your gown should fit your body perfectly and flawlessly. Also, strapless dresses can help elongate a short frame, so don’t rule it out.
Misconception #4: Bridal consultants are just out to make a sale.
There are some people out there just wanting to make a sale, yes, but I wouldn’t put that label on everyone. We aren’t dirty car salesmen (sorry to the honest car salesmen out there). We are here to help you, to share this experience with you. I have cried with my brides, I have gone to their weddings, I have even seen their family members come back in over the years. We have made lifelong friends. We are a family. We hire staff that are knowledgeable and helpful, and who really want to be here with you through every step. As cheesy as it sounds we aren’t just selling a dress, we are wanting to help your dream come true.
I read this great article in the parade and I want to attach it, because it’s exactly what we do here, and what we are here for.
http://www.parade.com/news/2012/01/lessons-in-love-from-a-bridal-shop.html
Now for some things we would like you to consider when walking into a bridal salon:
1.) We are working with some pretty pricey, and some delicate merchandise, so we ask that you please consider this when trying on gowns. Samples can be abused and we try hard to keep them in great shape so that more and more brides appreciate the true look of the gown. We don’t keep the dresses in garment bags so that you can actually see them, and touch them. I have had some women spill coffee on dresses, rip holes in the trains with their shoes, lipstick stains on the inside of the gown, little children running around touching dresses with chocolate hands, brides unfolding pleats, scrunching fabric with their hands, leaving dresses laying on the floor ect… We know they are accidents, but we ask you to try and keep these things in mind.
2.) Sometimes more opinions can only confuse you more:
We know this is a very important day for you, and you would like to include all your best friends and family members, but often more opinions can really confuse you, and make you stressed and frustrated. This is your day and should be about YOU and what YOU like.
3.) Speak up!
We are hear to help you, but if you do or don’t like something, or don’t feel comfortable please speak up. Bridal consultants will often try and help you pick out a few dresses, but that doesn’t mean you have to like them. We didn’t make the dresses so I promise you won’t offend us. We also want to hear what you don’t like so we can better assist you. On the other end if you really like something, let us know and we can try and make it work!
4.) Please call to reschedule
It’s busy time of the year and appointments do book up very fast. We normally have a waiting list this time of year, so if you are not going to make it to your appointment or if you find a dress, don’t be afraid to call us and let us know. If we have you down for an appointment and you don’t show up, that takes away an appointment for another potential bride. So please give us a call and let us know.
Now i’m going to leave you with a little piece of advice I think most ladies forget:
Interesting Color Schemes:
So time for part two of our interesting color schemes:
This is not a new or different color combo by any means, but it’s not a color scheme I see too much of anymore, and when done correctly makes for a beautiful palet, and how pretty does it look when you add hints of blush.
Navy and Red
Check back with us periodically throughout the months as we embark on fabulous and interesting color schemes throughout the 2012 year!
Drum roll please..
It’s here, it’s here! Our Town+Country shoot featured on pages 12-34
Utterly Engaged has been a favorite magazine of mine for the past year. It always has such amazing drool worthy images, great enough for any inspiration board!
The Dress Featured in the shoot is by Jasmine and it only costs $800! Talk about Beauty on a budget!
Happy Holidays!
I just love this time of year, the brisk air hitting your face, the lit up houses, the smell of cinnamon everywhere. As they say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
We wanted to wish you the warmest holiday season, and nothing but the best in the upcoming year. From our home to yours, Happy Holidays!
Here is our present to you: Melange is offering a free veil with every Bridal gown purchase all month long, and we just marked our sample dresses down even more, we are practically giving these beauties away. We also have a door price that you don’t want to miss! what is it you might ask? Well come in and find out!
Happy hunting! 
Unique and Fabulous Color Combos
I love love love hearing my creative brides think of unique color schemes; and while color combos such as tiffany blue and chocolate, grey and yellow, and navy blue and pink, are classics, there is just nothing like seeing a fresh new pallet that not too many other women are going to have.
That’s why once a week, we will be showcasing some of our favorite color combos.
I was digging through my closet today and noticed one of my camel long sleeve t-shirts, next to my cobalt mini, it actually made for a pretty awesome color combo so I try to see if anyone else was using this color scheme, I didn’t come across anything. How pretty would it be though to have beautiful long cobalt bridesmaid dresses with a brown belt….or a camel dress with a bright cobalt sash and flowers?
Or how beautiful would it be to have camel table cloths and cobalt crystal vases with bright blue orchids?
Check back next week as we have more fantastic color combos coming your way!