Shopping For Your Perfect Gown!

When clients learn that I used to work in a bridal salon, they immediately ask for advice on the gown selection process and why are those girls so mean! Here are my top 10 take it from someone who knows tips:

1. First and foremost remember it is YOUR gown and YOU should make the decision. Not the salesperson....not your bestfriend....not your mother or mother-inlaw to be....etc. Advice is great but YOU have to love it!
   
   
2. What type of shopping experience are you expecting? Weekend service can be different from week day service just as early morning can be different from late evening. Not all shops will give you one on one service. Call the shop ask them if you need an appointment, is the store kid friendly, can you take pictures, will your salesperson be dedicated solely to you.
   
   
3. Remember your "consultant" is a salesperson after all is said and done. She/He (yes, men do work in bridal salons) more than likely works on commission and time is money. The goal is to sell you a gown and eveything that goes along with it. Yes, she/he should be nice, polite and eager to serve you. That is called good Customer Service. However don't expect the salesperson to be overjoyed when you spend two or more hours trying on gowns only to say "I am not buying today. I am just here to get ideas."
   
   
4. Do your homework. Walk into that salon armed with knowledge and ideas. What type of wedding are you having? Do you have any special rules you must follow? What is your dream style ballgown, sheath, mermaid, a-line? What designers do you like? The more knowledgeable you sound the better service you will receive. Trust me.
   
   
5. What is your magic number? Gowns prices are all over the place $99 and up WAY UP!! Do you really want to risk trying on a $3000 gown and falling in love with it knowing your budget calls for a $1500 gown? Unless you are willing to find the extra $$ try on styles within your budget. Allow some room in your budget for all the extras (bra, slip, shoes, headpiece). Also, realize that sometimes higher price really does equate to higher quality.
   
   
6. When you find the gown of your dreams buy it. If you are out shopping you need to be prepared to buy. Sometimes the salesperson isn't kidding when they say "If you don't buy it now, I can't guarantee you can get it later". There is nothing worse on both sides of the coin than a bride coming back to the store only to find her dream gown is no longer available. It is hard for the bride to hear and hard for the salesperson to explain.
   
   
7. Know the terms of the sale and get them in writing before making the purchase.
   - Who is the designer of the dress and is the store an authorized reseller?
   - Are your purchasing off the rack or ordering.
   - What size are your ordering
   - What is the delivery date.
   - If you are purchasing off the rack will the store clean, press, alter, or fix any imperfections and if so is there a charge.
   - Is there a payment plan and what is the payment schedule and when is the final payment due.
   
   
8. If you buy your gown, stop shopping for gowns. All sales are final at most salons and very rarely will you get your money back. You have plenty of other tasks to complete once your gown is purchased. Move on don't second guess yourself.
   
   
9. GET THE ALTERATIONS!! I can't express this one enough. Fit is everything. A properly fitted gown looks better and feels better. Ladies, don't think you can "kick the front of the dress out" as you walk down the aisle to prevent getting a hem. Hem it up, take it in, let it out but get the fit right. You don't have to have the work done where you purchased the gown but for heaven's sake get it done.
   
   
10. Have fun. Buying your gown should not become a chore. Don't worry if you don't find it your first time out. It may take 3 or 4 shopping excursions. If you find yourself trying on gown after gown and comparing them to one particular gown. Then you have found the one. If it is not out of your price range girl, go get your gown. If it is not in the budget either find a way to make it work or get it out of your mind and move on.

The Knot Does It Again!

What a great time we had Wednesday night at Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant (which by the way is gorgeous). The music, food and atmosphere .......ahhhh. We had cupcakes that were out of this world courtesy of "Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly".

I can't remember the last time I danced so much. My wrist hurts from snapping my fingers all night. Thanks Samone, Kerline, and Jennifer for all the laughs and "old school" memories!
What was even better is the nights theme was "going green" the centerpieces were being donated to a local hospital. Gotta love that!

(photos courtsey of Brian Adams Photographics)

Weekend Conference

I spent this past weekend in St. Petersburg, FL at the Association of Bridal Consultants Florida State meeting where I gave a seminar on multi-cultural weddings. It is always a little scary giving seminars to your peers and mentors are in attendance.

Not only did I present but I attended 2 days worth of seminars as well. I learned soooo..... many things. My favorite seminar was "Emergency Floral Fixes". We were taught how to make bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages. I have a whole new appreciation for florists. They go through alot to make a simple bouquet. Good feeling for the day!

After the seminar on the way back home we stopped in Ybor City for dinner. At the table behind us there was a girl with a great up-do and a tiara. I thought maybe she had just had her hair trail. So I went to my car and grabbed the bouquet I made and the boutonniere (since she was with a man). Turns out she had just gotten married the night before and she and her fiance were getting ready to go on a cruise. I gave them the flowers.

Blogging is Hard.

So much for my blogging prowess. I have failed miserably at keeping a blog going. So we are going to give it another try to see if I can be any better at it. You know how you intend to do something and everytime something else gets in the way. Well unfortunately, blogging is WAY at the bottom of my list of priorities. Since February, so much has happened.......Weddings, Brides Against Breast Cancer, More Weddings, Fashion Shows, etc.



Remember the 3-Strand Cord? Here's a photo of Michelle and Leonard braiding the cord. It really was a nice addition to their vow- renewal ceremony. While they braided the cord, their daughter read the bible scripture regarding the cord.

March was our annual Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown Sale. We had a great time, sold lots of wedding gowns and raised more than $30,000. A big thanks to all the brides who took the time to come out and support us! This past Sunday we showcased some of our Brides Against Breast Cancer Gowns at the Wedding Professionals of Central Florida Bridal Show. Beautiful girls, beautiful gowns!! We will be having our next sale in March 2009 at the UCF Alumni again. But watch out for special fund raising events coming throughout the year.

Hopefully, this will be the start of my better blogging ways.

Pay It Forward In The Drive Thru Line!

A few days ago I drove through a Dunkin Doughnuts to grab a quick cup of coffee. When I went to the window to pay I was told the car in front of me had already paid for my cup and did I want to pay for the person behind me. Evidentally someone had paid for the coffee behind them earlier in the morning and started the trend. I was the 15th car and naturally I couldn't break the cycle so I paid for the coffee as well. What a great way to start the day!

Jean M Invitations

My beautiful pink box arrived during the holidays! We are now a Jean M Wedding Accessories and Invitations Dealer. I first saw their line of products at the ABC convention when I took their seminar. I was very impressed by the quality of the invitations and creativity of the associates giving the seminar. You have your choice of paper, ribbon, design, cuts and monograms, envelopes, ink and colors. It's like they took the DIY idea and combined it with the customized idea. I have been playing with my kit nonstop! There are at least 20 different paper colors, 32 ink colors and 3o ribbon colors. I can't imagine not being able to create some awesome wedding looks with this. Check out their site at http://www.myjeanm.com/. But you have to see and feel them to appreciate them!!

New Friends! Wine By Design in Winter Springs

I just arrived back home from our Brides Against Breast Cancer kick-off meeting. In keeping with the party atmosphere I have going on in my life (attended The Knot Vendor appreciation party last night and cub scouts party with my son the night before) I decided to have the meeting at a boutique winery called Wine by Design. What fun!!

I met the owners Mitchell and Sharon about 2 or 3 months ago and had been looking for a reason to get to their shop. Before our meeting we had a wine tasting. I opted for the white wines and sampled two Pinot Grigios called Poets Muse and Radiant Rainbows End. A Reisling named Sweet Liquid Waltz. The Chardonnay aptly named Peachy Spike Concerto and a blush Zinfandel named Raspberry Rhapsody. Mind you all the wine probably added up to one good glass. Then we had our meeting and took a tour of their facility.

What a great idea for weddings especially when the bride and groom are wine enthusiasts. You can taste, ferment, bottle, cork and label your own special vintage for your wedding reception. I think I am going to arrange a night of fun for me and my sister-in-laws after the holidays. Just as a special "wine" down evening. Check them out on their website www.winemasterpiece or stop by the winery at 855 W SR434 in Winter Springs. Tell them LaVoria sent you!