Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

Are you or is someone you know in a dilemma over wedding preparations? The answer may be to hop onto a plane to Taiwan.

For those not in the loop, Taiwan has become a bridal services hub for couples from all corners of the world — anything from wedding photography to custom-made bridalwear is readily available.

The best place to start is Zhongshan (Jhongshan) North Road or Taipei Bridal Street which is situated right in the heart of the Taiwanese capital.

Countless mannequins garbed in extravagant wedding gowns dot both sides of the street. This is indeed a future bride’s paradise and possibly a groom’s worst nightmare!I headed for a posh bridal boutique called Julia owned by the husband-and-wife team of Mai Tsan Wei and Julia Muh. Muh is the dressmaker while hubby takes the photos.

The boutique boasts A-List celebrities and socialites among its customers. “Most of our customers can afford to be lavish in their spending,” said Muh. The boutique ranks among the top five bridal boutiques in the country, and also attracts customers from overseas. “People travel all the way from Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia to engage our services because we offer personalised bridal gowns and professional photo shoots,” she added.

As Muh took me and my fellow journalists on a tour of her boutique, I observed how every customer was being given undivided attention by the staff. Muh’s wedding gowns were impressive: intricate, classic and stunning, reflecting Muh’s partiality for European and American haute couture.

She uses mostly expensive fabric from branded fashion houses such as Dior and Gucci. “I design elegant gowns that are likely to be in fashion for a longer time than just one season,” she explained. After a crash course on bridal couture by Muh, I left for Ching Jing mountain to witness 99 couples in their wedding wear getting their photos taken. The event was organised by the Bridal Boutique Association of Taipei and the Taiwan Tourism Board.

During my stay at the mountain top resort, a little bird told me that there was a Malay couple from Malaysia participating in the event.

I was thrilled and determined to interview them about their choice of setting for their wedding pictures. Imagine my disappointment when I was informed by the tour manager that they weren’t keen on media attention.

Still, I did manage to speak to a few couples, despite the language barrier.

Wu Jin Fa and Xu Yi Xiang stood out. The couple had been married three decades and had never organised a wedding reception until now!

“I did not wear a wedding gown then, only a plain and simple dress because we had a civil marriage ceremony,” said Xu.

The Taiwan trip was a surprise wedding anniversary gift for her.

“I didn’t know anything until I reached the hotel in Taipei. I felt strange when reading about the wedding dress fitting session in the itinerary. Added Wu: “She (Xu) deserves it. She had been there for me through thick and thin. It feels like we’re getting married all over again.”

Chen Miao Long and Ji Li Ling from Singapore, on the other hand, are bridal photo addicts. “We have done this quite a number of times,” said Ji.

“Our first was two years after our wedding. We flew into London, bringing along a photographer whose trip we sponsored. And then we did a European tour. We took pictures in London, Venice and Paris,” said Ji.

Shanghai was the venue for their wedding photos during another trip. It’s an expensive hobby, the couple admits.

“But as long as Ji is happy, I am also happy to do it. She’s a natural in front of the camera. Instead of taking cues from the photographers, she takes over the shoot,” said Chen, laughing.

At 6am, with the temperature below 10º Celsius, I witnessed 99 couples posing in front of photographers.

I was amazed at how willing the brides were to brave the cold and hike up the mountain in revealing designer wedding gowns and high heels for the session. Ah, the things people do when they’re in love!

Shopfronts burst with enticing wares and girls scour the shelves for the most beautiful dress, it’s that time of year again the wedding season.

he focal point of any wedding is the bride. Naturally, every woman wants to be the most beautiful ever on their special day and the principle tool - a stunning gown. But getting your hands on the dress is no simple task, 23-year-old bride-to-be Thanh Nga says.

“I want something that’s trendy but exclusive. It has to be beautiful but affordable because I have to balance my budget.”

No mean feat. But with the endless choice on the high street there is hope.

A world apart from Hanoi brides in the 1980s who could only hire a gown for a few hours, any style and price from VND2mil is possible.

Something that all modern-day brides can indulge in is fashion. But for such a personal day, wedding gown trends are not as transient as catwalk styles.

The running theme is interest in foreign designs, wedding gown designer Thu Huong says.

“Every year, I upgrade my collection by looking at Western fashion magazines and I modify them to suit Vietnamese brides in term of taste and size.

In my 20 years of experience, I’ve usually used taffeta, silk and satin as my main materials.”

But different areas of society do have different tastes, she says.

“Women who work in offices usually go for something simple, elegant and expertly made. Blue-collar workers often choose intricate details or glitzy materials. So, I make gowns to suit everyone,” she says.

Huong’s dresses range from VND2-6mil.

On the more flashy end of the market are shops like Altamoza, Moza, Paloma and Quynh Anh who hone in directly on young fashionistas. The imported or locally made gowns often come as part of a package including bridal make-up, photo albums, flowers and cars, with prices ranging from VND3.5-12mil.

To battle the competition, many stores offer special deals. Jessica Thanh Hang targets bigger budgets, with expensive imported gowns while Juliet offers brand new gowns for rent. There’s no extra charge for being the first to wear it because the shop has outlets in outlying provinces that rent second-hand gowns.

Spiralling up to the extreme end of the market with tailor-made designs in silk, satin and velvet are shops like David Minh Duc.

The newest trend this season is tradition, David Minh Duc’s manager says.

“We give ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) a touch of haute couture with layers, glass-bead accessories and sequins,” she says.

You certainly pay for the labour as a full package can range from VND5mil to 42mil.

But if a personal designer isn’t enough to ensure your dress is going to make a sensation, there is another, perhaps more extreme option.

“I’m studying for a masters degree in finance in Australia and I bought my dress during a trip to Melbourne,” a 28-year-old newly-wed, Lan Hoang said.

“There are many bridal shops in Australia which provide gowns for Asian women. I did my research and found an affordable gown.

“I know not many people in Vietnam are going to have an Australian-made dress so I’m really happy,” she said.

Be it on the local high-street, via a personal tailor or during a trip abroad, all the choice certainly makes the run-up to the big day a little more stressful. But for the first glance in the mirror with that special dress, it’s sure to be worth it.

Source: Viet Nam News

The first of its kind in Los Angeles, Encore Bridal LLC is giving brides options when searching for the dress of their dreams. Savvy brides can now find the most elegant wedding dresses and bridal accessories within their reach at Encore Bridal’s upscale resale and consignment bridal e-Boutique, www.encorebridal.com. New, Sample, and Nearly-New couture wedding dresses from today’s most sought-after designers — such as Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Anne Barge, and Rivini — are all discounted at 30-60% off retail price. To ensure “walk-down-the-aisle” condition, each gown is professionally cleaned and thoroughly inspected before being showcased in Encore Bridal’s online boutique.

“I didn’t want brides to have to sacrifice design, quality, and service for price,” says owner Julie Jones, “and I felt brides should have socially conscious options when planning for their wedding day.” Recycled wedding gowns, veils and headpieces are changing the color of weddings from white to green. Encore Bridal is a haven for women who care about the environment and women’s issues. In addition to being a sustainable business, a portion of the profit from every sale is donated to non-profit organizations supporting cervical cancer research and education. This is something that is very personal for Miss Jones, who was recently affected by cervical cancer.

With Encore Bridal, brides-to-be can save time, sanity, and gas by purchasing their wedding gown in the comfort of their own home. A generous 7-day return policy eliminates stress if the dream dress turns out not to be so dreamy once tried on. Brides living in Southern California also have the option of viewing Encore Bridal’s off-the-rack wedding gowns at bimonthly trunk shows or during private styling appointments.

Newlyweds from all over the country are invited to continue the tradition of giving by consigning their couture gowns and bridal accessories with Encore Bridal. When the wedding ends the magic doesn’t have to. Recent Brides receive top dollar for their gowns if they are no more than 3 years old (there are exceptions for classic styles), originally retailed for over $1800, and are in pristine condition. Women are passing on the love and in exchange are purchasing their favorite handbag or diamond earrings as a daily reminder of their wedding day.

For more information: Log onto www.encorebridal.com

Victoria Gooch is dressed in a black, tunic-style pantsuit and heels.

A Mimco cuff adorns her wrist, her hair is perfectly coiffed and her face made up, but not in an over-done way.

The fact that she looks this immaculate would not be so unusual for anyone in the fashion game … except that in her arms is her four-week-old baby boy, Mason, and it’s only 10am.

I’m in awe – and that’s even before I cast my eyes around the store and see some of the stunning pieces Victoria currently has in stock at her Maroochydore boutique, Eve.

Eve Boutique is located in one of Ocean Street’s original buildings. Polished floorboards and French-style boudoir chairs create the ambience of an exclusive dressing room.

Up until two years ago, this space was known as Victoria Ann Bridal. Victoria saw the possibility of widening the boutique’s appeal by incorporating cocktail, evening and racewear to the mix. And it’s a mix that works.

“It’s developed quite beautifully. We’ve got a nice little client base and a wide cross-section of women shop with us,” Victoria says.

“We still carry bridal lines, but we wanted to be a bridal boutique that wasn’t for production line brides.”

When sourcing designs for the boutique, Victoria says she looks for quality, a good cut, and interesting fabrics.

Eve is the only boutique on the Sunshine Coast where you’ll find Wayne Cooper.

“I made an effort to go down and actually meet Wayne and his team and, of course, to find out whether the product would work,” she says.

“There are certainly products that won’t work in here… the pieces that do work are from his formal Wayne Cooper label.”

These dresses sit well alongside other Australian labels such as Matthew Eager, Buonitta, Bang by Messina and Party.

“It’s so important to me to support Australian products. I think the fit is superior, the quality is superior and I think our designers are fabulous.”

A wide range of accessories, bags and shoes is stocked to complement the gorgeous frocks. Victoria is particularly excited about the millinery she has in store for the first time from Melbourne-based Ward & Wylie.

“I was just researching the internet for fascinators and everything I came across was the same old, same old.

“Then I clicked on this tiny link to Ward & Wylie and I clicked on this website and I said, ‘I had to have them’.

“When they arrived, I was just ecstatic. The quality is beautiful, they’re finished beautifully and the tags even refer to them as ‘she’ and ‘her’.

“They are for those who want the hat or fascinator to be the feature of their race day outfit.

“I only bought one of each style. I wanted them to be such that people would fall in love with them, wear them and put them on their dresser, look at them every day and just love them.”

Eve Boutique, 1 Ocean Street, Maroochydore; ph 5443 7472; www.eveboutique.com.au

Source: thedaily.com.au

Because of the growth of the revenue from salin bridal gowns, David’s Bridalshop decided to sale on-line a line of 14 beautiful bridal gowns. The new fashion trend in the area it is recognized in this dresses but also the good price that they have (it starts from $99 up to $ 200).

According to recent studies,online sales of wedding gowns accounted for 5.5% of sales in 2006, with6.5% projected for 2007 - a potential increase of nearly 20% in just oneyear. In response to this growing trend and in an effort to meet the needsand preferences of today’s brides-to-be, David’s Bridal - the nation’sforemost bridal retailer - recently launched the db Online Collection, thecompany’s foray into selling bridal dresses via their website. Theimpressive collection of fourteen beautiful new bridal styles is soldexclusively at www.davidsbridal.com.

With prices starting at $99 and most dresses retailing for under $200,the db Online Collection offers affordable luxury with new trend-drivenstyles, available in either white or ivory. A dress featuring color accentswill be added later this month. The collection offers a multitude ofsilhouettes ranging from A-line to ball gown to sheath, and all styles areavailable in missy sizes (2 - 16) and David’s Bridal Woman sizes (14W -26W). Images and video are shown on both missy and plus size models so allbrides can easily visualize their wedding day look. An online fit andsizing guide helps customers find the perfect style for their body type andpersonality.

As part of the company’s ongoing effort to add value and improve thebridal shopping experience, David’s creative team implemented an innovativeidea for capturing the beautiful movement of the db Online Collectiondresses. The industry leader is among the first to integrate cutting-edge”motion” technology that enables fashion photographs to seamlessly come tolife right on the product pages. Using this unique feature, brides can seehow each dress will move and how it will appear from all angles, withoutthe interference of a pop-up or video player. To further enhance theshopping experience and provide a better feel for the intricate dressdetails, brides are able to zoom into product images to view theembellishments and fabrics. Brides can also “virtually try on” dresses inthe db Online Collection using David’s proprietary Dress Your Wedding tool.

The introduction of the db Online Collection gives brides-to-be theability to select from an even greater assortment of high-quality, elegantstyles for their big day, from the comfort and convenience of their ownhome. Each dress is specially constructed with an easy, flattering fitdesigned to boost confidence in online ordering and ensure the dressesarrive in “ready to wear” condition.

In addition to the launch of the db Online Collection, David’s recentlyadded online product ratings and reviews to the entire David’s Bridalassortment, using their signature “heart” logo in lieu of “stars.”Customers can easily enter their review of products and upload associatedphotos or videos, allowing all website visitors the ability to shareopinions and gain insight from real brides’ experiences.

“The launch of db Online Collection and additional online featuresemphasize David’s Bridal’s commitment to providing an unparalleledselection of beautiful styles, at affordable prices, to best suit brides’shopping habits,” says Robert Huth, President and CEO of David’s Bridal.”The David’s Bridal name promises superior quality and fashion-forwarddesign, as well as the ultimate in shopping convenience. We’re pleased tocontinue to enhance the customer experience for our brides and arecommitted to expanding our online offerings in 2008.”

Every db Online Collection style is available for immediate deliveryand may be returned via mail only (seewww.davidsbridal.com for shippingand return details). Online bridal gown customers are entitled to David’sBridal Rewards savings and are encouraged to visit any of the 280+nationwide David’s Bridal stores to complete their wedding day look withalterations, accessories and bridal party attire. For additionalconvenience, davidsbridal.com also offers coordinating invitations, giftsand favors to further personalize a bride’s big day, as well as links topartner websites that offer gift registry, travel, photography and otherservices.

About David’s Bridal
With more than 50 years of bridal experience, David’s Bridalunderstands the importance of providing brides-to-be with a vast selectionof exquisitely crafted dresses, available at affordable prices. Today, withmore than 280 locations nationwide, David’s Bridal continues to expand itsretail store locations, while maintaining its philosophy of superiorquality, value and service. To locate a store nearby, consumers can call1-877-693-BRIDE or visit www.davidsbridal.com

Source: David’s Bridal

These are good times. When you can literally shop till you drop and yet be eager for more. Trousseau shopping is all about indulgence and why not? So what will it be for the brides-to-be this year? Should you opt for a body-hugging corset or play it safe with a contemporary choli? Does it make sense to hold on to your mother’s jadau jewellery or invest instead in a diamond set? What colour codes to stick to and what shoes to pick…phew, who said shopping was going to be easy! But we prefer you banish the blues and go by this guide-book. We found the answers with our designer frat in the city and here’s a compilation of the top ten must-haves, must-flaunts for the bride-to-be. Go on, get that shopping list ready!

1. VELVET: The soft and silky fabric moves away from cozy razais and makes an appearance on all ensembles formal. Yes, velvet, the fabric that died away on the trend-o-meter some years back is clocking big again. “It’s a rich look that sells well for velvet. I recommend at least, one formal outfit in this fabric a must for every trousseau,” advises Sector 8 based designer Babi Grewal. From suits to sarees to Indo-Westerns, take your pick.

2. KALIDAAR: This trend seems to have come a full circle. Remember the Anaarkali suits that boasted of umpteen ‘kalis’? Well, time to pull it back from the design books. “Kalidaar suits with a tight churidaar are a wise investment,” feels designer Poonam Sood, who runs her store in Sector 22. She also recommends dipping deeper into the colour palette. “For a trousseau, a kalidaar suit can be styled in rich colours with traditional zardozi and even brocade,” adds the designer.

3. CLUTCH: This one’s still retained its hold on the must-have list. “Clutches are classic buys,” says Col (retd) ADS Gill of GADS Leather in Sector 7, that stocks up on a smart collection of the same. “Clutches come in a variety of avatars but I suggest a classic gold or black one for a trousseau. Also, an increasing number of brides are getting potlis matching with their lehenga for the D-day,” adds Col Gill. For more casual wear, big bags are best, and remember metallica is the colour for the year.

4. LINGERIE: Trousseau shopping is incomplete without some super sexy lingerie. From “teddy sets” to “doll” nighties, the trend for cute yet naughty nightwear continues. “Essentials today include seven-piece sleep-ins to net nighties,” mentions Dolly Singh, who runs her lingerie store Attractions and is deluged with young brides asking for colourful innerwear. “Some time back black and gold colours were the only choices, today trousseau should boast of mutli-colour sets,” says Singh and adding, “Satin and lace rule but one must include sensible stuff too like a T-shirt bra.”

5. PHULKARI: It’s a must for every Punjabi bride. Only this traditional ensemble has undergone some changes. “For one, it’s no longer restricted to just an odhni,” is what city-based wedding stylist and designer Honii Sandhu has to tell us. More recently, Sadhu designed a Phulkari lehenga for a bride and has her hands full designing Phulkari outfits. “One Phulkari piece is essential in a trousseau and I feel a bride shouldn’t get all the outfits in her trousseau stitched at once, some are best kept for later,” is Honii’s advice.

6. THE VANITY CASE: Now’s the perfect time to splurge on the best make-up and fragrances. “Brides have to keep the glow intact even after the wedding. So it’s wise to invest in some good make-up essentials like mascara, compact, blush-ons and yes a good mix of lipsticks in a variety of colours,” mentions make-up expert Bhavna. Also since perfumes will leave a dent in the wallet, make sure you select classics that best suit you. Estee Lauder, Davidoff, Chanel and Burberry are good picks.

7. STILETTOS: The six-inch heel is back! Steer clear of platforms and opt instead for some sky-scrapers that are must for a trousseau. The market is brimming with tie-ups, wedges and stilettos and the latest trend is the bejeweled look. So let your toes toe in line too! As for colours, make sure you pack in gold and silver to play safe.

8. SO SARI: Your trousseau will be incomplete with the seven yards. Babi recommends holding on to traditional weaves as brocade and short silks are fast riding up the trend charts. “Colours like beige and cream are also finding their way into a trousseau and there’s nothing like a sheer saree accentuated with small bead work,” is Babi’s suggestion.

9. JEWELS: When it comes to baubles, the bride for the year can forget minimalism. Divya Gurwara, CEO, Bridal Asia and an expert on bridal trends says, “You are the bride and must look every bit it. Nothing works better than kundan. But choose carefully, because some of the stuff available can look tacky. So opt for jadau with polki diamonds. Nath, tikka, jhoomar… go for it all. In fact, these are the only things you should load on.” Time to raid your grand ma’s locker, no?

10. The Cocktail Dress: Forget all black. In fact, a muted gold smock is this year’s answer to last year’s tunic. “Kurtis are passé and smocks, a more elder and subtler version of the frock is this year’s pick,” mentions Prabhdip Brar, head of fashion at NIIFT. Trousseau should pack in a smock highlighted with muted gold, which Brar feels is the which Brar feels is the colour to flaunt. If you are edgy about a short dress, team it up with ciggie pants or tights. Now, wasn’t this easy?

Colour to flaunt. If you are edgy about a short dress, team it up with ciggie pants or tights. Now, wasn’t this easy?

Source: ExpressIndia.com

In the month of November, it’s a good time to buy sneakers and wedding gowns. When it comes to sneakers, again, we are through the back-to-school season, and retailers are looking to clear sneakers off the selves to make room for winter boots. And when it comes to wedding gowns, most brides get engaged in November and they put the purchase of the dress on the back-burner because of the holiday season. November is the time when the bridal stores are quieter and retailers are more willing to negotiate on prices.

Source: CBS News

They called on Norfolk women to hand over the most precious piece of clothing in their wardrobe for a fundraising fashion show.

But staff at a local cancer charity have been given so many beautiful wedding dresses that they can now stock their own bridal boutique in Norwich.

The Big C had envisioned a trickle of gowns and accessories when it put out its unusual plea last month, with many women perhaps reluctant to part with a treasured memento of one of the most important days of her life.

Just days later, the charity for Norfolk and Waveney has been overwhelmed by the generous response and has enough stunning dresses, bridesmaid gowns and accessories to open a dedicated floor at its shop in Timberhill.

The dresses - each with its own unique story - range from vintage 1950s frocks, to elaborate modern gowns and even a dress fashioned from a pair of curtains by a hard-up bride in the sixties.

Managers Rosemarie Bennett and Wendy Brown, who have had great fun sorting through the donations, said many of the 100 dresses are good enough to be worn again and to be given a new lease by future brides.

Others may not make it down the aisle again but are a fascinating piece of fashion history from bygone wedding days - and perhaps perfect for a theatre group or film company.

“We have an absolutely beautiful modern dress in our window,” said Ms Brown, surrounded by dozens of dresses that will go on sale from next week.

“The lady who brought it in said she had paid £1,000 for it, and we are selling it for £250.

“We’ve still got another 60 to 80 to pick up from around north Norfolk.”

Ms Bennett added: “It’s been incredible - we had five dresses brought in before 11am on one day alone, and we’ve had at least three or four every day.”

Staff at the shop steam-clean each dress and ask donors to fill in a card giving a brief detail of its history, although some of the items have been donated brand new by dressmakers and bridal shops.

Sharon Hulbert, the charity’s communications manager, said: “Our managers have been hearing some fascinating stories when the dresses are donated.

“I think the cancer connection really inspired people, and they felt they could give up their dress if it was giving support to such a good cause.

“We are getting so many, and have more to pick up, that we thought we’d open our own bridal shop, and it looks fantastic.

“People should not think we’ve just got a load of naff charity shop dresses because they are really, really not, but they can get a stunning wedding dress for a fraction of the price new.

“We want to keep on promoting it and maybe it could be something that is unique to us.”

The dedicated bridal floor at the Big C charity shop on Timberhill, Norwich, will be officially opened by Anglia News’s Clare Weller at 10.30am on Friday. Dresses are priced from £50 to £250.

Source: EDP24

If you are a bride who is looking for the finest in couture wedding gowns, possibly one of the easiest methods of search would be to look online. Many of the discount bridal centers may not carry this gown with fine needlework, and flare that you so desire. This is not to say however, that you cannot find a high end, or gown of couture like design in the clearance stores it just means that the gowns may only be up for sale in off seasons.

If you are a bride who just happens to be getting married in the winter months, this could pan out as you could easily find a couture gown on clearance in the spring. Planning ahead for your wedding allows you the opportunity to shop for such a lavish and detailed gown, many times with lower cost to you. When you are shopping online for gowns, it pays to start relatively early as you may have the opportunity to find a wedding dress of your dreams and at a great price. This can happen often as designers and sales reps place the older gowns out in clearance to make way for the new stock coming in.

High-end gowns with fine needlework are not an everyday dress; these lovely high-class wedding gowns are for the bride that wants to show she is worth it. Looking online gives you the option to see many different designers, and what they have to offer in the way of classy handmade wedding gowns. Brides are the center of attention, for this very reason they seek a gown that will give them every opportunity to be just that. If you are looking for a wedding dress that is hand made and makes you feel like a million dollars, look no further than the elegant style and flare of a fine gown of couture design.

Source: Wedding Guide

Vera Wang, famous for luxurious wedding gowns and elegant women’s fashions, is coming to Kohl’s. The designer’s Simply Vera Vera Wang collection will be in stores beginning Sept. 9 and will include apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and bedding and bath accessories.

Like other Kohl’s merchandise, it will be affordable — $34 for a long-sleeved, silk-blend T-shirt, $138 for a double-breasted brocade car coat.

Trends that pop up throughout the fall collection include layers, metallics, embellishments and volume, with oversize sleeves, bubble skirts and big coats.

Source: Herald Leader

So what really happens when a bride purchases her gown on the Internet? and why would she?

The last question is one that I ask myself over and over. Why would a woman want to buy what is perhaps the single most expensive garment purchase she may ever make in her life with a click of the mouse? The answers are varied:

“I don’t have time to shop in every store to look for my dream gown.”
“The Internet is more convenient.”
“There is more selection.”
“The prices are better.”
“I can take my time without pushing salespeople bothering me.”
“I don’t like taking my shoes off!” Yes, I actually had a bride tell me this is the reason that she purchased her gown online.

I am sure that there are more reasons and excuses but it all comes down to the individual and the choices that they make. I will confess that I urge my brides to purchase their dresses locally if at all possible. I ask them to stay away from big box national retail chains and choose a gown that can be selected from a local boutique. Why?

Again the answers are varied, but for me it comes down to customer service. (Now please keep in mind that I am only talking in generic terms as these facts, unfortunately, do not apply to every local boutique out there.) At most boutiques that I visit, I am met with a courteous smile, “Hello, how are you? What can I help you with?” They will ask my wedding date, ask about my styles, what I am looking for in a dress, and colors. They want to get to know as much about me so that the selections that they help me with are good ones. For the most part, these are salespeople that have been in the fashion and fitting industry for quite some time, so they should know what they are doing.

I don’t know about you, but I like being greeted at the door, I like knowing that my presence in their store is making a difference, an impact, or is just well noticed in case I have a question. I don’t like being ignored. Snobbery? Maybe close to it, but the point is, I like the attention. I like touching the beautiful gowns and feeling the satin slip through my fingers. I like it when the store associates ask me if I would like something to drink then brings me a glass of sparkling champagne. I like help with stubborn hooks and zippers. I like the plush seats and comfy carpets. I like looking in the wide mirrors and hearing, “Oh, my goodness! You like just like a princess!” Let’s face it ladies, this may be the only time in our lives that we are going to hear words like this directed just to us—I don’t want to miss a single moment of any of it!

I will hear from both side of the fence on this. “I just like to look. I don’t like to be bothered. I don’t like pushy salespeople trying to cram their style down my throat!” A little extreme maybe, but you get the idea. If this is the case, then the Internet option may be a good one for you, but I doubt it.

For the next couple of days, I will explore a little more in depth why Internet wedding gown shopping is not always the best deal. But until then, most brides want the fussing over so Bridal Boutiques—bring on the champagne and attention!

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

One of the delights of my job is to visit area wedding gown boutiques to keep on the latest fashions. Looking through rows and rows of beautiful silk and chiffon creations is a treat. I can only imagine what it must feel like to pick and choose from such exquisite gowns knowing that there is one perfect dress out there just waiting to be discovered. Every style, every color, every pattern, every adornment from beads to lace to feathers. Silks, satins, chiffon, and more are there for every bride in almost every store.

I have discovered in my travels that every bridal store is an unique as its owner. They strive to carry an inventory that will appeal to even the most discriminating tastes and sizes. Most stores carry a rather large quantity of gowns, flower girl dresses, mother’s gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and tuxedos. Then there are the shoes, hair accessories, jewelry, ring bearer pillows, unity candles, invitations, and the list goes on and on. Quite impressive for even the small mom and pop stores as well as the larger more established big-city boutiques. But regardless of the size and location of the store, all bridal inventory is expensive.

Try pricing a wedding gown today and then multiply that cost by 200-300 or more! Add in bridesmaid’s dresses, mother’s gowns, flower girl clothing, accessories, and pretty soon you get the idea that this business is not cheap! It takes a lot to open a bridal boutique and even more to keep a successful one running. In addition to all of the above, there are operating costs, advertising, alterations, hired help….well, you get the idea.

Bridal Boutiques are in business because their owners love what they do, not because they like loosing money which is precisely what happens every time a girl goes on the Internet to purchase her wedding dress. This is becoming more and more increasingly popular among current brides. The reasons why can be varied but the number one reason that I hear over and over again is to save money.

Why brides would even consider purchasing an online bridal gown is beyond me and one that we will explore in upcoming blogs.

What actually happens when you make an online wedding gown purchase?

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

Her story just keeps getting better. And now super-star bridal gown designer, Monique Lhuillier, who burst onto the scene in 2003, is opening her first flagship store. Naturally, it will be on star studded melrose place in L.A.

The store will feature her bridal couture, ready to wear clothing as well as a new handbag capsule collection. the collection will feature 10 styles and according to fashionweekdaily.com, has lots of buzz surrounding it. The store will officially open october 10th.

You just got engaged. Congratulations! What is the first thing you want to do? Go shopping for a dress. You can’t wait to find the perfect dress. Even brides who are strictly jeans and a t-shirt type can’t wait to shop for their wedding dress. Some have the perfect idea of how their dream bridal gown should look, others haven’t got a clue. This is where you are relying on finding the perfect shop for that perfect dress.

I am here to say that you need to kiss a lot of toads before finding your prince, and the same holds true for finding the perfect wedding dress. You need to try on lots of gowns to find the one that makes you feel like you are the most perfect and beautiful woman in the entire world. And to try on lots of gowns, you will need to visit lots of shops.

Bridal shops are not all created equal. There are small boutiques and large shops. Mom and Pop businesses and national store chains. Some stores carry exclusive lines only to them, some can get anything you want shipped in and still others opt for a more customized approach by making your gown only for you—a one of a kind creation. Whatever style, color, and material you choose please choose a store that cares about you. You will not be sorry.

You want to shop at boutiques that cater to you; bring you something to drink; ask your opinions and listen to them; help you in and out of the dresses; don’t run to answer the phone leaving you unattended; offer to alter any part of the dress that needs taking in (or out); and generally makes you feel very welcomed and special. If they don’t ask your name, ask if you getting married or make you feel welcome after 30 seconds of entering their store, then they are not the store for you.

I recently visited such a business a couple of days ago. I had 20 minutes between appointments and decided to visit a very well-known bridal store in Des Moines. Many of my brides get their gowns from this establishment so I decided to find out what the hoopla was about.
Maybe I looked too old to be getting married (I’m not) or maybe it was because I didn’t have a ring on (it could have been at the jewelers getting cleaned), but I could have been a gnat for all this store cared. Nothing–nada, no greeting or anything. I walked around the store very slowly, looked through dresses and jewelry, feigned interest in a pair of shoes (that’s not hard for me), and glanced through a leaflet on one of the side tables. I even held a dress up to me in the mirror. Nothing. After 15 minutes, I left.

Gosh, they must have been awful busy. I was the only customer in the store (not kidding).
Maybe they had bookwork to do. If talking on the cell phone is bookwork, then I’ll buy that.
They didn’t want to pressure you. Saying “hello” doesn’t threaten me, nor make me want to flee in a panic.

No, they just plain ignored me and I walked out. I will grant you, I could have asked for help, but why should I? If they don’t want my business enough to ask me my name or at least give me a courtesy greeting, then they don’t deserve my business. Give me a flash of smile and genuine interest in my visit and that store will get my business every time.

Boutique owners, don’t complain to me about not getting any business if you can’t be bothered to say hello to each and every person that walks through your door. If Quick Trip can do it—so can you!

Source: DesMoinesRegister.com

This is very important advice for those brides when choosing a dress!

It is important that you do your homework. All bride don’t want to waste time running into the wrong stores and boutiques and find out at the end of the day that you have achieved nothing. Keep reading if you want to make your next run-around a success.

The most important thing should be taken care of first. You obviously would like to know how much to pay for your wedding dress. The prices of wedding dresses vary. They can range from as little as £500 to as much as £50,000. This also depends what you get for your money. For instance, you can buy a perfect dress from well-known bridal chains and pay a measly £300. Keep in mind that a dress at this price is probably shipped from the Far East. Also, it will be unlikely that these dresses are silk and unique.

Don’t let this put you off. There are also well-known brand dresses for £3000 and more. These dresses are also manufactured in the Far East, but they are altered to fit. There are top end bridal stores that is better and there you can expect silk, but remember that if you are paying for a dress that has to be altered to fit you, you are just paying for a name, and this name costs you £3000.

If a bride is prepared to pay £3000 for a dress, it should be “made to measure”. Purchasing a dress and then having it altered to fit is sometimes not successful. There are stores that charge you anything from £1800-£4000, but this means that the wear is handmade to fit the princess.

Altered to fit dresses and made to measure dresses have a huge price difference. If you think about, you would probably think that you are been over-charged. Here are the reasons why this is not true:

Made to measure dresses are individually, handmade and labor will cost you. Overheads are higher than dresses that are being manufactured in the Far East. Bridal stores offer a high service level and also have an investment in many sample dresses for the brides to try.

Another reason is that brides are experiencing what designers have, and what they have acquired in the business over the years. You are dealing with professional designers that design and make their own dresses, and with this, brides should feel confident knowing that at the end of the day the dress is going to fit and when the time comes it will be ready. This is not the case with dresses from the Far East. These dresses have to be altered once you put it on.

There are cases where brides decide to use a dressmaker to copy the design of a designer dress to budget what is in the pocket. Dressmakers can cut a designer’s price in half because of the low overheads. The brides should first ask for a few references before considering this option, because this can prove disastrous.

Neil MacLeod writes for Johanna Hehir, who has one of the largest selections of different wedding dresses in London and is one of London’s top wedding dress Designers. Specialising in made to measure designer wedding dresses and evening wear.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_MacLeod

I’m not in love with Chloe.

At every store I visited in my hunt for a bridal gown, they told me I should fall in love with my dress. That I would know that this is my dress, THE dress. A few months ago, I bought a dress, in a style named Chloe, at a small store in New York, but I wasn’t in love.

To be sure, I got a beautiful dress. I’ll be excited to walk down the aisle wearing it. I should be; I paid more for this dress than I have ever paid for an article of clothing before — or ever plan to spend again. But love?

I had never shopped for a wedding dress before, and maybe because of that I didn’t expect buying a dress to be much different from buying any other piece of clothing.

Wrong.

For starters, at least where I shopped in New York and northern New Jersey, you can’t go into a bridal store without making an appointment. I tried once and was promptly hustled out with a business card and instructions to call before returning.

Then, instead of browsing through racks, I stood half-dressed in a fitting room while a saleswoman brought in dresses she thought I might like, based on a couple of questions about style and price range. She would pull the dresses over my head, button them up and pin the excess fabric back, pulling tight the way I imagine Victorian maids tugged on their mistresses to tighten a corset. Sometimes, she would put a veil on my head, too, carefully smoothing it over my hair. Then she stood back and asked, “What do you think?”

Here is where I was supposed to swoon.

I went to big stores and small stores, expensive ones and cheap ones. At all of them, the saleswomen told me I was supposed to fall in love with my dress and feel “something” when I first put it on. I was supposed to feel beautiful. Radiant. In love. Like a princess.

At some stores, including the one I ended up purchasing from, the dresses had names, meant to express their personalities. A friend of mine got Rose, who had a tinge of pink shine in her fabric. At these places, the dress is not an “it”; the dress is a “she.” Apparently, it’s easier to fall in love with her than it.

Friends asked me about shopping, too. “Did you cry?” “Was it amazing?” “Did you feel like a bride?”

I didn’t cry. I don’t know how a bride is supposed to feel. In fact, I didn’t feel anything except frustrated and inadequate, like I was missing something.

Maybe I just hadn’t looked hard enough yet.

My initial shopping excitement turned to drudgery as I marched through store after store, dragging along my mother, sister, friends and even a groomsman, just waiting for that special feeling. Waiting for love at first sight. Everyone told me it would happen. All I had to do was find the right dress.

Again and again, I waited to gaze into the mirror, feeling it. Every time, I left disappointed. Each time, I would go into a store thinking my dress, THE dress, might be here. It had to be somewhere. All I had to do was keep looking for that right dress, that right damn dress.

Finally, I realized that, no matter how much I loved it, my wedding dress was not my groom, not why I was getting married, not who I would promise to love “till death do us part.”

Yet saleswomen had convinced me that it was so. They talked about buying a dress as if it were like falling in love with a person. The language they used equated the wedding dress with the wedding and all that it means. Of course, even in love, we don’t always feel it the minute we try it on. Still, I was just spending an afternoon with this dress, not a lifetime.

That made it easy. I went back to the small boutique where I had tried on Chloe, which I really liked. It (she?) is strapless with a satin empire waist and an ivory-colored silk body. The decision to buy it was not practical, but it was the dress I liked best, even if I wasn’t in love.

Source: NorthJersey.com