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August 28, 2008 08:46:45
Posted By Your Fairy Godmother

I am a mother of two myself, and I love kids. But bridal boutiques are not a place for children.

But for your own sanity...make every effort to arrange a sitter when you have you bridal appointments. You cannot possibly concentrate and enjoy yourself with a 5 year old in tow. He will either constantly want your attention or amuse herself by running around the store and hiding in the gowns racks unsupervised. It can be stressful for everyone.

If you absolutely have to bring them along - include another adult to help entertain and supervise them. It is in their nature to be curious, full of energy and low on patience. And a bridal store has a of sparkling, pretty and delicate things, and is not child-proof.

When you shop for your wedding gown, it should be an enjoyable experience. Take your time. Try on many gowns. You should be pampered and served. This is the more important garment you will wear in your life. 

Planning a wedding is stressful enough.

 

Your Fairy Godmother

 

 

 

 

 
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Categories: bridal gown, bridal shop
 
August 27, 2008 05:49:35
Posted By Your Fairy Godmother
Yesterday I had a bride visit the store. She told me she has been engaged for about a year and is now getting her act together. Her wedding is... 4 weeks away!
 
Many bridal gowns take 4, 6, 9 even up to 12 months for delivery on special orders. Some designers offer rush services for an extra fee, of course. There are a few lines that do stock dresses for 1 week delivery, but this is uncommon.
 
Even bridesmaids can require up to 6 months for delivery.
Why? There are several factors involved. Most gowns are made outside the US. It is difficult to know the production schedule of each factory. This past spring, one factory just closed its doors without notice. Add to that - the orders are shipped by boat and go through US Customs. Then they get to the designers/distributors who inspect them and send them to the retailers. A lot can go wrong to delay this process.
 
Hopefully we receive the correct size and there is nothing wrong with the gown. If it is getting close to the wedding date and there is a problem, the local store/seasmtress/bride have to work with it - but sometimes the designer can pull someone else's dress of the line for a replacement in an emergency.  (Hey, I hope that's not your dress used as a replacement - they just delayed further.)
 
So you see, the shop has NO CONTROL over your order. That's why we plan on the worst case. I do not promise a delivery I cannot guarantee. Brides are too stressed already. Remember, you still need time for alterations.
 
Now back to the yesterday's bride. She is a size 16 - most boutiques only stock 8-10-12 sizes. But I have many sizes and she found a bridal gown here instock that she likes...though she still wants to shop around.
 
And of course she has to have burgundy for her maids. That limits their choices even further - Bridesmaids that are available for quick delivery are usually only a limited number of styles and colors. Luckily I had a dress we could get in time and in burgundy. Now if she can only get the four women in here to place the order before much more time goes by...
 
My advise for procrastinating brides, don't panic. Just be more flexible in your choices.
 
Your Fairy Godmother
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August 7, 2008 09:47:30
Posted By Your Fairy Godmother
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August 7, 2008 09:40:18
Posted By Your Fairy Godmother

Designers discontinued gowns with no notice. It happens all the time.

If the style is not selling well, it may not be carried over to the next season.

If certain lace or fabrics are no longer available - the dress will not continue

to be made.

 

This past year, there was a factory that just shut down without warning.

This put may gown order behind schedule. So always order early!

 
This is true for prom, bridal, maids, flowergirls and mother's dresses.
 

Suppliers may have limited stock available while it lasts. So we always check

directy with our suppliers when a dress has been recently discontinued.

 

What is happening more recently are price increases! We are receiveing price

increases on a constant basis.

 

 

Your Fairy Godmother 
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Categories: bridal gown, wedding gown, bridal dress
 
August 2, 2008 07:30:47
Posted By Your Fairy Godmother
Many brides who visit my store say they wish they had stopped in before making their final gown decision. Especially those that made the trek to the local D-store. It continues to amaze me how some bridal businesses prey on the emotional state of brides. 
The statistics I once read in a bridal industry report:
1. brides will shop an average of 5 bridal shops
2. 30% of them visit the D-store
3. 70% of those visiting the D-store purchase their gown there!!!
 
Is it their pricing?
When D-store first opened they were an outlet chain. Gowns were reasonably priced. Have you seen their prices lately? Many of their gowns are $600-$1500! No longer a bargain.
 
Is it their selection?
They have a large store filled with gowns. But style selection is limited - they carry each style is every size... that is why they have a huge inventory of gowns on the floor. They carry each gown in white or ivory only – if you want the other color it will need to be special ordered.
 
Is it their alterations?
Brides have the perception that they are obligated to have alterations done by the store where they purchased their gown. What incentive does the store have to sell you the proper size gown if they know they will be doing your alterations for an additional charge? Isn’t that a conflict of interest. Alteration departments are money-makers and you don’t know how experience the staff is, especially from a chain store. Proper fit is so important that my advise it to pay the dress in full and you can take it to a professional seamstress. (Some boutiques still offer included alterations – just be clear about what that really includes. For example a bustle may not be considered an alteration. Remember, there is no free lunch. The seamstress has to be paid one way or another.)
 
Is it their service?
The salespeople are working for commissions - the higher their sales volume, the higher their commission level. They truly sell you.
 
Is it their gimicks?
$99 gown sale? These are discontinued abused sample gowns that you have to inspect thoroughly. Sales associates will not be promoting these gowns – remember the commissions?
15% off your bridesmaid gowns with purchase of bridal gown? Sure, but you have 30 days to take advantage of that. They offer their own financing...sure, give them more of your money. Use your own credit card if you need to charge it.
 
I cannot tell you have many brides have come in to my store looking for bridesmaids or accessories and start tell me of the awful experience they had at the D-store. And then, many of them tell me they purchased a bridal gown and are not really happy with it. It breaks my heart. I offer them credit towards any gown I have in stock for the D-store gown. It is not the best way to do business but a bride should feel beautiful on her wedding day.
 
Now if you decide to check out the D-store your eyes will be open to the process. They may have your dream dress - great. But most of their dresses are copies of other designer’s best sellers. You know the ones – the dresses every other bride is wearing (more on that later)
 
 
 

Your Fairy Godmother
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Categories: bridal gown, wedding gown
 

 

 
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