belchertownbridals.com

Why does it take so long to order formalwear?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:49:35 GMT

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

..

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:47:30 GMT

No Longer Available???

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:40:18 GMT

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

Big Box Blues

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:30:47 GMT

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

Ordering Online??

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:17:38 GMT

So you are thinking about ordering your gown through an online site?

You may want to keep some things in mind why it is best to shop local boutiques - get the personal service you deserve and acutally see and try on dresses - HAVE FUN!

First - about half of the brides who come in to my store with a certain style in mind - choose something completely different once they see how the dress looks on them.

Second - sizing runs different for every designer and style. Choosing the right size could be a risk.

Third - You can feel the fabric - it could be luxurious, cheap, picky, or even flawed.

Fourth - What is the construction like? Will is be difficult to alter properly? Is it really a "new" dress or is it a leftover from 1980 and all the sequins have yellowed? Will the dress be too short?

There are many online sellers from China, recently. They use designer photos to entice you. Their price is incredibly, unbelievably, extremely low. You end up paying unexpected customs costs, there are shipping delays, and the dress that arrives is a poorly made copy of the photo you were shown. You are disappointed - do you think this supplier will do anything for you? NO - they are in China.

There are many discounting sites as well. So you think you are saving $100-200??? But will you really save anything in the end. Like I said earlier - sizing can be a difficult thing. Most brides need alterations. What to do? You can call local bridal shop. If the shop will accept your dress, more than likely they will charge you more for the service since you did not purchase from them directly. You can ask around for referrals, but a good seamstress is hard to find.

Saving $100-200 may be worth the time and stress to you. But be informed before you make a decision on the most important item of clothing you may ever purchase.

I love the dress but...

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:14:53 GMT

My inventory usually consists of over 1000 gowns! That's a lot. Yet, I don't have enough diversity to please everyone.

Many times, a bride walks in with a style in mind. But when she tries it on - yuck...not flattering.

It is not unusual that I pull a gown off the rack that is completely different from what she has described to me - and that's THE dress!

Lesson 1 - be open minded, be very open minded.
Remember too, dresses are just fabric. The big bow, those ridiculous fabric roses, dangling beads, etc - they can be easily removed!

Even keep in mind that many sleeves can be removed if you are looking for a tank style dress. Straps can be added to a strapless. A modesty panel can be added to a plunging neckline. Lace too sheer? add a lining. Bra cups can be added to fill out a bustline or elimite the need for a bra/bustier.

You wanted a pick-up skirt - maybe it can be hemmed with pick-ups? You did not want a train - Adding a bustle to pull up the train keeps you from having to drag it around all day.

I have even added color to beading on a dress and veil with the creative use of some nail polish. Add a colored sash by using any shawl...or the remnants from the hemming of one of your bridesmaids' dresses. There is even a service that will dye the entire gown for you.

Lesson 2: Don't sweat the small stuff.
Some brides buy the first dress they try on. Others shop for months and become desparate. My advice is to try on several different styles to start with. This way you will narrow down your basic silhouette and fabric. Then it is all up to the details.

If you plan on special ordering, do it early and leave yourself plenty of time. The store has no control over the manufacturer's schedule or which dresses will be discontinued with little notice.

If you are shopping "last minute" don't fret. There are several designers that offer a rush service (for an extra fee) and may even stock limited styles for quick delivery. You may find it less stressful to purchase something off the rack. I am all about less stress.

Last week I had a bride come in who had 2 weeks until her wedding. She found a dress and took it immediately to the seamstress.

Lesson 3: Start searching early, when you find the dress - buy it!
Designers discontinue style with little or no notice. It is not a sales tactic to get you to purchase - it does happen --- a lot! I can'tt tell you how many brides have come back only to find that the dress they wanted was no longer being made. Then it's back to square one.

-Your Fairy Godmother

www.belchertownbridals.com

Shopping for the perfect bridal gown

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:50:27 GMT

As bridal shop owner I have some suggestions and advice for that day(s) you shop for your wedding gown.

Call ahead - make an appointment if you know your schedule. If you do walk-in, be aware that some stores may turn you away. Or you may end up waiting for a dressing room and service until they become available.

Bring only one or two people with you. Don't go alone. But too many people have too many opinions and it will get confusing. Remember this is YOUR decision.

Shop for YOUR gown. Leave the bridesmaids, flowergirl, and tuxedo decisions until you have chosen your style.

Do not bring young children. They do not have the attention span and you will not be able to watch over them. You will have a more enjoyable experience when you don’t have to keep chasing them out of the racks.

Do try on many different styles! Gowns look very different on YOU! Narrow your choices down to a few "maybe" gowns and retry them...after a few dresses - it gets confusing as to how each looked. Take photos if the shop will allow it - (many will not).

Use a strapless bustier if the shop can provide you with your size.

If you like a fuller skirt - try the dress with an extra crinoline.

Ask the consultant to show you how a bustle might look.

Finally - always pick out your veil/tiara with your gown for the full effect and color match!

HAVE FUN!

Your Fairy Godmother

Kathy Mailhot

www.belchertownbridals.com

My First Thoughts...

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 03:15:19 GMT

One of my customers suggested I start a blog as a way to help out today's overstressed brides!

I thought about it and decided it would greatly benefit brides if I shared the stories I hear from my customers. I am amazed by some of the tactics, salespeople, and just plain crap brides deal with.

I started my business in 1987 out of my basement. I now have a storefront and sell through the internet as well. I am a practical person and I don't believe it is necessary for businesses to take advantage of brides because they are emotional and stressed out.

To begin with - you don't have to spend $1000s on a gown you'll only wear for a few hours. And don't get me going on accessories, alterations, and other additions pushed onto customers oce they are hooked.

I hope this will be eye opening to many brides. I realize some won't care - they will pay anything for their day.

I will write as often as I can. I want to discuss gown design, designers, gown shopping, accessories, alterations, pricing, internet shopping, and stories my customers share with me.

Your Fairy Godmother