Gown of the Week for August 29

As this busy day comes to an end, I want to quickly make a post for a new gown. This week I would like to focus on a discontinued sample gown. If you watched the new show last Friday, "I found the gown," you will realize that lots of brides-to-be are looking for a deal. Well, that is exactly what Rushville Bridal has for you. We have a good selection of sample gowns reduced to $95 and another larger selection reduced to $195.

Today feature gown is from Mary's Bridal. This taffeta gown has a ruched bodice with heavy silver embroidery and beading. The dropped waistline flows to a full skirt. The lace up back allows for a comfortable fit for a size 12 or size 16 bride.

But the most important part is understanding what it means to buy a "sample" or "stock" gown. This term can vary from store to store. In my case, sample gowns are the gowns that I purchase from the designers for my fall and spring inventory orders. I hopefully will select the gowns that the brides will love so that I can take multiple reorders. After a certain period of time, one of three things will happen.
1. The designer may discontinue the gown. Even if the gown seems to be a good style for my store, it just may not be doing well in other areas of the country. Or sometimes there is a problem with the fabric choice or beading which makes if difficult for the designer to complete orders. So the designer decides to no longer produce this product. At that point, I still have the gown but cannot place special orders. In order to make more room for new gowns, I will reduce the price to sell it quicker.
2. Sometimes, hopefully not very often, I just select the wrong gowns. If gowns are in the store for several months and few brides have tried them on, it is time to move it out for something new. So again, I will reduce the price to make room for something else.
3. Unfortunately in this slower economy, some designers have not weathered the struggle. In the sixteen years I have been in business, I have had at least one designer each year that has gone out of business or ended at least one segment of their business. Sometimes designers have tried to add on additional lines like bridal, prom, bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers to find they are not a successful in the additional areas. So they stop producing some lines. But as before, once I have purchased a gown, it is mine to keep regardless of what happens to the parent company. These gowns will also find their way to the clearance rack.

So if you are looking for the ultimate deal on a designer gown, come in to see us. Just remember that the clearance gowns are only available in the size and color on the rack. If there are any problems with the gown, we will not make corrections or clean a gown. Keep in mind that we paid at least twice the amount as the price we are selling them for (usually 3 or 4 times the amount).

August 6 Gown of the Week

Look at this dress!! It is the ultimate playful gown. The bodice is made of pleated organza and features heavy beading of white sequins, pearls and bugle beads at the empire waistline. The ruffled skirt has feathers attached with each layer. The organza train is detachable from the back of the dress.
This gown is a definite if you want two different looks for the ceremony and the reception. Or a total makeover from the elegant gown at the ceremony and a more playful party dress for the reception. Or maybe you want to renew your vows or get remarried in Vegas!!
As always gowns from P.C. Mary's can be seen on their website at www.marysbridal.com. Mary's has a wide range of styles and prices. The most expensive gowns from this designer are in the $1500 range. Mary's also has an informal line without trains that retail prices start at $299. All gowns from Mary's are available in sizes 4 to 30. Additional charges may apply for larger sizes, special cuts, and rush service.
When I saw this gown at the Chicago Bridal Market in April, I fell in love with it. It is so pretty and different. But before placing every order, I have to consider if the gown is the right style for my store and customer. So I came home without placing the order wanting to think about it a little longer. Then my sales rep came in to see me. When I looked at the gown the second time, I just had to have it. I am still not sure that this gown will be a best seller for me. Hopefully, it will give a little different look to my inventory and bring me a new customer!! If not, I think I will schedule a trip to Vegas for my husband and I to renew our vows!

Gown of the Week for July 31

Ok, we both knew it was going to happen. I missed my weekly blog for Tuesday. I even know how to schedule these to happen of specific dates but still didn't get it done. So here it is, one day late.
For being late, I will give you one of the best gowns in the store!!
I know business owners shouldn't say they have favorites. And I should promote all my designers equally. And each and every designer I have in the store fills a specific niche. And I do love every designer I have in the store. But with all that being said, if I had to pick one designer to wear myself or for my daughters, it would be Kathy Ireland!!

To begin with, the design of these gowns is outstanding. She always puts together a stunning collection that is different from any other available. Next, the Mon Cheri team uses the finest quality of fabrics and lining to make every gown feel like it is specially made for the bride. Finally the construction is unbeatable!! The inner constructions is so good that undergarments are usually not needed. That is a huge savings to most brides. So even if this particular style isn't for you, look through the other designs by Kathy Ireland that will have the same great qualities. The website for Kathy Ireland by Mon Cheri is kathyirelandformoncheri.com .

Now for this special gown. This style is a strapless dress with a directional pleated bodice. The design makes it great for all body shapes and sizes. The full skirt features pick-ups accented with floral and feather appliques. The back has a button-look closure (you don't really have to button all the buttons) leading to a chapel train (lays about 2 foot on the ground). You can order this gown in crinkle taffeta which is what I have in the store or silk shantung. The silk is a natural fabric which is not available in different colors. Natural silk is comparable to a very light ivory. The taffeta is available in white, ivory and spun gold. My sample is in white but I also have other styles in the ivory and spun gown if you would like to see the other colors. All of the Kathy Ireland gowns are available in sizes 2-20 and 16W to 28W. Regular shipping is approximately 18 weeks. There are also some changes available with this gown such as custom lengths, adding sleeves and adjusting train length. These changes will require additional charges and more shipping time.

Please stop in to feel this wonderful gown for yourself. You will not believe the quality for the price!!

Gown of the Week for July 24

I almost forgot that it was blog Tuesday. This week is band camp for me. I am busy from 8 to 4 teaching the color guard routines for the football season. So I will pick a gown that is simple but elegant with a short description.

The gown for this week is from the Forever Yours Bridesmaid collection. The satin fabric is available in75 different colors. Yes, that is 75 colors for the main color of the gown and 75 colors for the trim. If I wasn't so tired from being outside in the heat all day, I would tell you how many color combinations are possible. But I will let you figure that out on your own. And if you don't want to figure it out, well we know that it is ALOT!

Also as shown, this gown is available for flower girls and junior bridesmaids. Infant sizes are 12, 18 and 24 months. Toddler's are 2T, 3T, and 4T. Flower girls sizes are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14. And finally Junior Bridesmaid sizes are 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. The Junior sizes are typically for taller girls. Bridesmaid sizes range from 1 to 30.

The simplicity of this gown with the added extra of the buttons going all the way down the back, make this a perfect gown for all occasions. Forever Yours will also offer options such as short, tea length and matching jackets.

Come in to try this one on. It is a real hit!

July 17 Gown of the Week

This week I selected a gown for all occasions. This Mary's gown is officially in their Modern Maids or bridesmaid line. It is available in over 50 colors of soft satin. Sizes range from 2 to 30 with pricing starting at $189.

Mary's has also included a matching shrug which makes this a perfect gown for any mothers in the wedding party. It can be ordered to match the bridesmaid or in a coordinating color.

Although this is a great bridesmaid or mother's gown, I have stocked this gown in ivory for informal weddings. We are seeing so many more beach, outdoor and barn weddings. Brides do not want to deal with the huge train at a location where it can be torn or stained. This is also the perfect gown for the simple wedding but with enough extra bling to make the bride stand out.

And who thought is was impossible to have a new gown for under $200? Many brides tend to think that bridal salons only sell the most expensive gowns. I think this is a common misconception due to the prices of gowns that are featured in bridal magazines and on websites. And let's not forget the TV commercial that is constantly telling us they can't be beat. Which is just not true. I have always been very conscious of price points and work very hard to find the right fit for our area. I will not settle for cheaply made product with large price tags. You can be sure that what you find at Rushville Bridal will be more than you expected for the price asked. So don't be afraid to look for alternatives and ask lots of questions. After all, this will be your once in a life time chance to be the bride!

July 10th Gown of the Week

The feature gown for this week has been around for quite some time for the bridal industry.  Most designers will create new designs twice per year.  Collections will vary by designers but usually new collections will include 12-20 new gowns.  In order to make room for the new gowns, some older styles will need to be discontinued.  Many gowns will have a two to three year run in the collection.  If the gown is a very poor seller, it may be discontinued within the first year while the best sellers may be available for five or more years.

Our gown for today is from the very first Davinci Bridal collection in the spring of 2004!!  This gown has been in production for almost 10 years which is very rare for the bridal business.  And it is still one of the most popular styles to be tried on at my store.  I have other gowns that have been available for several years but are very rarely tried on.

This gown features an off the shoulder neckline with a heavily beaded bodice with scalloped lace edges.  Attached at the basque waist is a multi-layered tulle skirt.  The full tulle skirt has lace appliques, pearls and sequins.  The hem line has the matching scalloped lace edges.  This design is continued onto the full cathedral length train.
 
I believe this spectacular gown is still popular for many of its features.  First it is hard to find off the shoulder gowns.  Although some brides and designers consider this a hard fit, it is still very popular.  Second, is the full tulle skirt.  Many brides who want to princess or Cinderella look, fall in love with this gown.  There are many designers who make full ballgowns but many do not use the tulle skirt.  Third, is the price.  If you compare this gown to other designers with this much beading and number of layers of the skirt, the price will easily be in the $1000 range.  But Davinci has always been conscious about making beautiful gowns at reasonable prices.  This gown starts at $670!! As always the price can vary depending upon things like the size ordered, shipping costs and delivery options.

So if this looks like the gown of your dreams, I highly recommend coming in to try it on.
If this is not the style you are looking for, check out the Davinci website with all their available gowns at www.davincibridal.com .

Gown of the Week for July 3, 2012

The second edition of my Gown of the Week features a beautiful bridal gown from Moonlight. Although I love the designs from Moonlight, I am more impressed with their use of fabrics and embellishments. Every gown has some aspect that draws the eye. For this gown that is the studded rhinestone belt at the waistline. This belt is sewn into the gown and is completed with a bow at the back. Since it is sold as part of the gown, there is no additional charge for this belt. The strapless sweetheart neckline gown is made from bridal satin. This is one of the softest satin fabrics available. The full skirt completes the gown featuring a large gather for that extra flair every bride is looking for. Moonlight gowns may be found at www.moonlightbridal.com . Gowns from this designer are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Another unique aspect of Moonlight gowns are the custom changes they will make to all their designs. They will change necklines or train lengths, add sleeves and alter patterns on skirts. This will truly make your gown a one-of-a-kind creation!
As an added bonus, I found this gorgeous picture of a feathered fascinator. I have several styles of headpieces also known as fascinators in the store. These have become as popular as tiaras. The fascinators feature feathers, rhinestones, pearls, netting, flowers and much more. There is definitely something to fit every bride's personality! Fascinators have a wide range of prices, styles and sizes so shop early enough to order your special selection if needed. Although accessories usually do not require as long as gowns to order, they will take approximately one month to arrive in the store.