More Than Just the Price

So many times when I answer calls about gowns for weddings, proms or any special occasion, the only concern is price.  With so much information on the internet, store owners feel they are often in a pricing battle and become a try-on store for many to return home to shop online. There are plenty of articles about the horrors of shopping online and how it doesn't contribute to the local economy but that is not my focus today.  I want to show why gowns that look so similar can be priced so differently.

Gown on left from P.C. Mary's starts at $479.

Gown on right from Eureka starts at $285.

The important part comes in the description not in the price.  Let look at the differences.
     
        Mary's Style                                                                       Eureka Style

• Available in white, ivory and aqua                         * Available in mint, peach, red, coral,
• Available in sizes 2-30 (all even numbers)                 royal, turquoise, victorian lilac
• Measures 64" hollow to hem                                  * Available in sizes XS-3XL
• Includes lining, satin and chiffon layers                 * Measures 58" hollow to hem
• Fabric is noticeably heavier.                                   * Includes satin with chiffon overlay.

What does all this mean to the customer?  Let me explain.

Color Choices: 

         Sometimes designers who offer more color choices are more expensive.  This does not hold true for these two gowns or for prom in general.  Most prom designers will limit color choices to keep costs lower.  Bridesmaid gowns is where you need to be mindful of color and prices.  Those companies who offer better prices will generally offer less colors and vice versa.  I carry $79 bridesmaid gowns that are available in 16 colors.  On the other end my most expensive gowns averaging around $200 are available in over 130 color combination of lace, satin and chiffon.

Sizes Available:

      This difference is huge to the customer for many reasons.  The Mary's gown is cut in 15 different sizes from 2-30. The Eureka gown only has 7 sizes.  So lets say you measure 38 bust, 31 waist and 42 hip. This is a size 12 on the Mary's chart and should fit with minimal alterations depending on your heights.  These measurement fall between the M and L on the Eureka chart. The M is one inch too small and the L is 2 inches too big.  Ordering the Large could easily add an extra $100 in alteration charges to make the gown fit perfectly. Since Eureka has fewer sizes and bigger gaps in inches between the sizes, alterations are more likely and will cost more.  

      Also comparing the two size charts, the 3XL is close to a size 22 on the Mary's chart.  Therefore, no one over the size 22 would fit into the Eureka gown.  Mary's is the only option for these customers.

Hollow to Hem:

      The Hollow to Hem measurement is taken from the base of the neck (the little dip between the collarbone) to the bottom of the gown.  To give a reference, I am 5'6".  Today I am wearing a 3-inch heel and measure about a 58-inch hollow to hem.  I am about the exact height needed for the Eureka gown.  But I know there are lots of ladies that are taller than me, my daughter being one of them.  Many also like to wear heels making them close to or over 6 feet tall.  If this is you, the Eureka gown is too short.  This is another way designers cut cost to offer a less expensive gown. The Mary's gown has an extra 6 inches of material added on the bottom for taller ladies.

    But if you are not so tall, remember the price to hem a gown that is 1 inch too long or 10 inches too long is the same price!!

Layers:

     Now we are down to the nitty-gritty! Look and feel, something you have no way of knowing when you purchase online.  If you come into my store and feel the fabric of these two gowns and take the time to try them on, you will know the difference!!  The structure of the Mary's gown is far superior to the Eureka gown.  The fabric is silkier and shinier. The full lining will keep the sun from shining through the gown so you won't have to purchase a slip.

     The final test is in pressing the gown.  For the price point, Eureka does really well.  I probably spend about twice the time steaming a Eureka gown compared to a Mary's but at least the wrinkles come out.  If you try on a gown in a store and it is wrinkled, it will most likely stay that way.  The cheaper the fabric, the more wrinkles that do not come out when pressed or steamed.

Beading on Mary's gown

  All of these circumstances are why store owners are in the business!  We are here to help you find the right gown at the right price.  We know what will fit your budget and your body type.  If we don't have the exact gown you are looking for, we will find the next best option or borrow a gown for you to try on.  You won't find this kind of help when ordering online or in a big box store.

So if you are in central Indiana, I look forward to meeting you and helping you to find the gown of your dreams.

If you live somewhere else and cannot travel to Indiana, let me know where you are and I will find a trusted retailer to work with you.  I network with hundreds of other store owners in the US and abroad who are all as passionate about this business as I am!

Beading on Eureka gown

Biggest Wedding Dress Regrets

I saw a link to an article on The Knot with this title.  Although I have see or heard these comment hundreds of times, some brides just don't want to believe them.  So to emphasize the point here are the quotes from real brides one more time!

From the three-dress bride to the bride who accidentally texted the dress photo to her fiance -- check out these dress shopping mistakes from brides on our Attire and Accessories board so that you don’t make the same ones!

"My sister-in-law couldn't make it to my first shopping trip, so I texted her a pic of my favorite. I didn't realize that I’d sent it to the wrong person (MY FIANCE!). It's hard to be sneaky."katiethecutie

"Biggest mistake: expecting my dress shopping experience to go exactly like a 22-minute episode of Say Yes to the Dress complete with crying friends and family and that OMGOMGOMG feeling." Leslie&Ralph

"To save money I ordered my dress online, which gave me a better price than the bridal store in town. Big mistake! The dress came in and it's huge. Now I have to pay a ridiculous price for alterations that are making the gown cost more than it would have in the bridal store." jnic0319

"I have champagne taste on a beer budget. I tried on a Vera Wang for fun and I shouldn’t have. You can imagine that I fell in love with that beauty. Don’t try on wedding dresses that you cannot afford." verbride

"I now have three dresses and only one that I’ll wear. Do not shop almost two years out, do not let fantasy get in the way of reality, and do not buy a dress before you have concrete wedding plans." dizzinea

"I should’ve brought a bathrobe to the bridal salon. Having a robe makes it easy to spend time with your friends and family during the downtime while the attendant brings in gowns. It also helps you avoid hiding in the dressing room in your underwear." Robyn5298

"Don’t try on dresses after a trip to a spray tanner. What I thought would make me look like a glowing bride later rubbed off on the bridal salon’s sample dresses." mobridetobe

"Don't wear a black thong!" barbbhoww

"I wish I'd waited until 10 to 14 months out to try on dresses for the first time. I ended up trying on over 100 gowns and it was completely overwhelming." polichik

Remember that a full service bridal store can help you avoid any of these problems.  A great bridal store is only as good as the advice they give.  Sometimes knowing you are helping someone is better than making the sale!!

Sometimes even the "Professionals" don't have the right answers for bridesmaids.

Today I received a new copy of The Knot, which has quickly become my favorite publication about weddings.  There are always tons of photos of new gowns and great tips for any style of wedding.  Since the magazine is so large, it is easy to overlook something.  But today, I found a page titled, Wedding Party 101.  Then I looked back at previous editions and found the exact same page!  Sorry, I had missed it before because it sparked what could be multiple blog posts.
So today I will start with the one that I agreed with the most--Bridesmaids.

•  For a modern but still put-together look--pick the color and fabric, but consider letting your bridesmaids choose the neckline and silhouette. 

         This one is a little unclear on whether it is stating for all the bridesmaid to look the same or just in the same color and fabric.  But I feel that either one is great.  For a long time, I sided with the "everyone must look the same" or at the very least the same style but maybe different colors (like a rainbow wedding). Then I did a style show with at least 6 different stock gowns in the same color.  As each girl came down the aisle (yes, it was in a church), I was amazed at how great all the different styles complemented each girl's figure while also looking good together! I wondered how many times I had given the wrong advice to a bride. More importantly, I changed my view!!  I am often asked for my opinion but usually try to feel out the bride first.  Then will find the closest option to aline with her feelings.
        This is important for all the bridesmaids to remember too! Yes, the bridesmaid wants to look good and feel comfortable for the day but ultimately, IT'S THE BRIDES DAY! The bridesmaid was selected to support her decision on becoming a married woman. I think my daughter said it best to her cousin, "I will look ugly for you that day!" And guess what, my niece selected green gowns.  The one color my daughter hates to wear. But she will be there smiling her beautiful smile for her special cousin! I will post pictures after the wedding in July.

• Ask for your maids' advice, but make the final decision yourself.  You're the one who knows the big picture--overall look, formality and people's budgets--best.

 I think I covered this in the last comment but I still think it needs to be repeated loudly and often. IF IT'S NOT YOUR WEDDING, YOU DON'T HAVE THE FINAL SAY!! Yes, it is nice to have opinions from the bridesmaids but the final vote is made by the bride.  If a bridesmaid refuses to wear what you as the bride selects, you have the right to kick her out of the wedding.  On the other hand, sometimes you have to pick your battles. Maybe in the long run, it is easier to give in than to fight.  But just remember that the wedding picture will be hanging in your living room not hers!

• The bridesmaids should try to place their orders at the same time to ensure that the dresses will be made from the same dye lot.

From all the store owners I have known over the years (almost 18 years now), this is taken care of by the store.  Once a style is selected, the store will give the wedding party a date to have all the measurements and payments in.  If the date is coming close, the store will notify the bride of anyone that has not completed their order.   My best advice is to give the bridesmaids a date at least one week before the date given by the store.  This way if someone is running late, you don't miss the deadline to order the gowns or need to pay additional rush shipping charges. 
If you do have someone who misses the deadline, you can order the remainder of the gowns on time and add one later.  Remember that the one added later will run the risk of being a different dye lot color. This is usually not a huge difference but can be noticeable. Shipping charges may also be added for rush shipping or for shipping one gown by itself.

• Allow three months' delivery and alteration time for the dresses.

This is the one I think that The Knot got wrong.  Many stores are now stating 9 months for bridal and 6 months for bridesmaids. Shipping from China has changed drastically in the past few years.  So don't run the risk of getting the gowns the week after the wedding.  Shop early!!

• Don't forget the extras.  Should the maids all have the same shoes, jewelry, hairstyles, handbags or wraps?  Communicate your desires clearly to your maids.  Email works great for this.

This is something you should put some thought into before going shopping for gowns.  If the bridesmaids know upfront what your expectations will be, it is easier for them to be on board.  If you don't have any set ideas, it could be easy for one of the bridesmaids to run the show.

Here are some bridesmaid styles.  Which one fits your wedding style?

One shoulder, charmeuse gown

Sweetheart, taffeta gown

Short sweetheart, chiffon gown

Short V neck, satin gown

Scoop neck, lace gown available long or short.

Convertible Wrap Dress. Make the neckline to fit your bridesmaid or wedding style.