Finding the Perfect Dress 101 by David Tutera

We all love David Tutera and his wonderful bridal shows.  We just wish he would be able to give every bride some guidance for their wedding day.  Well, now he is.  This is a great video by David showing many of the different silhouettes for bridal gowns.  Review the video to be familiar with the different styles before coming to the store.  But remember to try more than one silhouette so you know which is your favorite.

Finding the Perfect Dress 101


Below are some of David's styles available at Rushville Bridal Boutique.

 

Here is an excellent article from Bridal Guide about wedding dress shopping. I agree with all the statements except maybe the one about buying early. As always you should ask about the shipping time for the designer you would like to purchase and then add additional time for any alterations.

Published on Bridal Guide (http://www.bridalguide.com)

Home > 10 Mistakes Brides Make When Dress Shopping

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10 Mistakes Brides Make When Dress Shopping

Before you hit the salon, read these top bridal blunders to avoid. Browse our gown gallery [1] with hundreds of gorgeous styles.

By:

Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Left

Home Page Title:

Dress Shopping Mistakes

Home Page Abstract:

Avoid these 10 common blunders!

Photo Courtesy of Bridal Reflections

Bringing an Entourage

We know it’s the most important dress you’ll ever wear, and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. But having 10 different opinions makes it much harder to come to a consensus—and it can bring you farther away from what you actually want. “I have always been a believer that the most a bride should bring when dress shopping is two people,” said Cristina DeMarco, of Bridal Reflections in New York, NY.

Most brides do best with just their mom and maybe a sister or best friend, said Debra Lash, of The Wedding Tree in La Crosse, WI. “They generally have the bride’s best interest at heart, not what they want her to wear.” One of our real bride bloggers, Theresa Misso, recently wrote about her dress shopping experiences [2] and said, “When you're standing there in a big dress, and random people in the store are ohh-ing and ahh-ing and all you want to do is take it off, you’ll need an honest, reliable companion to say, ‘I love it. But it’s just not you.’”

Shopping Too Early

Many couples are opting for longer engagements these days, but don’t start shopping more than 12 months in advance. “The moment a bride starts trying on gowns, she’ll inevitably fall in love with one,” said Lash. “If she’s not ready to buy, it quickly becomes difficult for her. In other words: Do not visit bridal salons until you’re ready to make a purchase.”

It’s important to have the rest of your wedding details in place before you can truly shop for a gown, since many factors can influence the style of the dress. Consider your venue: “An ornate gown with tons of embellishments and a sizeable train might look stunning in a ballroom but completely out of place at a beachfront ceremony,” said Tolu Ogbechie, one of our real bride bloggers [3]. Also, the colors you choose for your bridesmaids and décor can influence whether you choose white or an off-white shade.

But, at the same time, don’t procrastinate. Most dresses take anywhere from five to eight months to come in, according to DeMarco. You can sometimes place a rush order if you need it in under five months, but it’ll cost you.

Trying On Too Many Dresses

If you’re a fan of Say Yes to the Dress, you’ve undoubtedly seen a bride who’s tried on 100+ dresses without finding the right one. Most brides try on between four and seven gowns, said DeMarco, and shouldn’t try on more than 10, because it can lead to confusion.

Often, a bride is trying on dress after dress because she’s just not ready to end the shopping experience and make a real commitment. “The most common mistake that a bride makes is not purchasing her gown when she finds it,” said Lash. “The danger that befalls her is she becomes overwhelmed and forgets what she originally set out to find. She begins to doubt herself and starts to lose faith in the experience.”

Not every bride has “that moment” when the tears start rolling and you know you’ve absolutely found “The One.” Real bride blogger Crista kept searching until the tears started rolling [4]. While trying on a Priscilla of Boston [5] gown (pictured right), Crista noted, "As I gazed upon my reflection, I noticed my family standing around me, teary-eyed. Although I was touched by their reaction, I wondered, ‘Why aren’t I crying?’” said Crista. “I decided not to purchase that dress and left the salon contemplating my shopping experience.”

Being Swayed by Steep Discounts

Try not to be too tempted by the lure of your dream designer gown for 70% off. “The biggest mistake I have seen brides make is purchasing a gown online or from a shop for a deep discount ‘only today,’” said Lash. “You get what you pay for.”

Sample sales are popular among brides, but you must keep in mind that you are typically truly purchasing just that — a sample: The dress has been tried on by hundreds of brides and could have been torn, stained, or otherwise damaged during the process. Before making a purchase, check the gown very carefully for any damage—and if there's anything that can’t easily be fixed, put it back. Some brides end up spending hundreds in alterations to fix what’s wrong with the sample when they could’ve found a similar brand new dress for not much more money.

But don’t be totally discouraged: Sometimes you truly can find an amazing gown at a bargain price. Kimberly Sanicki, of Wanaque, NJ, found her perfect wedding gown (left) at a “Running of the Brides” event thrown by Filene’s Basement. She found a stunning Essense of Australia gown for just $500, marked down from $3,000 [6]. Before handing over the cash, Kimberly and her mom thoroughly examined the gown to check for any flaws. “My mom made sure it had every crystal, and it did not need to be cleaned or even hemmed,” said Sanicki.

If ordering online, check the return policy carefully. If it says the dress is sold strictly as is and can’t be returned if damaged, close that browser and back away from the computer. One of our real bride bloggers, Tolu, successfully purchased her gown online [7] at a nice discount. She warns other brides, “There are a lot of websites that offer dresses made overseas [8]. This could be a cost savings, but I do not recommend it. There is a very small chance that the dress you receive will actually be the one shown in the picture.”

Demanding the Wrong Size

Wedding gown sizes typically run one or two sizes smaller than street clothes, so try not to get hung up on the number. “Do not fixate on the actual size but instead on how your measurements compare to the particular line on the specific designer’s size chart,” said Gesinee of Gesinee’s Bridal in Concord, CA.

Planning on losing weight before the big day? “If I had a nickel for every person I have measured who said they were going to lose weight, I would be rich!” said Lash. Play it safe and order a size that fits your current body. Any dress can be taken in, typically up to four sizes without affecting the look of the dress, but most can only be let out one full size—if that. “You need to be realistic, in case you don’t lose your targeted weight,” says DeMarco.

What happens if your dress doesn’t fit when it comes in? First, don’t freak out and go on a crash diet. “There’s always something you can do,” said DeMarco. “You can order fabric from the designer, add beading, or even put in a new back to accommodate the measurements needed.”

Photo Credit: Timecut Studios (left); Courtesy of Priscilla of Boston (right)

Next: 5 more common gown-shopping mistakes >> [9]

Designer Henry Roth checked in with real brides to see their biggest fears and stresses when it comes to buying a wedding gown — plus, great advice from brides who have already made their purchase!

Photo Courtesy of The Wedding Tree

Sticking With One Style

“Ninety percent of our brides leave with something completely different than what they had in mind when they walked in,” said DeMarco. Bringing in pictures of dresses you like is a good start, but if your consultant recommends something different, give it a try. It’s impossible to tell what a dress will look like on your body just from seeing it on a hanger. “If a bride is fuller in the hip area, she might have a mind set that she can’t wear a fitted dress,” says DeMarco. “However, what she may not know is that a more fitted dress would show off her curves, fit beautifully, and make her appear more slender as opposed to covering up.”

Need advice on which shape is most flattering? Get some recommendations here [10].

Buying a Dress You Don’t Love

“The biggest mistake I’ve seen brides make is settling on a dress because someone influenced them to purchase it instead of going with her heart,” said DeMarco.

This is why it’s so important to choose your shopping companions wisely. “Many people that may accompany the bride will look at each gown and decide if it’s best for them—not for the bride whom they should be helping,” said Lash.

If you find yourself liking a dress but also having doubts, or if you're feeling pressured from a part of your entourage or a salesperson to make a purchase, it's okay to go home empty-handed, sleep on it, and return at a later point if you're still dreaming about the dress.

Trying On Dresses You Can’t Afford

You see a stunning gown a mannequin that’s way out of your price range, but you want to try it on just for fun. What’s the harm? “It can lead to heartbreak and disappointment,” said Lash. “You need to be able to afford anything you try on.”

Make sure you are completely clear on your budget before you hit the salon—and make sure that the salon you choose respects your budget. One of the top complaints Lash hears from her brides is that other salons showed them dresses that were out of their respective budgets. “We have a strict policy in place to keep the customer within budget, which makes her happier with the entire process,” said Lash. “Happy bride equals happy life for bridal shop employees!”

Not Accounting for Extra Costs

Let’s say you have $2,000 set aside for your attire. That doesn’t mean you can buy a dress with a list price of $2,000. Alterations typically cost extra, and you may also be charged tax and delivery, so don’t max out your fashion budget on just the dress. “Almost every gown will need some alterations,” said Gesinee. Whether it’s something, small like a hem, or something major, like taking in (or letting out) the bodice, it can add up. You'll also need to account for undergarments, shoes, a veil and/or hair accessories, jewelry, and any other accessories you'll want to complete your bridal look.

Not Choosing Your Store Wisely

If you’re a plus-size bride, call ahead to see if your desired store carries a sizeable amount of plus-size samples—not all do. Otherwise, your only option is to play “paper dolls” to get an idea of what a style would look like on you, said Gesinee.

“It is very hard to determine fit by holding up a gown to your body,” said Lash. “If a bride loves one of our gowns in a size 12, we will find one with an exact or similar fit in her size to try on.”

Also, make sure that your store is an authorized retailer for the designer you’ve selected, said Gesinee. This is especially problematic when buying online. If the retailer isn’t authorized to sell that particular designer, there’s a good chance that you won’t receive an authentic gown. That means that the designer won’t stand behind it if anything is wrong. To find out which stores are authorized in your area, check the individual designers’ websites or call the number listed.

Beginning of the end

2011... Has it been a good year for you? It has been a fairly good year for Rushville Bridal Boutique. There have been some ups and downs but feel confident that things are moving in the right direction for 2012.
So as I am looking forward to the beginning of a new wedding season this spring, I thought I would take this chance to review some of the best selling gowns from 2011. As most of you are aware, bridal designers will bring out new designs each season but carry over the most popular styles. These gowns are the ones that a large number of brides selected for their special day.
I will start with my best selling designer, Mary's Bridal. This company names each of their designer collections aptly telling what types of gowns this company produces. Which one will suit your wedding style: The Fairy Tale Princess Collection, Unspoken Romance Collection, Couture d'Amour Collection, Moda Bella Collection, Informal Princess Collection or the Beloving Collection. Each collection is designed with a different type of bride in mind.
The first favorite with many brides is from the Fairy Tale Princess Collection. This collection mostly features large skirts, trains and embellishments. Our style 8001 is a taffeta ballgown with metallic embroidery on the pleated wrap bodice. Also pictured from the Fairy Tale Collection is style 5217, an organza dropped waist gown with pearl, beads and sequins.
The third gown is from the Moda Bella Collection. These gowns feature some of the same details as the other collections, just in a smaller amount. This reductions in embellishments will also reduce the price of the gown which many brides like. This gown is a satin a-line gown with lace appliques on a split front ballgown. This is one of the gowns in our collection of plus size gowns in our store.
The final picture is actually from Mary's prom collection. This gown became so popular in white it has now been added to the Informal Beloving Collection. The Informal Collection has the same detail to styling as the bridal gowns but without the long train. Many brides planning outdoor weddings prefer to not have a long train and this also reduces the price. This is one of my favorite informal gowns. The silky satin is so soft and the rhinestone encrusted bodice is brilliant!
This is just a very small viewing of the gowns we have in stock from Mary's. And of course we can only carry a small number of the vast amount of gowns that Mary's designs each season. If you want to see more of our gowns, please visit our facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rushville-Bridal-Boutique/110670907723 . To see all the Mary's gowns for 2012 and previous seasons, visit their website at http://www.marysbridal.com/

More Copycat Websites

Starting this month and continuing through October, most of the major designers will be spending much of their time at bridal markets. These markets occur in several major cities across the United States such as Chicago, New York, Dallas and Atlanta. While trying to do my homework before attending markets, I was searching some new designers online to see what is new.
Although I found some new and exciting ideas that I want to check out during market, what surprised me the most about the designer website is the caution or warning most have added for bridal parties. Many have flashing large bright lettering advising brides and their wedding party to not purchase gowns online. Some have even gone so far as to list websites that are illegally using images of their gowns.
I know I have posted some of these sites in the past but I think this list contains a few new ones. Here are the copycat sites that I have gathered from some of the designer websites.

• www.okaydress.com
• www.chinaebay.com
• www.dhgate.com
• www.myidress.com
• www.milanoo.com
• www.boutiqueful.com
• www.prettyquinceanera.com
• www.eweddingdressshops.com
• www.hibridal.com
• www.beautifulbridaldress.com
• www.eastbridal.com
• www.topromdresses.com
• www.fashionlade.com
• www.idaphnebridal.com
• www.dresstimes.com
• www.promhut.com
• www.nissenbridal.com
• www.weddingdressonlineshop.com
• www.alibaba.com
• www.aliexpress.com

I know the price can be tempting but always remember-- If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Of course every business owner believes their own style of business is the best. But it is always nice to have someone else confirm the point. Here is an article written about the different options in purchasing a bridal gown. It highlights many items that the customer may not think about before the purchase.

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You are here: Home Lifestyle Fashion Which bridal shops have the best wedding dresses?

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Los Angeles, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) June 18, 2011 -- Finding the perfect dress to wear on your wedding day can be a stressful process. There are literally countless bridal shops out there, and each one tries to grab your attention. There are online retailers, chain bridal stores, New York City style bridal fashion emporiums, and of course, local boutiques, not to mention the options for vintage wedding dresses. How is a bride-to-be supposed to choose the right shop for her, let alone pick out the right dress? This article will discuss the pros and cons of each of these kinds of bridal stores.

Let’s start with the “big box” style of bridal shops. These stores are often chain stores, owned by a large corporation or associated with a particular department store. They may advertise their wedding dresses in newspaper ads or television commercials. These stores may seem like a good option at first, but the truth is, they are actually the worst place to find something as important as your wedding gown. That’s because these large stores believe in a “one size fits all” approach to bridal fashion. They have poor selection, and their dresses, while sometimes inexpensive, are made from cheap or flashy material, often cut in styles from two or three seasons ago. Plus, these kinds of bridal shops are notorious for “pushing” their sales. To them, brides are only a number, one customer of many to be shoved into an ill-fitting, cheap dress, and then shoved out the door.

The corporate chain stores are definitely out, then. So what about those little online vintage bridal retailers that you see popping up on crafting and auction websites? Again, the lower price may make these bridal shops seem like a good option at first, but you must consider all the factors. The best kind of vintage clothing is what is called “old stock” vintage. This means that the clothes were never worn, so they are in good condition. True old stock wedding dresses are incredibly rare. Most so-called “vintage” gowns are actually just used wedding dresses from ten or fifteen years ago. Not only are these dresses out of style, but they may also have tears, stains or other flaws. Plus, because they are available from an online retailer, you can’t try them on ahead of time. Imagine ordering a “vintage” dress only to receive something that is covered in stains and two sizes too small! These online vintage “bargains” just aren’t worth it.

So if you can’t trust the big corporate stores, or the small online vintage retailers, what’s left? Only the best option for finding beautiful, affordable wedding dresses: local independent boutiques. Local boutiques are the perfect place to find bridal wear because their small size allows them to devote more time, care and attention to each bride who walks in the door. Also, because they are independent, they are able to showcase gowns from a variety of designers, including European couture collections. Best of all, small boutiques have a low overhead, so they are able to consistently offer the very latest bridal designs from the best runway shows.

Now that you know the facts about all of the different kinds of bridal retailers, it should be clear where you can go to find the best dresses for your special day. Skip the crowded malls and the sketchy online stores, and pay a visit to a local, independent bridal boutique. You’ll be glad you did.

Resource Box: Want more information on the most trusted http://avaclarabridal.com/ bridal shops? For all the details, plus tips on how to find the best http://avaclarabridal.com/bridal-collection.html wedding dresses, please visit our website.



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As always, please remember every independent store has a different style and feel. If you are not comfortable with the first, second or tenth store, keep searching. There is one out there just for you. The two worst things I have heard while being in this business for 15 years are:
1. I hated the store and the consultant but I paid them $700 for my wedding gown.
I just don't understand why you would pay someone you don't like or trust with
your hard earned money. If you find the perfect gown at the wrong store, find
out where else the gown is available. Yes, this is tricky to do at some stores, but
usually not impossible.
Don't make a once in a lifetime decision under pressure. Go home think it over
and look at what options are available to you.
2. I wish I had come here first.
I hear this almost once a week. Sometimes from brides who have purchased all
the gowns and just need a few accessories but usually from brides who come
with their fiance to select tuxes. Again, don't ever feel pressured into making a
decision! If you are not comfortable with anything about your purchase, wait
for a later time. I know there are many stores that make all kinds of promises
and give big discounts but only on the first visit. But is saving 20% worth
months of frustration? This is suppose to be one of the most exciting times of
your life and you definitely don't need any added stress. So it is better to sleep
on your decision than to rush into a bad one.

Brides Magazine

I just received the new Brides magazine in the mail. I always like to look at the gowns to see if the trends are changing and what seems to be popular. But for the past couple of years, I have been very disappointed with the choices from Brides. All the gowns that are featured in their stories are VERY expensive, usually over $5000!! I know that I do not see too many brides looking for gowns in that price range in middle America. If you are, know that I can get you one but the majority of my customers are in the under $1000 group. So I was excited to see a page titled "Gowns for Less". They selected 3 gowns for under $1000 which sounds good until you see the styles. One is a very plain informal with no beading and no train. Beautiful gown just pricey for the style. I would suggest the P.C. Mary's informal #2210 for 30% less. It has the same one shoulder style, flowing chiffon fabric and a small floral applique on the bodice. Unfortunately, Mary's will not allow anyone to copy images from their website, so I cannot include a picture. But this is a gown that I have in stock in the store for anyone wanting to see it. I also found a gown from Forever Yours , style #310201 that is 36% less than the one in the magazine. I do not have this gown in stock but can special order the gown in sizes 1-30.

The second gown is a short strapless gown with an overall lace. Once again Forever Yours has a similar gown for about 15% less. The style is #411105. Davinci Bridal also offers a short gown with floral design. There is much less lace which makes the price over 40% less. Both of these are great gowns if you are looking for a short gown.

OK, the third gown was a hard find. I don't really have any designers with floral printed wedding gowns. But if designers think this is going to be a big trend, they will all have one by next season!! After all this is how David's bridal got started in the wedding gown business. I really hate sending customers to David's since I know they produce poor quality gowns but the closest I can come to the floral print is with some floral prom gowns.

I would also like to suggest some other wedding gowns under $1000. These are not informal gowns but wedding gowns with beading, lace, appliques and a full train made of luxurious fabrics like bridal satin, taffeta and organza. First is Forever Yours Bridal. In their entire collection, they have one gown that is over $1000. So you can select from any of the other designs for less than $1000. Overall, this is my favorite company for fabric, fit, shipping and style.

I can also suggest all of the gowns in the Davinci Bridal line. This company offers fewer styles but great construction. The inner panel really makes a good fit for all sizes. They also have the immediate shipping option for quick wear dates.

The third option is P.C. Mary's Bridal. They have about 10 gowns in their line over $1000 in the Karelina Sposa Exclusive designs. All their other gowns are under $1000. Most of the gowns are in the $500 to $700 range. They use wonderful fabric and beautiful beading and appliques. Mary's has also been really good with having stock at their warehouse to ship immediately for quick weddings.

So go ahead and indulge yourself with looking at the beautiful gowns shown in Brides Magazine. But remember that the gown of your dreams is still attainable for much less that those shown. Also don't think that your only option is ordering online from a cheap knock-off site. Give your full service, local bridal salon a try. You will be amazed at what they are able to do for you!!

Brides Aware

Everyday I keep finding more and more stories about purchasing gowns online. The sad part is the prices that brides have paid for a cheap knock-off gown when they could have had a designer gown for almost the same price.
Here is another website with more discount sites to avoid. http://www.bridesaware.co.uk/index.htm There are several comments from brides who are giving advice on which sites to avoid. It is worth reading before taking the chance.