Tuxedo VS Suit

While writing my last blog post, I realized that there may be some need to identify the difference between some of the items listed in the men's chart.  So here goes!

We will start with the ultra formal.  Pictured here is a full dress or tailcoat tuxedo.  A tuxedo means it has satin lapels on the collar and a satin stripe down the side of each leg on the pants.  Full dress coats are usually black, white or ivory and worn with matching pants.

The shirt is a wing-tip shirt which is different than a traditional business shirt with a lay down collar.  The wing-tip allows the band of the bow tie to be seen around the neck.  It is white or ivory.

Wing-tip shirts are traditionally worn with a bow tie but have recently been paired with a lay down collar shirt.

The tailcoat may be worn with a vest or cummerbund.  White and black are the most formal but coordinating wedding colors may be selected.

Black shiny patent leather shoes will complete this look.

Pictured next is a traditional tuxedo.  It still features the satin lapel and a stripe on the pants, but is cut like a traditional business suit. 

These coats are available in a traditional, modern and slim cut to fit different body styles.  They come in black, white, ivory, brown, navy and grey.  They should be paired with matching pants.

This picture shows the newer lay down collar shirt.  This is acceptable for a less formal wedding.  It can be white, ivory or black. A traditional wing-tip shirt is usually worn for more formal occasions.  The lay down shirt may be paired with a bow tie or the four-in-hand tie as shown.

The vest and tie may be black, white or a coordinating wedding color.

The pocket square in the left breast pocket, may be used with a boutonniere or flower on the jacket lapel.

Also shown in each picture are French cuffs.  This means the cuff of the shirt is about 1/2 inch longer than the coat sleeve.  It is also acceptable to have the coat to be slightly longer than the shirt.   This is purely personal preference.

Black Tuxedo with Camo accessories

Grey Tuxedo

Havana tan suit

A suit looks very similar to a tuxedo but with no satin on the lapels or pants.  It is paired with a lay down collar shirt of any color.  A four-in hand tie as shown or a bow tie may be worn.  Since most bow ties from tuxedo rental companies are shiny satin, you may want to consider purchasing a bow tie from a men's department to wear with a suit.

This picture again shows the French cuff at the sleeve.

A suit may be worn with a coordinating vest or without a vest.

A suit should be paired with a flat black or brown shoe not the traditional shiny leather for the tuxedo shoes.

Stephen Geoffrey midnight blue suit

Whatever your occasion, we can complete the right look for you.  To help in your decision, consult the Jim's Formalwear Network.  Their website at http://jimsformalwear.com has a great Tuxedo Builder to show you exactly what your choices will look like together.

How does etiquette fit into my wedding theme?

Etiquette has been around for hundreds of years.  Etiquette encompasses everything from what to wear to how to eat at a fancy dinner.  And of course, there are several rules about what to do at a wedding.  Since this is such a broad subject and can go on for pages, I will start with the questions that I hear most in the shop.  

1.  Who can wear white to a wedding?

      Anyone can wear white at a wedding.  The color white is a symbol of celebration, nothing else.  Therefore most ministers or priest will wear white to a wedding.  Likewise, any bride may wear white to a wedding.  Even other attendants can wear white such as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
     With that being said, ivory is the IN color.  More ivory gowns have been sold in the past year than any other color.  What does this mean?  That ivory is usually a better color with most complexions.  So if you agree that ivory is a better color for you than white, that is perfectly acceptable.  Don't let anyone tell you that the color of your gown has anything to do with your lifestyle! 

PC Mary's Ivory Lace Gown

2.  How should I word my invitations?

     Invitation wording is based upon who is paying for the wedding.  If the bride and groom are paying for the wedding with no help from parents, then the invitation should have only their names.
     If the bride's parents are helping to pay for the wedding, then their names should be included on the invitation.
     If the groom's parents are helping to pay for the wedding, then their names should be included on the invitation.
     If both the bride and groom's parents are helping to pay for the wedding, they should all be included on the invitation.
     That being said, who knew this before you read it?  Probably not too many.  I seriously doubt that guests will open the invitation and immediately think about who is paying for what at the wedding.  I have also had many brides and grooms who wanted to include parent's names out of respect for them not because they were contributing to the wedding.


3.  Is there a symbol for purity at a wedding?

     Since we already covered the wearing of white and know that is not a symbol of purity, the next thing to look at is the veil.  The veil is the only symbol of purity at the wedding.  So technically a woman who is marrying for the second time, should not wear a veil.  She may wear something in her hair like a tiara or flower but just not the veil.
     And we know that we talk about equal sexes, but it rarely happen, so there is no symbol for the groom.  I think maybe we should invent one.  Any ideas of what we can have the groom do to show his purity?
     But once again, this is not a commonly known rule about a veil.  I have plenty of brides who admit they are not the purest but still wear a veil because that is the wedding look they want.

4.  What should the women at the wedding wear?

     Traditionally what to wear is divided into two times of the day.  If a wedding is before 6 pm, the attire is different than weddings after 6 pm.
     For weddings before 6 pm that are considered ultra-formal or formal, the bride and bridesmaids should wear long gowns.  The mothers and flower girl should follow along with long gowns.  If the invitations specify black tie, the guests should also wear long gowns.  If not specified on the invitation, street length dresses may be worn by guests.
     If the wedding is semi-formal, everyone may wear floor length (no trains) or tea length.  The bridesmaids, mothers, flower girls and guests should follow the brides lead.  If wearing long, others may wear long.  If wearing tea length, then others should wear tea length or street length.
     If the wedding is informal, short gowns or suits should be worn.
     If the wedding is after 6 pm, there are no differences for the women.  The changes are in the men's attire. 
     The best rule to remember is to take the lead from the bride or mother of the bride. 

 5.  What should the men at the wedding wear?

      Again the menswear depends upon the time of day but is actually more complicated than the women's attire.  Here is a chart to help you out.


                                    Before 6                                                            After 6

Ultra Formal            Cutaway coat, striped pants                       Full dress tailcoat, matching pants
(traditional               wing-tip shirt, ascot and vest                      wing-tip shirt, bow tie

Ultra Formal             Long or short tuxedo                                Long or short tuxedo
 (contemporary)        wing-tip shirt                                              wing-tip shirt

Formal                      Stroller or waistcoat, striped                    Tuxedo with matching pants,
(traditional)                pants, white shirt                                      dress shirt, bow tie

Formal                      Formal tuxedo, dress shirt,                        Tuxedo, dress shirt, bow tie,
(contemporary)         bow tie, vest                                              vest

Semi-Formal            Formal suit, white shirt                                Tuxedo or dinner jacket, dress shirt
(traditional)               four-in-hand-tie                                          bow tie, vest

Semi-Formal            Dinner  jacket or suit                                   Dinner jacket or formal suit
(contemporary)         shirt, vest, four-in-hand tie                          dress shirt, bow tie, vest

Informal                    Suit with any color shirt                               Formal suit, shirt
(traditional)                four-in-hand tie                                           four-in-hand tie

Informal                    Dinner jacket or suit                                    Dinner jacket or formal suit, dress shirt
(contemporary)         shirt, coordinating pants                               four-in-hand tie, vest

Now that you have read through all the do's and don'ts, let me add a HUGE asterisks.****  Always remember that it is YOUR wedding.  The style of wedding gown, tuxedo, bridesmaid dresses or whatever that you choose, is exactly that:  YOUR CHOICE!  Etiquette has been around for hundreds of years and many changes have been made.  Some more popular than others.  And we also know that there are certain things that are done just to spite etiquette!  So you decide upon the feel and look of your wedding.  If you want to wear a veil for a third wedding, go for it.  If you want your men to wear tuxes before 6pm, you won't be the only one.  And I think it is perfectly fitting to add your parent's names to an invitation to honor them.
But on a cautionary note, remember that after your beautiful day, your pictures will be the only thing remaining.  So make sure your decisions (like that tuxedo printed t-shirt for your groom) aren't regretted later.

Wedding Gown Prices

This past weekend, I traveled to Chicago for the National Bridal Market.  I was able to view thousands of new gowns for the 2014 spring season.  There are always three to four designers that I see because they are long standing accounts for my boutique.  I love having this relationship with special people who will help if there is a difficult situation. There are also an additional 6-8 accessory vendors who are also important to my business. 

But the second reason to attend a Bridal Market is to see what is new and who is up and coming in the industry.  This fall it seems to be David Tutera!!  He is huge on TV with two current shows that showcase his expertise in the wedding industry. 

Martin Thornburg and David Tutera

So with my daughter, niece and sister-in-law in tow for the show,  they insisted we go to see the David Tutera Collection for Mon Cheri.  Now this is a designer I have never carried in my store.  I have seen the gowns displayed at several markets but never seriously considered purchasing the line.  I really don't know why, the gowns are beautiful.  I think the price point or maybe the required minimums is what I was afraid of.

Upon finding our seats for the style show, we are greeted by a sales rep for the company who informed us that David himself would be at this style show and would give us information about the available gowns.  This really excited the daughter and niece but I was still cautious.  I like David's TV shows and the gowns I had seen in the past but I was there as a buyer not just a fan. 

And just like putting a bride in a gown out of her budget, I fell in love.  His gowns were the most gorgeous I saw the entire weekend.  They showed great detail with lace, embroidery, beading and bows.  The fabric was rich and fitted each model perfectly.  The detail to color was exceptional using a soft tea rose, stone blue or oyster to make the gown more dramatic that just white or ivory.  

Beautiful Tea Rose Trumpet gown on right.

And since my daughter and niece who are currently looking for wedding gowns, agreed that these were a must have, I am in a pickle!  My boutique currently caters for brides who want to spend under $1000 for wedding gowns.  I have always taken pride in the fact that I can find wonderful gowns with great detail in the $600 to $800 price range.  But the Tutera line has a average price point of almost $2000.

I have also justified that the brides in my area who want to spend in the higher price range will usually visit a larger city thinking they will get a better selection of gowns. 

But now I am rethinking.  If I put the higher priced gowns in the store, can I draw those brides?  If I have David Tutera gowns, will brides be willing to spend more to have a gown designed by him?   Will brides from larger cities like Indianapolis and Cincinnati come to Rushville just to purchase a David Tutera gown?

Ivory Lace over Stone Blue satin.

Purchasing this line of gowns would require almost twice the investment than ordering with my usual designers.  Is the risk worth the investment?  I would be spending more money but would be able to offer a quality gown with a great look by one of the hottest designers in the industry. 

Please help!!  I would like some feedback from former brides who maybe went over budget on the wedding gown.  Why and how did you make that decision.  Or if you are planning a wedding and want to have a special designer gown.  Feedback would also be great from any business owners who have made these kinds of decisions.

And with all these things going through my mind, I didn't get a picture taken with David Tutera!!  But here are a couple of my daughter and niece. 

Lindsay, David and Danniella

Meeting David Tutera

National Bridal Market for Spring 2014

It's that time once again to travel to the National Bridal Market in Chicago to see all the exciting new styles for spring.  The Bridal Market will be three days full of style shows for bridal gowns, bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers, prom and any other special occasion you can imagine!  The shows will features hundreds of models with loud music and bright lights to make for a festive time!

But this fall, I attempted something different before heading to Chicago at the end of September.  I attended the Dallas Bridal Market on September 8th and 9th.  I didn't know what to expect since I had never been to this venue but was happy with the experience after reflecting on my time there.  When first entering the merchandise mart, I was greeted with a style show on the main floor.  It featured many different designers with the hot new colors for spring.  Gold tones seem to be big for every occasion.  Gold was featured in bridal gowns as well as prom and special occasion gowns.  I will definitely be looking to add some to my orders for spring!

Upon completion of the style show, I moved on to the upper floors of showrooms.  Dallas is very different from the Chicago market.  In Dallas, the main floor of showrooms are inclosed in glass rooms.  It is like a mall with all glass walls, except the interior walls where each company has an office and space for models to change during shows.  So the atmosphere is less inviting than Chicago were most of the showrooms are not enclosed in glass rooms but are open with just partition walls.  So at first I just wandered trying to decide where to go.

Next I decided to check out the temporary showrooms on a different floor.  This was set up much more like Chicago.  There was a more welcoming feel to go by a room and just look and touch the gowns without the need to be invited in.

At first I was pretty disappointed with Dallas.  There were so many vendors who do not show at this market.  And many of the ones that were there, were just not the ones that I wanted to see.  But knowing I had traveled to far and my time at Chicago would be limited, I made the best of my time in Dallas.  And on the plus side, there were not many buyers there.  Which made finding a seat in a showroom much easier than in Chicago. 

So I visited the designers that I currently carry and plan to go forward with in 2014.  Then I spent several hours visiting showrooms for companies that I do not carry but customers have asked about.  I also looked at accessories such as belts, headpieces, veils, jewelry, shoes and anything else bridal you can think of. 

Once I arrived home, my family asked, "What did you buy?" I hesitated and thought then said, "I bought nothing!"  I couldn't believe I had flown to Dallas and returned making no purchases!!  But when I thought about it, that was fine.  I had a great time seeing lots of new items.  Meet some wonderful people.  And gained lots of insight into the new spring season. 

But now the work begins.  I have spent the last week going over all the information I gained in Dallas.  I have listed all the designers that were not in Dallas that I need to see in Chicago.  Now I am down to one final week to put it all together to place my orders for spring in Chicago.  Who am I kidding?  There is no way I will complete all my spring orders in Chicago.  I will still be seeing designer reps in my store through November to get everything completed.  But boy will it be fun!!  I am so excited to get the new spring season started!!

 

Buyer Beware!

In the bridal business, we are seeing problems more often with gowns purchased online.  Many retailers try to put as much information out to customers as possible to help them make an educated decision about ordering special occasion gowns.  Unfortunately, too often, bad things happen.  So here is another attempt to give some sound advice about purchasing online.

Read this before You Order Your Prom or Bridal Gown Online.

Notification has been received from the A.B.P.I.A. (American Bridal and Prom Industry Association) of a serious situation that involves Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, Fed Ex, U.P.S. and DHL.
Governmental investigations have revealed that online shopping has proven more dangerous than ever to Prom and Bridal consumers. The A.B.P.I.A. and the U.S. Government, are working diligently together to inform the public of the illegal actions of counterfeit websites flooding the internet and offering and/or guaranteeing garments for deceptively enticing prices. The web sites are using the designers’ copyrighted photos without permission. If and when consumers receive any garments at all….they are receiving poor quality, inferior replicas made in China, not having used authentic patterns, quality fabrics and or workmanship known to be the standard abided by the authentic reputable U.S. companies.
Online shoppers are not only losing the entire amount paid for their garments, but are often charged bogus fees “guaranteeing arrival dates” and required to pay additional taxes on their garments that NEVER arrive.
The A.B.P.I.A. has just won a lawsuit over these counterfeit web sites. PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and Google have all been contacted and advised of this lawsuit. The U.S Customs, Homeland Security and the A.B.P.I.A. are now working in partnership to seize, destroy, and stop the shipments containing these dresses. You will NOT be informed by the seller, Homeland Security or U.S. Customs that your money is gone or that the dress is not coming!
If it looks too good to be true, it is! Contact the manufacturer to verify that the seller/store is actually an authorized dealer. The designer’s website should have a “store locator” to help with this. Authorized dealers must adhere to a Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Dresses with an unrealistic discount are either illegally discounted or are counterfeit fashion items. Research the background of the company at the Better Business Bureau before purchasing the garment.
Lastly, identity theft and distribution of your financial and/or personal information are a reality when shared with a fraudulent seller. Protect yourself. The best advice is to buy from an authorized retailer that will ensure a genuine designer gown, and to shop early to ensure arrival of your gown amidst the chaos of illegal packages being seized.


The above letter was published for bridal stores and publications by the ABPIA. If you have a website where you are considering placing an order, check it out first.  The last thing a bridal store wants is a bride without a gown only days before the wedding with no budget because she was ripped off by an online site. As a fellow penny-pincher, I truly understand the need to find the best deal.  But I also know that your prom or wedding day is probably not the best time to be so conservative that you take unneeded chances and get burned by an untrustworthy website.

Is there a lace wedding gown for less than $500?

Every bride seems to be searching for a lace gown.  Some like lots of lace and others just some lace on the bodice or trimming the skirt and train.  But what few brides realize is the price of lace.  Lace is one of the most expensive materials to use to make a wedding gown.  As with any material, there are different types of lace and each lace has a different price.  So I have gone on a search to show you what is available at different price points.

Kathy Ireland Tulle and Lace Gown

Forever Yours Allover Lace Gown

Starting at the most expensive price point is this beautiful Kathy Ireland gown. This gown is an elegant combination of lace and tulle.  What you don't see with this gown in the wonderful inner construction which is an added cost to the price of the gown.  Although this gown is at the top of the price chart, it is still

available for less than $2000 retail. The second gown is an Allover Lace gown featuring a wrap waistline from Forever Yours. The sweetheart neckline and lace up back make this a favorite among brides.  This gown retails in the $800 range. It is available in white, ivory and cafe.

Although these two gowns are beautiful, they still don't fit the $500 asking price. To get closer to that price point, I have selected two gowns from P.C. Mary's bridal collection. The first gown is style #5633. This fitted organza gown features a lace bodice and lace appliques trailing down below the waistline.  It is available in white or ivory for under $700. The second gown is style #5600. This gown is a taffeta ballgown with lace bodice and sleeves.  Great features of this gown are the detachable sleeves and train. This gown retails for under $600.

P.C.Mary's Style 5633

P.C. Mary's Style 5600

So even as a retailer of moderately priced wedding gowns (mostly under $1000), I have a very hard time finding a lace gown in the $500 range. There is one gown that fits the criteria of allover lace and under $500 but isn't categorized as a wedding gown. This last gown is actually on a bridesmaid line.  But I think it would make a great informal wedding gown.  The satin lining may be ordered in any of the 50+ colors from the bridesmaid swatches with either white or ivory lace.  The sample I have at the store is the long gown in champagne with ivory lace.  Of course there is no train but some bling can be added with a jeweled belt.
This gown retails under $300. Also since it is a bridesmaid line, the shipping time is only 6-7 weeks!!  All the gowns pictured in this blog are in stock at Rushville Bridal. Please remember that each retailer prices their own stock.  Other retailers may not be able to match any prices I have listed here. 

And once again, I will be traveling to Chicago for the National Bridal Market in April.  During this trip I will continue to search out the best styles at the best prices.  If there is something you would like to see at Rushville Bridal, just send me some pictures at rushvillebridal@yahoo.com.

Keys to a Quick Wedding

As everything in our world becomes faster and faster, we expect quick drive through service, overnight shipping and super internet speed!  So many consumers expect the same for weddings.  Unfortunately, wedding gowns require skill and patience to produce.  Each piece of fabric and embellishment is inspected for superior quality.  Therefore, gowns can take 3 to 4 months to arrive into bridal stores. 
But if you are the person who makes a decision to wed and wants to do it right away, we can help!

Here are the keys to organizing a great wedding in a very short amount of time.
1.  Be Flexible. 
     Since you will probably not have time to order custom gowns and decorations, don't be too demanding 
     on styles and colors.  Of course, you can have some basic selections like a blue color or a strapless
     gown. But if you are very specific about many of the details, you are setting yourself up for a big
     disappointment.

2.  Be prepared to purchase a gown off the rack or from a very select number of designers.
     Rushville Bridal has over 150 wedding gowns in the store in sizes 0 to 30.  We take pride in our  
     selection of gowns in all sizes.  There will be a good chance that we have at least 4-5 gowns in the size 
     you need. But if the gowns that we have in stock are not to your liking, we also carry Davinci wedding 
     gowns.  This designer stocks thousands of gowns in sizes 0 to 30W in white and ivory.  If you are set on 
     an unusual color for your gown, reread #1. Davinci may have 1-2 gowns in off colors but not a big 
     selection.  Once an order is place, Davinci will ship the gown within 48 hours and we will have it at the 
     store in about one week.
     If you have your heart set on a gown from a different designer, we are always willing to make some 
     phone calls to check for stock with the designer or other bridal store.  Occasionally, we can make your
     dream come true.  But often times, the bride needs to look for a 2nd choice.
     Finding multiple matching bridesmaid gowns is even more difficult with a close wear date.  Again, we
     have a limited number of styles in a few colors that are available within one week.  The next closest
     shipping is approximately 5 weeks. These gowns are available in many colors if time will allow for
     ordering.

Davinci Quick Service Bridesmaid Gown

3.  Don't waste time shopping lots of different stores.
     Time is of the essence!!  If you are looking for a particular style, make some phone calls.  But traveling
     from store to store will just delay ordering.  We have had brides looking for a better price or style just to
     return days or weeks later to place an order and have to pay an additional rush fee.  So the bride
     receives everything later and pays more in fees and shipping.

4.  Get the guys moving too!
     We recommend tuxedo orders to be placed at least 6 weeks before the wedding.  If you don't have 6
     weeks, do it ASAP.  And again refer to #1.  If order time is short, your favorite color or style may
     already be booked.  Always select a second choice, just in case. If the wear date is less that 10 days
     from the order date, expect to pay additional rush fees.

5.  Ask questions and give truthful answers.
     If your wear date is less that 6 months from your visit to the store, tell your consultant immediately.  This
     way you don't fall in love with a gown we cannot get for you.  Once the consultant knows your situation
     and your ideas for your dream wedding, she can find exactly what is available in the time you have
     before the wedding day.

Davinci Quick Service Gown

Davinci Quick Service Gown

Davinci Quick Service Gown

     All the the Davinci gowns pictured are also in stock at Rushville Bridal.