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.

Chicago Bridal Market

It has now been 3 weeks since returning from my annual fall trip to Chicago for the National Bridal Market.  This is always one of my favorite things to do for work but requires lots of time and energy.  The fun-filled day begins early each morning attending workshops and fashion shows.  In between scheduled events there are hundreds of booth to look at all the new items for the upcoming season.  By the end of the day, my feet are sore, I am exhausted but excited to go through the huge bag full of literature I have to take home.
So that is what I have done for the past three weeks.  I have looked at wedding gowns, bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers, prom gowns, tuxedos, accessories like shoes, veils, jewelry and decoration ideas like table favors, toasting glasses, cake tops and so much more.  Some days I am just confused over all the items available and trying to make decisions about what I need to stock at the salon.  Other days, I am so excited to see the new items that I have ordered being delivered.  And still other days, I am shocked how much shipping has increased and what needs to be done to lower my costs so I can pass along the best selection to my customers.
As you can see there are so many decisions to be made with owing a store. But I truly love the time spent making all the decisions.
So I would like to share with you some of my favorites from the 2013 Spring Market.  I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoy making celebrations memorable for all my customers!!

Kathy Ireland Wedding Gown

Tony Bowls Prom Gown

Tip Top Kids Special Occasion Gown

Accessories for the Bachelorette Party

Wedding Collection by Ivy Lane

Tuxedos by Jim's Formalwear

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!!