#31 DBC

Today is the last day for the blogging challenge for October.  I should have counted exactly how many blogs I posted but didn't think of that until I started typing.  I know I didn't hit all 31 days and I still have one blog from earlier in the week that I am searching for the perfect picture to finish it up.  Overall, I feel satisfied with the effort I gave to the project.

On the other hand, I think about all the things that didn't get done in the month of October.  I usually try to change the gowns in the front window each week.  This month I think they were only changed twice.

I try to post through Hootsuite with a picture of a new gown or something exciting happening in the bridal world.  Last week, I realized that I hadn't logged into Hootsuite for almost 2 weeks.

So even though my blog presence has increased, my other forms of keeping the public informed have suffered. So in the next month, I will continue to blog but maybe just one or two times each week.  Then make sure I have time to do all the other social media and change the mannequins in the window. 

Now for some wedding information, I am putting the final touches on my orders for spring.  I am very excited to start receiving new gowns!  If you want to see pictures of my new gowns, like my Facebook page, Rushville Bridal at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rushville-Bridal/110670907723. I also have pages on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ if you prefer those.

And today, I am trying something different, no pictures.  We will see if the number of page views is bigger or smaller without the pictures.

Wedding party roles and responsibilities

Mary's Bridal

While continuing to work on a more elaborate blog that I started yesterday, here is a great read from Bridal Guide magazine.Go to


 http://www.bridalguide.com/etiquette/roles-responsibilities/who-does-what


Not only are there suggestions for each member of the wedding party, there are budget guidelines for all aspects of the wedding day. And although this article is not recent, the information still applies.

Then continue on to the comments.  There are several more good questions about specific items that are not covered in the original article.

Of course, if you have a question that was not answered, feel free to give me a call. 866-920-3094.

And just to make the blog pretty, here are some more lovely wedding gowns.

Mary's Bridal

Mary's Bridal

Mary's Bridal

Internet Issues

Sophia Tolli Gown

I was working so hard on a new blog today with some great information when---CRASH! My internet is disabled with very little of what I had prepared saved.  But I am trying to complete as many blogs as possible in this 30 day challenge. So with only a few days remaining, here is a quick attempt to give you some information on the upcoming spring season.

Sleeves and coverings are coming back.  See which of the following is your favorite.

Mary's Bridal

Mary's Bridal

Impression Bridal

Allure Bridal Gown

Maggie Sottero

Maggie Sottero

Sophia Tolli Gown

Awkward Wedding Situations

Another interesting read from the Huffington Post.  Let me know if you agree.

Awkward Wedding Situations (and How to Handle Them)

Posted: 10/24/2013 2:33 pm

Read more

Etiquette and Advice, Etiquette, Party Guests, Party Planning, Social Etiquette, Wedding Advice, Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Planning, Weddings, Weddings News

 

Strange things happen as a part of almost every wedding. Here is a list of some common awkward moments and suggestions of how to navigate them:
1. A guest shows up that didn't RSVP or wasn't invited -- One problem with Facebook and other social media sites is it becomes very easy for people to learn the details of your wedding plans. You have a couple of options for how to handle this. I chose to pay for an extra table to accommodate any unexpected guests. I just figured it would be easier that way. Some brides choose to have someone check all guests in against a list. That way that person can tactfully tell them that you weren't expecting them and don't have a seat for them.
2. Someone RSVPs that you didn't invite -- I spoke to a bride recently and someone RSVPed via the wedding Facebook page. Apparently another guest invited this friend to the page assuming they were invited as well. First, change the settings of your wedding page to disallow people from adding people (who does that?) to it. Second, have a tactful conversation with that person. Let them know that you would love to invite everyone but finances or your venue require you to make some tough decisions. Third, have a conversation with the well-intentioned jack nard that is inviting people to your wedding all willy-nilly.
3. Someone has too much to drink at your reception -- Everyone has that uncle/aunt/cousin/friend/sibling that drinks too much and gets out of hand. If you don't have one, don't worry. I bet your fiancé does! This is kind of hard to avoid. In my family, people bring their own alcohol just in case it isn't served. Don't stress yourself over babysitting these people. If you are super concerned about this person, don't invite them. In any event, make sure you let them, and whoever they are coming with, know your concerns in advance and be clear that you want them to enjoy themselves but not to excess.
4. Inviting an ex -- I don't think this is ever a good idea, whether it's your ex, your parent's ex or even someone you have a child with. If everyone gets along, it's your call but you have to think about your other guests. They may not feel comfortable with your ex or your former step-father there. Their presence may distract from the meaning of the day.
5. Seating divorced parents -- If you think your parents will play nice and put their differences aside for until your reception is over, then by all means seat them together on the front row. If either has remarried it is wise to seat one in the second row. At the reception, each parent should have their own table where they host their respective family.
6. Someone you dated is in the bridal party -- This (hopefully) doesn't pertain to the happy couple but more to a guest or bridal party member. It's very common to run into someone you once dated at a mutual friend's wedding. If this happens, be an adult. Smile, say hello and walk away.
7. Inviting guests with adult children at home -- This one is tricky. You want to invite your mom's best friend, but not her son that lives with her. Be very explicit in your wording on your invite. Specify Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so and ask for her dinner choice and his. It may also be a good idea to enlist your mom to clarify if there is any confusion.
8. Dealing with family feuds -- Unfortunately not all families get along. My husband has a relative that doesn't like me for reasons I will never understand. And it was tough trying to decide whether or not to invite her. In the end I decided to invite her and hope that either she wouldn't come or if she did, she would behave. In my case, she didn't show and my wedding was wonderful, but in your case she may come. If she does, keep your distance and pretend she's not there. If the feud is among your guests, seat them as far away from each other as you can and recruit other relatives to keep them apart as much as they can. Ignore them and enjoy your wedding day.
9. You are invited and someone else isn't -- It's very exciting to get an invitation to a friend's wedding. That excitement shatters when you find out that another friend isn't invited to the same event. If your friend asks you to find out if they were invited or why they weren't invited, tell them no. You don't need to get in the middle of it. I'm very good at tactfully handling situations like this. I would tell the friend no, but mention something to the bride. I may say something like, "She mentioned that she didn't get an invitation. I don't know if that was intentional or an oversight but I just wanted to make you aware." And then leave it alone.

 

3 Signs You Bought the Wrong Wedding Dress

I found this article on the Huffington Post Wedding Guide.  I will give you a chance to read it first, and then tell you if I agree.

3 Signs You (Oops!) Bought the Wrong Wedding Dress -- Plus, What You Can Do to Fix It

Posted: 08/26/2013 5:41 pm

This gown could cause remorse!!

 

It's totally normal to have doubts after you THINK you've found your dream wedding dress -- and (dun dun dun dun) handed over your plastic. What if you hate it when it arrives? What if you find something better?
Nine and half times out of 10, I've found the bride is still thrilled when her dress arrives. But here are three signs you might not be.

1) You're not quite comfortable with the cut. Maybe your mom encouraged you to go strapless, or a salesgirl convinced you that you HAD to have an open back. But any tugging and adjusting you're doing in the shop are going to be multiplied by 100 on your wedding day. If you feel awkward and uncomfortable in your gown, that's exactly how you're going to look walking down the aisle.

2) It has ZERO wiggle room. It's easy to be tempted by a marked-way-down sample or a deeply discounted showroom gown, but if you can't breathe in your dress, you're going to spend hundreds having it fixed -- or seriously suffer on your wedding day. (Good to know: In general, wedding dresses are made with alterations in mind, but samples and showroom dresses don't always have the extra fabric allowances.) When in doubt, size up. And if the fit of a sample-size dress is questionable, don't risk it.

3) It costs three times more than you should have spent. With so many well-priced options out there, it's just not worth it to blow your rent on your wedding dress. I can pretty much guarantee you won't look back on your wedding day and wish, If ONLY I had spent more on my dress. Plus, thinking about your wedding dress should make you feel starry-eyed, not panicked and stressed.


So what do you think?  I don't really agree with any of these statements.  
Starting with #1.  All brides need to remember what is stated in #2.  That alterations of some kind are needed for almost every wedding gown.  They are not your everyday clothing items that stretch and bend.  So if you are not totally satisfied with the cut when you first try it on, meet with an alteration specialists.  See what can be done with the gown.  Many of your awkward and uncomfortable feelings can be calmed and make you a beautiful, confident bride going down the aisle.  

#2  It is true that we always recommend buying something a little too big than too small.  All gowns can be made smaller but going bigger is much more difficult.  That being said, again, consult the alteration specialists.  I have had many brides who have gained weight while waiting for the wedding.  Sometimes letting out the side seams for an extra inch or two was plenty.  Other times an extra panel of fabric needed to be added for closure.

#3  Well, I completely disagree with this one.  As numerous brides have visited my store with family and friends, I have heard stories from previous brides.  Many state they hated their wedding gown because their budget only allowed them to go to JC Penney outlet or wear someone's hand me down.  I distinctly recall one bride who tried to compromise with a lower priced gown.  We searched every catalog in the store finding a gown as close to THE gown as possible.  When the gown arrived, she was so disappointed.  It did not live up to THE gown.  So what did we do?  We ordered THE gown.  Now she had paid for 2 gowns instead of 1.  
     I understand that everyone has a budget and that wedding gowns can be very expensive.  This is why it is so important to find the right boutique to work with. I have ordered gowns for brides with no money down, brought in sample gowns for brides to try on and even given store credit for gowns that brides did not like.  All of these are unheard of at the large stores!  

So as keeping an open mind is important while shopping, it is also important when first trying on your gown. 

Lace is the rage!

It seems that every bride recently has asked for lace.  Either a lace wedding gown or lace bridesmaid gowns or both.  Although lace is one of the more expensive materials, there is a wide selection available from many designers.  Which one is your favorite?

David Tutera Gown $1250

Allure Gown $1325

This David Tutera gown offers a little lace with sheer shoulder straps. 

David Tutera Gown $1750

Allure is known for their all-over lace gowns.  This one does not disappoint!

P.C. Mary's Gown $660

At the Chicago Bridal Market, David himself said this sea mist/ivory lace gown is a "must have" for the spring season.




Although Mary's is know for bling, they did a wonderful lace design without the bling!

P.C. Mary's Gown $550

                                     

Mori Lee Gown $1200

Another stunning Mary's gown with lace appliques and just the right amount of bling.



Mori Lee gown with traditional Chantilly lace.






Here are some bridesmaid selections.

Mackenzie Michaels $210

Davinci $210

You can find all of these bridesmaid gowns in stock at Rushville Bridal.

Andrew A $189 short, $210 Long

                                       

Eureka $139

Not all of the bridal styles are in stock at this time but may be ordered.





We do sell gowns off the rack, so please call to see if we still have your favorite in the store.
866-920-3094

1:8

1:8 is a fairly large ratio.  If you bet on a horse that is 1:8, you would make quite a bit of cash.  But since this blog is for wedding information, I am not going to the horse races today.

This ratio is the number of names that he has for green compared to what you may have!! 

lime    clover     fern     moss     shamrock     peridot     celadon olive    kiwi    avocado    mint    honeydew    spring    sea foam fern    flora   pine   emerald   hunter   mist  

Ok, I actually found 20 names for shades of green.  But I don't think it ends here.  I think for almost every shade of the rainbow, I can find 8 to 10 names that most men would not even consider.

red   claret   burgundy   bordeaux   wine   garnet   ruby   apple   cherry   brick red  

And technically shades of pink are in the red family, too.

pink   fuchsia   cotton candy   bubble gum   rose   cerise   rouge  raspberry   berry   flamingo   azalea   magenta  

How about the blue shades?

ocean    cloudy   periwinkle  sky   arctic   turquoise  cornflower  marine   royal   midnight   light blue   azul   sapphire   navy turkish blue   capri    bahama blue   teal   aqua   tiffany blue  bluestone   jewel blue   baby blue   powder blue   desert blue

WOW!  Let's try purple.

lilac   grape   eggplant   majestic   violet   regal   lavender blue  aubergine   passion   pansy   orchid  mauve   

And let's not forget orange.  I think this one will be the hardest to find 8 shades but I will try.

peach   sunset   coral   cognac   burnt orange   cinnamon   tangerine   papaya   tiger lily   pumpkin  rust

Success with orange, so moving on to yellow.

sunrise  banana   canary   ivory   maize   buttercup   gold   sand   citrus  champagne  cream   

And just because I can, I will do brown

chocolate   sable   mocha   bronze   toffee  coffee  copper   penny   terra cotta   palomino     

So groom's give your bride a break when she is stressing over wedding colors.  There are so many to choose from and trying to coordinate all the colors for gowns, tuxes, accessories, flowers and decorations can be exhausting.  

If you need help, contact your local small bridal store for assistance.  We love to help!