Talk to me Tuesday- Accessorizing your vintage wedding

 Accessories will always change a dress from contemporary to Vintage. Add some pearls and a face veil to any dress for your finishing touch.

Talk to me Tuesday- Accessorizing your vintage wedding

 Accessories will always change a dress from contemporary to Vintage. Add some pearls and a face veil to any dress for your finishing touch.

Talk to me Tuesday: Fabrics

I get asked what fabrics gowns are almost every day. The most common wedding gown fabrics are satin, lace, tulle, and chiffon. There are variations of each of these fabrics as well as different materials fabric can be made of. For example, you can find gowns made of silk chiffon, or polyester chiffon. While researching this post I came across this wonderful fabric glossary. It tells you more about the most common wedding gown fabric. I also found this article about lace. Since I found such great articles already written, I thought I'd just let you read what I found instead of trying to rewrite the information. Lazy, I know, but they just said it so much better than I could ;)

Talk to me Tuesday: Fabrics

I get asked what fabrics gowns are almost every day. The most common wedding gown fabrics are satin, lace, tulle, and chiffon. There are variations of each of these fabrics as well as different materials fabric can be made of. For example, you can find gowns made of silk chiffon, or polyester chiffon. While researching this post I came across this wonderful fabric glossary. It tells you more about the most common wedding gown fabric. I also found this article about lace. Since I found such great articles already written, I thought I'd just let you read what I found instead of trying to rewrite the information. Lazy, I know, but they just said it so much better than I could ;)

Talk to me Tuesday: Hours

A lot of brides have wondered why we have holiday hours from November until New Years. During the Holidays people are concerned with Christmas shopping instead of wedding planning. We have shorter hours which reflect the times our store is busiest. We also spend more time with our families during the holidays. Until New Years our hours are Monday-Friday from noon until 6 and on Saturday from 11-6. Thanks for understanding and Happy Holidays!

Talk to me Tuesday: Hours

A lot of brides have wondered why we have holiday hours from November until New Years. During the Holidays people are concerned with Christmas shopping instead of wedding planning. We have shorter hours which reflect the times our store is busiest. We also spend more time with our families during the holidays. Until New Years our hours are Monday-Friday from noon until 6 and on Saturday from 11-6. Thanks for understanding and Happy Holidays!

Talk to me Tuesday: Prices

Over the years of working at Abella Bridal I've had quite a few people ask me if I can change the price of a dress for them. When you ask me "What can you do about the price?" my answer has to be "nothing". As much as I wish I could do something for you, the prices are set by the designer and we would not be able to carry their dresses anymore if we priced their products differently for each customer. You can let me know what you're willing to spend and I'd be more than happy to find gowns in your price range. I can give you tips for how to save money on other aspects of your wedding, but please, don't ask me to change the price because I can't. I'd get fired if I did.

The price of a gown is determined mainly by these things: the materials the gown is made of, the popularity of the designer, the popularity of the gown, and the length of time a gown has been in stock. Like I already said, it's the designer that sets the prices. Every few months we get price list updates and have to adjust our prices accordingly.

While shopping for your gown keep your budget in mind and don't try on anything you can't afford. Bridal consultants should be willing to help you find a gown within your price range. With bridal gowns, as with everything else, you get what you pay for. If you buy a $99 dress directly from China it will most likely be poorly assembled from less than quality fabrics. If you buy a $900 dress from a reputable bridal retailer it will be a well made quality garment and come with services from highly trained bridal consultants.

Talk to me Tuesday: Prices

Over the years of working at Abella Bridal I've had quite a few people ask me if I can change the price of a dress for them. When you ask me "What can you do about the price?" my answer has to be "nothing". As much as I wish I could do something for you, the prices are set by the designer and we would not be able to carry their dresses anymore if we priced their products differently for each customer. You can let me know what you're willing to spend and I'd be more than happy to find gowns in your price range. I can give you tips for how to save money on other aspects of your wedding, but please, don't ask me to change the price because I can't. I'd get fired if I did.

The price of a gown is determined mainly by these things: the materials the gown is made of, the popularity of the designer, the popularity of the gown, and the length of time a gown has been in stock. Like I already said, it's the designer that sets the prices. Every few months we get price list updates and have to adjust our prices accordingly.

While shopping for your gown keep your budget in mind and don't try on anything you can't afford. Bridal consultants should be willing to help you find a gown within your price range. With bridal gowns, as with everything else, you get what you pay for. If you buy a $99 dress directly from China it will most likely be poorly assembled from less than quality fabrics. If you buy a $900 dress from a reputable bridal retailer it will be a well made quality garment and come with services from highly trained bridal consultants.

Talk to me Tuesday: Timeline

Yesterday I was asked "How long do I need to have my dress ready by my wedding?" I will answer: ideally no less than 6 months.

If you do a standard order on a dress it will take 18 weeks (four and a half months) to arrive. Plan for another month for alterations, a week for cleaning/pressing before your bridal pictures, and an additional week for cleaning/pressing after bridal pictures before your wedding day.

For many brides this timeline is unrealistic. But it needs to become realistic. Let your boyfriend soon to be fiance know that it takes a long time. He can't just give you the ring and expect you to have a wedding planned a month later. It's too stressful and takes the fun out of being engaged. If you know you'll be getting married start shopping before you have the ring on your finger.

Rush orders on gowns are available from some designers. A regular rush order is 10 weeks (two and a half months) and a super rush order is 8 weeks (two months). You will still need an additional month for alterations and pressing. With rush orders your engagement can be 3-5 months long.

As a last resort some gowns are available for purchase off the rack. You can buy your dress and take it home with you the same day. You still need a month and a half for alterations and for cleaning/pressing.

Don't limit yourself to a smaller selection of gowns by not giving yourself enough time. It's not fun to find the perfect dress only to to discover you don't have enough time to order it.

Talk to me Tuesday: Timeline

Yesterday I was asked "How long do I need to have my dress ready by my wedding?" I will answer: ideally no less than 6 months.

If you do a standard order on a dress it will take 18 weeks (four and a half months) to arrive. Plan for another month for alterations, a week for cleaning/pressing before your bridal pictures, and an additional week for cleaning/pressing after bridal pictures before your wedding day.

For many brides this timeline is unrealistic. But it needs to become realistic. Let your boyfriend soon to be fiance know that it takes a long time. He can't just give you the ring and expect you to have a wedding planned a month later. It's too stressful and takes the fun out of being engaged. If you know you'll be getting married start shopping before you have the ring on your finger.

Rush orders on gowns are available from some designers. A regular rush order is 10 weeks (two and a half months) and a super rush order is 8 weeks (two months). You will still need an additional month for alterations and pressing. With rush orders your engagement can be 3-5 months long.

As a last resort some gowns are available for purchase off the rack. You can buy your dress and take it home with you the same day. You still need a month and a half for alterations and for cleaning/pressing.

Don't limit yourself to a smaller selection of gowns by not giving yourself enough time. It's not fun to find the perfect dress only to to discover you don't have enough time to order it.

Talk to me Tuesday: Shoes

Shoes are such a hard thing for brides to find. There are so many choices. I get asked "Do you have shoes?" "Where should I look for shoes" and "What shoes will match my dress" all the time.

Unfortunately we do not carry shoes in our store. Where to look for shoes depends on what style you're looking for. Many brides want to do something funky and fun like wearing Toms, Vans or Converse. Look for those online or wherever "sneaker" type shoes are sold.

Other brides want a heel to match their wedding colors. Nordstrom, Dillards, and Zappos.com have a wonderful selection of heels that should be good enough quality to keep your feet comfortable all day. If you're not used to heels make sure you get used to them before your wedding day. You don't want to look funny while walking, or worse, twist your ankle.

Some brides can't wear heels so they opt for cute colorful flats. You can find flats at almost any shoe store.

 

A simple white or ivory shoe will match any dress. If you don't like your feet or don't plan on taking pictures of your shoes go for something simple and comfortable that will compliment your dress.

Get shoes that match your personality, are comfortable, and that will make you happy when you wear them. Make sure to have the shoes you're going to wear on your wedding day when you go for alterations. Heel height can change the amount taken up for a hem. Break in your shoes a few weeks before the wedding so you don't get blisters on your special day. Most of all, have fun! Planning wedding's can be stressful so take the day off and go shoe shopping.

Talk to me Tuesday: Shoes

Shoes are such a hard thing for brides to find. There are so many choices. I get asked "Do you have shoes?" "Where should I look for shoes" and "What shoes will match my dress" all the time.

Unfortunately we do not carry shoes in our store. Where to look for shoes depends on what style you're looking for. Many brides want to do something funky and fun like wearing Toms, Vans or Converse. Look for those online or wherever "sneaker" type shoes are sold.

Other brides want a heel to match their wedding colors. Nordstrom, Dillards, and Zappos.com have a wonderful selection of heels that should be good enough quality to keep your feet comfortable all day. If you're not used to heels make sure you get used to them before your wedding day. You don't want to look funny while walking, or worse, twist your ankle.

Some brides can't wear heels so they opt for cute colorful flats. You can find flats at almost any shoe store.

 

A simple white or ivory shoe will match any dress. If you don't like your feet or don't plan on taking pictures of your shoes go for something simple and comfortable that will compliment your dress.

Get shoes that match your personality, are comfortable, and that will make you happy when you wear them. Make sure to have the shoes you're going to wear on your wedding day when you go for alterations. Heel height can change the amount taken up for a hem. Break in your shoes a few weeks before the wedding so you don't get blisters on your special day. Most of all, have fun! Planning wedding's can be stressful so take the day off and go shoe shopping.

Talk to me Tuesday: Bustles

Every so often I have brides ask me "Can I cut off the train?" The answer is always yes. You can do whatever you like with your dress once it's yours. Usually when a bride doesn't want a train on her gown, I show them their options to bustle it. A bustle holds the train up so the bride doesn't have to worry about stepping on it or having someone carry it around all day. Bustles allow the train to be let down for pictures or when the bride is walking down the aisle, and to be put up when the bride is dancing or walking around. A bustle should not be confused with a train loop. A train loop is a loop of ribbon on the underside of the train used to hang the train on the hanger. It is not for the bride to loop around her wrist or to fasten the train anywhere except on the hanger for transport.

There are two styles of bustle: regular/English and French. A regular or English bustle usually consists of one or more hooks and eyes to pull the train up. It usually makes the train look like a triangle pulled up to the bottom of the zipper.

English Bustle

A French bustle fastens under the gown. It consists of ribbons which are tied together to keep the train up. French bustles have a ballooning effect on the top of the train. If a bustle fastens in one place, it's called a one point bustle. When it fastens in 3 places it's a 3 point bustle. The most extensive bustle I've seen was 12 points.  

Three Point French Bustle

When you get your alterations done your seamstress will sew in your bustle. Bustles are different for everyone because of height differences. A bustle is way cheaper than having the train cut off and it gives you the option of having your train down in pictures.

Talk to me Tuesday: Bustles

Every so often I have brides ask me "Can I cut off the train?" The answer is always yes. You can do whatever you like with your dress once it's yours. Usually when a bride doesn't want a train on her gown, I show them their options to bustle it. A bustle holds the train up so the bride doesn't have to worry about stepping on it or having someone carry it around all day. Bustles allow the train to be let down for pictures or when the bride is walking down the aisle, and to be put up when the bride is dancing or walking around. A bustle should not be confused with a train loop. A train loop is a loop of ribbon on the underside of the train used to hang the train on the hanger. It is not for the bride to loop around her wrist or to fasten the train anywhere except on the hanger for transport.

There are two styles of bustle: regular/English and French. A regular or English bustle usually consists of one or more hooks and eyes to pull the train up. It usually makes the train look like a triangle pulled up to the bottom of the zipper.

English Bustle

A French bustle fastens under the gown. It consists of ribbons which are tied together to keep the train up. French bustles have a ballooning effect on the top of the train. If a bustle fastens in one place, it's called a one point bustle. When it fastens in 3 places it's a 3 point bustle. The most extensive bustle I've seen was 12 points.  

Three Point French Bustle

When you get your alterations done your seamstress will sew in your bustle. Bustles are different for everyone because of height differences. A bustle is way cheaper than having the train cut off and it gives you the option of having your train down in pictures.