Wedding Gown Shopping Tips

Wedding gown shopping is a fun and very special occasion!  Here are a few tips that will help you find the perfect dress.

Wear appropriate undergarments.  Many bridal salons prefer to assist you when trying on dresses. This helps to prevent damage to the gowns. You should plan to have a strapless bra and appropriate under clothing to cover yourself so that you do not feel too exposed.

Bring a pair of shoes. Bring a shoe with you that will have the approximate heel height you anticipate wearing on your wedding day. Wearing shoes will give you better perspective on the overall look, and will help you decide if you need custom hem measurements or not.

Bring a hair elastic.Your hair might get in the way while you're trying on dresses and veils, so bring a hair elastic along just in case. It will help you envision how you will look on your wedding day!

Bring carefully selected shopping partners. Although it is very fun to have every family member and friend involved in the shopping experience, too many opinions can make choosing a dress very difficult. Bring a few people whose opinions you trust.

Bring ideas about styles and budget. At the beginning of your appointment your consultant will ask what you're looking for in your gown.  Feel free to bring photos of styles you're interested in.  If you have a certain budget in mind, make sure to let them know.

Bring a great attitude. This makes all the difference. Be open to trying on a variety of styles or suggestions from your consultant.  Be confident that you will find 'the one'! We love sharing this experience with our brides and their families!

XOXO,
Susan W.

The Gift Of Glamour - Designer Spotlight: Charlie Brear

The exquisite lace, the decadent silk, the endless styling options - we’re falling, and I mean hard, for the designs of Charlie Brear.  As a former stylist, Brear found her passion for bridal when she was assigned to gather a variety of vintage wedding dresses for a commercial shoot.  The popularity of the dresses combined with an “ah ha” moment led Brear to found The Vintage Wedding Dress Company in 2005.  Her passion continued and her business excelled; in January of 2013 the company was re-branded as Charlie Brear.

If you have a spot in your heart for all-things-vintage, but also appreciate a contemporary look, then Brear is your girl!  Her dresses are designed for the modern bride with an old soul.  She designs made-to-order dresses and gives each bride the option to create her own perfect look.  You can create your dress to highlight your personal style with an assortment of additions like overskirts and underskirts, numerous sleeve styles, waist highlighting sashes, and lace and feather jackets.  And the fabric will make you swoon - think sandwashed silks, flowing silk chiffon, beaded and floral appliqued lace, and even ostrich feather trims!

Discovering new designers is always exciting, and when our brides fall in love with gowns from that designer as much as we have it is so satisfying.  We want our brides to feel totally comfortable, their most beautiful and most importantly, like themselves on their wedding day.  Charlie Brear’s designs encompass all of those in the most glamourous way possible.  And our consultants know exactly how to lead  brides down the path to find their dream dress.  We’ll be keeping our eyes open for unique designs and innovative designers for you ladies, as always.  Until then, we’ll continue to update you on our latest designs from Charlie Brear and her mission to spread the gift of glamour!

Brides - tell us what you think makes a gown glamorous!

XOXO,

Jessica