Now that you have scheduled your first appointment, what should you expect?
Always arrive to your appointments on time. If you are late that is only taking time away from you. Consultants generally will not let your appointment run over your allotted time because it will make the next appointment late.
When you arrive more than likely they will have you fill out an information card. Name, date, wedding location, wedding date, etc. This is so they can file your dress style selections under your name so if you come back in for a follow up appointment they know what gowns you're coming for.
Then your consultant will give you a tour of their gowns. Some salons have the gowns displayed by style-sheath, mermaid, aline, ball gown or they will separate them by designers. Most gowns are sampled in sizes between 8 and 12. So in normal sizes they are 6-10. Don't worry if you are smaller or bigger than those sizes, consultants are trained in how to clip the gowns so they will fit well.
Once you pick out the gowns you want to try your consultant will take you and who ever you brought along back to the dressing rooms.
Most consultants will come in the room with you to help you get into the gowns. You'll realize as you start going to more appointments that it's easier to get help getting into the gowns. Some of them have inner corsets that must be hooked up and the zippers can be a pain to work.Don't worry, your consultant has seen it all. Your appointments should be about pampering you and making you feel special, so let them help you.
Don't worry if your entire first appointment you do not find anything you like. Most of the time the first appointment is narrowing out what you hate. Maybe you don't like strapless gowns, or big full skirts. You will never know what you like or do not like until you try them on.
My BIGGEST tip for your first appointment. TRY ON EVERYTHING! Unless you were a debutante chances are you have never worn a dress like a wedding gown. They're hot, they're itchy, but more importantly they're so beautiful.
Most brides come in with an idea of what they want. They want a very simple a-line gown, and by the time they're done they have chosen a very sleek mermaid gown with beautiful apliques.
You can't judge a wedding dress by what it looks like on a hanger. I can not stress enough that they look completely different on. Even if you only like one thing about the dress try it on.
In the end the more styles you try on the more clarity you will get on what style will make you feel the most beautiful on your perfect day.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
He Proposed!!!! Now What?
The moment you've been waiting for your entire life has finally just happened! He proposed!!!!!!! After all the phone calls are made the initial excitement starts to subside you realize just how much work you have ahead of you to plan your dream day.
So where do you begin? Obviously you start with the logistics, where and when. After you have this figured out you can begin your gown search.
Here are the usual questions I get about setting up appointments.
1. Do I need an appointment?
~Yes. Even though most salons are not strictly by appointment only it is in your best interest to have an appointment. This will ensure that you will get a full hour of one on one time with a consultant who can help you find the perfect gown for you.
2. Who do I bring?
~You are going to have to use your personal discretion for this. Do not bring friends who always disagree with you. Bring your closest and most supportive friends and family who understand that in the end the gown you pick is your choice, not a collective decision. I recommend bringing no more than 4 people with you. Any more than 4 it gets very chaotic and confusing. Their are simply too many opinions. The other thing I highly recommend to all my brides is come alone to an appointment. After the first appointments when you have your gowns narrowed down to 3 or 4 come alone or with one very close friend or family member. This way you can see be in the gowns with no one elses opinion but your own. I HIGHLY recommend doing this.
3.Do I need to bring anything?
~Not really. Most salons have strapless bras and shoes they can lend. But if you have your own strapless bra and a pair of shoes that are about the heel height you will be wearing then bring them along. Many brides also bring their spanx along. I also recommend a camera. Not all salons let you take photographs. Some designers are very worried about people photographing their dresses and then trying to duplicate them. Another item to consider bringing is pictures from magazines or the internet of gowns you like. Even if you only like one thing about the dress bring a picture. This way your consultant can point you in the direction of gowns that may fit your personal style.
4.How early in my engagement should I start wedding dress shopping?
~ASAP!!!! If you are ordering a dress it will take anywhere from 4-8 months. This is standard with any designer who you order from. Generally during off season which is March-September the gowns will take 4-5 months. During busy season, October-February they will take at least 6 months. You also have to consider alterations which takes an average of 2 months, again depending on how busy the alterations department will be when your gown arrives.
Next time I'll be talking about what to expect in during your appointment.
Thanks for reading
So where do you begin? Obviously you start with the logistics, where and when. After you have this figured out you can begin your gown search.
Here are the usual questions I get about setting up appointments.
1. Do I need an appointment?
~Yes. Even though most salons are not strictly by appointment only it is in your best interest to have an appointment. This will ensure that you will get a full hour of one on one time with a consultant who can help you find the perfect gown for you.
2. Who do I bring?
~You are going to have to use your personal discretion for this. Do not bring friends who always disagree with you. Bring your closest and most supportive friends and family who understand that in the end the gown you pick is your choice, not a collective decision. I recommend bringing no more than 4 people with you. Any more than 4 it gets very chaotic and confusing. Their are simply too many opinions. The other thing I highly recommend to all my brides is come alone to an appointment. After the first appointments when you have your gowns narrowed down to 3 or 4 come alone or with one very close friend or family member. This way you can see be in the gowns with no one elses opinion but your own. I HIGHLY recommend doing this.
3.Do I need to bring anything?
~Not really. Most salons have strapless bras and shoes they can lend. But if you have your own strapless bra and a pair of shoes that are about the heel height you will be wearing then bring them along. Many brides also bring their spanx along. I also recommend a camera. Not all salons let you take photographs. Some designers are very worried about people photographing their dresses and then trying to duplicate them. Another item to consider bringing is pictures from magazines or the internet of gowns you like. Even if you only like one thing about the dress bring a picture. This way your consultant can point you in the direction of gowns that may fit your personal style.
4.How early in my engagement should I start wedding dress shopping?
~ASAP!!!! If you are ordering a dress it will take anywhere from 4-8 months. This is standard with any designer who you order from. Generally during off season which is March-September the gowns will take 4-5 months. During busy season, October-February they will take at least 6 months. You also have to consider alterations which takes an average of 2 months, again depending on how busy the alterations department will be when your gown arrives.
Next time I'll be talking about what to expect in during your appointment.
Thanks for reading
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog!
I'd like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Chelsea. I have been working in the wedding industry for the past 6 years and absolutely love it. I started off in the industry with wedding planning and have now gone in the direction of bridal fashion. I have worked at various bridal salons and am currently a bridal fashion consultant at a salon here in Denver and in fashion design school to design wedding gowns.
What I notice from working in bridal salons is that most brides don't know what they're looking for, or even really where to begin. Who do I bring, when do I order, what color, what fabric, neckline, train length....the list goes on forever. That's what my blogs are going to be about. I am going to umcomplicate and de-stress the wedding gown buying process. I am going to give you pointers from inside the industry and all the information you need about gowns so you can feel like you are making the best decision with the most knowledge possible.
I'd like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Chelsea. I have been working in the wedding industry for the past 6 years and absolutely love it. I started off in the industry with wedding planning and have now gone in the direction of bridal fashion. I have worked at various bridal salons and am currently a bridal fashion consultant at a salon here in Denver and in fashion design school to design wedding gowns.
What I notice from working in bridal salons is that most brides don't know what they're looking for, or even really where to begin. Who do I bring, when do I order, what color, what fabric, neckline, train length....the list goes on forever. That's what my blogs are going to be about. I am going to umcomplicate and de-stress the wedding gown buying process. I am going to give you pointers from inside the industry and all the information you need about gowns so you can feel like you are making the best decision with the most knowledge possible.
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