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No Need to Forfeit Your Shopping Experience

October 30, 2009 – 9:00 am

mpj043879600001Most brides dream of an expensive wedding with the couture wedding gown only to be disappointed and brought back to reality once you look at the price tag. Just because a bride is confined to a budget doesn’t mean that she can’t have the full shopping experience along with the bells and whistles. If you are in the market for an inexpensive dress, you don’t need to forfeit your shopping experience.

Set up your consultant with your expectations.

As a consultant, we will not ask about budget in order to for you to see as many dresses as possible that could possibly be ‘the one.’ However, we are there for  you. Don’t be afraid to discuss your budget and desires with your consultant. There are many designers out there that have a range of wedding gowns that are affordable to all and just as beautiful as the gown with the hefty price tag.

Be savvy about the time of year that you shop. If you have a long engagement, remember that many shops have annual dress sales in the late summer time. Pick up a designer dress at half the price.

Do you have a favorite shop? Sign up for their newsletters, emails or latest news that will spotlight certain designers or monthly specials.

Have fun shopping.

René

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In Between Gowns?

October 19, 2009 – 2:45 pm

Are you having trouble deciding between two gowns? Try thinking the image you want to portray on your wedding day. There are so many different styles of gowns and they all can have a different feel.

Do you dream of a vintage or modern look? Would you love to be a classic Audrey Hepburn or a contemporary Natalie Portman?

Make sure your gown reflects the style of your wedding and embraces your personality to put forth the look you’ve always envisioned.

Try going out of the box. If one of the dresses is more daring than the other, go for it! Stand out of the crowd and feel as unique in your dress as you are in your personality.

Choose with YOUR heart, not your families. If your family is pushing you in one direction but your heart is set on another, don’t let that deter you from choosing the gown YOU always envisioned.

Lauren

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Wedding Gowns 101: Where do I Start?

October 13, 2009 – 9:00 am

Once you have the ring it is time to start your bridal gown research. Start by purchasing a magazine or flipping through gown pictures on the internet. Rip out or print gowns that interest you even if you do not like everything about the gown. Be open minded. You will not know how they will look on you until you try them. Be realistic about your body and the types of gowns that will flatter you. It is also important not to eliminate too many styles before you actually get a chance to try them on.

Time to go shopping! When possible get personal recommendations of shops to visit in your area. Make plans to try on gowns at two or three bridal shops. Call or check out the shop’s website before visiting to get an idea of the type of gowns and price ranges they carry. You may also need to make an appointment. Some tips to remember when planning your shopping trip:

  • Bring only a few well trusted friends or family members - the type of person who will be honest with you but also respect your vision.
  • Bring your gown ideas - the pictures you’ve torn from magazines or printed from the internet.
  • Bring your camera. Photographs will come in handy when you are comparing your favorite gowns. However, not all shops will allow pictures.
  • Don’t visit more than two or three shops in a day. Gown shopping is supposed to be fun, not torture.
  • Make sure to take time for a lunch or snack break during your day of shopping.
  • Don’t settle on a dress you don’t love or a shop you don’t feel comfortable with. Shop until everything feels right. If you’re in love with a dress but don’t care for the store you’ve found it at, find another store that can get the dress and offer you the service you want.

Have fun!!

Jeri

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Ways to Relax Before Your Big Day

October 6, 2009 – 6:00 am

42-17371140Wedding planning can be a hectic and busy time for anyone. If you are like most brides your life keeps you more than busy with work, family and any number of other activities. If you are playing both the part of the bride and the wedding planner, stress can soon creep up on you. In order to enjoy yourself when your Big day finally arrives, you should take some time out of your pre-nuptial duties to relax. Here are some tips for relaxation from the Rush University Medical Center:

           

            ● Try to get regular exercise

  - Even if you’re not a gym rat, take regular walks with your dog or a friend, or go for a weekend hikes with your groom.

            ● Join a yoga class

   - This age old practice is great for stress reduction and relaxation. At the end of most classes there is a relaxation and deep breathing time that is sure to return you to your pre-engagement centered self.

            ● Schedule fun non-wedding related activities   

               - Remember dinner and a movie?

               - Try a stroll through the park during your lunch break

               - Pamper yourself with monthly manicures and pedicures

- Set several hours aside every Saturday for only non-wedding related    hobbies

            ● Record your journey

- A great way to process through stress is to put your thoughts in ink.    Keeping a daily journal is also a fun keepsake to revisit after the wedding is over!

            ● Do some volunteer work

- Put things in perspective by focusing energy on other people for an afternoon.

            ● Listen to your favorite band

               - Turn up the volume and dance

               - Try to catch some live shows if your favorites come to town

 

Most importantly BREATH! Enjoy the process, it’s a once in a lifetime journey!!

 

Emily

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But I can find it cheaper online…

September 28, 2009 – 1:20 pm

mpj039055200001These days hunting for a bargain has never been easier.  It’s simple, find what you want in a store, then google it and find it cheaper online.  Well, that may work for a book or car stereo, but a wedding gown?!  What you see online might not be what you get.  Here’s what those cheap wedding dress sites are not telling you: The gown you see pictured is most likely not the gown you will get.  Sites that offer a ridiculously low price are really selling you a cheap knock-off. They show you the picture of the dress by the designer you love and at the very last moment of check-out, there’s a tiny disclaimer that states that you will not be getting the exact dress.  Yeah, I know, bummer.  
Most importantly, you do not get the customer service and benefits from shopping at your local bridal shop.  If these shops are not supported, where will you be able to go to see dresses in person?  Where will you have the experience of trying on many gowns by many designers and be pampered by a personal consultant?  What are you really saving?
Melissa
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Found the Perfect Dress but your Wedding is a Year Away?

September 23, 2009 – 9:00 am

Just go for it!  Your wedding dress plays a huge role in the bearing of your wedding.  mcj043479100001

From the invitations to the cake, the style of your gown will resonate with the style of your big day.   Once you’ve purchased your gown, you know which colors, fabrics, and details will match your dress and you will have a complete palate that you can create a personal and unique look from.  Without your dress, colors can miss-match, styles can clash, and your day can look pieced together. 

If you’ve found that dress that was made for you, take the next step and make it yours.  It’s the most important piece of the puzzle (other than your groom!), so make sure it’s the first item to check off your list. 

Lauren

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Race for the Cure 9/20/09!!

September 21, 2009 – 9:00 am

imgp2547Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was yesterday September 20, 2009.  It was a beautiful day in Portland and there was a sea of pink.  The race is always an amazing and humbling experience.imgp2557    

We loved participating and acknowledging the strong women/men who have battled and won.  And celebrating the lives of those who have lost.  Look for more pictures on the website soon!

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Bridal Market for Spring 2010

September 10, 2009 – 4:41 pm

My manager and I just visited the Las Vegas Bridal Market and we were excited to see some new and unique wedding gowns.  By far Sottero & Midgley have out done themselves.  Their gowns were fashion foward with chunky crystals but still with classic fit and lines.  Ruffled and tiered skirts were extremely popular, as well as the one shoulder element.  Maggie Sottero also had some very fun pieces that had several different variations.  You could choose just the gown or add a halter strap or bolero, they even had detachable trains that you could convert into a veil.   Bolero jackets were seen with just about every other gown.  It’s a great way to add another element to your gown, especially if you are getting married in the fall or winter.

Casablanca was another designer who we were surprised with.  They had several short gowns for either a reception dress or an afternoon wedding.  They also went a little fashion forward on a few of their pieces with layers of organza and asymetrical cuts.    They still had their traditional strapless, lace gowns with an empire waistline and soft details.  As well as the satin, strapless, full skirt gown with traditional beadwork and scroll patterns. 

We did spend some time also focusing on bringing in more modest gowns.  The past several years we have been getting away from carrying many in the store but we hope to change that.  We have everything from taffeta, pick up skirts to tulle and lace.  We also chose some amazing gowns in plus sizes.  Overall we are very happy with what we saw at market.  It was a fun trip and we can’t wait to show you all the amazing gowns when they arrive in December!!

We’ll keep you posted as the gowns arrive!

Krysta

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Bridesmaidzilla!!

September 1, 2009 – 5:58 pm

This week I encountered a bride who was facing a bridesmaid mutiny. All of the bridesmaids do not like the bridesmaid gown that was chosen and purchased for the wedding. One of the bridesmaids is even refusing to be in the wedding if she has to wear the dress. Whaaaat? Seriously, this day is about the bride (and the groom).

I myself have paid way too much money for a bridesmaid dress picked out by the bride. From the first moment I saw the photo of the dress, I didn’t like it. I wouldn’t have picked it for my wedding and I would never have chosen the style for my body type or fashion sense. And what did I do about it? I did what any good bridesmaid should do:

  • When she chose the gown and told me she loved it, I said “were should I buy it?”
  • When she told me it cost over $200 (eight years ago) and was a (very unflattering) shade of light green, I said “I can’t wait to see how beautiful the dress will look with the flowers.”
  • When I received the gown and the need for alterations was obvious, I told her it would be ready for the wedding.
  • When she turned into a crazy stressed out shell of the women I knew, I did everything in my power to alleviate her stress and help her have the wedding of her dreams.

My point is that it wasn’t about me. It was the bride’s day and it was my job to be a loving and supportive friend and bridesmaid. Not ever would I have considered telling her the dress was not my favorite and even worse threaten to not be in the wedding. I would have worn a burlap sack if she would have asked! As I see it, when asked to be in a wedding you have two choices - decline or accept and vow to be supportive.

Jeri

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Join Charlotte’s for Race for the Cure - 9/20!!

August 26, 2009 – 6:55 pm

2008 Race for the Cure

2008 Race for the Cure

For the past several years Charlotte’s Weddings & More has been a proud participant in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We love being a part of such a great cause. During the 5K co-ed walk we talk, bond and take lots of pictures. Experiencing this event first hand is like no other, you will be amazed at the amount of people that participate. So, we are asking you to join our team. We would love for you to walk with us and if you can’t you can Sleep In for the Cure. Bring your fiancé, mom, and your bridesmaids to walk with us. Once you have registered we will get you a Charlotte’s Weddings & More Race for the Cure t-shirt and we will keep you posted on any events leading up to the race. Click here to register with our team.

Team Name: Bridal Beauties and Buddies

Company Name: Charlotte’s Weddings & More

Type: Corporate

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