Buyer Beware!!! Real vs Counterfit Gowns

Buyer Beware!!!!

The beginning of the rest of your life can sure take a toll on your wallet.  Finding ways to save money is important but only on certain things.  I think most people would agree with me when I say that the wedding gown is one of the, if not THE, most important part of a wedding.  I want to make sure that when you purchase your gown that you are actually purchasing what you want.  Below are some guidelines to follow when if you are thinking of purchasing a gown online.  This will ensure you will be wearing a PERFECT gown for your perfect day!

ONLINE GOWNS:

There is a reason that online gowns are priced "Too Good to be True!!!"  Because they are!  Listed are several of the reasons that is the case.

1.) Misleading pictures: Just because they show you a pictures of a designer gown, does not mean you are getting that designer gown.  That is how they sucker you in.  They do not have the designs or materials to equal the original. 

 2.)  Inner Construction of the Gown:  Counterfeit gowns have no inner construction on the gown.  If you do not have the adequate construction of the bodice, especially for strapless, your gown will not fit and will sag and pucker.  If it is a lace up gown, you will have a very sad looking back, because again the inner construction is not there.

3.)  Beading on the gown, if it has beading.  You do not get the high quality that is on the original.  The ones that I have seen have inexpensive pearls and cheap seed beads.  Looking nothing like what you are seeing on the original.  

4.)  Not from a manufacturer:  Most of your counterfeit gowns are from an online manufacturer in China, which means they are not actually a manufacturer.  They are a one person, maybe a couple more, making them out of a small shop or even their own home.  I had one bride purchase an online gown from China, and it smelled like smoke and the fabric which was suppose to be white, had a grey tint to it.  It was HORRIBLE!!!!

5.)  No possibility of a refund:  You have no recourse as to getting a refund, or being able to even contact them.  They always deal with you through an email address, never showing an address or phone number in which to contact them.

Most of the brides that I work with do not understand the importance of a well structured gown until they try one on.  It has everything to do with the fit and the look you want to achieve.  This is why the cost of a wedding gown is more expensive... it is all about making the bride look her very best and accentuating her best features.  

Don't throw good money after bad.  Your wedding day is a day that you dream about most of your life.  If you find a picture of a designer gown that you love, find an authorized retailer and try on the gown for yourself.  It could very well save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run.  Remember the old saying, " You get what you pay for."

Groom of the Month: November

Lamar Berry

Okay ladies... let me remind you that the groom featured in this post (and in future posts) is already taken! So wipe the drool from your chin and let's continue...
Remember our Bride of the Month, Heather? This is her other half, her dance partner!  You remember their EPIC 1st dance right?! Well... let me tell you a little bit about what it was like to help him and his friends and family prepare for THE day...  
Working with LaMar was a real joy!  He is such a gentle man, (but still manly and strong... right Heather?!) as well as a gentleman.  Every time he came to my shop he had a smile on his face and a big hug for me!  I knew any time I had an appointment with any of the Little-Berry wedding party fun was going to be had by all!

Some of his groomsmen I had worked with before on a previous wedding a few years ago.  It was great to see them again, and I had just as much fun as I did the first time I worked with them!  They are such an awesome group of guys and a real reflection on the kind of person that LaMar is. His love for Heather was evident every single time I saw them together!  He is definitely one of a kind, and I feel so blessed and honored to have gotten to know him and be a part of this special time with him.  I wish only the very best for LaMar and Heather in their marriage.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your forever!

Lamar's Favorite Things:

1.  Favorite part of the Tuxedo:

  My favorite part to the tuxedo was the cut of the jacket and the style of the vest. LeAnn had so many different options to choose from to help me find the perfect style that fit my body type.
2.  Favorite part of his wedding day: 

  My favorite part of the wedding was seeing my bride in her dress for the first time.  We had a reveal before our ceremony.

3.  Advice he would give to current and future groomsmen:

  Advice I have for current or future groomsmen would be to look no further than Heartfelt Bridal for your tux, because she has an awesome selection for any groom and groomsmen. LeAnn can have any tux brought in to try on and has many colors to choose from, which will help you distinguish your look from your groomsmen. She is great with last minute alterations and issues that come up. Enjoy the day that your bride has planned, as this is the beginning to a new chapter in your life!

Love these pictures as much as I do?  Check out Steve Smith Weddings!  They do an amazing job capturing all the special moments of the day!

YES YOU CAN!!! ...wear a strapless gown!

Are you wistfully looking at strapless gowns and thinking, if only I could wear one of those without pulling on my top the whole night?! Some brides steer away from a strapless lace-up gown because of their bust size, not knowing if their bust is too big or too small.  But with this video you will see that any bust size is just right!  Strapless lace-up gowns are the perfect solution and can even make you appear up to 2 sizes smaller than your usual size!  The
secret to wearing a strapless lace-up gown is lacing the back up properly!  Second Mile Films (check them out, they are amazing!) and I partnered up to make this video so you can be sure the gown of your dreams fits you like a glove!  Oh... and please share this with your friends... this is one tip we don't want to keep to ourselves! ;-)

Proper way to lace up a strapless gown

Perfect Body... Perfect Dress

No... I am not talking about everyone being a size 4, but understanding your body shape, and what style of gown fits it, makes you feel perfect, no matter the size!  Below I have listed the most common body shapes and then added pictures of gowns that would fit that particular shape.  Now, most of the time our bodies overlap into more than one (you didn't think this would be that easy did you?!) and so keep that in mind as you read.  That is why I schedule bridal gown fittings... it gives us plenty of time to figure out your body shape and the perfect gown to fit it! Plus, who doesn't love to play dress up?!

Bridal Gown Silhouettes: (dress styles)

• Ball Gown
• A-line
• Modified A-line
• Trumpet ( fit & flare)
• Mermaid
• Sheath

Bridal Gown Body Shapes:

Triangle Shape – (also known as Pear) Best silhouette for this body shape are ball gowns, A-lines or Drop waists.  A pleated or full skirt balances out the body by drawing the eyes upward. You want to chose a gown that minimizes the hips, and accentuates the waist. 

 Inverted Triangle Shape - ( also known as Voluptuous) This shape usually has a fuller bust, and smaller through the waist and hips. The best silhouette for this body shape are ball gowns, A-lines, Modified A-lines, and Drop Waists. Look for a style that balances out your body. Stay away from too many ruffles, tiers or layers.  The gown below is a good guide for the perfect amount of ruffles. 

 Rectangle Shape –
 (also known as Athletic or Boyish) This body shape can wear most silhouettes. A gown with layers looks great on this shape as well as Sheath gowns. 

Hourglass Shape – With this body shape, the bust and hips are about the same measurements with a smaller waist. This shape can wear any style silhouette, but the most flattering silhouttes are the fit & flare (trumpet), mermaid, and the sheath. 

Diamond Shape – This body shape has a smaller bust and hips, and thicker through the waist. The best silhouette for this shape would be an empire style, with fuller skirt. Also, a bodice that hits the sweetheart area of the bodice (between an empire and the waist) with a pleated or full skirt. Some A-line silhouettes work as well.

Round Shape - ( Also known as Apple) The best silhouettes for this body shape are ball gowns, gowns with higher bodices like empire waist or with sweetheart lines that flare out from above the waist. 

Guess what?! I have saved the best for last!! All of these gowns are available off the rack in my shop or available to order to try on! And don't forget... look at these gowns as a blank canvas, so to speak, we can customize your chosen gown to be one-of-a-kind!  Check out my Facebook page to see some examples of how my brides have had custom alterations done! It's so much fun... come on in and we will awaken our inner fashionista's together!!

Welcome!

I am so excited to launch this blog. Being in this business over 11 years has taught me a lot and I have learned some tips and tricks that I know will help you make this time of your life as smooth and fun as possible! I also wanted to highlight a few (there are too many amazing people to highlight everyone) individuals whom I have had the pleasure to dress.  Check in with me often for tips, tricks, and pics! Follow me on my facebook page and on my Instagram to find out when I have added new posts.  And please refer us to a friend... it would be selfish to keep me all to yourself! ;-)

Bride of the Month: September

Heather Little-Berry

Heartfelt Bride, Heather, perfectly blended family comfort with elegance on her wedding day.  "When I first walked into Heartfelt Bridal, I had no idea how much a wedding dress cost. LeAnn was great to help me pick out a dress in my budget, that I loved because I knew I could afford it. I tried on many dresses, looked through many catalogs she had available, ordered dresses in to try on, checked out other stores and I continued to LOVE and THINK about the very first dress I tried on in LeAnn's shop. LeAnn helped me make the dress my own by removing a broach, adding amazing jewelry, and  a veil, as I bought the first dress I tried on. "  Collaborating with Heather on everything was so much fun and effortless, because of her upbeat personality and willingness to listen to different ideas.  The final decision was always hers’ and as you can see from the pictures, she made all the right ones!!!!
Not only was I lucky enough to be able to dress Heather, but I was able to dress her entire wedding party! "Not only did I buy my dress, jewelry, veil and six bridesmaid dresses from her, my husband, father and his groomsmen all rented their tuxes through her Tuxedo District. With the experience I had purchasing seven dresses from LeAnn; I had no reservations to complete my entire bridal party attire order through her. Leann was very responsive to helping me make appointments for the entire bridal party, as half of our friends lived out of town. "  Being a part of Heather and LaMar’s wedding was such a special experience for me.  They were so easy to work with, as well as each and everyone in their wedding party.    It is hard to believe that it all started almost a year ago, and now they are on to the next exciting  chapter of their lives.

     Heather and LaMar just belong together, they are like two peas in a pod.  It reminds me why I love what I do.  Being able to be a part of that very important time in a couples life and helping them make it all work out the way that they have envisioned. I  wish them both all the best that life has to offer and lots of LOVE!!! 

Heather's Favorites:

Favorite Part of the Dress:
"My favorite part of my dress was the sweetheart neckline/bodice and jeweled necklace. The dress was perfect on how and where it fit my body to give me a classic, elegant look even with being the tallest bride LeAnn has seen :) My dress was very fun and flowy with all the organza ruffles, as the bodice of the dress brought the entire look together."

Favorite Wedding Moment:
"My favorite part of the wedding day was surprising all guests with our first dance! Many first dances can be very boring, but not ours. Who would've known after many nights of practicing on our kitchen floor, our first wedding dance went off with a bang! With only our videographer and DJ knowing a surprise was in store, we had our wedding party totally caught off guard. Here's our dance that set the stage for our amazing wedding day on August 3, 2013!"

Heather and Lamar - Surprise First Dance - Wedding (8.3.13)

https://vimeo.com/75587620 

Advice for Other Brides: 

"The advice I would give to current and future brides is ENJOY the journey! From the proposal to the wedding day, enjoy every minute of it. The wedding day goes by way too fast for you not to enjoy every detail and amount of time that was spent deciding everything for your day. Your wedding day is not about anyone but you and your husband. Focus on why you are there, what makes you happy and enjoy the day as you planned it to be."

I forgot to mention that these amazing photos were taken by Steve Smith Weddings. Visit their website at stevesmithweddings.com