It was brought to my attention today that some local brides are finding a picture of a lovely wedding gown in Canada that they just love, and they are sourcing it in China because it carries a much cheaper price tag. A recent $2300 gown here in Ontario was found for a lot less in China and if this sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is!
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario, will travel If you are trying to save on a gown’s price- be forewarned that this is not the way to do it. This is the difference between cost and price. You won’t wind up saving anything and you will be stressed and aggravated beyond belief.
The sage words of advice in a situation such as this one is- don’t even consider it. Budget expectation versus reality are two very different things. If you can only afford $999 for your gown, there are plenty of styles in the local marketplace with great service that you will be delighted with.
You won’t save any money by trying to bypass the conventional retail channels. What you will have is a headache trying to rectify a situation that needn’t have happened in the first place.
Trust in your local bridal salons to give you the best price for the budget you have available. These are your neighbours and friends and they want to see you happy and satisfied.
Remember, too, that if you do get that gown from China, who is going to alter it for you? Many shops are not comfortable handling something as special as your gown, if they haven’t sold it to you.
Your wedding day is a day of importance and it is always best to purchase what you know you are getting and that you have some control over the purchase.
He’s proposed and you said, I will. You have dreamed of your wedding day and wearing that perfect gown, since you were a little girl. You want to feel radiant wearing it. It is your day of days!
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario, Will Travel Now, that day has arrived. It’s time to go bridal gown shopping! If you are considering making the drive across the border to get “something better” or “something cheaper”, think long and carefully. Make sure that your day is not marred by miscalculating what you thought the final cost would be. Remember too, that there’s the cost of the item and then, there’s the actual price. You and your fiancé have sharpened your pencil, setting a budget; but insist that you will have your day, your way. This is a busy time in your lives, one that is high-charged with emotion and a great deal of decision-making. You don’t need any additional pressure.
It may seem inviting to brides-to-be, to travel across the border to purchase their bridal attire, especially since we are so closely tied to the Michigan region. But, buyer beware. That extra, added time, expense and potential aggravation dealing with Canadian and U.S. Customs may jeopardize your most exciting purchase.
You may find yourself paying for alterations or that the “sale” is final. In Windsor/Essex area,when you buy your gown at the bridal salon, the alterations are included. Bridal shops will provide alteration services for gowns purchased from elsewhere.
Windsor and area bridal salons in southern Ontario carry the top bridal lines from all the great designers. They will make your shopping experience memorable . You must remember that the owners of our local stores are your neighbours, family and friends, who have invested time and money into our community. They establish their reputations by living and working here and being accountable.
Purchasing your dream gown usually takes 5 trips to the shop; one to look, one to decide and multiple times with yourself and your bridesmaids for fittings and pick- up. The additional expense of border-crossing fees and 90 minutes of your valuable time driving, excluding any delays at the border, bring any possible savings to zero. Asking your attendants to make these excursions with you can be infringing on their time and good nature.
One must also consider the potential of a crisis, days prior to your wedding.Who wants the aggravation of running across when you need that precious time for more important matters. Imagine finding a small tear in your gown’s fabric or a loose bead or button. What happens if you gain or lose weight due to stress after the alterations have been completed? Who is going to look after it and will be there be time available to remedy the problem? Securing a seamstress at the ninth hour can be a daunting task, when time is of the essence.
Bridal Specialists are dedicated to making the bride’s day beautiful. Buy from your local suppliers with confidence, and know that you are an important consumer to them and not someone transient. A bride’s pleasure translates to valued referrals that continue to make their business viable.
Be a savvy bride and assess the reality of how important your time and energy will be throughout your wedding planning process. Eliminate any possible problems early by being realistic.
We wish you a beautiful day!
 Photo: Trevor Booth Photography “There is no remedy for love other than to love more.” Henry David Thoreau
The wedding shower originated with a Dutch maiden who fell in love with an impoverished miller. Her friends showered her and her spouse with so many gifts that they could forego her missing dowry.
Showers traditionally occur from two months to two weeks before the wedding, and can be anything from an informal luncheon, to a buffet dinner at an elegant restaurant. Theme showers are all the rage: tools for the men, a wine bar, a book shower and a hour by hour shower, where everyone brings a gift for the particular time of the day.
The get- together known as the stag and doe, or bachelor/bachelorette party has become a celebration of the end of being single. It usually consists of the immediate wedding party and very close friends of the bride and groom. The best man or maid of honour is usually in charge of coordinating the event.
Many couples arrange to travel separately to Las Vegas, New York, Cleveland; they have all become a popular weekend spots or a fishing or golfing weekend away for the guys.
This event should be a fun and memorable evening and should be suited to the style and personality of the couple.
Read more about wedding receptions in the current issue of The Wedding Guide, available free at selected bridal salons on this website.
Our Featured Vendors
Always A Bridesmaid
Victoria Tavern
 Photo: Steve Pomerleau Photography “I would like to have engraved inside every wedding band: be kind to one another.” Randolph Ray
Almost all brides wear a wedding ring. In early days, they had two purposes. Then, brides were bought by their husbands and the ring was accepted as partial payment, which symbolized a groom’s honourable intentions. It wasn’t until medieval Italy when rings started to include diamonds. A diamond’s hardness was considered symbolic of enduring love.
The ring also symbolizes the circle of life. Traditionally the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This custom came from the Egyptians who believed that the left hand was connected directly to the heart. Although, the ring finger does not have a vein to the heart, the tradition is still carried on today.
At present, silver and platinum rings are still the most popular out-selling more than yellow gold, and white gold in 14 and 18k, which are seeing an upswing as we move to the end of 2010. Coloured stones are also appealing, and whether your ring is thick or thin, wide or narrow, the choice is entirely yours. Just keep in mind what your occupation is, and how a certain style may prove impractical for day-to-day use.
For comfort and safekeeping, make certain you get the correct fit. Day in, day out, year after year, no other piece of apparel can compete with the hours that you will wear your wedding ring.
Read more about jewellery, diamonds and wedding planning in the current issue of The Wedding Guide, available at selected bridal salons on this website.
G & G Jewellery & Diamonds
Inspired byJewellery.com
Wharram’s Jewellery
Your Look
“If there is no woman, there is no dress”- Coco Chanel
The childhood fantasy of that incredible gown is now a reality. It is time to choose the most important dress you will ever wear, and it is your look that will set the tone for your wedding: elegantly formal, culturally traditional, or alluringly whimsical. Bridal salons offer an array of colours and styles and will do alterations for that perfect dress with the not-so-perfect waistline.
The search should begin immediately for while the choices may seem endless, time is not.
And, if it seems that the elusive dress of your dreams is but a figment of your imagination, then bring it to life. Do not hesitate to look into custom gown designs, after all, it is your day and you should feel perfect in what you are wearing.
 Photo: Chalet Studio Photography The wedding gown tells something about the bride’s beliefs and feelings, her personality, and her general appearance.
Some brides are likely to try new styles. Others may be unconcerned about their gown. Some brides wear simple gowns becaue of their strong customs and beliefs.
Through the years, the wedding gown has been one of the most important parts of the wedding, associated with the hope and the celebration of love. Your gown is going to be the focal point of the ceremony, and you will remember it for the rest of your life.
Consider comfort and that all eyes will be on you. This may not be the best occasion to wear a gown in which you do not feel comfortable. Selecting a wedding gown is one of life’s precious moments. To get the right gown, however, takes some thinking. Your wedding gown gives you a chance to dress completely different from the way you do everyday; so feel free to select something unique. Experiment with many styles to see what suits you silhouette best.
If your wedding is a destination- there are now many short styles available for you to choose from. The rise of destination weddings has set the tone for a new look for a very treasured day. And, you’ll find gowns of all colours and styles with gorgeous detail- just for you!
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