Where to Find: Dessy Gowns

Dessy Gowns is a larger company that carries a few different lines.
Dessy Collection- Bridesmaids and Flower girls
After Six- Bridesmaids and Flower girls
Alfred Sung-Bridesmaids and Flower girls
Lela Rose- Bridesmaids
Sandals- Destination style wedding gowns (no one carries these in MN)

I found a Sandals gown that is super cute and they boast their affordability on their web page.  You can order a sample to try at home for $35- and you can have the sample-on-loan (what ever they have available closest to your size) for 2 business days to try it on and make up your mind.  This is a really cool idea.  The return shipping is also included. There is a $20 per day late charge if you take longer to return the dress- which they probably track online and after 5 business days they charge you the full amount of the gown. Plan wisely!

They can be found at:

Flutter Boutique-Minneapolis (After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Ros)

Dena Marie- Roseville ( Dessy, After Six)

The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul ( Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose)

Glenrose- Plymouth ( Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung)

The Wedding Chapel- Crystal ( Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung)

Rush's Bridal- Minneapolis ( Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose)

Bridal Accents- Savage (Dessy, After Six)

The Hope Chest- Ham Lake ( Dessy, After Six)

Bella Bridal Boutique- Woodbury (Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung)

Little Bridal Shop- Rogers ( Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung)

Mestad's Webpage redo

Mestad's has updated their webpage.  I just wandered over there at random and wow- a huge improvement!  It looks so much more professional than before (but maybe in part because of the browser I tend to use it didn't look as great as it could have).

Mestad's always has something going on it seems- trunk shows, engagement parties- so I like to check their website.  For example- this weekend (January 22-24) the Rochester location is having an Allure trunk show and the St Cloud location is having an Emerald trunk show- purchase your gown at either and save 20%.  It's always nice to have some extra cash in your pocket that you weren't anticipating...

Invitations

We had found a cute invitation we liked at an online retailer.  Now, they're gone. That might explain why I never received the sample I ordered. Bummer. So it's back to perusing wedding invitations.  Buying online can be scary. How do you know what you are going to get? What will the paper quality be like?  Will they really match the mood of your celebration?  Or your colors? So many concerns and things to consider! 

There's always the option of designing your own. Which could be fun- but after the time and energy involved- maybe it would make sense to just buy or compromise.  For example- I like pocket invitations- where the invitation is on one side and then the informational cards are in an folder pocket- making everything easy to keep together for guests.There aren't that many pocket options out there so I'm considering purchasing the invitation and then making the pockets and insert cards myself in order to save about $1000. 

I've also found it may be tricky to find the colors we are hoping to use- yellow, white, aqua, turquoise, and green.  So I've been debating using a solid color such as gray or some variation of for the invitation itself and then make the pocket cards and pocket color more interesting.

To digress, it's hard to know what kind of quality you're going to receive when ordering online.  Here are some helpful things I found while online yesterday.

Dawn's allows you to order 3 samples for free.  It's really more of a request so that people don't get too greedy I think.  Which is also good because it forces you to ask yourself- which ones am I most interested in?  (I requested 3)

Get Married also allows free samples and there is no cap on the number to request. (I requested 4 samples)  Hopefully I will receive the samples I requested- I'm a bit skeptical since this is the same site that I requested a sample from before and never received.


Ann's Bridal Bargain's also does free invitation samples.(There was only 1 I was interested in).

Wedding Paper Diva's charges $1 per sample.  Not every style is available to sample.  I have 25 saved to my favorites list and will enlist my fiances help to narrow down the selections. This is the website I am most impressed with for number and variety of invitations.

Exclusively Weddings allows 5 samples to be ordered at no charge. I chose four.

I also stumbled upon Hello Lucky a very cool invitation line- they're based out of San Fransisco and London and you can see how this reflects their designs.  Samples are $5 and the package prices are a bit more than other websites- but they will work with you to really personalize your invitations.

Minted is also a great new site I stumbled upon. They have trendy modern designs and a lot of color options. Samples are $25- whoa. However, the $25 is credited towards a future order. Phew- at least that's something!  Also- I'm a member at UPromise- so a portion of online orders is credited back towards future education expenses- so why not line your future kids pockets for college a little bit?  4% of your purchase goes back to your UPromise  college fund.  I saved 6 favorites on this webpage- but again- will consult with the fiance before anythings ordered! They also have super cute return address labels.

Fine Stationary samples are $2. There are over a 1000 invitations to choose from Fine Stationary also has the UPromise benefit of getting 8% back!

Every dollar spent on samples is one less dollar for other things.

Where to Find: Birnbaum & Bullock Gowns

Birnbaum & Bullock gowns and their other lines- Robert Bullock Brides and The Steven Birnbaum Collection are more vintage designs at a little bit higher price point.

B&B gowns are available exclusively in Minnesota at:
Mestad's- Rochester

Where to Find: Sincerity Bridal

Sincerity Bridal is a more moderately priced gown collection. I'm surprised that more retailers do not carry the gowns.


Shops that carry the Sincerity Bridal collection are:

Jewel's Bridal Boutique- Delano
The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul
Our Shop- Stillwater

Where to Find: Stephen Yearick Gowns

Stephen Yearick is, in my mind, synonymous with pageant gowns. The NY based designer also does wedding gowns.

His gowns can be found at:
The Pageant Shop by Michaels in New Brighton
The Wedding Shoppe in St Paul

Color Scheme... Groom is on board

On Monday, MLK Day, my fiance and I had the whole day to spend together as neither of us had work or school. It was so much fun. We went to the mall of all things- and while we were there we checked out Macy's tie selection. They really do have a great selection of ties. I was trying to show him what I was thinking about doing for bridesmaids dresses and then what to do for the groomsman's ties. I was happy when he liked my idea of charcoal dresses with sashes of different colors from our color palate- he thought it was a fun idea. Yay! We also looked at what tie patterns and colors he liked. It was so much fun and reassuring that he likes the colors we've chosen.

Where to Find: Bellissima Couture

Bellissima Couture is the higher end line from The House of Wu. Cara Mia is also found at this web page but the gowns are password protected. This is definitely a fabulous line- that is modern but classic.

In Minnesota you can find these gowns at:
Satin and Silks Bridal- Byron
The Loft Bridal- Lakeville
Mestad's- Rochester
Mestad's- St Cloud
Our Shop- Stillwater

Where to Find: Dere Kiang

Dere Kiang is an affordable gown line that is a division of the House of Wu.

Jackie J's Formal Wear- Alexandria
Chapel of Lova- Bloomington (Mall of America)
Pearls and Lace- Burnsville
Bridal Center- Plymouth
The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul

Maggie Gowns I'd Love to try! Upcoming trunk shows!

Heartstrings in Hopkins is having a Maggie Sottero trunk show January 15-25 (you get 10% off with your order!). There are two more scheduled for February '10:

The Wedding Shoppe in St Paul is Feb 5-7
The Wedding Chapel in Crystal/ New Hope is Feb 12-14

I love to marinate on what dresses to try- and Maggie has a ton of them! I've tried some but there are so many! Does anyone have a favorite Maggie Dress they would suggest? Dress shopping is so daunting.

Here are some that I would love to try:
April
Dayle
Desirae
Emma
Gwenyth
Hilary
Holly
Rachael
Rosalyn
Tuscany
Aria
Barbara
Caprice
Christy
Fiorella
Greta
Laura
Madison
Melanie
Melissa Bouquet
Meryl
Windsor
Annette
Gatsby
Harlow
Hala
Krystalyn
Monroe
Noreen
Sapphire
Ruby
Winnie
Zinnia
Brinkley
Carla
Cosette
Kym
Marilyn
Sosi
Vivien
Lindon Marie
Viera
Freya
Vogue
Rosemary Leigh


Here are some that I have tried:
Aspen- I'm short- it looked like a tent
Karena- I remember liking this one with the halter top and lace.
Karena Royale - the same as above but strapless- I've tried it on twice- when I went back to try it on I didn't love it as much as the first time
Reese- I like this dress a lot- but I'll have to get to the gym to work on my back.
Brielle- When looking at the magazines this was the "it" dress in my head. When I had the opportunity to try it on though... heavy. SO. HEAVY. Next.
Brielle Marie- Similar to the Brielle, but no pick up skirt, a shorter train made this dress nice and light in comparison. The dangly thing below the waist kind of weirded me out though. Next!
Ireland- another tent. Next!
Whitney- I thought I would like the bow at the waist- it just didn't look right though. I'd like to try on a larger sample size (not a 6!)
Adelaide- It just felt blah. Again- not the one.
Dallas Marie- Did not like the pick ups.
Rhianna Royale- Big flower here, there- big flowers everywhere. I felt splotchy. Maybe cancerous is a better term....or is it?

Where to Find: Forever Yours Bridal Gowns, Maids, Mothers, Flower Girls, Quinceneras, Beaded and Informal Gowns

Forever Yours is a more international gown company than others out there.It's dress line was carried by the shop I worked for once-upon-a-time.


Here's where you can find the Forever Yours line in Minnesota. Lines offered will vary so check the FY website or call the shop to find out if they have what you're looking for.

The Special Event Boutique- Alexandria
St. Germaines Creations- Argyle
Arlene's Bridal- Brainerd
VIP Wedding and Gift- Brainerd
Bridal Elegance by K Elizabeth- Cloquet
Red Magic Bridal- Cloquet
Jewel's Bridal Boutique- Delano
Amoree Bridal is not Affairs by Brittany- Detroit Lakes
Weddings By Deb- Faribault
Barb's Bridal- Hastings
Rush's- Minneapolis
Alan Evan's Bridal- Moorhead
Mrs. B's Bridal- Owatonna
Elgance by Lindee- Perham
Bridal Center- Plymouth
Jenni's Bridal Boutique- Rochester
Monique's Bridal- Roseau
Cynthia's Bridal Emporium- Rush City
Bridal Boutique and Outlet- St Cloud
The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul
The White Rose Bridal and Formal Wear- St Charles
Now and Forever Bridal Gallery- Wadena
Bridal Boutique- Wadena

Where to Find: Jacqueline Exclusive Gowns

Jacqueline Exclusive gowns are considered "Inexpensive" by wedding magazine and planning sites- most range from $500-$1499. I've included the photos of two of my favorites above.

Jacqueline Exclusive gowns can be found at:

Jackie J's Bridal- Alexandria
Wedding's By Tess- Apple Valley
Alan Evan's Bridal- Moorhead
All About Brides- Prior Lake
Mestad's- Rochester
Mestad's- St Cloud

Sottero and Midgley Trunk Show!

Sottero and Midgley will be having a Trunk Show in February 2010.

Here are the details:

FEB 19 - FEB 21
The Wedding Chapel
Minneapolis , MN
(763) 533-4228

Where to Find: Sottero and Midgley

Sottero and Midgley is the higher end line of Maggie Sottero.

The Special Event- Alexandria
Angelique's Bridals- Blaine
The Wedding Chapel- Crystal
Florals to Formals- Plymouth
Jenni's Bridal Boutique- Rochester
The Wedding Shoppe- St Paul
The White Rose Bridal- St Charles
Mestad's- St Cloud

My favorite styles are:
Audrey
Adorae
Billie
Cheryl
Edie
Farrah
Ginger
Judy
Katharine
Kelly
Linda
Sidney
Toni
ASM3249CSO
ASM3265
ASM3249SA
ASM3040

Where to Find: Mia Solano

Mia Solano is available at these MN retailers:

Alan Evans- Moorhead Jackie J's Bridal-Alexandria Fiancee-Brainerd Jessica's Bridal-Grand Rapids Aubony Bridal-Hutchinson Mrs. B's Bridal-Owatonna Jenni's Bridal Boutique- Rochester Dena Marie Bridal & Tux- Roseville Napier Bridal- West St. Paul
Carrie Johnson Bridal- St. Joseph
The Wedding Shoppe- St. Paul
Blossoms & Bridal-Montevideo
Red Magic Bridal-Cloquet The Special Event-Alexandria
Two Hearts Bridal & Prom- Bemidji

Where to Find: Christina Wu

Christina Wu designs are available at very few stores in Minnesota:

Jackie J's Bridal and Formalwear- Alexandria

All About Brides- Prior Lake

Mestad's Bridal- Rochester