I've decided, that while I love the idea of having all tulips for our reception centerpieces, I am going to take my chances and go to the farmers market day-of and buy pre-bundled flowers. These premade bouquets can run about $5 each rather than $50-$200 for each centerpiece. Since our wedding is in May, I'm sure there will be some Tulips available at least. I probably will splurge on one really nice floral arrangement for the front of the church that we can move to the reception.
Both the Mill City Farmers Market and the Minneapolis Farmers Market have a number of floral vendors. And because they are awesome and have websites, I can contact the growers ahead of time to see what they plan to have for the following weekend.
Hmmmmm.
You do the math.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Where to Find: Paloma Blanca
Only a few MN shops carry these dresses that typically range $2,000-$4,000.
Brides of France
Minneapolis, MN
612.926.1596
(Edina location)
Brides of France
Minneapolis, MN
612.208.0870
(Richfield location)
Mestads Wedding
World
Rochester, MN
507.289.2444
Raffine Bridal Boutique
Stillwater, MN
651.430.0990
Does Anyone Want To Play "The Price Is Right???"
In a previous post, I mentioned that you can often find extremely similar gowns to those that are DESIGNER labels and over priced. Here's another example. Jasmine is a design co that is really becoming very modern- just link Vera Wang. I'm certain no one would know you weren't wearing Vera Wang.
I went to Brides of France at 50th and France and tried on this Paloma Blanca gown- style #4111- which retails for over $3400:
When I continued my search, I found this very similar Allure gown- retails for $729-$799
Then, when I went shopping again, I found this Moonlight gown for $595:
Yes, there are differences, but there are similarities as well. I think I'll save the 3K.
There are a lot of companies that make high quality gowns for a SEVERE fraction of the price of Vera Wang or Oscar Delarenta. Hmmmmm 10s of thousands or a few hundred to a thousand? I will be able to sleep at night knowing I didn't spend half of a down payment (or more) on a house, or to buy a car in cash for what I plan to wear on our wedding day.
I went to Brides of France at 50th and France and tried on this Paloma Blanca gown- style #4111- which retails for over $3400:
Then, when I went shopping again, I found this Moonlight gown for $595:
Yes, there are differences, but there are similarities as well. I think I'll save the 3K.
There are a lot of companies that make high quality gowns for a SEVERE fraction of the price of Vera Wang or Oscar Delarenta. Hmmmmm 10s of thousands or a few hundred to a thousand? I will be able to sleep at night knowing I didn't spend half of a down payment (or more) on a house, or to buy a car in cash for what I plan to wear on our wedding day.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
New Discounts...
Bridal Center in Plymouth has been inundating me with mailings to remind me and update me on their sales. Lots of gowns and things are 75% off now. I found a few dresses and accessories there myself- I just thought I would pass it along.
Reportedly there is supposed to be a point system to those that make purchases. I didn't get any points for shopping there- the points result in prizes- the prizes are displayed in the store. I wouldn't mind winning but since they seem wishy washy on how to earn points- so it seems like a moot point.
This shop is one that is in a property that Wal-Mart bought out in Plymouth and will be relocating to a new location that as far as I know is TBD/TBA.
Reportedly there is supposed to be a point system to those that make purchases. I didn't get any points for shopping there- the points result in prizes- the prizes are displayed in the store. I wouldn't mind winning but since they seem wishy washy on how to earn points- so it seems like a moot point.
This shop is one that is in a property that Wal-Mart bought out in Plymouth and will be relocating to a new location that as far as I know is TBD/TBA.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
More dress shopping
I was so blessed to have my future sister in law and her daughter in Minnesota this past weekend +. The real reason that they were suddenly in MN was the funeral of her grandmother on Sunday which was difficult of course. However, we were able to spend quality time together as a family which was terrific. On Monday evening, they were even up for going to look at bridesmaids dresses- which was SO much fun! My (soon-to-be) niece was excited and even had me trying on more wedding gowns. Once they had found maids dresses they liked, my niece had me looking around Mary Kay's Bridal for bridal gowns again. I had already sort of made up my mind about the dress I was going to get. I tried on two that I already had written down, plus some new ones that my niece suggested, and some that were not in the store the last time I had been there in September or August. We were flying through the wedding gowns that we had pulled ourselves and then one of the girls working asked me what shape I liked the best and what my budget is. She came back with 3 or 4 different options and the last one I tried on.... well I kept it on for a good 40 minutes. It was extremely similar to the Allure gown I had in mind, and they are both very similar to the Paloma Blanca gown I tried on at Brides of France at 50th and France in Edina- but for a SEVERE FRACTION of the price. Paloma Blanca's are beautiful- lined in silk- every design I see I love- but DO NOT love the price. I know I would regret spending a few thousand on a wedding gown. Just typing "a few thousand on a wedding gown" made me feel ridiculous. I will gladly find a comparable gown and not regret it later.
After all, NO ONE will know or care that you were or were not able to buy a Paloma Blanca- or even more of a sticker shock- VERA WANG- hello. (My mom told me how someone she knows was invited to the Vera Wang salon and now the bride is in shambles because she can't afford $30K on a dress. I don't think she realizes how silly that sounds. $30k will buy you a modest end BMW or a high end-all-the-bells-and-whistles-you-could-want domestic car, OR be a hefty down payment on a HOME. Hmmmmm choices.
Should we play "would you rather?"?????
I don't think we need to.
After all, NO ONE will know or care that you were or were not able to buy a Paloma Blanca- or even more of a sticker shock- VERA WANG- hello. (My mom told me how someone she knows was invited to the Vera Wang salon and now the bride is in shambles because she can't afford $30K on a dress. I don't think she realizes how silly that sounds. $30k will buy you a modest end BMW or a high end-all-the-bells-and-whistles-you-could-want domestic car, OR be a hefty down payment on a HOME. Hmmmmm choices.
Should we play "would you rather?"?????
I don't think we need to.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A tale of two (or more) dresses...
I've always told my friends who are brides to be- if you find a high end dress there is a comparable, less-expensive one out there that will be in or closer to your budget.
Gown by Paloma Blanca ($2145 at the Wedding Shoppe, St Paul, MN)
Comperable gown by Casablanca Style 1972 ($720 on the Wedding Shoppe's website)
Comparable Gown in Chiffon ($398 on the Wedding Shoppe's website)
Gown by Paloma Blanca ($2145 at the Wedding Shoppe, St Paul, MN)
Comperable gown by Casablanca Style 1972 ($720 on the Wedding Shoppe's website)
Comparable Gown in Chiffon ($398 on the Wedding Shoppe's website)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Dress dilemma....
Does anyone else have problems committing to a gown? On a few occasions now, I think I've found the dress- only to go back, take a photo and have a resounding "THAT IS NOT IT" when I flip through the photos.
Le sigh.
I'm told that this is the month I have to order my gown too- only adding to the stress of- you need to make a decision...soon/now. The time constraints are tricky since my fiance and I have two children. Dress shopping cannot be done at a drop of a hat or leisurely. Additionally, our second child was just born in June- giving me 4 months to "bounce back" and another 9 to potentially lose another 20 pounds and make the dress I order...potentially obsolete or a major recut.
No wonder I haven't made a decision.
It's also hard to imagine yourself in a gown that, as a sample size, is smaller than the size one (or many) would normally wear. Not only that but wedding gowns, for some reason that defies logic, typically run 2 sizes smaller than regular clothing. Sorry average size 14 women- you're going to need to order an.... 18???!!! WHAT. That doesn't add to any pre-existing stress or self-confidence/ image issues that so many women have already either.
No wonder so many women go on diet binges at the time of their wedding- the size on the label is freaking us out because, maybe- hopefully, most of us are comfortable in our skin and confidently say "YES- I am a size 'X'" - only to be completely thrown when we are looking at a size chart with a consultant who is about to shatter our comfortable world and tell us that we are two sizes larger than we are accustomed to believing we are.
I had thought, as someone who had previously worked in formal wear- that my life experience would provide me with some extra insight, comfort, level of understanding---something to that effect that would soften the blow of knowing I will definitely need to order larger than my post-baby usual size 14.
It's a conspiracy- I swear. No wonder shows such as Bridezilla and Who's Wedding Is It Anyway? AND Say Yes To The Dress are so popular- all the brides out there- they just want to be comforted and know/see that they aren't as bad as some of the women featured. After all, they might have told me what larger size I need to order- but at least I'm not as crazy as "THAT" bride.
I should stop now- before I start talking too much more in circles.
Le sigh.
I'm told that this is the month I have to order my gown too- only adding to the stress of- you need to make a decision...soon/now. The time constraints are tricky since my fiance and I have two children. Dress shopping cannot be done at a drop of a hat or leisurely. Additionally, our second child was just born in June- giving me 4 months to "bounce back" and another 9 to potentially lose another 20 pounds and make the dress I order...potentially obsolete or a major recut.
No wonder I haven't made a decision.
It's also hard to imagine yourself in a gown that, as a sample size, is smaller than the size one (or many) would normally wear. Not only that but wedding gowns, for some reason that defies logic, typically run 2 sizes smaller than regular clothing. Sorry average size 14 women- you're going to need to order an.... 18???!!! WHAT. That doesn't add to any pre-existing stress or self-confidence/ image issues that so many women have already either.
No wonder so many women go on diet binges at the time of their wedding- the size on the label is freaking us out because, maybe- hopefully, most of us are comfortable in our skin and confidently say "YES- I am a size 'X'" - only to be completely thrown when we are looking at a size chart with a consultant who is about to shatter our comfortable world and tell us that we are two sizes larger than we are accustomed to believing we are.
I had thought, as someone who had previously worked in formal wear- that my life experience would provide me with some extra insight, comfort, level of understanding---something to that effect that would soften the blow of knowing I will definitely need to order larger than my post-baby usual size 14.
It's a conspiracy- I swear. No wonder shows such as Bridezilla and Who's Wedding Is It Anyway? AND Say Yes To The Dress are so popular- all the brides out there- they just want to be comforted and know/see that they aren't as bad as some of the women featured. After all, they might have told me what larger size I need to order- but at least I'm not as crazy as "THAT" bride.
I should stop now- before I start talking too much more in circles.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Where to Find: Jasmine
Jasmine is a great gown collection- one that the shop I worked for once upon a time carried. Check out their webpage to see what portions of each line the shops carry (gowns, maids, etc)
The line's popularity has grown since then and Jasmine gowns can be found at many boutiques in Minnesota:
The Special Event Boutique in Alexandria
Jackie J's Bridal and Formalwear in Alexandria
Belles and Beaus in Austin
Two Hearts Bridal and Prom in Bemidji
Angeliques Bridal in Blaine
Bridal Elegance in Cloquet
Princess Bride of Duluth
The Silhouette in Easton
Elegant Affair in Fairmont
North Country Bridal in Forest Lake
Heartstrings Bridal in Hopkins
Lorraine Shop in Mankato
Fun and Fashion in Mankato
The Bridal Gallery in Mankato
Rush's Bridal in Minneapolis
Blossoms and Bridal in Montevideo
Alan Evans Bridal in Moorhead
Mrs. B's Bridal and Sewing in Owatonna
Elegance by Lin Dee in Perham
Mary Kay's Bridal in Saint Louis Park
Jenni's Bridal Boutique in Rochester
Mestad's in Rochester
Dena Marie Bridal and Tux in Roseville
The Bridal Boutique and Outlet in St Cloud
The Wedding Shoppe in St Paul
A Specialty House of Bridal in Sauk Rapids
The White Rose Bridal and Formal Wear in St Charles
Raffine Bridal in Stillwater
Our Shop in Stillwater
The Bridal Loft in Virginia
Carrie Johnson Bridal in Waite Park
Bella Bridal in Woodbury
The line's popularity has grown since then and Jasmine gowns can be found at many boutiques in Minnesota:
The Special Event Boutique in Alexandria
Jackie J's Bridal and Formalwear in Alexandria
Belles and Beaus in Austin
Two Hearts Bridal and Prom in Bemidji
Angeliques Bridal in Blaine
Bridal Elegance in Cloquet
Princess Bride of Duluth
The Silhouette in Easton
Elegant Affair in Fairmont
North Country Bridal in Forest Lake
Heartstrings Bridal in Hopkins
Lorraine Shop in Mankato
Fun and Fashion in Mankato
The Bridal Gallery in Mankato
Rush's Bridal in Minneapolis
Blossoms and Bridal in Montevideo
Alan Evans Bridal in Moorhead
Mrs. B's Bridal and Sewing in Owatonna
Elegance by Lin Dee in Perham
Mary Kay's Bridal in Saint Louis Park
Jenni's Bridal Boutique in Rochester
Mestad's in Rochester
Dena Marie Bridal and Tux in Roseville
The Bridal Boutique and Outlet in St Cloud
The Wedding Shoppe in St Paul
A Specialty House of Bridal in Sauk Rapids
The White Rose Bridal and Formal Wear in St Charles
Raffine Bridal in Stillwater
Our Shop in Stillwater
The Bridal Loft in Virginia
Carrie Johnson Bridal in Waite Park
Bella Bridal in Woodbury
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