Boy did I have an interesting time on the forums today. On a brides forum I jumped into a thread started by a girl that was told she could only try on three gowns because she wasn’t getting married until 2008. What?? Then I went to a forum for bridal salon owners. They were discussing why brides don’t understand that they have to limit the number of gowns a bride can try on at one time (it ranged from five to ten gowns depending on the salon) What?

Ok here is the deal. First salon, bad attitude. There are some wonderful salons out there and a bride really does need the help of a well trained compassionate bridal consultant to find the right gown in the right budget. The bad, crappy salons are ruining the reputation of all the rest. One of the things I tell brides is to visit the salons to have a look see before they make an appointment. Get a feel for their customer service; watch them with the other brides in there. A good salon will have outstanding customer service. A bad salon will have a chip on its shoulder. Vote for good service with your checkbook. If a salon is treating you badly, walk out the door.

Some salons have a horrible problem with brides coming in to try on gowns just so they can order them on the internet. That is part of the reason for the attitude. It is expensive for the salon in terms of both labor cost and wear and tear on their samples. The brides that do that are ruining it for the rest of the brides. That $200 or so dollars they save just isn’t worth what is lost in good service and the little extras that go along with it.

Now, the other discussion. That is very simple to explain. It’s supply and demand. If you have five consultants and five dressing rooms and ten brides want to try on gowns you have to do something. It isn’t that they don’t want you to try on more gowns, they just want you to let other brides try some on too. The secret here is to make an appointment on a slow day. After the first four or five gowns, let the consultant bring you a few more that fit the criteria that the first few established. After four or five gowns a trained consultant will know all they need to know about your shape and your taste, let them do their job. That is why you are in a good salon in the first place. No?

A giant pat on the back to dear friend Ivonne dela Vega. You know you are getting noticed when your gowns show up at the Oscars! Gloria Estefan and Mary Hart were both spotted wearing Ivonne dela Vega gowns last night on the red carpet. Hart wore the most gorgeous strapless gownstrapless lace and taffeta gown. in a stunning iridescent teal, embellished with a cascade of roses handmade in the same fabric. Estefan was beautiful in a black

Ivonne’s star just keeps on rising. I can’t wait to see what she has created for her fall bridal collection. See you in New York Ivonne.

Also getting some well deserved recognition is Amanda Jaron of AJaron Designs. Amanda has created a new line in sterling that has been picked up by HSN both on TV and online. Her collection can be seen on Friday March 2 at 1 am, 1 pm and 10 pm or anytime online. Don’t miss her tassel bracelets. They are just too much fun!

I ran across this idea over at the Wedding Bee, how about a cooking class for a bridal shower. This one is at Hipcooks in LA but I don’t see why you couldn’t do it anywhere. If there is a cookware store that does cooking classes where you are give them a call. Let them know what you have in mind and see if you can buy out a class. Make sure it a fun and easy one that will leave you time to open presents. So much more grown up than making wedding gowns out of toilet paper.

I’ll bet there are a million different classes that would be fun. Use your imagination.

Photo courtesy of Hipcooks

I recently ran across a blog called Style Me Pretty. If you are looking for inspiration on how to style your wedding this is the place. I have added it to my blogroll so you can check it regularly.

What I love are her “Inspiration Boards”. With a few simple photos or ideas as a leaping off point she styles a complete wedding. Just read through her work and you are inspired on ways to take the little details you love and spin them into a magical whole.

She also has a passion for all things beautiful and all things wedding. Her blog is a collection of eye candy to inspire your own magic.