"Sweet Intoxication.."

I really can't help myself. When I watch one of my favorites "Phantom of the Opera" I always succumb to "sweet intoxication" as the Phantom serenades Christine in his dark lair.  Wearing a 19th century wedding gown Christine unwillingly becomes his bride to save her true love Raoul. Oh the drama!!

Wedding gowns obviously shouldn't been purchased and worse worn in duress, but occasionally they are when the bride is just not quite satisfied with her choice. Is there a "buyers remorse" phenomenon in the wedding gown industry? The answer can be as complicated as a bride's emotional journey toward her wedding day. Some brides clearly change their mind due to circumstances beyond her control. However, if that remorseful feeling surfaces hours post purchase clearly it is not the right gown and should be rectified immediately before the boutique proceeds with an order. In my mind I know to refund a bride's deposit within 24 hours of purchase, but I've never had to thus far.

I aim for that "sweet intoxication" with each client I work with. Falling out of love with her gown hasn't happened yet in twenty years. A stylist should be as exuberent as her client when the bride decides to purchase a gown. When this occurs the stylist has done her job, the bride leaves intoxicated :)

Phantom's Christine Daae might have been lured into her wedding gown (and a beautiful one I might add), but this can only happen on stage. FInding the dress should be geniune and blissful. The less drama the better for any bride. I'll stick to relying on the Phantom for my drama fix.

The Turn

I'm just that kind of person that lives in a dreamy state. Daily brain synapses always involve something pretty, dreamy, romantic, charming. As I age I grapple with the counter punch of cynicism and sadness the world hurls toward my cerebral poetry. Thank God I know how to sustain the dreamy tank by working with brides, the pretty dresses, and attending weddings to witness The Turn!

It is very common for brides to agonize if the groom would be pleased with the dress they choose. On occasion I've had the groom participate in the dress selection, but it is still very rare for a bride to bring him. The bride's gown is still traditionally not seen by the groom until her walk down the aisle or first look photos. I still prefer the walk viewing as this is the moment The Turn occurs.

Will he like me in this? Is this what he'd like to seen me wear? Will I look good for him? What if he doesn't like it? Will this make sense for him when we dance? Will he recognize me? Will we look good together in photos? Will he still want to marry me in this? The bride's mind swirls with these questions along with many more that don't involve "he".  I always reassure He will like her in anything she chooses, but until He gazes upon her and The Turn happens she can't be sure.

That moment when the bride first appears is it. It The Turn moment. Whether it's a five or five hundred guests, they turn and gasp upon her arrival. She sees their warm and supportive faces. I can't describe how my soul flies at the moment. When I see the bride's silhouette as she takes her first steps toward her groom my dreamy mind ignites tenfold! I then look at him. His gaze on her melts me into thousand beating hearts.

As the bride ascends, he continues his gaze sometimes teary eyed. The Turn becomes a fixed field of vision from all witnessing those precious minutes. My heart is full and fueled until the next bride makes her entrance and she commands The Turn once again.

SPRING cleaning

It feels so good to be back!!  Now that it's Spring and new growth is all around us, thought a fitting occasion to clean up a bit and breath some new life in to the look of my dearly beloved blog:)

I also altered the blog description to give a broader scope sense of the the subject matter I discuss here. My focus on wedding attire hasn't changed, but in that realm I cover a plethora of angles hopefully of interest to all those who find themselves brides to be.

Do brides Spring clean? The answer is yes, but perhaps not in the way you might think. Come Spring I think most humans rejoice that the days are longer, warmer and brighter. There is a new outlook, a new beginning, birth of baby animals, harbingers of summer around the corner. By Spring brides who intend to marry in the Summer are seeing their gown for the first time post purchase. Fittings commence and anticipation heightens as things become"real." At this time brides are also purchasing accessories to augment their walk down the aisle style. Other wedding plans are finalized and final payments are due. Brides sometimes make offers on homes or remit security deposits for their new marital nests.

Busyness can and usually does get out of control for brides. In the over 20 years I've been working with brides I know the few months before the wedding can be the most challenging. Sometimes there are setbacks like a dress doesn't arrive exactly the way it was intended or it doesn't fit the way the bride hoped. At those moments all involved must take several deep breaths and determine a plan of action together. This collaboration and not a bride vs. the boutique approach alleviates tension, confusion and mostly importantly wasted time.

A bride needs precious time to "clean" and prepare for her new beginning :)