Trash the Dress!

Check out these amazing photos from our dear friend,

Jen Kroll!

"Trash the Dress" sessions are catching on in a big way leaving brides with some of the most dramatic ( and sexy!) photos of their wedding! However, as the name implies, photos like these come with a price! That gorgeous silk gown that you saved and saved for will never be the same.....

Bridal Elegance can solve your problem for you! Simply purchase your favorite discontinued dress from our $75 dress selection and trash a different dress! No one will be the wiser and you will have some very cool pictures AND your own dress will be spared and preserved for the future.

Give us a call if you would like to schedule an appointment to pick out the perfect dress for trashing! (616) 956-1119

What Color Shoes Will You Wear?

Looking for an easy way to add some pizazz to your bridal ensemble? Why not dye your bridal shoes! It's a growing trend that allows brides to add not only a hint of their own personal style, but also a little splash of color to their day.

Whether it's a bold emerald green to

celebrate your Irish heritage or a lively shade of pink that matches the bridesmaids dresses, Bridal Elegance can make it happen.

All of the shoes sold at Bridal Elegance are specially made with the correct blend of fabrics to allow dyeing to any color. Simply bring in your swatch and let us take care of the rest! And as always, any shoe purchased and dyed at Bridal Elegance can be brought back after the wedding and re-dyed to black -- free of charge!

Just Arrived - Maggie Sottero Greta

This delicate lace a-line gown is elaborately embellished with swarovski crystals and features a handmade flower at the waist line and horizontal tiers of Valencia Organza through the skirt. Maggie's signature corset back aids with bodice sizing and insures a perfect fit every time!

Available in white, diamond white, or french vanilla with ivory lace in sizes 2-28.

**New styles are arriving all the time! If you would like to try on this bridal gown or any of our

beautiful other gowns, call us at 616.956.1119 or visit our website www.bridalelegancegr.com

to schedule your appointment!**

free wedding photography

FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY GIVEAWAY!

Our friends at Tiberius Images are sponsoring a contest and you could win free pictures for your wedding! We loved working with Russ at the Frederick Meijer Fashion Show and know that you will love working with him too! Check out all the details below and enter today!

Do you know someone getting married between October 1, 2009 and April 1, 2010? If so, do they have a photographer? If not, do you think they would like having one that was FREE?
This year we have decided to give away a FREE DIGITAL IMAGES WEDDING PACKAGE for FREE - no strings attached. The package includes photography time on the wedding day, a proof book, a personal website for your friends and family and a copy of the HI-RES images on disk, yours to keep.
It's really simple to enter and the best part is, anyone can win! The rules and how to enter are simple:
1) If your wedding taking place between October 1, 2009 and April 1, 2010, then visit www.tiberiusimages.com/#/free/ to complete your entry form
2) Fill out the entry form on our contest page and you will be officially entered to win
3) We will draw a winner on August 2, 2009 and contact that person via email letting them know they won!
We can't wait to see how many entries we receive, but be sure to tell everyone you know about the opportunity to have us come photograph their wedding for FREE!

Just Arrived - Bel Aire Headpieces & Jewelry

We just received another amazing shipment of Bel Aire headpieces and jewelry.

This is just a small sample of what we received today. Hurry in to see the rest! Stunning necklace and earring sets, contemporary headpieces, unique brooches and hairpins--Whether your dress is simple or ornate, Bel Aire has the perfect crowning touch!

And don't forget! All of our jewelry purchased from stock is eligible for our Stock Return Program. That's right--you can buy it, wear it, and return it! Ask your sales consultant about this amazing program!

**New styles are arriving all the time! If you would like to try on these or any of our other beautiful accessories call us at 616.956.1119 or visit our website www.bridalelegancegr.com to schedule your appointment!**

PLACECARD PERFECTION

Placecard Perfection

From the minute your guests enter your reception, make

a lasting impression with unique placecard/table assignment displays!

Paying attention to every detail will set your wedding apart from all of the others your guests attend this year.

Try tying your theme in with your cards. For example, if you are getting married in the fall, use leaves as your escort cards, and hang them on beautiful satin ribbons from a "tree" to make it look like fall.

Or illuminate your reception with personalized votives. This is an inexpensive DIY project that adds ambience and gives your guests a small gift to take home.

If you are blending two cultures, how about numbering or naming the tables in another language (think Deux, or Adore etc..)? Handpainting the words on tiles in your wedding colors and placing them on small easels makes a beautiful display and pays tribute to your different cultures. Place a large picture frame with all the guests names and table assignments outside the entrance to the reception to guide guests to their table. Later, reuse the large frame to display a treasured picture of your wedding!

The possibilites are endless. At Bridal Elegance we know that every detail counts. Ask us how we can help make your wedding unforgettable!

When Should I Begin My Alterations?

We're often asked when alterations should be started. While every situation is different and we have yet to come across one of our customers that we could not accomodate regardless of timing, a good general rule is to begin your alterations 6-8 weeks prior to your event.

What is the schedule for my alterations?

Alterations are done by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead. We have alteration appointments available during the day, evening, and even on Saturdays.

When you arrive for your first fitting, you should have with you your shoes and any special undergarments that you will be wearing with the gown as they sometimes affect fit. Your seamstress will work on the initial pinning of your gown, and then schedule a re-fit appointment in a week or two. You alteration fees will be fully explained to you at this time, however are not due until your next appointment. (with the exception of merchandise purchased elsewhere)

On your second appointment, your seamstress will have all the work done from the previous appointment, but will typically not have put the finishing touches on the gown in the event that any minor adjustments are needed. Should any adjustments be necessary a second re-fit appointment will be scheduled. If everything is perfect, you will instead schedule an appointment to pick up your finished and completely pressed gown on a date closer to your wedding.

Kim and Paul Doyle

Thanks, Bridal Elegance, for your wonderful selection, affordable prices and incredible service! I needed a formal dress for a black-tie event on short notice. With your help, I was able to find a dress that was just right for me. An extra special thanks is due to Aubrey, the seamstress, who was able to transform the style and fit to perfection so quickly.

~Kim Doyle

Kim, we're so glad we were able to help you look beautiful for your black-tie dinner! You and Paul look fabulous!

Just Arrived ~ Maggie Sottero Caprice

We just received another fabulous Maggie Sottero Destinations gown. . .

Caprice

Brides will love how this slim chiffon gown flows gracefully through the ruched waist and scoop neckline. The fully embellished bar back ads a stunning, sexy element that we've not seen done before so beautifully.

Available in either white or ivory, and sizes 2-28.

**New styles are arriving all the time! If you would like to try on this bridal gown or any of our beautiful other gowns, call us at 616.956.1119 or visit our website www.bridalelegancegr.com to schedule your appointment!**

Sunless Tanning by Tropical Mist Tan

Bridal Elegance has found the perfect alternative for the bride or bridal party that wants a great tan for their big day without spending a lot of time in the sun or risking the health concerns of a tanning booth.

Tropical Mist Tan in Grand Rapids is the only tanning salon in West Michigan to offer Fantasy Tan, a custom air brush tan.

We have to admit, we were a little skeptical of a spray tan. We wanted to be confident in their services before we recommended them to you, so Katie braved her fears of looking orange and headed out to be our tester!

When she came back to the salon we were all amazed by how great she looked! It was completely natural looking, and it only took her 15 minutes.

Tropical Mist tan has started offering "To Go" tanning. This would be a great option for your bridal party! Have a girls night and get bronzed over some cocktails in the comforts of your own home! Best of all, the bride gets tanned for free!

Ask about this tanning alternative when you visit our salon for more information and a money-saving coupon!

Watch a clip from Take Five Grand Rapids about Fantasy Tan!

Making Bridesmaid Dress Shopping Easier

Alright. You've chosen your best girlfriends to be in your wedding. Now comes the sometimes difficult task of selecting just the right bridesmaid dress. While it is YOUR day, you want your friends to be excited about their dresses and feel like they are a part of the planning process. Here are some simple Dos and Don'ts that will help make shoppping for your bridesmaid dresses a little easier.

DO ask your girls for their input. Consider taking them along with you as you shop and listen seriously to their opinions.
DON'T choose a dress that costs a fortune. Go ahead and spend as much as you want on your wedding gown, but expecting your bridesmaids to do the same is an imposition. And no, it doesn't matter if you've been forced to pay a fortune on bridesmaid gowns in the past. It's not about revenge!
DO pick a dress that flatters the body types of all your bridesmaids. A-line dresses often look good on everybody. If you have heavier bridesmaids, avoid fitted gowns. Askyour consultant at the bridal shop to help you choose a dress that looks great on everyone.

DO choose a color you like, as your flowers and place settings and other decorations will probably match. Unfortunately, while this may not be everyone's "best" color, the pictures will be hanging on your wall for life.
DON'T choose a dress that's uncomfortable or that will be too warm for the occasion.
DO consider choosing a coordinating collection for the girls to choose from. Several designers offer multiple dresses in the same fabric and color. This way, everyone can choose a look they like and still match.
DON'T ask your bridesmaids to wear dresses that they consider too revealing. If you have have a junior bridesmaid, take extra care to choose something modest.
DO choose a dress that looks nice with the bridal gown. Ask your bridal consultant to help you pick a good match if you are unsure what complements your dress.

DO have fun and try not to take things too seriously. In the end, the dress your bridal party will wear is your decision. Your trip to the bridal shop with your girls should be about getting ideas and narrowing down choices. However, most importantly, it should be a fun experience and a great chance to bond with your BFFs!

Bridal Elegance is thrilled to schedule uninterrupted bridal consultations for brides and their bridesmaids during the day, evening, and on Saturdays. Simply call us and let us know when you will be in the Grand Rapids area and we'll set up a time that works best!