We are so excited to announce that our mobile App for Android is now available as a FREE download from the Android Market.  iBridalGown has helped iPhone users walk down the aisle in their perfect wedding gowns, and now it’s available for Android users, too!  This handy little app is designed to minimize frustration by helping brides shop for their gown, compare their favorite dresses and share via email or Facebook!

The Android app delivers the same great features as the iPhone app. It has everything you will need to organize your selections in wedding dresses, all in one application. You can take pictures and store them alongside information about each dress for easy future review. Instead of managing scribbled notes on individual business cards and scraps of paper, this fun and friendly app puts all of your wedding gown details at your fingertips.

iBridalGown also helps you understand bridal jargon you might not be familiar with. Don’t know the difference between chiffon and charmeuse? Wondering about wedding gown silhouettes, necklines, and trains? Definitions and descriptions of these terms are in the app!

Since your Android phone is always with you, so is your dress information!
Click here to download iBridalGown for Android

Have you tried it? I would love to hear about it!

I know it sounds CRAZY, but often the sample dress you are ordering from looks different from the actual gown once it’s made.  This variation can be very slight and hardly noticeable or can be a completely different color or fabric.  Even normal wear and tear can cause the sample to seem different than an actual gown based on it.  So, it is important to know what to expect before you put the deposit down.

Here’s an inside tip about how I learned this the hard way during my first year of owning my own bridal salon.  When designers first produce samples for a new gown, they often haven’t fully perfected the manufacturing behind it. The manufacturing process doesn’t necessarily get perfected until actual orders come in, so inevitably, somewhere in some magical back room, someone realizes something about the original production design that doesn’t make sense… and they change it. Vera Wang maids would do this to me all the time… they would ship me samples and show the dress on the website one way, but when it came to the actual production, something was different… not all color choices were available, or the flower pin was for the runway only, or there would one less ruffle tier!  Luckily, most brides trust Vera Wang’s reputation and vision for her gowns, and so they were ok with it.

A good rule of thumb: the older the sample, the more changes you’ll see.  When a dress is new, it tends to be a little stiff, and this stiffness softens over time. Also, colors fade and dresses get dirty… has the dress you are trying on ever been cleaned?  This too might alter the color beyond a simple dye lot variation.  Is the finish on the hem the same?  From time to time, designers change production facilities or fabric distributors, which can slightly alter the feel of the gown.

If your salesperson doesn’t know the answer, then ask the owner/manager.  If need be, you can always call the designer directly. Understanding what changes to expect will help alleviate any misunderstandings when your dress arrives.

Keep in mind, lace patterns do vary slightly and that’s impossible to predict.  As long as it’s the same type of lace ( chantilly, alencon etc..) you’ll be fine.

It’s important to love the dress because of how it makes you look, and that won’t change from the sample to your gown.  However, if you fell in love with the dress because of the color of the fabric or the way it felt, then you might be better off just buying the sample!

I would love to hear your experiences, please post it below!

1. Illusion Neckline

The illusion style is created when a sheer, delicate and often embellished layer of fabric is added to cover all or part of the space that is otherwise exposed in a strapless gown. Think of illusion as strapless… with coverage. It can transform the whoa! of way too much cleavage into something soft, elegant and romantic.  This is absolutely my favorite new trend.  Look how beautiful this one shoulder illusion by Monique L’huillier is!

2. Tiers

Some trends are better on the runway than down the aisle. In 2012, you’ll see a push for 2 tiered dresses, and I simply don’t care for them. I have yet to see one be flattering, it tends to make the bride look 10 pounds heavier and perhaps something she’s not telling everyone yet   Unless you’ve got something to hide, stay away from this trend… leave it to models who get paid to wear it.

3. Lace Sleeves

With all the buzz around the Royal wedding, it’s no surprise the iconic lace sleeves on Princess Diana’s wedding gown have resurfaced.  Thankfully, the sleeves are less poofy and much more modern.  Lace sleeves are simply gorgeous and elegant, but a HUGE pain to get right.  If the sleeve is too loose, the lace looks sloppy… if it’s too tight, your skin bulges. Lace bolero jackets under a strapless gown can be a much easier way to achieve a similar look, but if you insist on the real deal, be prepared for some costly and time consuming alterations.  How gorgeous is this Romona Keveza Legends gown!!

What trends for 2012 have you noticed?  What do you think?  Please post your comments below!

1. Know the logistics of your wedding.

It is best to know where and when your wedding will be. For instance, if it is to be a small, intimate wedding on the beach, then a sheath gown would be perfect. Or, if it will be at a yacht club that is overflowing with guests, perhaps a feather adorned ball gown would complete the occasion. These factors are extremely important when deciding on your dress, so make sure this item is crossed off your list! Believe me, you don’t want to be the bride who wore velvet at her summertime garden wedding!

2. Know your budget.

Not an exact number. but at least a range. If you can’t afford a $5,000 dress, then steer clear of the higher end boutiques, it’s not worth wasting your time and upsetting yourself. Don’t bother looking at things you can’t have, that will only make it harder to find one within your budget… and there is absolutely a wedding dress for you and within your budget!

3. Go to school.

Not the classroom with desks and teachers, but educate yourself about what makes a wedding gown. Learn about silhouettes, fabrics, and trains so you have a better understanding of what’s out there.

4. Look at pictures.

Not just any pictures, but ones of you and your fiance together. Look at what you’re wearing in the photos and what looked good (or not as good) about them.

5. Get new undergarments

Having the right bra makes all the difference when trying on dresses! Make sure it is a neutral color. It’s embarrassing sending pictures to mom when your hot pink polka dot undies are showing through your gown

Do you have ideas to contribute? Anything you did before or during your bridal gown hunt that worked or didn’t work? Have any questions? Please post a comment, let’s get a discussion started

What is a trunk show?

A trunk show is when a designer showcases dresses from their latest or upcoming season. These are new dresses, sometimes right off the runway! I love how clean the dresses are and how carefully handled they have been. Each store packs the gowns and send them to the next store in the trunk show, and if there is anything wrong with the dresses, there is hell to pay!!

Who attends a trunk show?

Usually the designer ( or a representative) comes to a trunk show. They will sometimes offer special incentives like custom measurements, or free custom changes, or even a percentage discount off purchases made during the show. Trunk shows are fast and furious and lots of gown sales are made.

As a boutique owner, I loved it…

…but many brides don’t enjoy trunk shows. Why?

At the end of the trunk show, when it is over, all the beautiful new dresses must get packed up and shipped to the next store Which means, unfortunately, that if a bride wanted to try that gown on again she couldn’t. Sure, you could always order it without seeing the sample again, but who wants to do that?

Are trunk shows for you?

If you are just starting your search for the perfect gown, then trunk show’s aren’t for you. You’ll be trying on dresses that you won’t have a second chance with, and that’s too much pressure to make a good decision. However, if you’ve been looking for a few weeks now, and you finally have a clear vision of what you’re looking for, then a trunk show might just be the perfect event for you!

What are your thoughts about trunk shows?

I would love to hear your trunk show experiences, please leave a comment about it! Thanks!

Granted, 17 times is a bit extreme, most brides finally decided by the third or fourth time. However, assuming you have followed all my guidelines about the best silhouette / neckline / fabric for your body and you are truly stuck between 2 equally flattering dresses, and your friends and family don’t have any useful opinions, then here are a few factors which should come into play.

1. Alterations. Talk to the seamstress or manager about possible problems with either dress for alterations. For example, if one dress has crazy intricate beading at the hemline, this will be an extremely difficult dress to alter. It’s not impossible, but if you love both dresses equally, then choose the one with the easier hem line. Bridal salon owners loathe alterations, and will be absolutely honest about what could go wrong and which dress would be easier.

2. Where is it made? If one is made in the USA and the other isn’t, please buy American.

3. Price. If you love both these dresses equally, then go with the less expensive one. Save a few dollars, or buy something extra special for the honeymoon.

Still can’t decide? Email me!

This gown is a standout to me because it is intricate, yet so simple. The strapless sweetheart neckline is pure romance, and the draped bodice adds a bit of a modern flair that is complemented by the trumpet silhouette. However, what pushed this gown over the top for me is the fabric choice, a blush silk jacquard. A silk jacquard is an intricately woven shiny fabric with a tonal design woven in. The weave creates the effect of a ‘shadow’ pattern or print.

I don’t think we’ll see this bridal gown be part of her add campaign because it isn’t bold or extremely fashion forward, but this hidden little gem of is destined to be a classic. From the hand tucked bustles, to the fit and flair silhouette this wedding gown is the perfect choice for the bride that wants something unique but not extreme. This gown is timeless and pure style, I love it!

This fabulous week that is complete bliss for the bridal fashion obsessed, is topped off with a huge gala hosted by no other than Martha Stewart. This year it’s October 15-17, and you can count on me to be there talking to all the designers, post pictures and give all the beautiful (and not so beautiful) details of what’s new in bridal fashion!

It’s enough to make your head spin and just walk down the aisle wearing your over-sized pink fuzzy bathrobe!

Well ladies, take a deep breath.  Help is here

I built a successful couture bridal salon from the ground up, so I know a thing or two about bridal fashion and the process of creating your wedding day look.  No detail is too small, just stick with me and all the pieces will come together to create a  wedding day look that is not only beautiful but a perfect reflection of you.

Before you start thinking about where to go, who to bring or even how much you want to spend, take a few hours and go to Barnes and Noble.  Bring a notebook and grab a whole bunch of bridal magazines, get a foamy latte (or alternate beverage of choice), find a big round table, spread out all the magazines and DIG IN!!!

Don’t sell yourself short and, don’t just look online at home in that very pink over-sized bathrobe.  Get out there!

Why?

1.  It will get you in the mood!

Having something tangible to touch and feel is so much different than staring at a computer screen and clicking your mouse like a robot.  Something about that tactile experience will start to get you in the mood!

While flipping through the pictures starting thinking about how it’s your turn, you found the love of your life and it’s time to celebrate!!!  Start picturing your self in some of the dresses dancing with your love.  Before you know it, you’ll be smiling, and identifying a few designers that you relate to.

2.  People will stop and talk to you, and you never know what you’ll learn!

We love weddings!  Nothing is  more exciting than a woman planning her wedding and everyone wants to talk about it.  With a huge stack of prominently displayed bridal magazine’s people can’t help but want to congratulate you and hear about it.  Once you start talking to people, you never know what you’ll learn!

Most likely you’ll hear a few stories about a beautiful wedding with some great vendors, some not so great vendors and find out some spots with the best (or worst) customer service!

Don’t forget to write everything down in your notebook, because that information will be a good place to start!