Bridal Gallery by Yvonne is Looking for Premier Prom Ambassadors!

Bridal Gallery by Yvonne is now accepting applications for Premier Prom Ambassadors! We are looking for one girl from each local high school to take part in this program. The Prom Ambassador Program is designed to give girls experience in business, marketing, and fashion, as well as help them with the cost of their prom gown! This is a great addition to any college application! The program also allows for all area high school girls to save on their prom attire, as any girl who is refered to us by a Prom Ambassador will receive special savings on their prom ensemble. If you are interested in becoming a Bridal Gallery by Yvonne Premier Prom Ambassador, copy and paste the application below and email to: BridalGallerybyYvonne@yahoo.com

Good Luck!

Bridal Gallery by Yvonne
895 New Loudon Road       Latham, New York 12110
Phone: 518-782-9333   Fax:  518-782-1146
Email: BridalGallerybyYvonne@yahoo.com

 

Premier Prom Ambassador Application

Name: _______________________________        Date: _____________
Address: __________________________________________________

City: __________________            State: ________        Zip: __________

High School Representing: ___________________________________

Graduation Year (Circle One): (2012) (2013)  If 2014 or beyond, please apply in the future

Club(s) Involved in: __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

** Application Deadline is**

**Friday, February 3rd, 2012**

 

Details

• One Premier Prom Ambassador will be chosen at random by Bridal Gallery by Yvonne per high school in the Capital District.
• Premier Prom Ambassador will be responsible for marketing Bridal Gallery by Yvonne to students at their high school.
• Premier Prom Ambassador will receive a set amount off of their prom gown per student brought in by them who purchases their prom gown. More details will be provided at a later time by Bridal Gallery by Yvonne.

The Premier Prom Ambassador Program is set in place to provide the opportunity to Capital Region high school girls for business and marketing experience in the high fashion industry, as well as to help reduce the price of their own prom gown, along with providing all area prom girls with an opportunity to save on their prom ensemble.  

Choosing Your Bridal Gown

 

“You’ll just know its The One when you try it on”.  Every bride has heard this phrase from a well-meaning family member or friend.  As much as that phrase is indeed true for some brides, it is not the case for all brides.  If this is the case for you, you are not alone.

 

As much as we see brides who find “it” and are 100% certain of their choice, we also see brides who have become frustrated with the process.  They will tell us that the process is harder than they expected.  We often find 3 main causes of this dilemma. 

 

1.  Finding the perfect dress, but feeling the need to see “everything” before making a choice. 

2.  Visiting too many stores.

3. Inviting too many family/friends to shop with you. 

 

Many brides have heard that they shouldn’t buy a dress at the first store they visit. While you should be selective in your choosing, it is a myth to believe that you cannot find “your” dress at the first salon you go to. Many brides have an idea of what they have always pictured themselves wearing on their wedding day. This is why many brides purchase the very first gown they try on: they have an idea, choose a beautiful gown at the very beginning, and decide it is their dress. Trust your instincts: if you can see yourself walking down the aisle in this dress, then it is more often than not your perfect dress. Don’t begrudge yourself the euphoric feeling of having that very important part of your wedding day taken care of.

 

Also remember… if you are stuck between two beautiful dresses, you can’t make the wrong choice.  But you also can’t delay deciding between the two! If you are waiting for something to make the choice easier, you will be waiting a long time.  The longer you wait, the harder the decision will be.  You won’t be disappointed in the choice you make.  You will be a beautiful bride.

 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find “The Perfect Dress”…Often, it will find you.

 

 

Did you find this article helpful? Tell us in the comments section below.

 

Courtesy of the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne and Jim Butler

 

Custom Gowns

Carrafina, one of the exclusive designers at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, offers many options for customizing your bridal gown. From shortening the train to adding crystal detail, Carrafina can customize your gown to any specifications. The gown you have been dreaming of is certainly within reach at an affordable price, at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, courtesy of Carrafina Bridal.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Neckline changes from sweetheart, to halter, to portrait, etc. 
• Add crystal, beaded, or rouched straps
• Add lace, silk or satin sleeves
• Shorten or lengthen the train
• Create a removable jacket
• Remove, add, or change the amount of crystal or pearl detail
• Add silk or organza flowers
• Change the fabric of your bridal gown from silk to satin, organza to lace, etc. 
• Create hair accessories to match the detail on your Carrafina bridal gown

Please be sure to leave a comment letting us know if this information was helpful!

 

Trending: Sleeves

http://www.verydivine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Prince-William-Kate-Middleton-Wedding-Dress.jpg

Since the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton, there has been a new bridal trend that has not been seen in some time: sleeves. While many of us still remember the popularity of sleeved bridal gowns up until the late 1990s and early 2000s,  brides today are used to strapless bridal gowns. When Kate Middleton debuted her gorgeous gown with intricate lace sleeves, there has been a demand for bridal gowns with similar sleeves. While there are replicas of the Princess’s gown available, most brides are not looking for the full skirt, merely the sleeves.

Sleeves are a great option for brides who are not used to wearing strapless clothing or even baring their neckline and shoulders, and when done correctly, gowns with sleeves can be very elegant. Sleeve length can range from a full sleeve to a simple cap sleeve, with most brides looking for either a three-quarter length sleeve or short sleeve.

 We have also seen sleeves appearing in mother’s gowns as well, typically made of a sheer netting fabric, and they sometimes pop up in bridesmaid collections, often with a fun, playful slit at the top of them, as shown in the photo to the right. Whether you are looking for a full lace sleeve or a flirty cap sleeve, your sleeved bridal gown will have a touch of elegance and give off a regal vibe.

What are your thoughts on gowns with sleeves? Are they outdated or fashion-forward? Make sure to leave us a comment and to answer the poll below:

Photos courtesy of 2BeBride, Mon Cheri Bridals, and Bari Jay Designs

Mother of the Bride/Groom Gowns

Here at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, we pride ourselves in having a large selection of gorgeous gowns for mothers of the bride or groom. Here are a few tips and trends we have found helpful when working with mothers of bride or groom:

1. These special occasion gowns take just as long as bridesmaid’s gowns do to be made, approximately 3-4 months. We recommend ordering your gown at least 6 months before the wedding. If you are already past that time frame, don’t worry! It is certainly still possible for you to have a beautiful dress, as we will do anything we can and explore all of our options to ensure you look stunning on that special day.

2. Mother of the bride/groom gowns tend to look much better on a figure than they do on the hanger. Often times when you look at a collection of these gowns, they can appear frumpy or matronly, however do keep in mind that once on a figure, they completely transform. Here at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, we pick out our mother of the bride/groom dresses when we see them on a model, therefore enabling us to see the potential each gown has. Bottom line: If you think a gown may have some potential to be what you are looking for, try it on! You will never know until you try…

3. One way to view the roles of the mother of the bride and mother of the groom, is that the mother of the bride is the hostess, and the mother of the groom is the guest of honor. Our mother’s consultant have many mothers who come in worried about what color to choose or style to wear so as not to offend anyone or clash with other gowns. Keeping this view in mind, it really should not matter what each mother wears,  as long as she looks and feels her best. This can mean wearing cobalt blue, because people have told her it matches her eyes, or espresso because it goes well with her complexion. If you are worried about the color of your dress clashing with the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses, keep in mind you will not have many pictures taken together.  This is an important day for the mothers, too, and it is important they enjoy this special day with their friends and family, and know they look great doing so.

4. Keep in mind, this is one of the few dresses in your lifetime that will be custom fitted to your body. With that said, it is important you feel your best. Our mother’s consultants have worked with many mothers who are self-conscious about different parts of their bodies, namely their arms. If you fall  into this category, there are many options available to you, so that you feel your best on this special day. One option is sleeves. They can be long, short, or three-quarter length, and made of any fabric. Since the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, sleeves are definitely trending in the bridal industry, and not just for brides! Illusion sleeves, made of tulle, are a great option for any mother who is looking to feel comfortable and still classy and elegant. Another option is the Bolero jacket or full jacket. The Bolero jacket ends mid-chest and enables the detail on your gown to be seen. A full jacket can add a tailored, slimming effect to any formal gown.

5. When searching for your mother of the bride or groom gown, it is important to have people with you whose opinion you value and trust . We have found it is best to bring one or two people with you when searching, as too many suggestions can make you feel overwhelmed. You want to bring people who know your personality and have your best interests at heart.

This is such a special time for you, and you play an important role in this occasion. On this day, you will look beautiful no matter what you wear, but you want to feel that way, too. Once you find a dress you feel absolutely beautiful in, go with it!

Photos courtesy of Mon Cheri Bridals and Jasmine Bridal

Choosing Your Bridal Gown Based on Body Type

A-Line Silhouette

All eyes will be focused on you as you walk down the isle on your special day. To ensure a picture perfect look, select a gown that will enhance your personal body type. We received this information from one of the top bridal designers, Maggie Sottero, and thought we would share it with you! We hope you find this information as helpful as we do.

Ballgown Silhouette

  -Brides who are slim, or want to create curves, look best in ballgown silhouettes.
     -To add drama, brides with a curvy figure can wear mermaid or fit and flare silhouettes.
     -Brides who would like to de-emphasize their hips should look for A-line styes, which will bring in the waistline while minimizing the hip area.

Fit and Flare Silhouette

     -A vuluptuous bride who is looking to balance a fuller bust should seek a style that features a dropped waist to add space between the bust and waist.

Dropped Waist Silhouette

  

 

 

 

Photos and content courtesy of Maggie Sottero.

Out of Town Bridesmaids

Here at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, about 90% of our bridal parties have at least one bridesmaid that lives out of town. This is sometimes viewed as a problem, as most out of town bridesmaids are not able to visit the bridal boutique to be measured, choose a size, and pay for their gown. One option is to have your out of town bridesmaid order her dress from a bridal salon near her. By doing this, you run the risk of dye lot differences amongst the dresses, as dresses ordered at different times by different salons will not be cut from the same fabric. Even though having a bridesmaid that does not live near the bridal salon can present a challenge, brides with out of town bridesmaids should not worry! At the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne, we have created out of town order forms for those bridesmaids that live too far away to come and visit us at the shop. We will simply provide you with a form, either a paper or electronic copy, and from there the steps to ordering your bridesmaid’s dress are simple:

1. Visit a local tailor, dry cleaners, or bridal shop to have your measurements (bust, waist, and hip) professionally taken.
2. Use your measurements and the size chart provided on our out of town order form to determine what size would be best for you (you can always call the bridal boutique to ask for recommendations, and keep in mind alterations will be needed in most cases).
3. Pay for your gown using one of our easy methods of payment.
4. Send your form to the shop, either by mail, fax, or email, and your dress is ready to be ordered!

Here are some other things to keep in mind when ordering bridesmaid’s dresses:

1. The Bridal Gallery by Yvonne will only order the bridal party’s gowns when all of the bridesmaids have chosen their size and paid for their gowns. This eliminates the chance of dye lot differences among dresses.
2. We at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne recommend ordering your bridesmaid’s dresses at least six months before the wedding. This provides peace of mind throughout the bridal party attire process. Keep in mind production and delivery take time, and your bridesmaids will need time for alterations, as the alteration process can require two to three visits to the salon.
3. Sizing for bridesmaid’s dresses, and any type of formal wear, is not like ready-to-wear clothing. It is important to have your measurements professionally taken at a salon like ours, and utilize any recommendations the staff may be able to provide. Sizing for bridesmaid’s dresses is similar to European sizing, which means the size of your bridesmaid’s dress in most cases will be larger than your regular clothing.

The ordering process for bridesmaid’s dresses is a great opportunity for bridal party members to spend time together and grow closer. We at the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne hope this information will make the process that much easier and more enjoyable!

Any comments about bridesmaid’s dresses are welcome here!

Save the Date Cards

          A relatively new addition to the wedding paper trousseau is the “Save the Date” card. Recognizing the busy schedules of today’s brides/grooms and their families and guests, the Save the Date card has evolved to “reserve” important dates well in advance of the official invitation. Many brides have decided that this card is an important part of their  paper trousseau. Understanding why it is sent and to whom and when seems to still be in flux for some brides and their advisors.

          There have been circumstances where couples are so enthused and excited to be engaged, that the “save the date” cards are sent out a year in advance.  Modern etiquette suggests that these cards are sent out about six months before the wedding. However, since they are not required, you can basically send them out “whenever”. It is important that you understand that the receiver will perceive this card as a “pre” invitation, so be sure that the person to whom you send the card will also be on the list of those invited to th actual ceremony. The “rule” is to make sure there is at least a month between the time when guests receive the save the date and the invitation.

          Today, “save the date” cards take many shapes and forms, from simple invitation-like papers to refrigerator magnets. The save the date card is a great opportunity for couples to let their personality shine through, even if they are having a formal and traditional wedding. Be creative!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Bridal Gallery by Yvonne Blog! The Bridal Gallery by Yvonne is a bridal shop located in upstate New York. This space will be used to provide wedding planning information, such as informational articles, trends, gown information, etc. that will be helpful for any bride! If you would like more information on our store, please visit us at bridalgallerybyyvonne.com or visit our Facebook page under Bridal Gallery by Yvonne. We hope you enjoy this blog!