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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Get "The Dish" on Everything Weddings!!
My dear friend and wedding planner extraordinaire, Jennifer Lalonde, recently launched "The Bridal Dish" catered to the DIY bride that is in desperate need of direction and assistance with her wedding planning and design needs. The Bridal Dish studio is housed in the offices of Jennifer Lalonde Events and is the "hub" for everything weddings!!
Make an appointment to get "the dish" and to browse the planning studio and all its' resources. The studio boasts an array of magazines, books, and resource guides to help direct and inspire you. Additionally, there are marketing materials and contact information for preferred vendors of The Bridal Dish. so, whether you're at square one or just need one or two more vendors The Bridal Dish can put you on the right path, matching you with professionals in your price point and best suited to bring your inspirations to life.
As you're doing your research you realize you need more support The Bridal Dish offers several different levels of membership to suit your needs and your budget! For more information on the membership tiers simply click on any of The Bridal Dish links, or schedule your consultation today:
The Bridal Dish
757-689-8082
508 N. Birdneck Road
Suite G
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Happy Planning!!
Photos of The Bridal Dish captured by Katherine Blevins
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Trend Alert: Flower Power
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A Bride's Story...In Her Own Words
Bakari and I have known each other since high school but it wasn't until last year that we became a couple. We have been best friends since 9th grade and our parents still live in the same neighborhood! We have a beautiful 11 month old daughter that was one of our flower girls. You may have seen her crawling over the back fitting room floor!
Our experience with Maya Couture was wonderful. I am not the kind of girl that has to try on a million dresses. I did my research online and found a designer that I loved. I went on the Essense of Australia website and found a dress I had to have. It was #D985. I just knew this was the one! I went to the store just to see it in person. When I walked into the store, everyone was super nice and helpful. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant so I didn't want to try it on. One of the young ladies said "oh come on, try it." I did and I LOVED it!! I didn't make a final decision that day but I promised I would be back.
After I had the baby in Dec 2009, I returned in January. I met with a lovely sales rep named Ashley. She was wonderful. She made sure that we were comfortable even with a newborn around. I told her what dress I wanted and she brought it out along with another one by the same designer #D963. Suddenly I found myself in love with two dresses!! I couldn't make a decision but she was patient with me as I tried on both dresses a few times. Even though she had to lace and unlace each one, she never complained. Then I realized I needed to see both dresses on at the same time. She looked confused but I wasn't going to have her put it on…, I had my mother put one on! We both stood in the mirror and the decision was made. D963 won!! While in the store, I found a gray fabric sash that I was allowed to purchase. At the reception, I put the fabric around my waste and put the jeweled band on top of that. It gave the dress a whole different look. I also had the seamstress add a halter strap which was good for a busty woman like myself.
Since the wedding I have started a wedding and event planning business and I will be recommending Maya Couture to all of my brides.
Our Wedding:
We were married at the Historic Chamberlin Hotel in Hampton Virginia on Sept 4, 2010.
We had an evening wedding that started at 7 pm. My dress was a Pearl color and it shimmered as the sun went down behind the gazebo! Our wedding was photographed by Jason Jarvis of Jason Jarvis Photography. He was the best. He stayed from morning until the last person left. And his prices can't be beat!
Well I think that's about everything. Thanks Again the Maya Couture staff for their professionalism and dedication to their brides!! Keep up the good work ladies.
Sincerely,
Tamika Rice-Haley
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Real Wedding: Ashley and Charlie - September 18th
Our lovely couple Ashley and Charlie kicked off the Fall wedding season with an outdoor wedding on September 18th at Amber Grove in Midlothian, VA. The color contrast of chocolate brown and sunshine yellow complimented the time of year and wedding location perfectly!Ashley's gown was style #8357 by Davinci Bridal. The soft ivory gown evoked a vintage flair with a lace overlay and beaded embellishments enhanced the romance of this gown. A satin band and handmade flower created a sweet empire accent. For the bridesmaids Ashley chose a short and sassy strapless A-line chocolate brown taffeta dress by Impression Bridal (style 1667). To stay with the chocolate brown color scheme the groom and his party wore the Jean Yves Chocolate Brown Parisian tuxedo by Jim's Formalwear for Maya Couture.
The wedding flowers were by Vogue Flowers in Richmond. Ashley and Charlie's wedding day memories were captured by photographer Terry Payne and Videographer Trevor Hager.
Congratulations Ashley and Charlie! It was a pleasure helping you with your entire wedding party attire!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Alterations 101: Ensure the Perfect Fit
There are two very important aspects to the perfect wedding gown. The first is finding your dream gown. The second is altering the gown to fit you perfectly! Unless you actually had your gown custom-made, then most brides can expect to have a series of alterations done on her gown to achieve the perfect fit.One of the most important things to understand is that altering a bridal gown or formal dress is an art form, and not all tailors have the expertise to properly adjust these garments. Just because they can hem hundreds of pants, does not qualify them to work on formal wear. It's apples and oranges! You can also expect to pay more for bridal gown and formal wear alterations than on everyday street clothes.
We have two full-time seamstresses who combined have over 45 years experience specializing in wedding gown and formal wear alterations. We will alter gowns that were not purchased at our store as well. So if you're in need of a reputable and talented tailor please contact us (757-461-6004). If you are not local but want to make sure you find a tailor who is qualified we recommend calling your local bridal stores to see if they will do alterations on outside merchandise or call a fabric store or friend who may be able to offer a referral. Your local dry cleaner may also have someone they can recommend. No matter what, do your homework. Make sure the seamstress you meet with has plenty of years altering wedding gowns, and that they work for a reputable company.
Here are some other tips to ensure your alterations process is stress-free and the look and fit you desire is achieved:
1. The standard turn-around time on wedding gown alterations is 6-8 weeks; bridesmaids is about 2 weeks. But this can vary. If you plan on having a bridal portrait prior to your wedding and/or you will be having any custom work done to your gown or your bridal party dresses (ie. changing the neckline or adding sleeves etc.) you may want to give yourself a couple more weeks. You should build this time into when you want to order your gown. Delivery on a wedding gown can run anywhere from 4-8 months. This is why it's so common for a bride to purchase her gown a year or more in advance of her wedding date.
2. When you receive your gown you may make a fitting appointment then or wait until you are ready (if time allows). If your weight does not fluctuate you can schedule your first fitting well in advance of your wedding date. If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight (over five pounds) or are known to fluctuate in weight, we recommend you not start your fittings until your weight has become more stable. If you have a question about when to start fittings, ask your seamstress what she recommends.
3. I get asked all the time "how much will my alterations cost". We don't have a crystal ball and what you can expect to spend cannot firmly be determined when you buy your gown or bridesmaid dresses. I can tell you alterations are almost always needed unless you are 5'10" tall and have perfect proportions. The work that will need to be done and the fees incurred are based on a woman's proportions along with the style and complexity of the dress, and how well it was made. General rule though is, the more proportionate a woman is the less alterations and fees she will have. A woman who is more disproportionate will most likely need more work and her fees may be higher, but the dress itself is a huge factor as well. We do have an itemized price list readily available so you can get a "ball park figure".
4. Your undergarments and foundations are vital to the perfect fit. Time and time again we have clients in the wrong bra, or no bra at all and that compromises the overall fit. We sell seamless long-line bras, bra cups, and silicone bra cups. Our seamstresses can advise you on the best fit. I also recommend going to a bra fitting salon in your market - especially if you have a full bust-line and/or the back of your gown requires a special undergarment. Locally, we send our clients to the Full Cup. 1860 Laskin Road #121 Virginia Beach, VA (757)226-9441. If you are wearing a ball gown you may need an additional petticoat. Ask your seamstress her advice on additional petticoats, spanx, or other body shapers. If you do wear these, then you need to make sure you have them at every fitting. Bring your shoes to all fittings as well.
5. Make and appointment. Know when the alterations hours are and make time to build your alterations appointments into your "time-off-requests" at your job. Your alterations appointments are just as important as the appointments you would make to go to the Doctor or the Dentist. Most bridal gown fittings are made by appointment so the seamstress may give you her full attention at each fitting. It is important to arrive on time for your appointment so that the seamstress has enough time to service you properly. It’s courteous to provide 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel or reschedule a fitting.
6. Alterations are a process that takes place over several visits - on average three. The first fitting is very important, as this is when the fit of the dress is first customized to you. During the subsequent fittings the fit and accessories are fine-tuned. Fittings are a subjective process. Do not hesitate to tell the people assisting you in your fittings if you are unsure or unhappy about something. They are there to help you. Try to relax and enjoy the process!
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