Second Elegance

After the Southern Bridal Show

2010-09-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous time at the Southern Bridal Show last weekend. There was a record number of the brides at the show - close to 800! It's always fun talking to excited brides and their families about their upcoming plans.

One of my girlfriends helped me with the show and she had an exhausting but fun time. It was her first experience at a bridal show and that made it that much more exciting for the both of us. We had a fabulous response from the attendees who didn't know there was a bridal consignment shop in the area and I hope to hear (and see) from many of the brides who came by our booth. If you picked up one of our flyers, be sure to note the coupon at the bottom - it's a great deal!

If you attended the show, by now you should have had a chance to sit down and go through all the numerous flyers and brochures that you picked up at the show. Call, ask questions and make appointments with vendors who interested you and don't be afraid to speak up about anything. If you make appointments, write down any questions you may have and take notes while you are there.

Remember that even though this will be one of the most important days of your life - try not to get stressed out, take time for you and have fun.

SOUTHERN BRIDAL SHOW

2010-08-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Are you getting married soon or within the next year? Don't forget to attend the Southern Bridal Show. The Southern Bridal Show is going to be held on August 29, 2010 from 12pm t0 5pm at the BJCC. If you have not attended a bridal show yet (or even if you have) don't let this one pass you by. You can purchase tickets at the door for $10 or save some time and money and pre-register.

At the Southern Bridal Show registered brides will receive a FREE 1 year subscription to Brides Magazine and will be eligible to win a deluxe, all-inclusive honeymoon. When I got married back in 1990 I attended a bridal show in Birmingham and won the grand prize! A honeymoom package to the Poconos. It was sooo exciting.

Here are a few tips to remember when attending the bridal show:

1. Pre-register. This will save you time and a few dollars. There will be a huge line of brides registering before they can get in the door. Think how good it will feel to be able to walk ahead of all those brides.

2. Dress Comfortably. You'll want to leave your heels at home on this day. The more comfortable you are, the more enjoyable the show.

3. Arrive Early. The show will be crowded - the earlier you can get there, the better. Also, be prepared to wear a "Bride" sticker and receive special attention from the vendors.

4. Bring a Friend or Two. Having a couple of friends, your mom or your fiance with you will make the day more enjoyable. This will allow you to toss ideas around with everyone and give you a different perspective on things.

5. Bring Pre-Printed Address Labels. Vendors will have you registering for all kinds of things. Bringing labels with you will save time and prevent writer's cramp.

6. Bring a Notebook and Pen. Take lots of notes. Even better, bring a clipboard to write on to make things even easier.

7. Ask lots of Questions. Don't be afraid to ask. The vendors are here to help and prepared to answer anything.

8. Attend the Fashion Show. The show at the end is so much fun and you finally get to sit down! Grab a bottle of water and your friends and sit down for the end of the event. You'll also get to see who wins the honeymoon - it might be you!

9. Make a day of it. Be prepared to spend the majority of the day at the event. It takes a long time to go through the crowd and visit each vendor. There will be food to taste, cakes to look at, vendors to question and an overload of information, but it is all worth it.

Enjoy the show and please stop by the Second Elegance booth and say hello.

Smocked Flowergirl Dresses

2010-08-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

We have five new smocked flowergirl dresses that are absolutely adorable. We have the dresses in white and ivory and in sizes 2T, 3T and 4. Any little girl would look perfect in these smocked dresses for a wedding or special event.

Did you know that smocking dates back as far as the 12th century? Presently we associate smocked clothing with young children and for church or more formal events. I have a girlfriend who smocked outfits for her daughters when they were young and the entire process always amazed me.

Today you can pick up a beautifully smocked dresses and not worry about spending weeks or months creating one. Come by Second Elegance and see if we have that perfect smocked dress for your wedding.

Perfect Gown for Outdoor Wedding!

2010-07-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Maggie Sottero gowns are so pretty. We have sold many of them at the shop and each gown was so different from the next.

Saturday we happily received another Maggie gown and I can't wait for the perfect bride to find it. This gown is the Tayla gown and it is very pretty. Their website describes the gown best as a one-piece, strapless chiffon, a-line gown with corset back. The bodice and corset back are ornamented with ruched chiffon diagonally placed revealing encrusted crystals. The double chiffon skirt is softly draped at the side hip creating voluminous folds at the hem.

This gown is soft and light - elegant and classic. We have it in a size 14 and the bride was approximately 5'2. It is here waiting for you to find it. Don't wait too long.

Dresses in the Window

2010-07-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

I change the dresses in our front windows on a weekly basis. It's so much fun hearing people in town talk about the enjoyment they get from seeing the windows change. I have girls come in all the time telling me that they can't wait to see what the next dresses will be and they drive by Main Street regularly just to look. I like the fact that people will go out of their way just to pass our shop and take a peek inside.

I hope that our facebook page, our website and this blog also creates the same excitement and anticipation. Here are the new dresses that went up in the window today. They are Rivini gowns and are both beautiful.

Beautiful Gown - Reduced Price

2010-07-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

So much of life is a coincidence. One of our consignors called today and significantly lowered the price of her gown. Shortly thereafter, one of my girlfriends dropped by to say hello. How great for me that she was almost the same size as the wedding gown and the perfect model!

Our consignor paid $1000 for the beautiful wedding gown and today it is being lowered from $589 to $299. That is fantastic news for you!! This gown is very flattering and in excellent condition. Come by and see if this could be "the one" for you.

RIVINI GOWNS

2010-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Do you love Rivini wedding gowns? Second Elegance has just received 9 of the most beautiful Rivini gowns and I can't wait for brides to come in and see them. If you have tried on couture gowns, you know that there is nothing like it. These gowns are made of silk duchess satin, silk voile or silk mikado and they instantly transform you into a princess. They are A-line gowns with sweetheart necklines, ball gowns, some are heavily beaded, empire fit and flare, simple and elegant and everything in between.

Second Elegance is a bridal consignment boutique where you can purchase your dream gown for less than retail prices. Is your budget for a gown $2500 but you really love that $5000 gown? You can buy that gown here! We have gowns with original retail prices of $8,000 that are marked down to $3200. Purchase your couture gown at Second Elegance and use that extra money on your flowers, your wedding guests or your honeymoon. Let us help you save money on this special day.

Garters

2010-06-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Bride's wedding garter is usually a last minute purchase. So many times we have the groom or the mother of the bride rush into the boutique the day before or the day of the wedding to purchase the Bride's garter.

Do you wonder what you do with your garter? Why do you need one? The tradition of the bridal garter has been around since early 14th century England. We have come a long way from everyone witnessing the bride and groom in the wedding chamber and having someone take the garter as proof of the couple's consummation to how the garter is used today.

The garter completes the wedding ensemble and is that last item to put on under your gown and the first item the groom gets to remove. In recent times, the groom tosses the garter to an unmarried man signifying that he is the next man to get married. Sometimes this man places the garter on the leg of the unmarried woman who catches the bouquet and they are the next to get married, although not necessarily to each other.

Wearing a garter is fun and traditional and whatever the couple wants to make of it. Second Elegance has many selections and they are all adorable. We have garters for your beach wedding with a small starfish attached to the middle of the bow, garters with a little bling, garters with lace and blue garters. You can't forget that "something blue" on your wedding day. Second Elegance even has a mink garter with a matching mink ring bearer pillow - how extravagant!

Don't forget your garter.

Handcrafted - Repurposed - Vintage Jewelry

2010-05-20T09:49:00.001-07:00

Second Elegance is now carrying earrings created by local artist, Lisa Walden. She created these beautiful earrings specifically for us and we are so excited to have them in our boutique. Lisa handcrafts these pieces from new and vintage pieces and they are lovely. Each piece is priced less than $20 and would be perfect for a bride or for her bridal party. If you fall in love with a specific piece, Lisa would be happy to make similar sets for your bridesmaids. Come by and see these today.

I'm Fascinated with Fascinators

2010-05-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

I love fascinators. I don't know what it is about them, but I think more brides should wear them. Personally, I don't think I could pull it off, but on the right bride, they look amazing. The ostrich feathers and peacock feathers with rhinestones and pearls and flowers...they draw me in. They are girlie and feminine and fun and I would love to see more of them.

Check out J'adore Dolce Couture Birdcage Fascinators and Veils on Etsy and I bet they draw you in, too.