Newest Arrival

Yesterday, we received a few more new little girl dresses from US Angels.
We are adding some color to our collection, so besides classic white and ivory dresses with colored sashes, we have colored dresses that you can coordinate with your maid's gowns!

The dresses from US Angels are so well-made and exquisitely designed. They are truly one of America's top designers for flower girls and first communion events. These gowns are heirloom-quality and can easily be handed down from sister-to-sister; cousin-to-cousin, and generation-to-generation. Be sure to look at their beautiful website!

The dresses shown here are available in white, champagne (sampled in our store), pink, ivory, and red, to mention a few colors. The waistband is beaded with sewn-on (no glue!) beads in an elaborate pattern. Gorgeous!

And for the guys

September's Bride carries tuxedos, too! Black, charcoal, chocolate, and hard-to-find-navy! We also have the darlingest ring-bearer's tux, available with short pants! Coordinating ties and vests...what fun to match up with bridesmaids gowns.

I absolutely LOVE to help coordinate the entire wedding party's attire. I think I'm pretty good at it, too! Whether you want everyone to match, coordinate, or "blend", we have everything you need. Bring in swatches, photos, ideas, etc...and I will help you put it all together.

Here are some non-advertised specials just for my blog readers: 1. Purchase your bridal gown at September's Bride, and you'll receive 20% off your maid's gowns. 2. Ask nicely, and we'll give the groom his tuxedo FREE! 3. For each flower girl's dress you buy at September's Bride, I'll rent you a coordinating ring-bearer's tux for just $25!












September's Bride...a fresh approach to formal

Klompen at your wedding?

I discovered a delightful blog by a Canadian photographer, Alan Maudie. He has great pictures and a sense of humor. I think many of the wedding photos can inspire brides-to-be with beautiful ideas and sentiment. While perusing his blog, I found this photo that I found especially amusing, having grown up in Holland, Michigan and celebrating Tulip Time each May! I've never heard of a bride around here dancing in wooden shoes at her wedding, though.

I pledge allegiance...

I honestly don't know what to say, but I just had to post this pic! Sorry, this dress is not available at September's Bride.

Something Old, Something New...Something Different!

I am flattered that after people visit our store, they often remark that we are "so different" from other bridal salons. I want to be different, to be unique. I want each customer to feel special and each bride to feel creative, excited, and beautiful after trying on gowns at our boutique. If you haven't had a chance to stop in yet and experience September's Bride, I invite you to do so soon!

What makes us different?

1. The designers we carry. We are the only store in the Holland area that carries Casablanca and Maggie Sottero. We are the only store in Michigan that carries Lila Couture. Soon, we'll be adding Justin Alexander and Novissima to our unique store, too!

2. The store. Our store is beautiful! Of course, I can't really take the credit for the actual building, as that is the landlord's doing, but the 100-year-old building sure has character.

3. The experience. Each person who works at September's Bride is there for YOU, the customer. We love to make your shopping experience special. Whether you come during open shopping hours, or make an appointment, we will do all we can to make your time at our boutique special.

4. This blog. Because of the interaction between myself, my staff, and our readers, we can show you what we have and what we do and you can tell us what you like and don't like. Keep reading and commenting - that will help make our bridal store even better for YOU!

5. The location. We are located in beautiful, chic Downtown Holland. Before you shop by us, have a cup at a cozy coffee shop, and after choosing your gown, celebrate with dinner at a great bistro or restaurant. You can have a whole day of fun and shopping in Downtown Holland!

September's Bride...a fresh approach to formal!

Hablamos Espanol

Un pocito! Pero, tenemos vestidos de novia muchos bonitos!

Actually, I am referring to the new line from Spain, Novissima. Gowns from this line will be appearing at September's Bride in December and we are so excited. In the same price point as our Lila Couture line, Novissima gowns are a little unique, but still traditional enough for our Midwest sensibilities. You will love these gowns!

Darling Flower Girls

When I was planning my wedding, I had just about as much fun choosing the flower girl's dresses as I did my own dress! All the miniature details are so cute!

Today, I received a fantastic FG dress in the store and it's ready to try on! This silk shantung dress in kiwi green with ivory alecon lace over the bodice - to die for! For other darling dresses available at September's Bride, visit US Angels.

Robin

Tonight, Bride Robin, her Mom, FMIL, FSIL, Aunt, and BF all came for an appointment. We had so much fun! Robin is gorgeous and looked so good in the gowns. After narrowing it down to two, she chose this very pretty Casablanca gown and a fingertip-length veil. Thanks, Robin and bunch for a fun evening.

Vintage is Modern

The modern look in wedding gowns definitely hearkens back to the glamorous days of lace and beads, layers of fabrics, and grandma's gown. But, unlike in grandma's day; today's designers are steering away from white and ivory as the only color choices. Shades of pink, from palest blush to cotton candy, are very popular. Also popular are silver, bronze, and gold. Even very traditional brides are choosing champagne and diamond white almost as often as traditional white.

If you're looking for lace, be sure to get "hands on" with several designer's lines. The best silks are soft and supple, not stiff and scratchy. Layering lace with tulle and satin are very popular for 2008. Bows, big and small, are everywhere, too!

New Line for September's Bride

At September's Bride, we want to offer our brides a unique selection of gowns that are not available at other bridal retailers in West Michigan. Today, I had the pleasure of discovering the Justin Alexander line! These are wonderful gowns with a couture look. You will enjoy the diversity of styles and the superb fabrics and construction of the gowns themselves. These gowns will begin arriving in our boutique in December. In the meantime, we have a catalog and you may also view their collection here.

September's Bride...a fresh approach to formal.

A good time was had by all!

Thanks to each of you who attended the Open House celebrating our Grand Opening at September's Bride! I was delighted by the number of visitors and friends. We even had an impromptu photo session with Amy of Amy Carroll photography! My new cyberspace friend, Aletha of Pearl's Events and I were finally able to meet in person, too.

I have a few photos, but be sure to visit Amy's blog, as she took dozens and I am sure hers are much more beautiful and creative than mine!

In the next few days, I'll be sharing about the new veil designer I've discovered! I think you'll be delighted, too!

September's Bride...a fresh approach to formal

You Are Invited...

...to our very first Special Event at September's Bride! This Thursday evening, October 11, from 7:00 - 8:30 is an Open House and Fashion Show. We'll be featuring Lila Couture gowns, tasting cake from DeBoer Bakery, and getting a peek at Melanie VandenBrink's delightful customized invitations and other print items for your wedding.

All of our bridal stylists will be on hand, along with a wedding planner, Aletha from Pearl's Events
so there will be lots of experts to answer your questions about bridal gowns and everything you need for your big day.

Please come and bring a guest or two! Not planning a wedding?? Come anyway, enjoy the cake and a fun girl's night out!

"Couture" - what's it really mean?

This post was originally published back in October. But, I have so many more readers now and lots of newly-engaged brides are shopping. I thought it would be a good "repeat". -Tami

The word "couture" is quite the buzz word in today's bridal industry. Perhaps you've been told by a saleslady, "This one's special, it's 'couture'"; or you've come across the word while looking at gowns on-line. It must be good, even if we don't completely understand, right?

"Couture" is a French word which means " the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client's specific requirements and measurements"; up until the last few years, most of us Midwesterners would have said that something was "custom-made". If it had been custom-made of the finest fabrics, trims, and details available by your area's very best seamstress, it would have been, in fact, "couture".

Now, we are seeing almost every bridal line call their higher-end collections "couture". I'm sure you've noticed this, too. Instead of the original definition, "couture" means "high-end" or "more-expensive" in today's bridal market; at least to the end-consumer. I'm not sure manufacturers or bridal stores have done a great job explaining this to you, the bride.

All this to say, do we offer "couture" at September's Bride? You bet! See something you like in our sale room? Our talented seamstress and myself, with several years of re-making vintage gowns, will put our heads together and "couture" it for you! Did you know that Casablanca gowns can be customized for you, to your measurements and your preferences? And then, of course, we carry Lila Couture, which is truly couture in every since of the word, but still very affordable for us sensible Midwesterners!

September's Bride...a fresh approach to formal!

Pretty in Pink; Lovely in Lace; need I say more?

This is one of my two favorite gowns that I saw at the Bridal Market this past weekend. It's from the Spring 2008 Lila Couture line and I'm the FIRST BRIDAL BOUTIQUE in the whole country to get this sample gown!!

We saw it on a hanger and thought it was great. When it got to the shop today, Rachel put it on and WOW!

I'm a traditional girl, but I just love this pink gown. It is crushed silk taffeta with aleceon lace and beading. The detachable train (not pictured) is so fun.

Want to see it in person? Try it on? It will be at our salon through our Open House next Thursday, then off to New York it goes. But...you can order one and make it your own!

We can see this with ivory maids gowns. We also put a darker shade of rose next too it and really liked the effect. For an evening wedding, you could even do black dresses on your maids. You would be THE STAR.

The doors are open!

Although the new signs are not up and the soon-to-be yellow front door is still mauve, inside the store we are in business! Rachel, Kristi, and myself, Tami, are just back from the National Bridal Market in Chicago and ready to have some bridal fun back at home.

Lila Couture is sending me six BRAND NEW 2008 gowns from the Spring Line for our Open House next Thursday, October 11 (7:00-8:30 pm). If you're looking for something different, Lila is your designer! You have to see these beautiful gowns to believe them; and you'll LOVE them!

Big trend for Spring 2008? Lots of tone-on-tone neutral colors - think blush accents on an ivory gown; champagne lace over ivory silk with an olive sash. Very lush and rich-looking. Also, lots of gowns in pale shades of gold & platinum. Silver, too. Match your gown to your engagement ring!

See you in the store, soon!

September's Bride

I'm Tami Parks, the owner of September's Bride in Holland, Michigan.

Our beautiful store offers a wide selection of gowns, flower girl dresses, tuxedos, and all the accessories for a memorable wedding. We also restore wedding gowns, and offer museum-quality preservation, to keep that special day safe.

We are conveniently located in Holland's downtown shopping district at 56 East 8th Street.







We look forward to seeing you soon. Our store hours are

Monday - 11 am - 5 pm
Tuesday - 11 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 11 am - 5 pm
Thursday 11 am - 8 pm
Friday 11 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Appointments are available outside of regular hours 616-355-1433.

Contact

Post
September's Bride
56 East 8th Street
Holland, Michigan 49424

Ring 616-355-1433
Email greatlakesgowns@charter.net
Web http://www.septembersbride.com