Monday, March 31, 2008

Voting Update

The polls are still open!

But...currently it stands at...

Lila Couture - 7

Novissima - 5

Friday, March 28, 2008

Rachel needs your help!

Gown above is "Alexandra" by Lila Couture; ivory & gold


Gown above is by Charo Peres for Novissima; ivory lace with gold threads

Lovely Rachel, whom you've most likely met if you've been into September's Bride, is asking for the help of our blog readers.

Rachel is getting married on September 12 of this year, on Windmill Island, to Mauricio Ramos. She has a great vision and theme for her wedding - turquoise and gold with a fun, vintage feel. But, she is having a very hard time choosing between two equally fantastic gowns.

I posted photos of both gowns above and Rachel would love to hear your opinions. Please post a comment below and let us know your choice. Keep in mind that Rachel is 5'6" and wears a size 6 (so basically she looks good in everything).

And...as a "thank you" from me for reading the blog and voting, I have two really fun sets of pop-up notecards to give away. One is all-occasion, with pretty flowers on the front, and one is a set of wedding thank-yous. So, there is something for everyone! I have two lucky numbers in mind, and the two commenters who match those numbers will each win!

Time is getting short - Rachel says "HELP!"

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

Thursday, March 27, 2008

New Arrivals

#5768-1522 by Charo Peres for Novissima

It's been a busy week already - let me update you on some new arrivals to September's Bride:

Novissima Gowns
#5768-1522
#5768-2138

Maggie Sottero Gowns
#A3183
#JD8106

LaBelle Social Occasion Gowns
#M140 (Sizes 6 & 14)

US Angels
#205

I am also expecting a new shipment from Justin Alexander any day!

Come in and see these new gowns - they are gorgeous!

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


Monday, March 24, 2008

I can't wait!


Becca, 'lil Miss Cupcake herself, is coming to September's Bride!
Mark your calendars and planners for April 24 from 5-8 pm; we will be having a
Cupcake Tasting Event and you won't want to miss this fun evening.

More details coming...

Stay tuned to the blog


Couture Service


Bride is wearing Casablanca 1827 - available at September's Bride!
Photo supplied by Amy Carroll Photography

The BIG DAY is approaching! Your invitations are about ready to be sent, the tuxes are ordered, gown is being fitted, all the details you've been dreaming of are falling into place. Everyone has been assigned a job for the wedding day and things will go off perfectly. WAIT! Who's getting the dress? What if a bridesmaid pulls her hem out by accident. Oh, no! The flower girl just spilled milk on her dress. Now what?

Ok, maybe that's a little extreme, but let me remind you that you DO NOT want to worry about these things while you're getting ready for your wedding. Of course, a great coordinator can help, but she is going to be looking at the big picture, getting corsages and bouttinieres where they belong, and making sure the musicians get their cues.

At September's Bride, we offer Couture Service to our brides. Our Couture Service includes delivery of your gown, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxes, anything supplied by our store, to the church or wedding site. Then, one or more of our gown consultants will stay and help you dress, being available for slipping straps, flower girl mishaps, or anything you and your wedding party needs relating to the attire for the day.

Interested? Visit us or call for more specific information. We only schedule one bride for Couture Service at a time, so reserve your date soon!

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

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Welcome, SPRING!


The photo is above is courtesy of Amy Carroll Photography

This morning, I asked Amy for a photo of a Spring Bride and she sent me this gorgeous shot to share with my blog readers.

Coming this Spring to September's Bride:

Lila Couture Trunk Show
Jewelry from L Stone Designs
More Novissima styles
More Maggie Sottero styles
More LaBelle styles
Previews for Fall 2008 line from Chicago Bridal Market

We are having so much fun at the store helping brides, maids, & moms. If you are searching for a dress for any special occasion in your life, please come visit. We promise that you'll be delighted with our atmosphere, service, & selection.

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

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Goodbye, Winter


Tomorrow is the arrival of Spring 2008! Who isn't ready after the long, cold, snowy winter that we have had? During Winter 2008, however, September's Bride had some great times! Let me recap:

Novissima Trunk Show
Wedding Reception Open House
Arrival of LaBelle Social Occasion & Mother's Gowns
50+ "The Dress" Moments with Brides
Fun Photo Shoot in the Snow
Rachel & Mauricio's Engagement!
And so much more...


In tomorrow's post, we'll officially welcome Spring together and I will give you a glimpse of the special things to come in the season.

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

Saturday, March 15, 2008

New Spring Hours


Starting Monday, March 17, we are shifting our evening hours just a bit so that we can be open longer on Thursday evenings. This makes it easier for customers who need to pick up tuxedos or gowns for weekend weddings and events, as Thursday is usually "Pickup Day"!

Also, as Spring & Summer approach, Thursday nights are just FUN in Downtown Holland! Street Performers, Live Music...and shopping at September's Bride!

So, take note of these new hours, beginning Monday, March 17.

Monday 11am - 5 pm
Tuesday
11 am - 5 pm
Wednesday
11 am - 6 pm
Thursday
11 am - 8 pm
Friday
11 am - 5 pm
Saturday
10 am - 4 pm
Closed on Sundays & Holidays

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

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hip Holland (No, really!)


This afternoon, my husband and I attended the Grand Opening of the new City Flats Hotel in Downtown Holland. It was quite the party and really fun! Many of the rooms were open for tours, and the designers of the rooms were having fun showing off their creations. I especially enjoyed the rooms that one of our own brides, Betsy, had designed. She did a group of small suites with wonderful BIG bathtubs and a cozy feeling. Ideal for a wedding or anniversary night!

I am told that if an entire wedding party stays at the City Flats, the wedding couple gets the use of the hotel's own Rolls-Royce limo. The hotel will have a coffee bar right off 7th Street that will be open 24/7 (in Holland?).

Of course, one of the highlights of the new hotel is the CityVu Bistro on the top floor. I have not eaten there myself, but a few friends and colleagues have; all have given it rave reviews. Jeff and I plan to make reservations for dinner there really soon. They also serve breakfast and lunch.

So, the next time you are Downtown Holland (hopefully visiting SB), be sure to stop in and see the newest addition to the "skyline"!

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

Sunday, March 9, 2008

New Logo for Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists


My wonderful graphic designer, Melanie VandenBrink, has re-designed the logo for my cleaning, preservation, & restoration company, Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists. Now, the logo for the service company and the logo for the retail company, September's Bride, complement each other nicely! (although the design shown above is correct, the color is not, because my computer is acting squirrelly)

Speaking of Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists, we had a great day yesterday! Jackie, a bride from Chicago, came up for a fitting for her gown. Last summer, she sent me her mother's wedding gown from 1954. It was dusty, with dry, "crackly" fibers, and had turned very yellow over the years. Jackie wanted to know if we could clean, whiten, and restyle the gown for her wedding THIS summer.

While Jackie was getting fitted, another lady, Marisa, from this area, came in with her MIL's gown from 1953 AND two shirt-waists from the early 1900's for me to look at and determine if we could do a color restoration on them.

At September's Bride, I have on display several vintage wedding gowns that I have restored. I truly love working on these projects.

September's Bride (and Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists)...a fresh approach to formal!

Monday, March 3, 2008

The Princess Bride


My two boys (ages 8 & 12) have watched this movie several times over the past few days. They didn't believe me when I told them that they would like it - but then that's the premise of the movie, isn't it?

Romance, tradition, TRUE LOVE...this gown from Novissima makes me think of these things each time I look at it. Definitely something that Buttercup would have worn if she'd lived in 2008 and had fantastic fashion sense!

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

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Welcome, March!


Spring is getting closer, although it doesn't look like it outside my window here in West Michigan. It has been a long, cold, snowy winter!

However, wedding season is coming along with Spring, and we are SO ready! Whether you're a bride or not, please stop in to see our new arrivals! Three new Novissima gowns arrived this week, and two more are expected shortly. We also received "Jessica" from Lila Couture on Tuesday. See here for a description of this beautiful gown.

As you prepare for your wedding this Spring or Summer, remember that September's Bride carries gowns, veils, head & hair pieces, maid's gowns, mother's gowns, tuxedos, and flower girl's dresses!

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