happy labor day!

So that the September's Bride family may spend time with their families,

the store will be closed on September 1, 2008; in observance of Labor Day.

Please come see us on Tuesday, September 2, when we will reopen during our regular business hours.

New Bridesmaid Looks

The 2009 bridesmaid looks are beginning to arrive in the store! This year, we are seeing lots of flowy chiffon looks; a very soft and easy fabric to wear. Another big trend is the return of straps for your maids. Much easier to fit and wear for some figures; I know this will be welcome in many wedding parties. Of course, if you prefer strapless, that classic style will always be available in fresh fabrics and styles, too.






Any bride who purchases her wedding gown at our store will receive 20% Off on all of her bridesmaid gowns!

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

Couture Service

I've posted before about our Couture Service; offered by September's Bride & Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists, LLC.

A few weeks ago, I provided Couture Service for a lovely bride here in Holland. My friend, Barry Jeter, of Procedo Events, did the flowers for the wedding, and I was again in awe of the fantastic decor and floral arrangements that he designs.

I also had the opportunity of meeting the lovely Jen Kroll of Jen Kroll Photography. Jen's photography is beautiful and she seems to work so inconspicuously and graciously.

Part of our "Couture Service" is being available while everyone is dressing for the wedding, making sure everything is "just right". At this wedding, the three darling flower girl's sashes would not stay in place! So, I pulled out my trusty "emergency kit" and quickly stitched them in place. The girls were so worried that I was going to poke them; but we chatted about American Girl dolls to put them at ease.

Here is a photo that Jen captured of me in action. See how tightly the flower girl has her fists clenched?


Interested in Couture Service for you and your wedding party? E-mail me at greatlakesgowns@charter.net for rates and available dates.

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

Wanted :: Michigan Couples

This morning, I opened the Holland Sentinel to find this little blurb; I wanted to share it with my blog readers.

DreamWorks Television and Mark Burnette Productions are seeking Michigan couples for a new wedding series they're co-producing.
"We are currently casting deserving couples who are, were, or would like to plan a 2008-2009 wedding," said Casting Director Charisse Simonian, who went to Ferris State University. "We are looking for couples who truly have an amazing story."
She provided a few examples, but said the circumstances don't have to be limited to these:
*Had to postpone or cancel wedding due to illness, deployment, natural disaster or injury.
*Military and National Guard couples serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
*Stories of inspiration, overcoming the odds to help others.
Interested couples should email a paragraph about their story and include a recent photo and contact information to Simonian at csimonian@markburnettprod.com. Couples may be also asked to provide a video.

Hmmm....what do you think?

New Arrival :: Casablanca 1918

I just love Casablanca gowns!

Here is Style 1918; beautiful and traditional, with a fit-and-flare silhouette. Beautiful lace over satin; with some great shimmer, too!

This gown arrived today at September's Bride; come in and try it on!

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

Trend :: Baby-Doll Silhouette

What are we seeing as a big trend in bridal for 2009? Definitely the "baby-doll" dress; made sophisticated and elegant, like this gown from Novissima.

This is a good choice if you are tall or if you are slim. If you are petite and curvy, you may be happier with a gown that shows off your waist.

This gown style looks great with a long veil; think "Grecian Goddess". Wear some long chandelier earrings, and you'll be one fabulous, fashionable bride!

SB Bride :: Mindy

Don't you just love the way that they are looking at each other?

Mindy comes from a large family of girls; in fact, she was the second sister to purchase a gown from September's Bride. Mindy's gown is a beautiful silk sheath, simple in it's elegance, for sure! Her personality is lovely, too. Congrats, Mindy, on your wedding; you look gorgeous!

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

September's Bride is Hiring!

Do you love wedding gowns?
Do you love to serve others?
Do you need a part-time job?

If you answered "yes" to all three of the above questions, we would love to hear from you. Our summer intern, Rhea, is heading back to college, and we need an additional part-time member of our September's Bride team.

Please e-mail your resume to greatlakesgowns@charter.net OR snail-mail it to 56 E 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423.

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

Spotlighted!

September's Bride was spotlighted on Pearl's Event's blog earlier this week!

Click here to read the interview.




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

SB Bride :: Beth

Gown :: Lila Couture
Natural Silk Satin;
Ivory Silk Taffeta Sash

Photo :: Steven Fox Photography

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

SB Bride :: Lisa

Lisa wore a beautiful ivory gown from Casablanca Bridal.

Photo is courtesy of the always-fabulous Amy Carroll

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

Bridal Gown Blowout!

Be sure to come visit us during Sidewalk Sales on Saturday, August 9!

We have an entire rack of wedding gowns at $49 each!!!

Downtown Holland Sidewalk Sales

Wedding Gowns from $59!

Formals from $20!

Veils...Jewelry...Bras...

And More!

Rachel's Bridal Shower

This evening, all the September's Bride ladies and other friends and family joined together at Via Maria Trattoria for a Bridal Shower for my lovely assistant manager, Rachel. I was the hostess and had so much fun planning this shower. Here are some details and photos along with links to all the vendors that I used.

The invitations were designed and printed by Sondra's Ink. The theme of the shower was "Exotic Travel", because both Rachel and her fiance, Maurico, love to travel and will be going to Hawaii for their honeymoon. The invitations were two-part, on shimmery yellow paper, and slipped inside a shimmery turquoise pocket. They were mailed in shimmery pink envelopes. The bird-of-paradise and the travel stamps were both motifs that I carried throughout the planning and decor.

Here is a photo of the room before anyone arrived. The floral centerpieces (see the bird-of-paradise flowers?) were designed by Barry Jeter of Procedo Events. Barry also made the corsages for the bride and her mother. This photo does not do the room justice; it was beautiful, elegant and breathtaking.

Rachel & I

Mauricio, Rachel's fiance, arranged a surprise of his own, and sent a gift along with Rachel's grandmother. Rachel has been eyeing a hairpiece from MEG Jewelry to wear during her wedding reception. With a little help from yours truly, Mauricio purchased the hairpiece and gave it to Rachel along with a sweet note.

Here is a great photo of some of the shower attendees:
Back row L to R: Margie, Tami (Me), Rachel, Deb (Rachel's Mom)
Front Row L to R: Sherry (SB's fab seamstress); Rachel's grandma, and my own grandma

I would highly recommend all of the great vendors who made our evening memorable. Via Maria's staff was fabulous all evening long, and took great care of our party.

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

SB Bride :: Daisy

I have been (patiently) waiting all day and literally stalking Amy Carroll's blog to catch a glimpse of our bride, Daisy, in her absolutely fabulous Novissima gown and Jennifer Leigh veil.

Daisy was so much fun to work with - she has a great sense of style.


For many more photos, see Amy's blog!

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

This Week!