SB Bride :: Liz

Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Photography

Liz and her mom, Helen, were just some of our very favorite customers! Always sweet and asked the right questions so that we could help them look beautiful and confident on the "big day". Liz graciously posted the following review of September's Bride on WeddingWire.com




"Tami and Rachel are so nice and helpful. I bought my dress at a sample sale for $300. They gave me a discount on the bridesmaids dresses and my mother's dress and helped me select a great veil. They were very patient with us as we changed our minds about colors and fabric choices. The shop is just beautiful and I would never go anywhere else."

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

Jewelry Girls or Jewelry, Girls?

I hate to admit this, but I've never been a "jewelry girl". It's not that I did not wear jewelry, because I certainly did, it's just that it was more of an afterthought, not an integral part of my style.

I loved to wear my diamond pendant that I received from my grandparents for college graduation, or the ruby and diamond studs that my parents gave me for my 30th birthday. If I needed a quick fix for a "blah" outfit, I would often visit the Target clearance rack for something cheap and trendy. I liked classic, "safe" accessories.

But...two major events happened over the past month that have begun to change me into a "jewelry girl"!

First, Rachel chose a beautiful necklace and earrings from MEG Jewelry to wear on her wedding day with her Lila Couture gown. Now, Rachel's gown was absolutely beautiful. Dupioni silk...beautiful embroidery and beadwork...just gorgeous. But, when she put her jewelry on, her whole look, from head to toe, came "alive"! I could not stop looking at her. The right jewelry made a beautiful bride look absolutely breathtaking.

This past weekend, we had a trunk show with Meg Lammers herself from MEG Jewelry. (the most fun weekend EVER at September's Bride!) As I saw bride after bride put on her wedding gown for Meg and then watched Meg adorn them with jewelry, the same thing happened that had happened with Rachel. Beautiful gowns just "popped" with the right accessories. Authentic Swarovski crystals, fresh water pearls, and great design worked together to create magic right in front of the mirrors!

The thing is...it works with "normal" clothes, too. Each day, Meg graciously allowed me to wear jewelry around the store, and change as often as I wanted. I had so much fun changing the look of my simple red dress as the day went on.

So, I am now a "jewelry girl"!!! Sure, I'll still wear my sentimental pieces listed above, but I will no longer play it safe - I want to sparkle and glow! Give me big, bold pearls...give me colored crystals...give me bracelets that catch the light...let me feel feminine and sexy...thanks, Meg!

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

MEG is here!

Meg & Rod Lammers from MEG Jewelry arrived last night (loved the City Flats hotel here in Holland) and set up their jewelry in the store today. Even if you are not shopping for jewelry, please come by and meet this fantastic couple!

Also, cake tasting from Second Floor Bakery - all day today and tomorrow. I've already had a few "tastings" myself - YUMMY!

Also, watch the blog next week for more news from our other jewelry designer, L.Stone Designs!

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

1st place - peoples' choice award!

WE WON!!!

We are celebrating here at September's Bride; the news came this morning that we won the People's Choice Award in last Friday night's Live Mannequin Event here in Downtown Holland!

We will continue our celebrating through this weekend with our MEG Jewelry Trunk Show and Cake Tasting Event with Second Floor Bakery. A fantastic way to end our first year and begin our second year in business!

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

downtown holland shines

Sarah & Jonny

Liz & August

Last night was fabulous; the weather was perfect, and the streets were full of people, enjoying the weather, the food, and the live mannequins in the store windows.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by with encouraging words for our mannequins. Stay tuned as the voting results come in...

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

live mannequin competition tonight

Tonight from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, there is a Live Mannequin Competition in Downtown Holland! As I type this, our windows are being decorated by our resident interior design expert, Michelle. Four models, Sara, Elizabeth, August, and Jonny,will be placed in the windows this evening.

Please come and see! Also, you can vote for your favorite Live Mannequin Display, and enter drawings at all of the participating merchants.

At September's Bride, enter to win a $50 gift certificate!

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

SB First-Year Anniversary - our gift to you!

Between now and next Saturday, September 27, we are giving our brides a gift:

$50 off any custom-ordered gown

Don't miss out!

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

happy anniversary!

Sixteen Years of Wedded Bliss!


My wonderful husband, Jeff, and I are marking our 16th wedding anniversary, today, September 18.


We were married September 18, 1992, at 7:30 in the evening at Rose Park Baptist Church, here in Holland.


Because our wedding was before the digital photography age, my father-in-law graciously scanned a photo for me to share with you. Our photographer was Nick DeVries, of DeVries Photography. He did a wonderful job and is still in business and highly recommended! A side note...Nick's father took my parents' wedding photos in 1970.


My brother was Jeff's best man; and Jeff's sister, Jennifer, was my MOH. They drove us to the reception in this 1988 Cadillac that belonged to my parents.

Here are more of our details:

Bridal & Bridesmaid Gowns: Grand Village Bridal (a very nice shop that is no longer in business, located in the former Grand Village Mall in Grandville)

Tuxes: Dunhill Tuxedo (available now at September's Bride!)

Reception Location: Sandy Point (lately known as Pigeon Lake Lodge; now sadly closed)

Photographer: DeVries Photography, Holland

Flowers: Floral-A-Fare (since purchased by Eastern Floral); white roses, delphiums, and alstromeria

Color Theme: white, silver, & periwinkle blue; the men wore black tuxes

Wedding Night Suite: Amway Grand Plaza; downtown GR

Honeymoon Destination: Toronto & Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

My wish for each of you is a long and happy marriage!

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

new to the bridal blog world

One of my very favorite people in the bridal world has started her own blog!

Amanda Brown of Lila Couture is now in the blogworld; you can visit her at www.lilacouture.blogspot.com

If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you know how much I LOVE the gowns by Lila Couture. Each bride from September's Bride who has chosen a Lila gown has been absolutely delighted with the style and quality.

Now, Lila Couture is introducing a bridesmaid line and a flower girl line! You can learn more at her blog and, of course, we will keep you updated right here, too.

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

SB Bride :: Holli

Dress :: Maggie Sottero Couture

Photographer :: Steven Fox Photography

SB Bride :: Rachel

Dress :: by Lila Couture

Veil :: Jennifer Leigh Bridal

Jewelry :: MEG Jewelry

Photographer :: Steven Fox Photography

more snapshots

OK...my pro photo friend, Steve Fox, must be very busy with today's wedding...because I still have not seen photos from Rachel & Maurico's wedding. However, here are a few more snapshots, courtesy of one of Rachel's 'maid's Facebook page!

Rachel & Brenda

Brenda, Audrey, & Jenny, avoiding the rain

Introducing Mr&Mrs

Another reception scene

Let's chant together..."We want pictures, Steve! We want pictures, Steve!...

what a lovely night!

The rain stopped this evening in time for a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The wedding we have all been waiting for went off without a hitch; and now Rachel & Mauricio are "hitched".

Steven Fox took the photographs, and I will post some of his pro shots tomorrow. For now, here are some snapshots that I took:

"I'm going to Hawaii on my honeymoon!"

Beautiful Windmill Island

The flower girls, Paulina & Valerina

All the plans came together perfectly and the wedding was beautiful. Rachel surprised Mauricio by singing a song to him before the vows. The guests enjoyed the venue; and all had a great time!

Steve Fox has promised me some professional shots tomorrow; and I will share more details. Right now, I'm exhausted!

God Bless America!

SB Bride :: Betsy

Photo by Riversedge Photography

This is Betsy, wearing a beautiful lace sheath from Casablanca that she purchased at September's Bride. She is also wearing a necklace from L.Stone Designs, another September's Bride exclusive!

Betsy says, "Just want you to know that I really had a great experience shopping for my dress at your boutique. I ended up with the right one and everyone else loved it as well. I have been recommending you to all future brides I know."

Betsy's new husband, Troy, owns Riversedge Photography. Be sure to check out their website for more beautiful images!

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

love this look!

I absolutely adore vintage clothing...and vintage style. I especially love people with style who can take a vintage look and make it look modern and fresh.

I came across photos of a beautiful wedding while visiting the blog of Ben Harrison Photography.

The men in the wedding party are wearing white coats with black trousers and black bow ties. Definitely a vintage, even old-fashioned, look. But, it looks fantastic in this venue and on these guys.

busy bridal week

Things are just buzzing in our corner of the woods this week!

Lovely Rachel will be getting married this Friday night!

Also on Friday evening, the Grand Rapids Wedding Affair will be held at the Van Andel Museum Center in Downtown Grand Rapids. September's Bride will be there; please say "hi" to Katie, Megan, and Allison, who will be running our booth. Also, brides-to-be, Anna, Jennifer, and Brooke will be modeling some beautiful fashions from our designers! Stay tuned for details or visit the official site.

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

arrived!

For those of you dear brides & readers who have been following Rachel's gown journey...

IT ARRIVED TODAY!!

Breathtaking...

Perfect...

Gorgeous...

Stylish...

Beautiful...

I can't post pics until after the wedding next weekend...but on Saturday morning, please check back!

when to buy?

Photo by Steven F. Fox

Bridal Season '09 begins in just nine months! Of course, some of you may be getting married in the last months of '08 or the first months of '09. If you have not already decided on a wedding gown, now is the time!

I am often asked "when should I order my gown?" or "how long does it take for a wedding gown to come in?"

Here are a few guidelines:

Most wedding gowns will arrive at the store 3-4 months after ordering the gown. You should leave 2 months for ordering accessories and having fittings. Therefore, we suggest ordering a custom gown no later than 5-6 months before your wedding.

If you are ordering a gown with custom changes, or from a couture line (such as our Lila Couture gowns), you should plan on at least six months for the gown to arrive. Using the above timetable, you should order your gown 8-12 months before your wedding.

Sometimes gowns will arrive early, but most are "right on time"! Of course, most gown designers have a "rush program", but this will cost you a significant fee, such as $100-$200.

We also have a nice selection of sample gowns which are available for sale right "off-the-rack" at all times!

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

happy anniversary to us

September, 2008, is our first-anniversary month at

September's Bride!

The past twelve months have been full of blessings; thank you to each person who has been in our store; as a customer, a vendor, a friend, an employee...

A few ways in which we are celebrating this month include:

Grand Rapids Bridal Affair; September 12 from 5-9 pm at the Van Andel Museum Center

Downtown Holland's Gone Shopping Event; September 19 & 20

Trunk Show with MEG Jewelry; September 26 & 27

We'll be sharing lots more about these events as they come closer. Also, stay tuned for more fun ways to help us celebrate all month long!

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