Leap Day Special!

Here's a SPECIAL just for my blog readers (and whomever you want to share it with!)

Purchase a Wedding Gown this Friday,
February 29, 2008
and receive a FREE VEIL!

Fine Print: Gown purchase of $500 or over;
free veil can be up to $200 value;
inquire at store for more details

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

Latest Photo Shoot

Last evening, Steve Fox came to the store for an after-hours photo shoot. You'll be seeing some of the shots in both of our advertising this summer. Here's a preview for all you blog readers.

As usual, the gorgeous model is Rachel. She is wearing Casablanca and Justin Alexander, respectively. (Aletha - this is Casablanca 1900 - I know you've been wanting to see it on a "real person).

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

More Beautiful Photography

This weekend, I had the pleasure of helping Bride Betsy & her Mom shop for and decide on a gorgeous wedding gown.

Along the way, Betsy told me about her fiance's photography business. Located in Muskegon, River's Edge Photography would be a great site to check out if you are looking for a wedding photographer. Their website is beautiful, too. Enjoy!

My favorite photos above are the two little boys ('cause I have two boys and this would totally have happened in our family a few years ago) and the little flower girl playing the piano ('cause that totally would have been ME 30 years ago!) Of course, all photos are from the website of River's Edge Photography.

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

Downtown Holland Wedding Walk

This weekend is the Wedding Walk in Downtown Holland!

On Friday, February 22, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, enjoy the snow-free streets and sidewalks of Downtown Holland as you stroll from shop to shop. Each store that is participating in the Wedding Walk will have balloons and bows out front. Gather stamps from each store on your "scorecard", which you can turn in when completed for a chance to win a $1000 gift basket!

On Saturday, February 23, the Wedding Walk continues from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Also, from noon to 5:00 pm, there will be a Bridal Extravaganza at the nearby Haworth Conference Center on the campus of Hope College. More vendors will be in attendance there to share their wedding information with you.

During all of these hours, September's Bride will be open! Come in out of the cold into our cozy boutique. We'll have coffee, goodies, and lots of warmth. We would be happy to help you with your wedding style; sit down with one of our consultants. Browse our great selection of gowns and veils, sit on our couch and peruse the latest bridal magazines and catalogs, too.

See you this weekend!

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

Dallas Marie has arrived!

One of the most popular Maggie Sottero gowns just arrived today!

Also on site now are Adelaide and Reyna!

One more...

How about All-American denim?

What NOT to wear, cont...

I just can't resist...

Who actually thinks it is a good idea to wear this to your WEDDING? Maybe the honeymoon...

What NOT to wear!

Occasionally, I have fun sharing some BAD wedding gowns with my readers.

A wedding gown that looks like underwear is a big No-No!

Newest Arrivals

Love lace and a little vintage style?

We received 4 new Spring 2008 gowns from Casablanca into the store today!

Four different necklines - strapless, halter, V-neck, & spaghetti straps.

Lace, lace, and more lace! Sizes 8 - 16! Come in and try them on!!!

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

A shot of Spring!

It's not even the middle of February, yet I am longing for Spring to arrive! I have lived in Michigan all my life and I do find the snow pretty. I enjoy the occasional outing on my snowshoes, or a good-old snowball fight with my boys. But...I DO NOT enjoy driving slowly on icy or slushy roads, shoveling, or freezing!

So, I'm sharing a lovely photo with you of the gazebo at Windmill Island here in Holland. It's a beautiful place for a wedding, don't you think? Our own Rachel and her fiance, Mauricio, are getting married on Windmill Island in September.

Mostly, though, I wanted to show you some sunshine and flowers.

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

Love those old wedding pics!

I love to look at wedding photos - especially those from 20+ years ago!

I found this one on a website about presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.

Thank You!

Thank You! I want to personally thank all the vendors and customers who made this such a fabulous weekend at September's Bride!

Barry's flowers stayed fresh through today, so all of our customers were able to enjoy his beautiful arrangements.

Last night, we had two wonderful brides in for appointments who both fell in love with a Novissima gown. Today, a few more brides found the dress of their dreams. Congrats, Sara, Daisy, Kristen, Dyln, & Suzanne!

Have a wonderful weekend, dear readers!

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

Open House Photos

I wanted to post these last night, but I was too sleepy...yesterday was a big day, but lots of fun. Rachel and I had a blast watching Barry Jeter of Procedo Events work his magic throughout the store. Please visit his website; it is fantastic, too!

The photos are courtesy of Jessica Fox of Steven Fox Photography. She is a wonderful, fun person. We had so much fun; Aletha of Pearl's Events(she and I are pictured together above), Jenny (DeBoer Cafe & Bakery), Jessica, and Rachel spent lots of time talking about Rachel's upcoming wedding, too!

Thanks to those of you that braved the winter weather to visit. If you weren't able to make it last night, the decor and cakes are remaining throughout the weekend!

Today and Tomorrow - Novissima Trunk Show!

You are cordially invited...

If you do not get an opportunity to RSVP, please come anyway! The RSVP is definitely not mandatory!

In addition to the vendors highlighted earlier this week, you will have the opportunity to see and taste items from The Seasoned Home, meet Aletha with Pearl's Events, and get a chair massage from Martha Mark of the Therapeutic Massage Clinic! Also, you can see Rachel's gorgeous new engagement ring!

See you Thursday night! ...Tami

Wedding Months

Married when the year is new,
He'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate
You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can
Joy for maiden and the man.
Marry in the month of May
And you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when the June roses grow
Over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed
Must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be,
Many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November
Only joys will come, remember
When December's snows fall fast,
Marry and true love will last.

Beautiful Bows!

I know that not every girl wants a big (or small) bow on her wedding gown; but I really love them! To me, a dainty ribbon bow or a sash tied into a big bow is a quintessential wedding accessory.

Lately, I'm loving bows pinned with a brooch. Use a family heirloom or a beautiful costume jewelry "find" as your "something old".

Capturing the Moment

West Michigan is truly blessed to have some awesome wedding photographers. I have links to several of my favorites on this page. Each one whom I've met is kind, gracious, and so creative.

Lately, I've been able to do some small projects with Steve Fox, of Steven Fox Photography. Steve works with his wife, Jessica, and they make a great team.

Jessica will be at our Open House this Thursday night, showing their photography, answering your questions, and booking dates for 2008 (only a few remaining) and 2009. Whether or not you already have your photographer, be sure to stop by, say "Hello", and look through their albums for inspiration.

Again...you are invited to our Open House & Wedding Reception Showcase, this Thursday evening from 6 - 8 pm at September's Bride; 56 E 8th Street, Holland, MI.

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

First Impressions

We know that first impressions really count - and what makes the first impression of your wedding style and theme? The invitations, of course!

Sondra Davis of Sondra's Ink is the perfect person to help you personalize your invitations and make them unique and beautiful - just like you.

Sondra designed our invitation for our February 7 event; I told her the "look" that I wanted, and she interpreted it beautifully with gorgeous color and her wonderful art.

Be sure to come and see Sondra at our Open House & Wedding Reception Showcase next Thursday evening! She will be happy to meet with you and show you her portfolio, samples, and ideas.

After the wedding...

Choosing and wearing your gown is so fun!

What do you do with the gown after the wedding?

Our sister company, Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists, is a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

This link will take you to getmarried.com; where Wedding Guru David Tutera talks with Sally Lorensen Conant, Ph.D., about the process of cleaning and preserving a wedding gown. You'll find lots of valuable information.