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The
date has been set. Now your
thoughts turn to choosing the gown of
your dreams. Finding the perfect
wedding gown can be both challenging and
fun. Wedding gowns are very
personal and should be chosen based on
your individual style preference and
your budget. Almost anything is
acceptable -- so remember, this is YOUR
day, do it YOUR way! Here are a
few tips to help you find the wedding
gown that is perfect for you.
If
possible, allow at least six months for
deciding, manufacture, and
delivery. Although we have many
dresses ready for immediate shipment,
most manufacturers will work on one
style at a time. Allowing extra
time will guard against delays in
delivery to ensure you receive your
dress of choice. Delays are not
usually because people are incompetent, it is
because findings and parts, materials
and trims could be delayed in shipping
to the makers, or inclement weather,
or such. Wedding manufacturers take
great care to have your dresses
delivered before the wedding dates. Some
will rush a dress for extra charges,
because they pay overtime for rushes;
others strictly adhere to first ordered,
first out. Some dresses can be delivered
in two to three weeks. Others may take
two or three months.
Take
your measurements accurately. Most
Western dresses can be altered tighter,
or shorter; but there is no
allowance for letting out. Do not use an
arbitrary dress size. Be generous with
your measurements if you like room to
stretch. Only be conservative in your
size, if you like a tight Victorian fit.
The skirt areas of the hips are
forgiving, but not the waist and bust.
Do not figure on losing weight unless
this is a proven trend. Meals are part
of the celebration. Do not starve
yourself. This will only increase
anxiety. Have Fun!
Occasionally,
we have nervous brides asking to
cancel their dress at the time of
shipping. This nervous condition almost always happens
when a dress is less than two weeks
delayed. We ask you, please, to consider
that your wedding should not be rushed.
It is impossible to stock every dress in
every size. Expect slight delays. Delays
are sometimes part of the Western
Industry. We are quite specialized and
not "cookie-cutter". Our
unique styling is one of the reasons you
chose us in the beginning.
If a
dress is not in stock, it is being made
for you. The manufacturers will not
cancel your dress, once you have made a
commitment. If there is an
unnecessary delay that is within our
control, we will admit our fault.
However, if there is still time to comply with
your original time frame, and the dress
is made for you, you will incur a
reasonable cancellation fee of 15 to 50
percent of the dress price, depending on
time and expense. The amount of the
cancellation fee is also somewhat
determined by how re-marketable the
dress can be. This does not apply
for dresses that are defective in
manufacture (we have only experienced
three defective in seven years, even
between several companies). This does not apply to
normal size or style exchanging or other
normal courses of
business. This does apply when we
are cancelled at the last minute. We are
sorry for any
inconvenience.
When
you order your dress, it is wise to ask for
the name of the person taking your
information. If possible, keep the name
and try to talk with that person when
making additional inquiries. (They are
required to initial each order.) If you
call for specifics and if the person
answering is not
experienced in weddings, they will be
glad to give
you a name of a person from our company that is
familiar. We sometimes
have employees answering phones that
have never spoken to your dressmaker
about your dress. They may not be
able to give you an accurate response at
that time. (although when feeling
pressured, they may try) Several of our
dressmakers leave an answering machine
on duty, while they work. It may be a
couple of days before they answer our
calls. This is not bad. It means their
styling is very popular and they are
working to get your dresses made. I can
tell you first hand, that a person could
spend all day on the phone, with nothing
else accomplished except taking calls,
to follow through, when the phone stops
ringing. I personally seldom work less
than 12 hours in a day, six days a week.
And usually at least two of those days
are over 16 hours. This is because
I am committed to your cause. So are
your dressmakers. If I,
personally, do not respond as fast as I
should, it is not because I have not
tried. (My name is Chuck)
Do
not hesitate to take advantage of the
advice you receive from a wedding
consultant; a consultant will
be able to offer suggestions on fit and
style based on your age and body
type. A gown that looks wonderful
in a magazine (most do) may not look
good on you. (You can email
pictures of your attendants, or your own
smile, to us for better consultation.) A consultant
will help you find the right gown at the
right price. Feel free to ask
questions about anything of which you are unsure. Take at least one day to
decide on your gown, to help ensure that
you make a rational decision.
Expect to give an initial deposit of 50
percent of the cost of the gown.
If you ask, Cultured Cowboy will work with
as little as 25
percent down on gowns to be delivered in
three or more months from the order
date. The balance will be due when the order is
ready for shipment from the
manufacturer, and as we ship to
you.
You
can expect three fittings -- the first
when the gown arrives, the second to
correct any mistakes after needed
alterations, and the third to
verify that everything is
perfect. Be sure to take
your mother, maid-of-honor, or a trusted
friend to your fittings.
Their support and suggestions will be
invaluable. When you go for your
fittings, be sure to wear the bra, slip
and shoes that you will be wearing on
your wedding day. You'd be
surprised how a different sized heel or
the wrong bra can make a difference when
it comes to alterations. Schedule
your last fitting several weeks before
your wedding. You don't want to
worry about whether your gown fits on
your wedding day!
Be
sure to have an emergency kit with
sewing supplies, extra makeup, extra
hose, and tissues on hand and be sure
someone in your bridal party (mothers
can be very good at this) knows how to
perform small alterations in a
pinch.
This
is your special day. Make sure
your gown makes you feel like a princess
when you put it on. When you
look good, you feel good.
Cultured
Cowboy offers the following selections
to help you choose that perfect gown for
your Western wedding.
Martin
McCrea
The
wedding gowns from Martin McCrea are
fashioned after the finest fabrics found
in the wealthiest homes from 1820 to
1920. Reproductions of the styles
and laces popular in this period
comprise their selections. There is also
some old world, almost Greek structure
in some of the newest releases from
their company.
Lilia
Smith
A
dress designer all of her life, the goal
of Lilia Smith has been to provide
exquisite gowns at an affordable
price. A hint of the Spanish
influence of her heritage can be found
in many of her designs.
Western
Collection
The
designers and owners of our Western
Collection have shared meals with us. Their collection enhances a
little of the old with a little of the
new. They market designs with lots of lace, beading, fringe,
and wedding appliqués. Simple
Graces Simple,
elegant Southern and Western charm
envelope their styling. Choose from
several fabrics on many styles. Perfect
outdoors, or in. Jody
of California Jody
places a youthful vigor in their
patterns. Mostly imported with some
extra touches once in California, this
line is affordable and
distinguished. Beads
Beautiful Here
the art of airbrushing meets fringe in
beautiful arrangements. Fringed shawls
embellished with trims of various sorts
are matched with skirts of comfort.
Designs from the Heart of Texas to
you. CC And
of course, for the most exclusive
events, Cultured Cowboy does in-house
custom tailored dresses, and designs by
consignment. |
