The Atlanta Bride

Vote for Bel Fiore Bridal, please!

Rachel — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:07:13 +0000

Here’s the link where you can vote:

http://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/#.T7Um8cMRxHo.email

We appreciate your help & support!

Show your support for local businesses like us.
Help us qualify for a $250,000 Grant from Chase and LivingSocial.

Just go to missionsmallbusiness.com, click “Support”, find us, and vote. It’s that easy!

Bel Fiore’s Newest Intern – Winnie!

Meghan — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:02:55 +0000

We’re so excited to welcome Winnie to our team! We know you will love her as much as we do!

Hi! My name is Winnie Kadis and I am the summer intern for Bel Fiore Bridal. I graduated from Georgia Southern University in May 2012 and began my internship shortly after. I knew I wanted this internship because I have always loved formalwear and bridal wear and am very interested in eventually becoming a bridal gown consultant. So far I have really enjoyed everything I have done while interning and I feel that I have already learned so much about the business and what makes Bel Fiore Bridal successful. I look forward to what else I will be able to learn this summer while having this work experience opportunity.

GIVEAWAY: FREE Wedding Gown Preservation & Books

Rachel — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:57:29 +0000

Follow the instructions at the bottom of this post to enter to win FREE Wedding Gown Preservation and a copy of both Rachel’s (our owner’s) books.

Rachel is the author of The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress and contributing author of 101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire.

If you can’t wait to get your copy, you can order from our website!

Bel Fiore Bridal recommends only the best in gown preservation, Wedding Gown Preservation Company.

Watch this video on how to use the gown preservation kit (just like the one we’re giving away).

How to Win!

1. Friend us on Facebook

2. Post on our Facebook Fan page: Tell us why you should win!

3. Follow us on Twitter

After you’ve done that, come back here & comment on this blog post. List all the entries you’ve made.

Winner will be chosen from those who complete all entries on May 31, 2012 at 5 pm! GOOD LUCK!

*Gown preservation kit & books will be available for pickup, at Bel Fiore Bridal’s retail location, after announcement of winner. Books & kit available for shipping at winner’s expense. Please do not enter if you cannot pick up the kit or are not willing to pay for shipping. Thank you.*

Engagement Issues: Top 10 Wedding Fights (& how to avoid them)

Rachel — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:25:07 +0000

Ah, engaged life. Fancy parties in your honor, a legitimate excuse to plunk down thousands for one dress. You never expected the downside: hissing at each other in bridal registry departments, screaming matches over the wedding guest list. The engagement period can be a minefield of hot topics that can trigger huge blowouts — sometimes a seating plan is not just a seating plan.

“Planning the wedding is a trial run for your future marriage. The things you battle about now are clues to where you’re going to have trouble in the future,” says Tina B. Tessina, psychotherapist and author of True Partners: A Workbook for Building a Lasting Intimate Relationship. Here’s what lies behind the most common pre-wedding blowouts — and how to resolve them.

Family

“His family’s guest list is getting longer and longer every day, and they’re not even chipping in for the wedding.”

Tessina warns that this particular argument is “a prototype for future financial dealings.” Her advice: Be businesslike. Say to your beloved groom, “This is what your family’s guest list will cost, this is what my family’s guest list will cost. What can we do to limit the cost? Will your family chip in?”

Dr. Patrick Gannon is a licensed psychologist in private practice and the co-creator (along with his wife, Dr. Michelle Gannon, also a licensed psychologist) of Marriage Prep 101, a course designed for engaged couples. He suggests that there may be more here than meets the eye. “Always be on the lookout for conflicts like these to be about ‘hidden issues.’ Are either of you sensitive about issues of fairness or balance? Does one of you have a greater sense of obligation to your parents that the wedding be a certain way?”

Groom Involvement

“He doesn’t even seem to care about the color of the table linens — what is he, insane?”

Tessina warns that you could be expecting too much: “He’s a man. Most men are clueless when it comes to design and decor.” This doesn’t mean that you should give up on including him, however. “Find out what he is interested in and encourage him to participate in that part,” she says. Michelle Gannon concurs, and adds, “Make sure there are not any underlying issues; say that he feels he should defer to you because you are the bride so it’s ‘your day’ or he feels that your parents or his parents are interfering with the wedding plans.”

Money

You’re spending big bucks on your dress; he wants to spend some of that cash to go to Bora Bora on the honeymoon.

This time, Tessina is not on the side of the bride. She asks, “What entitles you to spend big bucks on the wedding dress? This needs to be an equitable deal. At least the honeymoon is something you’ll both enjoy. Sit down with him, like two adults, and work out the finances of the wedding together.”

Religion

“Why isn’t he making an effort to understand my traditions?”

Patrick Gannon advises first being sure that the groom understands what is expected of him — the poor guy may not even know that you want him to learn about your traditions. Gannon suggests that this topic may even bring the two of you closer and says, “If handled calmly and sensitively, a discussion like this can be an opportunity to get to know yourself and your partner better just by getting clear about what these traditions mean and say about each other.”

Aesthetics

He wants dark green ink; you want pale green. He wants candles on the tables; you think they look silly. And so on.

“So,” comments Michelle Gannon, “you wanted your fiance to be more interested in the wedding details. Now you have a more involved groom, and a new problem. Both of you need to share the power and decision-making regarding wedding plans.” She has a plan to accomplish that: “Decide on priorities by having each person rate on a scale of one to ten the importance of each detail. Remember, it’s good practice to learn early on how to prioritize, negotiate, and compromise. These skills will come in very handy later on.”

Territory

“Why does he think we should be married in New Jersey just because we live here? We need to be in South Carolina with my family. His relatives can fly in from Ohio.”

“Ask that question for real, not just rhetorically,” suggests Tessina. “Why does he want to get married at home? Maybe having friends at the party is more important to him than having family. That’s a reasonable want. Perhaps you can scale things down and have a wedding at your family’s home and a party in New Jersey.”

Friends

“For his best man, he picked his jerk of a college roommate who’s just intent on getting my fiance drunk at our wedding.”

It’s time to be both supportive and sensible. According to Tessina, “He and his former roommate may have a strong bond — just make sure there are some more reasonable men around them to keep a lid on things. Arrange with your brother or a male friend to befriend your fiance and help him resist the ploys of the best man.” Patrick Gannon recommends sharing your anxiety with the groom, so you can handle the situation together. He says, “If the best man has a drinking problem, the groom might address his concerns directly to the best man before the wedding.”

Bridezilla Behavior

He says, “Who is this detail-obsessed, wedding-magazine-reading woman and where is the girl who used to sit with me watching baseball and drinking beer?”

Drop the Martha act. Your guy may have a point. “He’s right,” says Tessina. “If the wedding has become more important than your relationship, that’s a warning sign. Yes, you want a lovely wedding, but not at the expense of your relationship. After all, what’s the point? Keep your future in mind.”

Prenups

“Why is he so intent on planning our divorce when we aren’t even married yet?”

This could be a blessing in disguise, according to our experts. “If you pay attention, the prenuptial agreement can be as big an asset for you as it is for him,” says Tessina. “It’s another way to discuss essential financial issues before you commit.” Naturally, the prenup brings up more than just finances for many couples. “This is usually experienced as an emotional issue between the couple, often involving feelings of trust, commitment, and faith in each other and the future of the marriage,” says Patrick Gannon. “Don’t let this issue remain unresolved, because it can erode the love you have for each other.”

The Past

He is good friends with an old girlfriend and wants her to attend the wedding. You wouldn’t mind if she were dead.

Tessina minces no words on this topic. “Oh, grow up. You’ve already won this battle — he chose you. Don’t mess up things now by being petty and jealous. Those are not becoming traits. Befriend her, get to know her, and you may like her yourself. Invite her to help with a shower. If you’re too insecure to do that, perhaps you should rethink getting married. You may not be ready.” Michelle Gannon points out, “You two need to discuss how involved ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends are going to be in your life together.”

Atlanta Brides – Did you & your fiance have any disagreements?

Thanks to The Knot for this article

Wedding Reception Trends

Rachel — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:43:26 +0000

Reflecting both economic issues and generational trends, we are seeing some shifts in the wedding sites being chosen, the foods served and the size of the wedding itself. We meet with brides who are asking for ideas for their “smaller but tasteful” weddings.

These are some of the key ideas brides are embracing as they plan receptions.

They are trimming the guest list. After creating a rough draft of all the possible guests, and multiplying that number by the caterer/reception venue chef’s estimate per person costs, couples are balancing the guest list with their budgets.
Budget conscious brides are selecting other days and times than Saturday evening. By selecting a morning or afternoon wedding and reception, there can up to a 25% reduction in reception costs for food and beverages. If the couple were to select another evening other than Saturday, the savings can be approximately 10%.
We are also seeing a change in foods served at evening weddings. We are seeing trends toward smaller portions. More couples are choosing to serve passed hors d’oeuvres and appetizers instead of a sit down dinner. Couples are choosing finger foods – foods to eat while walking around and talking.
While couples will still have a wedding cake for pictures, it tends to be much smaller than those previously ordered. In place of the large wedding cake, they are serving cupcakes, cake bites, cake pops on sticks and push cakes – all part of the “finger food” trend.
In some areas, dessert “stations” remain popular additions to the centerpiece wedding cake. Brides have chosen cheesecake stations, chocolate stations, pie stations and sundae/frozen yogurt stations that feature mini root beer floats and ice cream sandwiches along with various toppings.

Contact us and talk with one of our experienced consultants who can give you many more ideas to create the wedding that is smaller, more intimate and more reflective of your life style.

7 Hot Wedding Hair Accessories

Rachel — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:42:42 +0000

No matter how you decide to wear your hair — up or down — a well-placed headband, comb, or barrette can instantly transform the look from ordinary to extraordinary. The secret? Finding an accessory that complements your hairstyle.

Click here to view all the different styles.

Schedule an appointment TODAY to view our current styles or keep an eye on our events schedule for our next Veil & Headpiece Trunk Show where you can have our designer’s create the perfect piece to compliment your gown!

Thanks to The Knot for this post.

Wedding on a budget? Money saving ideas.

Rachel — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:40:49 +0000

The National Retail Federation commissioned a survey on consumer spending conducted by a major research firm. There were many economic indicators that tended to vary by product area. But when asked to summarize the findings, the conclusion was “Spend where you need to, save where you can.” This is good advice for our brides. Couples coming to us for ideas on how to save money without hurting their wedding dreams find wonderful and practical ideas.

We always counsel our brides to be aware of ways to either bring costs down or keep them in check. Done in the right places, there are many ways to save on costs and take nothing away from the wedding they have planned.

Because it is the most costly aspect of most wedding plans, major savings can be realized through reception adjustments. We recommend that our brides consider these ideas.

Look for a location that both fits the occasion and requires very little decorating enhancements. Many spots are fine the way they are. If brides wish to add décor, most event planners would agree that creating one large decorative element is not only dramatic, but also more budget friendly than a dozen smaller elements scattered around the room.

When considering decorating options, always picture the room full. We counsel brides not to spend excess dollars on décor items that only the first few guests walking into the room will see. Don’t waste money on decorating the skirting of any of the tables for instance. As one wedding planner says, “Think tabletop and up”.

During receptions, caterers will say that people tend to take less food if it is passed by the wait staff than if it is placed on a buffet table. The same is true of champagne or other beverages. The good news about this is that less food or liquor can be ordered and guests still feel pampered.

If it is important to the couple to serve a sit down dinner, we suggest that instead of ordering just one high-end entrée they order half portions of two main entrée items. For example, combining half portions of prime rib and chicken breast, helps to bring down the cost per plate while offering guests a selection with depth.

One consultant suggests ordering sandwiches for entertainers and servers instead of the full banquet meal, and having them set up in a separate room from wedding guests. It gives the staff a place to “get away” for a break and provides food that they can “grab and go” if needed.

For more “invisible” ways to manage costs at your reception, talk with one of our experienced consultants.

Avoid Wedding Dress Blues

Rachel — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:57:55 +0000

Check out this video from Good Morning America: Some brides bought wedding dresses online from China, and got a big surprise.

Trust that when you purchase anything from Bel Fiore Bridal that you are receiving a quality product as represented!!!

We stand behind our products!

Have you or anyone you know experienced this type of unwelcome surprise?

Bridesmaids & their Role

Rachel — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:36:37 +0000

The history of bridesmaids is time and culture dependent. However, their main charge seems to have been to “protect” the bride, “intervene” on her behalf and/or help outsmart the evil spirits who gathered as a group at weddings and other happy events.

Today’s bridesmaids still fulfill some of those roles, even if the evil spirit happens to a former boyfriend with too much champagne and too little class, or a college roommate who thinks it would be fun to “steal” the bride between the ceremony and the reception. Bridesmaids can often be the voice of reason when they hear “Let’s ______, it’ll be funny. You’ll see.” They can put a stop to nonsense early.

Bridesmaids give up time and money in return for the honor of being witnesses to the bride’s very special day. We urge our brides to remember the important role they play in her wedding and to pay attention to thanking them for their help and caring.

Here are some tips we have gathered over the years.

Selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses does not have to be an occasion of conflict. Cost, style, color and accessories can be issues only if you let them. If you can help financially, by all means do so. If your wedding party represents a wide collection of sizes and shapes, work closely with a skilled and experienced wedding consultant who knows the best vendors to chose to work with your wedding. An experienced retailer will work hard to make sure that the shopping experience is rewarding for all, and will insure that what you have ordered is what you’ll receive. If the bridal retailer is a member of National Bridal Service, you can relax and know that all will be well.

Make sure that your bridesmaids are getting enough attention from you. Keep them in the loop about events and plans. Accept help if it is offered.

Make sure they have a clear idea of what to do and what you expect. Your maid of honor can take on the responsibility of keeping all maids in the loop. Don’t be too demanding. Just because your wedding is consuming your every waking moment, bridesmaids do have lives beyond the wedding.

Be sure to assemble a survival kit for the wedding. Work with your personal attendant to make sure all necessary items are in the kit and trust her to bring it to the dressing area of the ceremony location, and to reclaim it after the ceremony. A good wedding planner will always take good care of this.

Make sure to thank bridesmaids often. Thoughtful gifts are appreciated.

Take time to ask questions, share concerns and plan ways to make bridesmaids feel truly a part of this very special day.

Bridesmaid FAQs

Rachel — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:47:34 +0000

Hello Atlanta Brides!

Here is a list of the most popular questions we hear regarding bridesmaid dresses!

Bridesmaid – Frequently Asked Questions

How will my out of town bridesmaids place their order & receive their dresses?

Bel Fiore Offers the option for bridesmaids to place their order via our website (see your consultant for directions). Your bridesmaid may choose to have their dress shipped to them or someone may pick it up for them.

I have a bridesmaid that is expecting or will be expecting?

Expecting at the wedding: We suggest the bridesmaid get her measurements (if possible) prior to her showing/weight gain. We typically recommend a “one-size up” per trimester formula that works well for this situation.

Expecting when ordering, but not at the wedding: We prefer to have the bridesmaids’ measurements prior to her showing/weight gain. If not, we suggest ordering 1 size up from her pre-pregnancy size, if she has 2-3 months from delivery date to wedding date. If she has less than 2-3 months, 2 sizes up may be a better choice.

Are there any discounts for wedding parties?

Bel Fiore Bridal does offer discounts and special offers, varying by number of party members and designer. Please ask your consultant for details.

What if I lose weight?

Dresses are much easier to take in through alterations than to let out. It is always best to order at your current size. Of course, final size decision is always the customer’s to make.

Why is it important for the entire bridal party order to be placed together at the same store?

It is very important to order all your bridesmaid dresses from the same store and at the same time, due to possible differences in dye lots. This is especially important when all girls are wearing the same style

How much time should I allow to order my bridesmaid dresses?

Most bridesmaid dresses take between 3 & 5 months to arrive. It is also recommended to allow at least 1 month for alterations. This means that it’s best to choose your bridesmaid dresses between 4 & 6 months before the wedding.

Are there any questions we missed?