Professor Robert W. Haven visits Raoul Blanco...

And today by Ms. Patricia Gannon - Society Writer, The Advocate Aacdiana

http://theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/12380003-123/patricia-gannon-st-jude-dream

Ms. Jennifer Scialdone LeBlanc in one of Professor's Robert W Haven pieces... Lovely... 

Photo courtesy of Ms. Patricia Gannon - Society Writer, The Advocate Acadiana.

Perhaps is not as white as you thought it was…

Perhaps is not as white as you thought it was…

Many ladies ask if I could suggest where they could go at the time to choose and buy their wedding gowns for that special day when they will say, “I do…”  Choose carefully…

There are many venues as most of you know, specialty stores also called “high end boutiques” like Peggy Peters, Betty Bass, Cache.  High end department stores like Sacks, Bendels’, Neimans’…  Small local specialty brides’ stores like for example A-Net’s Bridal Boutique, Blanc- A Bridal Boutique located here in Lafayette, Louisiana….  All these are very well recommended, they’re more intimate, reserved and cater their clients as to the client’s specifications and desires…  Prices will fluctuate according to what your desires, taste and budget of course.

Then you have the big box retail bridal business…  These venues are there to make a daily goal $$$…  Many times you will end up purchasing a bra or a slip that you wouldn’t really need….  Many times you will end up purchasing these kinds of undergarments as new when in reality they have being loaned to other customers for in-store fittings and then spot cleaned and repacked as new…  And the same goes for the gowns…

99% of the times wedding gowns are built with their own foundation, so there’s no need to purchase a separate bra or bustier, especially when the gown is a strapless design.  Other times they will tell you that you must purchase the big slip in order to keep your gown from going “between your legs”…  Many of these gowns have many layers of fabric and modern brides prefer the more normal and soft touch that the “cake” looks alike gown…  The reason the manufactures (yes, these gowns are mass produced) built the many layers is to give the gown the needed proportion. It is up to the bride if she prefers more or less volume in her skirt.  And no ladies, due to the many layers built already on the gown the skirt will not go “between your legs”… 

Many of these gowns are beautiful in the way they are, so when it comes to alterations the less is the better…   Many just need one to three bustles, not twenty…  Let your gown flow naturally and softly, remember, it supposed to be a dream day, not an armored soldier ready to war…  Big box retail bride’s stores are request to also make a daily goal $$$ in alterations, even if these are not needed…  And for them the more the better…

And there’s more but we will keep that for my next blog…  As a designer, my personal advice is, “If you don’t have the way to get your gown especially designed for you go to the small specialty boutiques or the well-respected high end stores for your dream day wedding.  If they don’t have their own alterations department is even better, in that way they will suggest some talented people they deal with that could do the alterations for you.  And believe me; they’re very careful suggesting the right ones, their reputation and trust are countable.”   

Have a beautiful wedding!

Raoul Blanco