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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
FEB/MARCH 2018
THE RIGHT BRIDAL SALON MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE! By: Kiera Ogden, Elizabeth Johns Finding the right bridal salon will make your wedding planning easier, less stressful, and ensure your vision comes to life exactly as you want. Here are some key elements to look for when beginning the hunt for “THE One.” Your wedding planning will be much smoother if you find a salon that is a one-stop shop. What this means is they not only help you find “the gown,” but they are with you each step of the way. The ideal salon will offer additional services like accessories styling, brides- maid dresses, mother of the bride and groom gowns, flower girl dresses, alterations etc. This way you and your stylist can make sure your vision comes together cohesively and you will get to see the elements side by side for the year leading up to your wedding! Next, a salon with expertly trained styl- ists can be the difference between finding “the one” and missing out. An experienced stylist will listen to your likes and dislikes, but they will also pull some gowns you may never have expected. An expert stylist will know their inventory, know the fit of each of their gowns, and will be trained to help you find a gown that will flatter your specific frame. The best salons will carry a large selec- tion of designers, styles, and price points that are hand selected by the salon’s buyers twice a year during Bridal Market. This means you won’t need to travel around to 10 different salons to see what’s out there. It will also mean you are getting to see the newest gowns as they are released by designers, and their inventory will always be up to date and on point with the latest trends! Salons with larger inventories will also have strong and established relationships with the designers they carry. This means they are often able to accommodate more special requests, borrow specific styles if they are not in store, etc. Once you have found your gown, alter- ations will be a vital part of getting the perfect fit. Knowing your salon has an alteration department specifically trained in altering bridal gowns will give you piece of mind in the weeks and days leading up to the big day. Tai- loring a bridal gown is a very specific skill, and must be done by a profes- sional bridal seamstress! Having trained professionals who can cus- tomize your gown in house or design and create custom pieces such as boleros, veils, belts, and headpieces is a guaranteed way to set your wedding apart from any other. Finally, your salon should feel like home, after all you will spend the bet- ter part of a year in and out of this place! You want to find an atmosphere that is bright, spacious and most importantly, welcoming! You are becoming a part of this salon’s family, and it should feel like that each time you walk in the door! Once you have found “home” in a salon, the process of wedding planning becomes much less daunting. The staff and stylists in your salon will have industry tips and best practices, refer- rals for other experts in your area, and will be there to assist you each step of the way! www.theconnectionsnj.com