How Things Change

I have a friend who frequently says "the more things change; the more they stay the same".  We were again reminded of this and how fashion changes --sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly ----this week when we received several new bridal gowns in the store.

We were at the Keene Country Club Fall Bridal Show a few weeks ago when another vendor came to tell us her gown story.  She purchased her bridal gown from Aliber's in 1974 (remember we have been in business in Greenfield since 1920).  It was the first ivory gown and veil the owners of Aliber's at that time had ever featured in the store.  They were concerned that they would never sell a gown in ivory.  This bride fell in love with it, bought it, but then some of her friends and family thought certainly she must be pregnant because she wasn't wearing white.

Remember history and how the Queen of England broke tradition and wore white instead of traditional red.  Aren't we all happy that she did and that today we can wear whatever we chose and not what others think we should? 

When strapless bridal gowns first appeared on the market about eighteen years ago, many people predicted their immediate demise.  Brides would not be wearing strapless gowns in church!  Now that we have all become accustomed to this, we are about to transition  to a new fashion era-----straps, sleeves, and  higher necklines are here once again.  What's old is new and so refreshing!  Ivory and lace are very much in fashion but if you think you still want to go back to what the Queens of centuries ago wore, our seamstresses can happily add clusters of red beading (or maybe even blue) to make your bridal gown uniquely yours.

Bridesmaids

After you have selected your own bridal gown, it's time to move on to your bridesmaids gowns.  Ordering time runs from a six week rush with one of our manufacturers to four months with another.  You should plan to order with plenty of time to allow for all of the things which can go wrong but seldom do (factory closures,  custom delays, UPS strikes).  When it gets down to the last six to eight weeks before the wedding, you'll be relieved that orders were placed early and the gowns are here waiting for alterations.

If you have more than two or three bridesmaids in your party, we recommend shopping with only one or two of them to narrow down the dress options.  Too many opinions will have  your head spinning and you will soon realize that you can't please everyone.  You need to first focus on the style of the dress.  Our designers offer most gowns in many, many colors so that decision will come after you have narrowed down styles.  It is not your or your attendants problem to worry about size.  We will take each ones measurements and  compare them to the specific chart provided by the designer you have selected.  We will recommend a size based on that chart to each lady and decide with her what should be ordered.  If someone is trying to lose weight before the wedding , it is wise to order the current size needed and we will take the gown in.  With some styles and fabrics, it is impossible to let the gown out later.

Each attendant will need to make  a minimum deposit of one half of the total price of the dress selected.  We will collect the orders for your party and as soon as all have been measured and made their deposits, we will place the order  with the manufacturer.  All gowns must be ordered at the same time to insure they are cut at the same time from the same dye lot of fabric.  This is important.

For attendants who are out of town, they may have a seamstress or another bridal shop take their measurements.  They should never do their own measurements as they may not be accurate.  We do ask each lady to sign a purchase contract agreeing to the size being ordered.  This contract also clearly specifies there are no refunds.  If the wedding is cancelled or a bridesmaid withdraws from the party, she is still responsible for the balance on the gown.  All balances must be paid before alterations will be started.

Out of town bridesmaids?  Not a problem!  One of our companies produces a beautiful catalog which we can give to you and they have a great website, both of which you can share with your attendants.  If your friend thinks she still needs to see the actual dress, many bridal shops across the country carry this brand so that she could locate a store to see it.  Most stores carry only one size so she still may not be able to try it on.  Let's be realistic -- most of us know which style works for us.

The bridal consultants at Aliber's have extensive experience in recommending styles which will work for various figures, seasons, fabric preferences, colors and much more.  We are here to make this part of your wedding planning fun and easy.  Stop in or make an appointment soon and Happy Planning!

News from Aliber's

Our Aliber's staff has just returned from an awesome training seminar.  We have returned overflowing with new ideas to bring to our business.  Great speakers have motivated us to reach new goals.  We have spent precious time with special old friends and made exciting new relationships in the bridal industry who have given us new inspirations.  Now we are ready to implement new systems in the store and most exciting  ---new ideas to share with you, our customers. 

Several new gorgeous gowns have arrived in the store for spring, 2015.  Styles continue to change with each season and we can't wait to show them to our brides.  This weekend (Sunday, Nov. 16) we will be meeting brides at the Keene Country Club Bridal Show from 12-3pm.  We'd love to see you there and you are invited to view our exciting fashion show filled with many of the new spring gowns. Come meet our models, talk with our consultants and check out the other vendors.  It will be a fun day.  Hope to see you in Keene!

Tipping your wedding vendors!

Who should I tip and how much is a usual question our consultants are asked.  Our advice is preceded by a reminder that tipping should always be about a job well done.  Consider this basic premise when allocating dollars for tips and increase or decrease from the following guidelines based on the service provided.  For simplicity's sake, it is usually best to entrust tips to one person - the bride's father or the best man on the wedding day and to have the amounts prepared in advance and in labeled envelopes for distribution wherever possible.
Here are some service providers and suggested guidelines for gratuities.
·    Hair stylists - 15% -20% of the fees, plus 5% for the shampoo assistant.
·    Makeup artists - 15% to 20% of fees
·    Valets - $1 -$2 per car to be divided among all valets
·    Coat Checkers - $1- $2 per coat to be divided among all checkers
·    Chauffeurs - 15% - 20% of transportation bill
·    Catering staff - up to 20% of catering bill to be divided among all staff
·    Bartenders - 15% to 20% of bar bill if tipping by guests was permitted as in a cash bar, or up to 30% if guests were not permitted to tip.

For officiants at ceremonies and musicians/soloists check with your ceremony site contact about the usual fee.  If they say "free will offering" here are usual guidelines. 
·    For civil ceremony officiates - $50 - $75 - and for religious officiants the same.  The best man can handle distribution of these for the couple.
·    Ceremony soloists or pianist/organist - $35 to $75

Even florists, photographers, videographers, bakers, seamstresses may sometimes deserve tips under extraordinary circumstances.  Remember to include a line item in your wedding budget for tips to insure that no one will be forgotten. As always, a note of thanks to each of your vendors at the very least, is always a welcome gesture. Your vendors have spent a lot of time on you, and love to hear from your after the fact!
For more information, feel free to call us at the store 413-773-3939

Selecting Your Gown

No one wedding related item is more important to the majority of brides than their wedding gown.  More time and emotion is invested in its selection than in any other part of the celebration.  Because of its importance - both as a practical indicator of the degree of formality planned and an emotional indicator of how the bride sees herself on this her day of days, its selection is important.  And little could be more important than where it is purchased.

Budget minded brides who may be trying to save money on their wedding, may be tempted to cut corners on their gown by buying sight unseen from an internet source.  An overwhelming number of bridal experts would caution a bride not to take that step.  Brides should be extremely cautious when ordering the gown of their dreams at a discount over the phone, the internet or by mail. 

What can happen?  Listen to the woes of brides who have made that mistake. 

• ·        Receiving a gown that is not the style, color or size dress you ordered.
• ·        Receiving a gown that has obvious flaws, spots and missing parts.
• ·        Getting a cheap copy of the dress you saw in the picture.
• ·        Getting a "look-a-like" made from an inferior fabric from what you ordered.
• ·        Not getting the gown delivered on time.
• ·        Not getting the gown at all.

Most "discount" sources demand full payment in advance and in full, so if there are troubles with the order, you are left trying to solve problems long distance with a vendor who already has your money.  Even if you get it, you will need to arrange local resources to handle the alterations and pressing.

We urge brides to carefully weigh their decisions to buy on line or from a warehouse operation from a vendor with whom they have no relationship versus working with a reputable highly recommended local full service bridal salon that will stand behind every order and promptly solve any problems that may be encountered. Remember, your gown will be in 95% of all the pictures of your wedding day, and is the central focus of the wedding - this is not the item that you should cut corners on!

Good consultants will help the bride on a budget find the dress of her dreams AND save her money by suggesting ways to cut costs in a variety of other areas.  Call or email for help with any part of your wedding plans.