This is Part One of our series of interviews with Jay's Bridal and Special Occasion, a one-stop bridal salon located in Gainesville, Florida and online at jaysbridal.net. Throughout the series, we'll discuss everything wedding, ranging from bridal gowns to music to tuxedos.Like the fashion industry, the bridal industry sees major changes from one season to the next, and few salons are as familiar with wedding trends as Jay's Bridal and Special Occasion, located in Gainesville, Florida. The store has been a staple for North Central Florida for over 70 years, and has specialized in bridal since the eighties.
Jay's associates Erica Lyn and Joann recently sat down with AisleDash share some tips on shopping for a wedding dress – it's not like shoe shopping, you know!
When a girl gets engaged, her wedding dress is often the first thing on her mind -- most girls start out with an idea of how she wants to look on her big day. However, both Erica Lyn and Joann cautioned against doing too much research on the internet prior to actually shopping for your dress because it can keep a bride from having an open mind.
"Brides find a dress online, and they fall in love with it, so when they come into the store, they don't want to see anything else. The problem is, sometimes the dress they saw online doesn't look as great in person, but they can't get past it and have a hard time finding anything else," said Erica Lyn.
Joann added, "When a bride comes into our store, she gets the "experience." It's really personal, and we develop a great relationship with our brides. We want her to try on anything she thinks is pretty at all -- you never know what's going to be the perfect dress. But if she doesn't come in with an open mind, we have a hard time doing our job and helping her."
Brides often end up with a dress far different than what they have in mind at the beginning. Erica Lyn related a story about an associate at Jay's who was sure she didn't want any beads or lace on her dress, but changed her mind after trying on something sparkly. And she worked there.
Another problem the associates face is when a bride brings in a big group. "Leave the entourage at home!" cried Joann. "When there are too many people there, it stops being about what the bride wants and becomes about pleasing people. You're better off bringing just one girlfriend and your mom or sister."
Both women agreed that the most important thing is how the bride feels in her dress. Erica Lyn said, "I've been blunt with brides who are worried about what people will think. If anyone tells a bride, at her wedding, that they don't like her dress ... well, at least that couple can begin their lives knowing who their friends are."
This is the first post in a series on our interview with Jays. Be sure to check out Part Two (buying your gown online), Part Three (plus size gowns and custom gown options), and Part Four (hot trends and new designers)!
"Brides find a dress online, and they fall in love with it, so when they come into the store, they don't want to see anything else. The problem is, sometimes the dress they saw online doesn't look as great in person, but they can't get past it and have a hard time finding anything else," said Erica Lyn.
Joann added, "When a bride comes into our store, she gets the "experience." It's really personal, and we develop a great relationship with our brides. We want her to try on anything she thinks is pretty at all -- you never know what's going to be the perfect dress. But if she doesn't come in with an open mind, we have a hard time doing our job and helping her."
Brides often end up with a dress far different than what they have in mind at the beginning. Erica Lyn related a story about an associate at Jay's who was sure she didn't want any beads or lace on her dress, but changed her mind after trying on something sparkly. And she worked there.
Another problem the associates face is when a bride brings in a big group. "Leave the entourage at home!" cried Joann. "When there are too many people there, it stops being about what the bride wants and becomes about pleasing people. You're better off bringing just one girlfriend and your mom or sister."
Both women agreed that the most important thing is how the bride feels in her dress. Erica Lyn said, "I've been blunt with brides who are worried about what people will think. If anyone tells a bride, at her wedding, that they don't like her dress ... well, at least that couple can begin their lives knowing who their friends are."
This is the first post in a series on our interview with Jays. Be sure to check out Part Two (buying your gown online), Part Three (plus size gowns and custom gown options), and Part Four (hot trends and new designers)!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jul 31st 2008 @ 4:44PM
Powers Photography said...
I agree with the two girls. When searching for the perfect dress, photographer, and other vendors, it is best to come with an open mind. You never know what's out there if you come into things close minded.
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