Wahoo!  Some news you all might like to hear.

At the end of 2009 Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, Texas will be relocating to a larger boutique.  With the additon of space we will carry more formal gowns for social occasions, as well as weddings!  And of course we will continue to carry designer bridal gowns, bridesmaids, tuxedos, silk shoes, invitations, and unique jewelry!

Our new boutique will have over double the space, and still be a totally posh and pampering experience.  Where is our new location, you ask?  In the Crosswoods shopping center up behind Starbucks on Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.  This location is easy to get to and perfect for bridal!

Keep your eyes peeled for special offers during this time.  Thank you all who have shopped with Belle’s Bridal Boutique for the last few years.  You all are awesome!

Ladies, our buyers were just at market and got to see the new wedding gown designs for next year! Lace is making a comeback. And the laces they are using vary, which gives you a nice selection if you prefer Chantilly over acleon. (need to brush up on what kind of bridal lace you like?  check out this post on lace and this post on common bridal terms).  Lace can be fun and flirty, sophisticated, glamorous, and of course…vintage.

Vintage styles have been requested by brides for over the past 12 months.  We have several gowns that we have customized so they have the vintage feel.  Vintage is very popular right now with brides who want a traditional wedding, but not a totally traditional wedding dress.  This little flare is super elegant and looks so polished and refined, now wonder why it’s becoming the next big thing.

Want to know what time period is being emulated by “vintage” looks?  There has been a little flare of 1920’s flapper style wedding gowns.

One of our favs is shown here (photo credit Belle’s Photography: New York & Texas).  It’s an awesome little 20’s flapper style wedding dress by Robin Jillian.  This little dress offers the perfect 20’s flare while still retaining the traditional wedding gown feel.

Another vintage time period that is showing up in moderation is the classic 1950’s Donna Reed style wedding dresses.  These iconic gowns offer classic silhouettes and clean lines for the perfect couture look!

My favorite time period that we are seeing is the early 1900’s.  No!  Not pioneer woman dresses!  lol.  Think of the latest NY styles and fashions.  They were traditional with a little French flare.

Think of those cool evening gowns Kate Winslet wore on Titanic (1997).  I posted a picture of one of her dresses below.

Talk about awesome elements that flatter your figure.  The flapper style is way cool, but the flappers wanted to have their clothes have a column feel.  In other words, the style is not as universally flattering.

These earlier dresses had streamlined silhouettes with a fine attention to detail that just made them so regal and elegant!

This gown was called the ‘jump dress’ - it’s the awesome gown she was wearing when she was about to jump off the ship.  We created styles like this with some of our designers to give you the look you have been dreaming of!

The colors of these awesome early 1900’s wedding gowns are pearl essence, pearl, and vintage pearl. I expect the vintage pearl to be totally breathtaking with ivory gloves and a vintage style updo.  We know some Abilene area wedding hair stylists that can make you look perfect, so don’t hesitate to ask.

As for all these vintage colors…Don’t throw off the look by wearing silver shoes!  Yuck.  Traditional vintage looks should have satin or silk dyed shoes.  And with the new colors comes new issues with dying.

So, don’t worry!  We made it easy for you.  Any gown you purchase here can have silk or satin shoes dyed to match.  Just let your consultant know you want a vintage style shoe to match your gown.

We were so excited to see the new styles and commission a few looks just for our boutique.  Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene is celebrating their 3rd year of ownership this month.  Make sure you make an appointment by calling (325)673-0033.  It’s never been a better time to be a bride!!!

Selena came into Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, TX about a year ago searching for her dream wedding gown.  I remember her very well.  She was sweet and quiet.  She selected her gown on her 1st appointment.  Over the course of the next 10 months we got chatty and noticed that we both love Disney World!  They honeymooned at our favorite resort at Disney.  She was SO much fun!

Selena also won one of the photography promo paks a couple months ago.  Here are some of her bridals.  Isn’t she gorgeous!!!  We laughed our heads off while shooting these bridal portraits.  Congrats you guys!  You are both awesome people and it was a pleasure to have served your family during this time.

Yes, Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, Texas will be opened on July 4, 2009!  There are still a couple of appointments slots open.  Call now to reserve yours.

And July 4th is a pre-clearance sale day!  Which means you get sample sale prices when you buy your gown on July 4th!  No waiting and early bird selection.  There’s never been a better time to shop for a wedding gown!

This is a fun gown that we have on display in the store this weekend.

No, it’s not for sale.  So you can’t have it.  But it’s so much fun, I just had to show you.  Timeless and classic?  Not really.  Sparklin star-bangled fun?  Totally!  It just goes to show - there is the perfect dress out there for every bride - no matter what stylistic preferences you have!

Have a happy and safe Independce Day, Abilene!

If you purchase your wedding gown @ Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene Texas during the month of June in 2009 - the bride and her honey-2-B will receive a complementary e-session courtesy of Belle’s Photography.

An e-session is an engagement photo shoot session.  The perfect way to kick off the I just got my gown! celebration!

Plus, Belle’s Photography is the coolest photography studio around!

Their e-sessions usually start around $299+.  They shoot high styling weddings across the US for affluent clientele and teach other pros how to shoot.  So this is an awesome value, and rare treat for our brides.

To redeem your e-session, simply call (325)201-7458 ASAP and the receptionist will give you all the details.  Offer expires June 30, 2009.

This is one of my favorite gowns this year.  It features a crystal beaded bodice embellished with silver thread and tiny scattered beads.

The vintage scrolling pattern that is adorned with tiny hand-sewn crystals, echoes Victorian lace.  The attention to detail in the pattern is amazing!

It’s an awesome gown.

The fit is to die for.  It’s light and airy like a dream.  Make sure you check out the matching veil.  The matching jewlery will be arriving any day now!  I’ll post some of that as soon as I have it.  It’s SOOOOO pretty!

On Saturday April 4, 2009, Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, Texas will have a ONE day running of the brides sale.

What does that mean?  It means that gobs of designer bridal gowns that normally retail for $799+ are on sale for only $99-$299! This amazing sale is cash and carry only.  Designers included are Maggie Sottero, Alfred Angelo, Jasmine, Impression, Raylia, and more!

Best of all, since we don’t allow customers to manhandle our stock, these gowns are in excellent condition.  Many look brand new.

This special ONE DAY ONLY SALE includes sizes 0-24W. NO GOWN IS OVER $299 during this sale.

Appointments are recommended for this one-time event, although the appointment will deviate from the normal bridal appointent.  Each appointment is 20 minutes long.  Limit is 3 gowns per person.  You may only bring ONE person with you to this event.  One person is perfect - they can help you find what you are looking for quickly, without slowing you down.

Due to the nature of this event, and the way our inventory is stocked, we cannot tell you which style numbers or names are included in the sale.  I can say that they are gowns from the past two seasons, so they are recent styles.  And there are ball gowns, A lines, pick up skirts, and all sorts of styles are included.  If you want a fab wedding gown, at a fab price, COME TO THIS SALE!

Call (325)673-0033 for your appointment now.  Appointmets are 1st come, 1st served.  Doors open at 10am.

It is a common issue for brides to go shopping and find that most full service bridal shops tend to stock mostly size 6 wedding gowns.  It can be incredibly frustrating when all the gowns you try on have to be clamped on because they are way too big or way too small.  Let’s face it - every bride is NOT a size 6!

Well, at Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, TX we have a full range of sizes, from size 0-24W IN STOCK.  (The photo to the left is of a plus size gown - no kidding - and she looks totally curvy with a tiny waist).

We also can create custom gowns.  That includes custom cut options.  Example - say you have a Playboy bunny figure.  Shirts always pull, and blouses never fit without alterations.  Your prom gown cost a fortune to alter because you had to buy it two sizes larger to accommodate your chest.

Well, at Belle’s Bridal you can choose to order a gown with a custom size.  So rather than ordering a standard size, we order size -YOU.  That means no wasted time and money on tons of alterations.  And best of all - you have a custom cut gown that actually fits!  And this service is VERY affordable.

Back to the tons of sizes in stock.  Did you know that Belle’s Bridal has gowns ready to take home today?  Some of these gowns are brand new and others are gowns in our sample sale.  These awesome gowns, fit and flatter and include sizes 0-24W.  So, last minute brides don’t need to freak.  You can have a new gown and bring it home today.

The bride below is Rachel.  She is a beautiful Belle’s bride.  Her traditional wedding gown flattered her figure perfectly.  She looked totally stunning in this satin ballgown with crystal embellishment.  (Did you know that crystal sparkles tons more than glass?  It is so worth the extra few $ to opt for crystal!)

Congrats Rachel!  We wish you and your new husband best wishes.

And girls, remember that shopping for a wedding gown is supposed to be fun.  If you hate shopping (for whatever reason) Belle’s is the perfect place to go for your wedding gown.

With our help, you can have your perfect wedding gown selected in about an hour!  (I kid you not).

At Belle’s Bridal, you’ll have a fun appointment, where each bride feels special, and gets to try on gowns that actually fit!

And don’t forget - with our sample sale going on and in store financing options - like 12 months no payments no interest,* there has never been a better time to shop for a wedding gown!

Call now to schedule your appointment (325) 673-0033.

This post is dedicated to those shopping for a wedding gown.  It can be a scary purchase and for many young women, it is one of the most expensive purchases they have ever made.  Some people feel like they need to stick with chain stores like Alfred Angelo and David’s Bridal (also called’ Big Box’ stores) to play it safe.  Those big stores pay for tons and tons of ads annually, so we all know they are there.  The primary benefits of these kinda stores offer are that they have hanging stock, and they offer a credit card or financing options for your wedding gown.  Their ads make it seem cheap and easy to shop there.  The truth is rather different and often frustrating.  So here is a post to clear up some hoopla you have wondered about big box shopping vs. bridal boutique shopping.

Here are some of the primary perks of “boutiqing it” with your wedding gown:

1. PERSONAL SERVICE:  This makes a world of difference when shopping for something that resembles a huge white marshmallow shoved into a see-through plastic bag.  Smaller bridal boutiques learn their stock and know it by heart.  They can easily match up the right girl with the right gown at the right price.  Tah-dah!  All the stuff about it taking 10-12 shops to find the right gown only happens when you meet with people who don’t care, don’t know their stock, and haven’t the foggiest idea of what cuts will flatter your figure.  Personalized service can do all that, plus some!
2. CUSTOM OPTIONS: Have you ever seen a gown and thought it was almost perfect?  It just needed…that top with that bottom; or that neckline; or less stuff; or more sparkles, etc!  When shopping at a bridal boutique you have the option to special order.  A special order gown is one that is being made JUST FOR YOU.  That means it is truly a one of a kind gown.  You can get exactly what you want without settling. Those other stores mass produce gowns with no options for changes like this. At Belle’s Bridal Boutique in Abilene, we specialize in custom gowns.  Brides have added embellishments, changed the silhouette, added lace, and even swapped bodices and skirts.  Then they ordered their gown and it was exactly what they wanted.  And it must cost a fortune to do that, right?  Nope.  Many custom options start at only $110 plus the cost of the gown.
3. CUSTOM FIT:  Adding on to the previous thought - brides can order custom sizes and heights at Belle’s Bridal.  The bridal boutique that special orders is your BFF if you have a figure that doesn’t play nice with standard sizing.  This works really well and saves you time AND money.  If your top and bottom aren’t the same size, alterations can be well over $500 at stores who mass produce.  At Belle’s Bridal, you can elect to pay for a Couture Cut option.  Your measurements will be taken, including height, and your gown will come in fit to your measurements and not some French model with no curves.  This service starts at $220, which is way better than $500.  Plus, you have more time after your gown arrives since these changes were made in the factory.
4. NEED A GOWN NOW? No problem, we have select styles that are in stock ready to take home TODAY.  Belle’s Bridal has NEW in stock gowns ready to take home today.  And you thought that was only at the mall.  Nope.  The truth is that Belle’s carries stock that helps all of their brides, so whether you need a specialty size and have time to order or your wedding is tomorrow, Belle’s Bridal is the perfect place to shop.



5. SAMPLE SALE:  Sample sales are an awesome way to save money and get a designer gown.  A couple times a year Belle’s will sell sample gowns and you can save up to 50% off! What’s the difference between a designer gown and a mass produced copy?  FIT & FLATTER.  The bodices are constructed so differently, its insane.  Instead of 2 seams in the bodice of a mass produced gown (the top of the gown that is shaped around your curves), you have 6- 12 in a designer gown.  What does that mean?  It means the construction of the gown can now curve with your curves.  All of a sudden, gowns fit you correctly, they don’t pull, and you don’t have chicken-wings popping out from your pits over the neckline of the gown.  Most women don’t like that feature of cheap gowns.  Inexpensive gowns are often guilty of using the neckline to hold up a strapless gown - which gives you armpit spill/ aka chicken wings.  A designer bodice is held up through the waist, and the fit is to die for. And cost on a designer gown?  They start at only $799.  Totally reasonable and totally worth it.  If you care how you look, you should check out the designer version of your gown.  Who wants Prado when you can have Prada?  And if you get it in a sample sale, odds are it is cheaper than the knock off hanging at the big box store.
6. PAYMENT PLANS & CREDIT CARDS: One thing that draws people to the big box stores in masses is their financing programs.  Well, did you know that you can get the same deal at the local boutique?  12 months 0% interest and 12 months no payments* You can apply for a credit card and get instant approval at Belle’s Bridal Boutique.  You can use it to pay for your wedding gown, bridesmaids, alterations, shoes, photography, tuxes, etc.  It’s fast and easy.  And for those of you who don’t want a credit card, Belle’s offers 2 very easy payment plans on in stock and special order gowns.



7. SAVING MONEY & TIME: This is the main reason people flock to the discounters.  They think they are saving money.  Brides purchase a $99 wedding gown only to pay $424 in alteration fees (national average cost of alterations at chain bridal stores).  If you really want to save money, shop when there is a sale.  Shop when there is a sample sale.  You can truly save money on your gown and get a gown that has the quality and construction that does not require spending almost $500 to make it wearable.  Examine the total cost of your gown, including bustier, petticoat, and alterations.  Gowns with cheaper construction cost more to alter and need all those foundational garments to keep you from looking like a frumpy mess.  You’ll find that many designer gowns have the bustiers and petticoats built into the gowns.
8. OTHER SAVINGS: Did you know that your local bridal shop has partnered with other local wedding vendors to give Belle’s Bridal special offers not available anywhere else?  You can save a lot of money and still get exactly what you want.  Examples?  OK, how about your honeymoon?  Would you like to go on a Carnival Cruise or stay at a posh resort for an entire week of heavenly bliss?  Well, when you purchase your wedding gown (for over $1000) OR purchase any wedding gown and bridesmaids at Belle’s Bridal - you get to choose.  Belle’s has arranged for a special vacation package through Carnival Cruise line and RCI (the worlds leader in posh resorts) to be able to offer this to you.  All you pay is tax - which is about $249.  It’s a very cool way to save money and still live large, even now.  Add to that savings on photography, and other wedding day services, and you’ll be saving some serious dough.



9. 200 STYLES: People are always shocked when we tell them we have over 200 different styles of wedding gowns at Belle’s Bridal Boutique.  That is more different and unique styles than those who mass produce, thereby allowing each bride to feel like an individual and not freak out about someone else wearing her gown.
10. IT’S MORE FUN! Yeah, I said it.  ;o)  Belle’s Bridal is a more fun place to shop.  Have you been at one of those other places on a Saturday afternoon?  OMG.  I hate shopping like that - getting bumped every 5 seconds, it’s so loud, people are everywhere, you can’t see anything, there is no place for your mom to sit, the high school girl helping you gave you a gown that is too small and now you have your arms plastered over your head while trying to pull the gown off…Now you have to open that door to the 100 people out there to get unstuck.  Compare that to a private shopping appointment - even on sale days - where you have an entire bridal lounge to yourself and your friends, with a plush red velvet chair for mom, it’s quiet, no one’s bumping you, and you don’t have to beat another bride with a whistle to get your sale wedding gown.

When did bridal gown shopping become such a PITA?  It’s supposed to be fun.  It’s the only time in your life you are going to get to wear such a beautiful gown, and yet shopping for it has become some sort of dreadful task.  The funny part is, it doesn’t have to be.  Use your local resources to make wedding gown shopping fun again.  I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy it can be to find your dream gown - and even more surprised how affordable it is.

Belle’s Sample Sale is going on now.  Call for your appointment today (325)673-0033.

*Subject to credit approval.  See store for full details.