Simply Elegant Featured Bride Charity Davidson

Why should we be using bridal company pictures for our ads when we have the most beautiful Simply Elegant brides in the world?! So the search for our featured bride began. They were sent notices inviting them to enter the Featured Bride Contest. The winner would receive a 50% refund on the cost of her dress, be used in our advertisements and on the home page of our revised website. 10 brides entered, their pictures were posted in albums on our FACEBOOK page and it was great fun to read the wonderful comments from their loyal friends! At the end of 2 weeks Charity had 11,970 points.

My Story
by Charity Davidson

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" is the passage of Scripture God has so mightily used in my life. We all make "new year's resolutions" and mine for 2010 was to simply trust the Lord for more; to have such a faith in Him that it would revolutionize my life. I even took it a step further. By faith, I claimed December 11, 2010, as the day I would marry the man of my dreams! 12.11.10. What a fun wedding date! And so the year began... All along God was leading me in His will. It wasn't that I just had to get married; no, no. It was believing the Lord and trusting that He would guide me in every aspect of life. And He absolutely did just that!

James' side of the story is that he had considered asking me on a date for quite a while, but was nervous because of my dad. Who would have guessed that a 6'6" man would intimidate anyone at all? However, he did finally muster up the courage to speak to me and invited me to go out one night with a group of friends. After that first ‘date’, I had such peace that James was the one God had saved for me. I think I even pinched myself to make sure it all was still real life! God truly exceeds our expectations!

I must admit that I was anticipating the day I could say YES to James. I thought I had to look my absolute best every single day because an engagement is a very big thing, you know! Friday morning, December 10, 2010, I woke up to the sound of the ringtone for my mom. She called at approximately 7:47 am and practically saved my life that day because for whatever reason I never heard an alarm! Fortunately, I made it to work only a few minutes late. Whew! What a long day this is going to be! James was off work so we planned to spend the afternoon Christmas shopping. I knew that was NOT the day James would propose because all that could potentially go wrong did, and the day I would get engaged would just have to be the most perfect day, so it was impossible!! So off we go making our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to shop and look at the Christmas lights. We were having so much fun! Then came Primrose Walk. We stayed on that little lane for quite some time, and I was sure any minute my hands would fall off from frost bite! It was bitter cold! I asked him a few times if he was ready to start walking again, but he kept lingering looking at the lights on that little lane. We talked for a few more minutes then down on one knee he went! My first reaction was "Really? Are you serious?" Then he replied, "Uh, YEAH! Is that a yes??"

 You would think the rest of the night went perfectly, but James hadn't been to Gatlinburg before and had gotten turned around because we had walked so far! It took us some time to finally find the car, but once we did we both began to tell the world of the wonderful news that we were getting married. Oh, and may I mention that although I wasn’t exactly married on 12.11.10 as I had hoped, I did wake up that morning with a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger. To God be the glory.

Next was to find that perfect wedding dress. The dress every girl dreams of wearing on her wedding day. James only asked one thing of me, and that was that we have a wedding that those involved be dressed elegantly but modestly. There are many stores to shop, however, Simply Elegant was the only option because it is the best option. I knew there I would find a dress that not only would be absolutely beautiful but modest. Dana is so very qualified in helping select a gown that meets your standard. She will do her best to fulfill your wishes. She certainly fulfilled mine! I fell in love with the fourth dress I tried on...it was just perfect! The detail and quality were exquisite. The feeling I had in that moment is indescribable. I had found the dress. I am so grateful for Dana and Simply Elegant. I highly recommend any bride looking for a modest gown to go to none other than Simply Elegant. Thank you, Simply Elegant, for allowing brides to have the opportunity to feel beautifully modest on their wedding day.

Both James and Charity graduated from Crown College of the Bible and are currently serving in the youth ministry at their church.

Weddings 50 Years Ago

My thoughtful mother annually renews a subscription to our home town newspaper us. The town is actually too small to have a newspaper so it's the Yell County Record covering the entire county news. One my favorite articles is the 50 Years Ago, YCR Revisits the Past.
Having a bridal shop, I am always drawn to the wedding announcements. The simplistic descriptions and unique vocabulary draw such an elegant picture of what it was like. I love envisioning how she might have looked and felt on her wedding day.  The one thing that is probably the same for every bride through the years is the love she has for her groom and the dreams she has for their future together.
For those, like me, that  share the love for the days gone by, I thought I'd share a recent reprint of a wedding announcement from September 1961.

Stewart-King-Arrangements of white gladiolus and glowing white tapers against a background of coal green fern adorned the altar of the Parkway Baptist Church of Minden, LA. For the wedding of Miss Billie Jean Stewart and Bobby John King on the afternoon of Saturday, July 16.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Era J. Stewart and the late Mr. Stewart of Minden, LA. and the bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. John G. King of Ola, AR.
The Rev. Cornelious Uhrens of Little Rock, AR performed the ceremony. Miss Patsy Slay, organist played nuptial selections as the candles were lit by Frances Simpson and Miss Peggy Sue James and accompanied Miss Rita Barron as she sang "Because."
Mrs. G.D. Shores attended her sister as matron of honor and the bridesmaids were Miss Gloria Ann Hill and Miss Frances Stewart.
Roger O'Neil of Little Rock, AR served as best man and the groomsmen were Jerry Strickland, Dicky Simpson and Tom Freeman.
The bride entering the church with her uncle, Marvin Stewart, who gave her in marriage, was lovely in a ballerina length gown of white embroidered organza over slipper satin. The basque bodice designed with a boat neckline edged in embroidered scallops and elbow length sleeves extended to a point in back and accented by a large flat bow of organza. The bouffant skirt terminated in embroidery scallops. Her tiered short veil of misty illusion was held in place by a crown. She wore white satin slippers, short white gloves and a single strand of pearls. The bridal bouquet was a cascade of snowy white stephanotis.
Mr. and Mrs. King are residing in Minden, LA.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. King. I hope you have lived happily ever after.

Choosing Who to Bring to Gown Shopping

Bridal gown shopping is serious, fun. It can be overwhelming with all of the choices. It gets tiring trying on those heavy gowns. Besides the mental and emotional stress of deciding which one will be the choice you live with the rest of you your life.

That's why selecting the right guests to accompany you to your appointment is so critical. This shopping day is like no other, one to be cherished. So choose wisely!
Randy Fenoli, of Say Yes to the Dress, warns of the ones to beware of in his 'Top 10 Entourage No-No's"
10. Negative Nelly - If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't! Honesty is good, when ask, but don't be critical.
9. Opinionated Family - focused on their own opinions, not concerned about the brides opinion. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, yours isn't the only right right one.
8. Budget Bullies - never push a bride beyond her budget. Support her vision and respect her budget. If you're not paying, you shouldn't be picking!
7. The Bickering Friends - Don't argue, this takes attention from the bride and the shopping experience. Leave your drama in the car.
6. The Stubborn Mom - don't make the bride feel like she has to please you first. If you respect her, she'll respect your opinions. Purpose to develop a special bond.
5. The Bossy Friend - Never tell the bride what to do. Listen and focus on what the bride feels.
4. The Unfocused Guest - Focus on your bride, not everything or everyone else in the store. Bridal ADD says "I'm more important than you."
3. The Overbearing Mom - Don't force your opinions on the bride. You had your day, help her create her own day.
2. The Jealous Bridesmaid - Don't let envy take over, it only makes you look bad and the bride feel guilty.
1. The Spotlight Stealer - Don't choose a dress that looks the same as the brides. Even something outrageous like we saw at the royal wedding. You'll get attention, but not the kind you want.
It's a privilege to be there not a right. Make if special for the bride. Help her analyze her choices and choose what's best for her.
Now, call 803-548-3900 or Contact Us, to schedule your gown consultation and a then carefully choose your guests to come with you.

Market Fun

Mannequin displays are always a fun attraction.

I so adore the pleated dresses

with flowers.

Never enough jewelry and accessories!

The Royal Collection

The Royal Wedding was such a treat this year. There were hints and look alikes of Kate's gown in almost every showroom at market in Atlanta last week. I was thrilled to find a replica headpiece and earrings.

Our newest accessory vendor, Richard Designs, is located in the UK and gave us some interesting information on the pieces.

The Royal Tiara

The tiara was, as expected, from the royal collection. Catherine's 'Something Borrowed' was on loan from the Queen's private collection, made by Cartier in 1936, and a present for the late Queen Mother. Traditional yet discreet, the tiara sat high enough to lift the soft draped veil from her face.

The Royal Jewelry

As a wedding present from her parents for her 'something new' these diamond set drops were made to compliment the Cartier tiara that she wore on that day. Delicate and perfectly portioned they were designed to echo the elements within the Middleton Family newly appointed Coat of Arms. These loverly jewels were made up of a stylised oak leaf with a pear shaped-diamond set drop and suspended pave set acorn at the center.

Trunk Show

Tomorrow begins our first trunk show in our lovely, new location. A trunk show offers a bride the opportunity to view samples of the newest gowns available by a particular manufacturer. The Bliss gowns by Bonny are currently the best selling modest line on the market today!

There are still a few appointments times available. Call 803-548-3900 for your private showing.

Wedding Gown Perservation Company

Congratulations to the Wedding Gown Perservation Company on their recent award. We have been using their service for 4 years now and have been very pleased with the quality of work they do.

Wedding Gown Preservation Co. Receives National Award
State-Of-The-Art Production Facility recognized as “a model of industrial production efficiency”

Endicott, NY, January 4, 2010: Endicott-based Wedding Gown Preservation Co. received national recognition last week for their state-of-the-art North Street cleaning and preservation facility. American Drycleaner Magazine awarded them a Special Honor in the category of ‘Outstanding Production Facility’ during an annual contest. The business is locally owned and operated by Sue and Michael Schapiro.

The 18,890-square-foot facility is “a model of industrial production efficiency” according to Ian Murphy, Editor of American Drycleaner Magazine. Custom-made cleaning equipment, a high-tech rail system, and employees certified in the latest cleaning techniques allow team members to preserve the memories of a couple’s special day for years to come. Quality control procedures, along with computerized tracking, allow for exceptional customer service. “Wedding Gown Preservation Co. continues to be the leader in the industry through continuous improvement and innovation.” says owner Michael Schapiro, who is the third generation of the family business which has been in Endicott since 1913.

Wedding Gown Preservation Co.’s team is recognized as national experts in wedding gown cleaning, preservation, and restoration. As the largest gown cleaning and preservation company in the country, they process thousands of gowns every month at the Endicott facility. Gowns are sent to Endicott by brides and bridal shops from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Members of the community looking for more information can contact 607-748-6957 or stop by for a tour at 707 North Street in Endicott, NY.

Currently in their 49th year, the Annual “Plant Design Awards” are organized by American Drycleaner Magazine. Entries are received from across the country from dry cleaning, laundry and specialty cleaning facilities. American Drycleaner Magazine is the most recognized dry cleaning industry publication with content focusing on industry news, events and trends.

Visit their website for a tour through the factory http://www.gownpreservation.com/ Then contact me at 803-548-3900 for the special rate of $129 on your gown cleaning and perservation. They will send the packaging kit to your home and return it in just a few weeks. You will be given tracking information so you can follow your gown through the factory and back to your door.