The Gracious Bride

Short engagements and high expectations will stretch even the most gracious bride to the breaking point. The best way to demonstrate graciousness is to expect stressful situations and plan accordingly.

1. She is Forgiving and Forbearing

Prepare for people problems. Planning a wedding means dealing with people and people mean problems.

 

Understand that offences and errors will come. Exploding does not fix anything and usually requires clean up. Problems happen for a reason and may even cause a better result.

 

2. She has Seasoned Speech

Practice gracious replies for negative comments, compliments, and dealing with problems before they arise.

 

Practice graciousness when speaking about sizing. This is a sensitive issue whether coming from a large or small person. Comments about a dress making you look fat when you are wearing a size 8 can sound prideful to others.

 

It's best to use general comments when you dislike a style on you as in "this isn't the style I was looking for" or "I don't care for the fullness." These are less offense and shows respect of other's feelings.

 

3. She is Discreet



Keep private matters private. Wedding planning involves close contact and communication discovering sensitive issues about someone. Not everything needs to be shared with others.

 

Learn to read peoples expressions and reactions. If you see someone is uncomfortable with a wedding decision be sensitive of their needs or beliefs.

 

Control yourself in uncomfortable situations. Don't make a scene this only draws more attention to what you are uncomfortable about. Use your practiced reply.

 

4. She is Genuinely Kind and Considerate

Humbleness is not discounting the compliments of others. That only discredits their opinion.

 

Be aware of all of the people in your presence. Acknowledge everyone that you can especially if the event is to honor you.

 

Learn to graciously say NO to overly helpful people and unnecessary offers. People that care about you can show their excitement by wanting to help not thinking that you may have plans for that area. Thank them for their offer and tell what area you could use some help so they can feel useful.

 

Treat family kindly. Stress can cause us to take our frustrations out on those closest to us. When the wedding is over you are still family and you don't want to have resentment over wedding plans.

 

5. She Fears the Lord

"Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 30:31

 

Do you have a reverential fear of God? When it all comes down to it true graciousness comes from within, it really can't be faked. People know if you are genuinely gracious.

 

As a Christian bride you represent the church of the living God. Graciousness is a typical characteristic of the church; wouldn't you say?

 

Keep in mind your Heavenly Father knows the desires of your heart and ordains all circumstances you will deal with because all things are for our good and His glory. Prepare to represent your faith in the best possible form, because this day really isn't all about you. It's about creating a God ordained family. 

 

Happy Planning,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to use this article? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Owner of Simply Elegant, Dana Ellison publishes "Fancy That" a monthly e-zine. Get your FR*EE modest brides shopping guide: "What Every MODEST Bride MUST Know to Turn Wedding Gown Shopping into a Delightful Experience" at www.simplyelegantforyou.com . Get updates, ideas and sneak peaks on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/simplyelegantforyou



If It's Too Good to Be True...IT IS!

Me: "Welcome to Simply Elegant! What special event are you shopping for?"

Customer: "I'm looking for a mother of the bride dress and the wedding is in 3 weeks!."

Me: "On, my! That's not much time! What color were you hoping to wear?"

Customer: (as she's handing me a picture from our website) "Something in navy, I see you carry this brand. I ordered it from an online site, but it looks horrible! I guess it wasn't really the company site."

This has happened several times this year and I feel so bad for these customers that have been tricked by the  "cheap" prices. By the time you correct your mistake you've spent much more than you planned on or should have.

"In 2011, an estimated 500,000 illegal garments came into the United States. In 2012, this number grew to approximately 600,000 by all estimates we can assemble." said Steve Lang, president of American Bridal and Prom Industry Association. The ABPIA is working with the government to create legislation in an effort to combat the sell of counterfeit goods.

In 2008, we had the economic decline in the US then in 2010, the Chinese had a revolution and many factory workers did not return to their factory jobs after the Chinese New Year. This greatly increased the cost of products and production which raised the cost of American goods. 

Unfortunately, many Americans are unaware of these types of international events and think small businesses are taking advantage of them by raising prices.

Now the Chinese know with those two factors many unwitting Americans are looking for some price relief. Since they aren't known for living by the golden rule, they are happy to violate trade laws and take advantage of bargain seeking Americans. That's why your order has to ship to you as a gift, to avoid the costly custom fees and likewise why it can't be returned.

The popular Allure Bridals  has posted a list of over 75 counterfeit websites on their website. These are not authorized dealers of their gowns. This means they are either transshipping (illegally selling through an authorized dealer) or a Chinese business copying the styles and selling as if original. 

So how can you determine if it's a counterfeit site? Here are 5 things to look for...

Size Chart 

They will only offer one size chart even though they are showing many different brands. Each brand has their own size chart that will vary slightly from the next. So this is definitely a clue to BEWARE.

Broken English and Wrong Terminology

I had to laugh at how bad this comment was from one of the blogs....

" High waist wedding dress is fat bride no two choice..."   

 and a dress description ... 

1/2 Sleeves in Mermaid Style Beadings Sash Satin Overlay Lace Chapel Train Wedding dress (DWD-252)

Production Time

A fully hand beaded gown can take up to 24-30 days to complete, then there's the actual construction time of the gown. These sites will offer 7-12 business days construction a key to poor quality.

Payment Options

They all offer Western Union as a payment option.

Contact Information

They have international phone numbers or only email contact. One bride told me that the customer service representative she placed her order with just kept saying that "it be sexy" when trying to ask questions about the dress. (maybe that's what American's are know for?)

For more information on this topic you many be interested to read this blog by Lynette Robinson http://replicagowns.blogspot.com/

It is important that we as Americans be educated consumers knowing quality, value and trustworthiness of the business and products you are purchasing from them. With reviews widely available on the internet take time to discerningly read them and ask your friends what businesses they used and what their experience like before ordering online. Your safest option is to shop in America.


Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:
Owner of Simply Elegant, Dana Ellison publishes "Fancy That" a bi-weekly e-zine. Get your FR*EE modest brides shopping guide: "What Every MODEST Bride MUST Know to Turn Wedding Gown Shopping into a Delightful Experience" at www.simplyelegantforyou.com . Get updates, ideas and sneak peaks on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/simplyelegantforyou