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

Your Shop is a Jewel

Recently, I received this gracious thank you note from Amy. She visited us before returning to England after completing her college degree.

" I want to thank you for providing such a beautiful range of modest wedding dresses and formals to chose from. I got very frustrated looking at other shops thinking about all the work and expense involved in adjusting the dresses I saw. I was very pleased with my dress and the

 bridesmaid dresses I chose."

"I appreciate how kind and helpful you were both on the phone and through e-mail. I think your shop is a jewel; I hope many more like-minded Christians will find out about you. Thank you very much."

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.

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.