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2011-04-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Tips to Buying a Used Wedding Dress

2011-02-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Tips to Buying a Used Wedding Dress
Many brides-to-be want to look fabulous on their big day, but are also concerned about the impact their one day event will have on the environment. To reduce your impact, consider buying a used wedding dress. Wearing a used wedding dress extends the life of a once worn item, saves money, and carbon emissions from shipping. If you want to pay less than retail cost for your wedding dress, but don’t want to sacrifice style or the environment on your wedding day, here are the Top 5 Tips to Buying a Used Wedding Dress from our friends at SmartBride Boutique . With these tips you can have your cake and eat it too!
Tip #1: A Clean Dress is Best
Look for dresses that have already been cleaned, so that you know if there are any permanent stains and whether or not they will be visible on your wedding day. This way you won’t have to pay a potentially costly dry cleaning bill.
Tip #2: Shop Local
By shopping locally you can inspect the dress closely for stains and damage from insects or improper care. Be sure to treat going to an individual seller’s home the way you would if you were visiting a bridal boutique. Bring a friend or your mom with you so you can get an honest opinion from someone who wants to make sure you feel fabulous on your wedding day.
Tip #3: Ask About Alterations
Keep in mind that alterations can completely change the fit of a gown and keep in mind that some alterations are reversible and some aren’t. Be sure to get the name and number of the seamstress who did the initial alterations because she will know the dress inside and out. You may wish to call her with questions before you buy the dress.
Tip #4: Do Your Research
If you’re buying a designer or brand name gown, ask the seller to provide you with a style number so you can reference the manufacturer’s website. Visit bridal boutiques to find out the average cost of the designer dresses you’re searching for online. Generally, if you’re buying a dress that is one year old or newer, has not been damaged, and has only been worn once, then you should pay no more than 50% of the original retail cost for the dress.
Tip #5: Be Ready to Negotiate
Are you willing to pay the seller’s original asking price if the dress is exactly as the seller described and it’s the perfect dress for you? Or do you have a lower price in mind based on your research and budget? Be prepared to negotiate, but remain fair with the seller so both of you can be happy with the sale.
About SmartBride Boutique:
SmartBrideBoutique.com is a premium wedding classifieds website, helping today's savvy brides create the wedding day of their dreams on a realistic budget without sacrificing designer names, fabulous style or the environment. Past and present brides connect online to buy, sell and save on everything wedding. Smart Brides can have their cake and eat it too!

Expert Tip from SmartBride Boutique: 5 Savings Tips To Help You Get Designer Style For Less

2011-01-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

SmartBride Boutique is all about helping you find designer names and fabulous style for your wedding dress, without paying those designer prices.

Get Designer Style for Less With These 5 Tips:

Lose the Extras

Sometimes you try on the dress of your dreams, only to find out the deco belt around your waist, or the beautiful shoulder sash are extra! Many brides have told us that they found their dream dress and were ready to purchase, only to discover the price increased by $1200 because of extra trimmings. Be aware of what you’re paying for and avoid those hidden costs!

Avoid Custom Alterations
It’s no question that unless you’re lucky enough to buy off-the-rack there will be alterations involved. Regular alterations like shortening the length of your hem will be inexpensive, but custom alterations that involve adding or altering a sleeve, or changing a neckline, could increase the cost of your gown significantly.

Try to find a dress that already has the elements you want or look for a dress that can be worn in a variety of ways.

Look for Simple Silhouettes

If your heart is set on a princess gown you’re going to have to pay a higher price than if you chose a simple silhouette. Remember that dresses with layers of tulle and organza will cost significantly more than a simple sheath in the same material because of the amount of fabric that’s used to construct the dress.

Shop Sample Sales, Trunk Shows & Evening Gowns

Sample sales at bridal shops generally happen in summer and winter when retailers look to clear out old inventory at reduced prices. However, remember to factor in the cost of alterations and even dry cleaning because these dresses have often been tried on numerous times.

Bridal boutiques also hold Trunk Shows for specific designers throughout the year where you can generally save 15% off retail. Alternatively, why not consider wearing an evening gown? We’ve heard many stories from brides who’ve found a white evening gown for less than the cost of any of the wedding dresses they tried on.

Go Online!

This one certainly isn’t rocket science for all of you smart brides out there, but after you’ve found some favorites at the boutiques, it might be worthwhile to search online to find that dress you want at a reduced price.

As a note of caution, if you do find your dream dress online, it’s best to deal locally if possible. This protects you from online fraud and allows you to meet the seller to inspect and try on your dress before purchasing it.

More About SmartBride Boutique:

SmartBride Boutique is a premium wedding classifieds site connecting brides past and present to buy and sell and save on discounted and used wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, shoes, accessories, decorations, and more! Today's savvy brides no longer have to sacrifice designer names or fabulous style to create the wedding day of their dreams.

Weddingstar 2011 magazine now out!

2010-12-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

The anticipated 2011 Weddingstar magazine is now out with some great new products and trendy ideas for your wedding day! Remember, purchase your Weddingstar items from us (www.TheWeddingShoppe.ca) and receive free shipping on orders over $250. If you reside near London, Ontario, you can also pick up your Weddingstar products from our store for free!

Top Personalized Gifts for Guys

2010-11-25T06:59:00.000-08:00

They say women are hard to please, but buying a gift for those men in your life can be a real challenge, too! They're generally not excited about a new piece of jewelry, the latest fashion trend from Armani, or a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. When buying gifts for men, you have to think a little outside that box. That's why personalized gifts are the perfect gift choice for guys!

These days, the variety of personalized gifts for guys is vast. There's something for every taste and a great selection of hobby-related items as well, so you’re sure to find at least one gift that's suitable for the guys for whom you purchase gifts on a regular basis, including a husband or boyfriend, dad, brother, uncle, grandfather, or even that hard-to-please boss. Here's a list of some of the top-selling personalized gifts for guys:

Beer glasses/mugs – As a rule, most guys drink beer. And these days, many have become beer connoisseurs thanks to the vast selection of domestic and international beers available. So give him something in which to enjoy his favorite brew including personalized pilsner glasses or unique mugs and steins. They can be monogrammed with his initials or even engraved with the logo of his favorite sports team. Look for beer can koozies as well.

Barware – Besides beer glasses and mugs, there's a host of other personalized bar items available for his home bar. Choose from personalized shot glasses, wine-related items, coasters, bottle openers, and even clever bar signs. And for that bar on-the-go, select a handy flask he can conceal in his pocket.

Sports photos – If your guy is a sports fan, buy him a personalized print that features his treasured team. High-quality framed prints that include photos of the team's stadium, pictures of their jerseys or uniforms, and other team-related items are perfect for his man cave or the wall of his office. These are available for a variety of sports including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and golf.

Masculine jewelry items – For that dapper man, consider a gift of personalized cuff links (they come in all shapes and sizes), a handsome pocket watch, or an ID bracelet. Ideal gift for that guy who dresses up for work or loves to go out on the town, these items look sharp with his best suit!

Outdoor items – Whether he's a hunter, fisherman, or simply enjoys being out under the bright blue sky, there are plenty of personalized guy gifts he'll love! Personalized pocket knives or other pocket tools are ideal for the outdoorsman or you can choose items that are good for camping or other outdoor pursuits including coolers, duffel bags, and even an ultra-unique hand warmer for those cold days in the woods or on the lake.

2010-11-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

From the Producers of Rich Bride Poor Bride comes a spinoff... with a twist!

This exciting new series documents the planning of your wedding.

By completing their special Challenge you’ll receive a $5000 budget boost and one of their famous wedding planners from their sister series Rich Bride Poor Bride.

Are you getting married this winter?

Producers are looking for fun couples with big personalities who live in the GTA and with wedding dates in January or February.

Email TODAY to apply!
RichBrideSpinoff@gmail.com

Wedding Tradition: Cake Toppers are the 'Cherry on Top'

2010-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Indisputably, the finishing touch on any wedding cake is the topper. This seemingly simple addition to your confectionary masterpiece is an essential part of not only your wedding cake but your wedding day as a whole.

The tradition of placing a decoration on top of the wedding cake started in the eighteenth century, when couples began putting wooden figurines on top of their cake to symbolize unflinching devotion to one another. These wooden figurines gave way to more modern plastic replicas of the bride and groom.

Today, figurines are still popular among many couples, but with many options out there, more and more people are choosing alternative cake toppers. The possibilities are nearly endless for what can function as your wedding cake topper. Your wedding should be focused on you and your new spouse, and your cake topper should reflect your styles and personalities, as well as your wedding theme.

There are no limitations on wedding cake toppers, however, there are some topper alternatives that are more popular than others. For example, a trend that is growing in popularity is using the couple’s new monogram as the cake topper, with simple or ornate letters stuck into the top tier of the cake.

Another popular idea is to set a lightweight vase on top of the cake, and use flowers to mirror those of the other centerpieces at the reception. It is important that your vase not be too heavy, or it may sink into the cake!

Photos make a popular cake topper as well. With photo cubes and unique frames, you can have a picture of you and your new spouse as the focal point on your cake.

With the many options available (these are just a few) there is no reason for your wedding cake to be boring! Remember that your cake topper, just like the whole day, is about more than just ribbons and bows, it’s about starting a new life with a person that you love.

Now check out our large selection of unique wedding cake toppers!

Article courtesy of Cathy's Concepts.

Wedding Tradition: Wedding Toasting Glasses an Essential

2010-09-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

With all the stress of your wedding, it’s easy to get lost in the details. You might get frustrated with wondering why you have to focus on so many little things that don’t seem to make a lot of difference. For instance: where is the importance of toasting glasses? Why not just go pick up some cheap wine glasses at the dollar store? The fact of the matter is that your wedding toast is an incredibly special occasion, and one that you will remember for the rest of your life. The event should be marked by singularly precious glasses as well. Not only will these toasting flutes add an elegant touch to your reception, they will be a keepsake that you can use again and again.

Toasting flutes form the cornerstone of your new glassware collection. While you may not think you need a glassware collection, you never know when you might find yourself in need of a nice set of glasses to serve with. Your toasting flutes will serve as the basis for the rest of the glasses you buy in your marriage. Whether it’s a night at home with friends or just you and your spouse, toasting flutes are an essential part of your home, and serve as the building blocks to a great collection of glassware.

Personalized toasting flutes are becoming a very popular trend, with many couples choosing to have their names and wedding date engraved in the glass. These are a great way to commemorate your special day that you can use after the wedding as well. What better way to celebrate your anniversary than by sharing a drink in the first glasses you drank from as a married couple?

Another use for toasting glasses, aside from the reception, is to use them to mark special occasions. Imagine sipping champagne on Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve out of a set of beautiful, elegant glasses. These glasses can be put to use in almost any situation, not just formal affairs.

In all the hustle and bustle of the wedding, don’t forget that no matter how stressful it is; all of the planning pays off in the end. Your wedding day is a special time, and the details help to make it so. Toasting flutes may seem like a dispensable added cost, but they are a memento that will flood your heart with memories for many years to come.

Visit our website to view toasting glasses.

Wedding Trend: Eco-Friendly Weddings

2010-06-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

It seems like no matter where you go, you hear something about “going green” or being “eco-friendly.” This environmentally conscious mindset is a growing part of society, and for good reason. The earth is a limited resource, so we should do our part to take care of it. There is no reason your wedding should have to contend with your environmental conscience. With more and more industries leaning towards sustainable practices, it’s easy to have an environmentally friendly wedding.

From the beginning of your engagement until after the thank you notes have been sent, almost every aspect of your wedding planning can be eco-friendly. Over fifty jewelry retailers have signed the Golden Rules agreement, promising to sell only gold from mines that are actively supporting human rights, labor, and environmental concerns. In addition, it is also possible to buy conflict-free diamonds, bought only from areas not in conflict because of the gems. Buying only “clean” gold and conflict-free diamonds ensures that you’re only supporting environmentally sustainable practices.

When choosing a venue, take into consideration that many “typical” places use vast amounts of electricity. Think about getting married outside, on a farm or in a botanical garden. If a traditional venue is a must, look for one that uses recycled energy-efficient appliances and biodegradable products. Having your ceremony and reception in one place cuts back the fuel emissions caused by your guests having to drive from one place to another.

When sending your invitations, use only 100% recycled paper or consider using paper that has wildflower seeds mixed in. If you haven’t seen this, it looks just like normal paper, but can be planted in a garden or flower bed. These green papers can also be used for your save-the-dates and thank-you notes.

Flowers are one thing that seems eco-friendly already, but in fact they aren’t! Most flowers sold commercially are sprayed with harmful pesticides and fertilizers that pollute the groundwater. Instead, consider leaving blooms out altogether, or only use locally-grown, in-season flowers. If you’re dying to have flowers as centerpieces, consider potted plants that can be replanted later.

The food can easily be just as green as you are. With a few calls to caterers, it’s not too hard to find one that will serve only locally-grown organic dishes. Consider having an entirely vegan meal, if this suits your tastes.

Your decorations can be eco-friendly as well. The best policy is to only use things that will be used again, so think about what would make good favors to send with guests, or things that you could easily reuse in your home. Consider using bamboo as much as possible, since this is an extremely renewable resource.

These are just a few of the ways in which your wedding can be greener, even if your wedding colors are black and white. Your wedding day is special and should be memorable, but try to make it memorable in the minds of you and your guests, not in landfills.

*Article courtesy of Cathy's Concepts.

Visit our website to view eco-friendly favour items

Why wedding favours are important

2010-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

In today’s economic crunch most people are seeking ways to save money on things that don’t seem necessary. Brides are no different when shopping for their wedding. In trying to save a few bucks, you may be considering not providing favors for your guests. While this may seem like a good idea now, it is something you’ll no doubt regret later.

Giving favors to wedding guests is a time-honored tradition that dates back to the sixteenth century, when European aristocrats would present guests with small boxes of sugar cubes (a precious commodity in those times). The tradition has carried over to present day, often couples will present their guests with sweets. Giving favors is a singularly special way of thanking your guests for being a part of your special day.

For those who are trying to save money, or are looking for an original way to partake in this important tradition, there are a limitless number of ideas for favors. Your favors should reflect your style and the tone of your wedding. This can be done in many different ways. Sweets are the traditional gift given, so consider baking homemade cookies and putting them in bags with a thank-you note attached. For the environmentally-minded, consider giving individually potted plants, or seed packets. When your guests take these gifts home and plant them, they’ll be sure to remember your wonderful wedding. For a crafty bride, consider making your own candles or soaps with a signature scent.

Overall, wedding favors should be something that your guests will appreciate, and will make them remember you and your wedding day. Your guests bring you gifts, and giving them a small token in thanks is an honorable gesture that they will be grateful for.

(Article Courtesy of Cathy's Concepts)

To view our practical favours, click here.
To view our candle favours, click here.
To view our edible favours, click here.
To view our favour boxes, containers and accessories, click here.
To view our destination wedding favours, click here.

Donate your dress for cancer research!

2010-03-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

I came across this wonderful charity after my wedding in July 2008 that I just had to share. The Bride's Project is located in Toronto, Ontario. They depend on the generosity of brides to donate their wedding dresses so that other brides may have the opportunity to purchase the dress (talk about an environmentally friendly way to recycle your dress and have someone else enjoy your dress as much as you did!) and all of the proceeds go towards the Canadian Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Foundation. So whether you reside in the Toronto area and are looking for a gently used dress for your big day for a charitable cause, or you would like to donate your dress (you can ship from anywhere in Canada), visit their wonderful website for more information.

http://www.thebridesproject.com/

Regards,
Diana, Owner
The Wedding Shoppe

Be informed before you buy your favours from the U.S.!

2010-02-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

I often get customers contacting me to tell me they have found exact products on my website on other websites but at much lower prices. I often chuckle and tell them to investigate further, only to have them contact me later to tell me that the other website was American and the products were in U.S. dollars. When you then factor in international shipping costs from the U.S. to Canada along with expensive brokerage and duty fees, it actually turns out not to be such a great deal after all.

Take a recent example: a customer contacted me about a wedding coaster favour she had seen on my website that was selling for $2.25 each. An American website was selling the same favour for $1.50 U.S.! She wished to purchase 100 favours. Here is what it would have cost her to purchase it from the American store:
$1.50 converted to Canadian dollars (with exchange of 1.05) is $1.05 x 100 = $105.00
Brokerage and duty fees would be about $35-$45
And here is the real kicker, international shipping charged by the U.S. company would be $80 (Remember that coasters can be quite heavy to ship)!
Total Cost: $220-230 plus your federal and provincial taxes which would be billed to you when the delivery guy comes to your door with another invoice for the brokerage and duty charges.

When you purchase from us, shipping is much lower (probably between $20-$40) and, in fact, we currently offer free shipping on orders over $250 within Canada.

What I warn my customers about is the large number of online retailers out there who will lure you in with low product prices - but where they get you is the extremely high shipping costs (which they have inflated and are making a profit off of) and are counting on you to forget the cross-border fees.

So in the end, it doesn't really save you money to shop in the U.S. Buying in Canada would be comparable and sometimes even cheaper in cost, and you don't have to worry about cross-border hassles. Plus, you would be supporting the Canadian economy :)

I am not encouraging my customers not to shop around - on the contrary, I love it when the customer has shopped around and comes back to shop with confidence. We price our products competitively. If you have found a similar product from a Canadian company that is less expensive, we will do our best to price match it if possible.

Regards,

Diana, Owner

2010 Wedding Season - Here we come!

2010-02-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for this wedding season. If our January sales are any indication of what is to come, we predict that the 2010 wedding season will be a very busy and successful one. Therefore, the Wedding Shoppe is excited to be making major changes this year to help meet the needs of our Canadian customers.

Last year, Canadian brides and grooms were hit hard by the recession and we noticed an increase in budget-conscientious couples coming to us to help them save money by buying online instead of a brick and motor store where the overhead costs are higher, which ultimately means higher costs for the customer. While shopping online to save money is still a major motivating factor for 2010 couples, we're noticing an increased number of inquiries for unique products, higher quality items and requests for wedding trends.

For this reason, The Wedding Shoppe will be expanding our product line in 2010 from about 1000 products to over 2000 products, while still maintaining a competitive edge from a pricing standpoint! We've done this by offering more items from our current suppliers and offering brand new products from two more up-and-coming suppliers of wedding accessories. These new items are slowly being added every day and can be viewed from our homepage under "href="www.theweddingshoppe.ca/category_s/109.htm">New Arrivals 2010" and include everything from new trendy wedding favours, bridal accessories, supplies, decor and invitations.

Some may wonder how we are able to virtually double our online catalog so quickly. Since we are an online store (without a brick and motor retail front store), we are able to add as many products as we want online and do supply orders every 1-2 two weeks and purchase only what we need (e.g., the products that our customers have ordered). While this may mean that our customers may have to wait a couple of days or weeks for their order to arrive, they end up having the advantage of selecting from a large line of products to find the perfect items for their big day to reflect their unique styles and personalities. This is something that a small motor and brick store just cannot offer their customers and a major reason why I chose to open an online store instead of a retail front.

However, we understand that some customers are comfortable seeing products in person before purchasing. Therefore, another big change for 2010 is we have set up a very small showroom in London, Ontario that showcases samples or small quantities of our most popular items as well as some of our newer products. Customers simply need to book an appointment by e-mail (info@theweddingshoppe) or phone (519-457-6446) to come view the showroom. If there is a specific product you are interested in viewing, check with us first to make sure we have it in stock.

Continue to visit our blog once in a blue new. I will continue to post news, trends, articles and other interesting wedding-related material on this blog that I hope will be relevant to my customers. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by e-mail.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Regards,

Diana, Owner
The Wedding Shoppe