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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2001-02-07, Page 20MARY KAY` picture-Perfect You want your wedding to be perfectly beautiful, and you've put a lot of hard work into making sure it is. Let me help by treating you and your wedding party to a complimentary facial and personalized makeover tips. I'll also be happy to show you our collection of makeup, skin care and fragrance-gifts, with gift wrapping available. Sieftftv Slav Independent Beauty Consultant 519-526-1010 111,74 • lax tie hotfect Wedding... Whether you're dreaming of a fairy tale 4.) princess-look or you require , understated elegance, we've got the hairstyle to suit you. It's a Shear Thing Rhonda McArter Brussels 887-9025 DREAMS COME TRUE count on Luann's Country Flowers to provide you with gorgeous flowers & gifts • Traditional or contemporary • Fresh or silk We will create elegant bouquets, centerpieces & corsages to suit your style & budget Bridal Gift Registry RENTALS AVAILABLE Call 523-4440 to make an appointment for your FREE CONSULTATION See us Sunday, Feb. 25 at Goderich's 4th Annual Bridal Exhibit, Suncoast Mall Luann's Country Flowers & Gifts Queen St., Blyth 523-4440 NJS Weddingshop Your Source for Party Rental Items in Mid-Western Ontario Columns, Arches, Centerpieces, Pillars, Backdrops, Candelabras, Tulle, Lights, Ivy Garlands, Linen and Glass Rentals Pickup and Deliver), Available Also Available to complete your day Wedding Invitations, Accessories and Decorating Supplies See us at the Suncoast Mall Bridal Show February 25th located on #4 North of Clinton at 3rd corner Tuesday - Friday 9 - 5:30 p.m. Evenings & Saturdays - by appointment 519-482-5184 PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2001. 7C)evolek29- 51Tanner 2001 Registry eliminates guesswork Josie, a newlywed, was disap- pointed with her wedding gifts. Although she had carefully regis- tered for the china, crystal and flat- ware patterns she wanted, most of her guests neglected to find out where. Instead, Josie received eight vases, five picture frames, three sugar-and-creamer sets and only one-and-a-half place settings. She had hoped to begin entertain- ing friends at home right away, but all her free time after the wedding was spent returning unwanted gifts and haggling with salespeople. The bridal registry will take the guesswork out of wedding gifts, but only if it's used correctly by the cou- ple and their guests. Here are the golden rules for smooth, successful registering: • Register three to six months before the wedding. If you register earlier, some seasonal patterns and promotional items may be out of season by your wedding day. • Visit the store during off-hours, so you can examine patterns and consider your choices in a relaxed and tranquil environment. So many questions, 'so many details, so many emotions — it's no wonder even the most organized bride-to-be can feel overwhelmed and anxious about finding the per- fect wedding dress. Knowing what to expect before she steps into a bridal shop can help put her mind at ease. Bride's magazine polled owners of top bridal stores for their answers to the most common dilemmas faced by brides-to-be. The resulting "insider shopping information" appeared in a recent issue. Here, a sampling: When should a bride start shop- ping for her gown? Begin the search six to eight months before the wed-. ding, since it can take manufacturers up to six months to fill an order, with alterations taking several weeks on top of that. What homework should she do first? Look through bridal maga- zines, marking the pages with gowns she loves. "Don't rip them out," advises one bridal expert. "We need to know the page and manufacturer to locate the style number." Also keep in mind the • Give yourselves plenty of time. These are important decisions, and you should think them over. Many brides-to-be first come in alone to narrow down their selections, then return with their fiances to make final decisions. • Take advantage of registry con- sultants. These experts 'are invalu- able sources of advice about every- thing from wedding etiquette to bone china. • Be descriptive. Don't write down just any number on the registry form — it may not be the style number. Include as much description as pos- sible. • Register in a price range. Include high-priced gifts for guests who can afford them, less expensive gifts for shower guests and guests on limited budgets. • Use your imagination. China, crystal, silver, linen and housewares are classic wedding gifts — and perennial favorites with brides and grooms — but consider registering for furniture, sports and camping equipment, gardening tools, comput- ers and stereos. Several specialty time and site of the wedding, since a dress appropriate to a garden cere- mony will look out of place in a cathedral, What should the bride bring with her for her first appointment? Although most shops offer sample undergarments for try-ons, a smart bride will bring her own lingerie and shoes: a strapless bra or bustier, a slip in a neutral shade, white hosiery, and shoes in different heel heights. How much will she have to pay "up front"? Many shops expect a non-refundable, 50 per cent deposit when the dress is ordered, with the balance due either 30 days later or when the bride-to-be picks up her gown. While dress prices differ greatly, shop owners estimate that the aver- age cost is between $1,000-2,000, and alterations will average from $50-500. What about "moving up" the wed- ding date to ensure that the dress arrives in time? Many brides are tempted to try this, but the experts advise against it, pointing out that reputable bridal stores deal only with stores and mail-order catalogues now offer registries for gifts from antiques to CDs. • Don't overlap. Register for each item in one store only. Otherwise, you will go crazy keeping track of gifts that have and haven't been pur- chased. • Never announce your registra- tion in wedding invitations — this implies that gifts are as important to you as guests. Friends and family can make sure word gets out. • Save mailing labels from the packages you receive. If you decide to return the gift, the label may be your only proof-of-purchase. • Keep a running gift list. Make a note of each item you receive, who sent it and any thoughts that come to mind when you unwrap it. This will make writing thank-you notes easier. Once gifts start piling up, cards are easily misplaced, and your memory becomes unreliable. • Follow up with your bridal regis- trar. Contact her after the shower to compare notes; pay a visit after the wedding to fill in any purchases that weren't received from guests. manufacturers they trust, and that lying may be counterprotrictive. For example, if the bride has her heart set on a gown that takes a long time to order, the sales consultant may rule it out because the delivery date cuts it too close to the wedding. What if the bride is in a rush? Larger stores can often accommo- date last-minute bridal shoppers, placing rush orders for gowns to arrive in three to eight weeks. But brides should expect to pay a sur- charge for this service. Are there any cost-cutting ideas for the bride-to-be on a tight budget? Many stores will have sample dress- es on sale, especially if a line has been discontinued Another option: ordering a dress in a less-expensive fabric. What if the bride's weight changes before the wedding day? Weight fluctuations (and brides on diets) are common. Don't buy a dress in a size you hope to be. If the bride gains weight just before the wedding and her dress no longer fits, the shop may be able to get extra material from the manufac- turer overnight. Tips for choosing the right gown