Wedding Guide 2003

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Lodi’s Fourth Annual Bridal Event
Sunday, Feb. 23
Lodi Grape Festival Grounds
Chardonnay & Zinfandel Halls
Registration: 1 p.m.
Fashion Show: 3 p.m.

INDEX OF STORIES

» Brides still take stock in traditional invitations
» Discovering where wedding customs originate
» Say 'I do' to dress desingers' latest trend of corsets
» Always in fashion, diamond rings are a centuries-old trend
» Custom-made dresses affordable option to designer gowns
» New ways to top off your wedding-day ensemble
» Ethnic weddings mix traditional and modern customs
» Simple ideas for creative wedding favors
» Flowers create sweet-smelling nuptials for wedding party
» Grooms wanting something with a different ring to it
» Honeymoons put final fun, touch on weddings
» Creative ideas help savvy brides cut costs, not corners
» Take time to indulge yourself before you walk down aisle
» Here comes the bride, there goes the budget
» Don't be left singing the blues when it comes to wedding music
» Planning a wedding can be just as fun for the groom
» Lodi area offers many options for wedding reception sites
» Special ways to say thank you to the bridal party
» Personalized vows are unique celebrations of a couple's love
» Family grape growers open romantic wedding winery

Custom-made dresses affordable option to designer gowns

By Sandra Gonzalez
Special to the News-Sentinel

Custom-made wedding and bridesmaid dresses are becoming an affordable alternative to the expensive designer gown and standard bridal magazine fashion. Casa Gonzalez Bridal Boutique in Lodi has created “designer-inspired” gowns for nearly ten years.


	(Courtesy photo) This custom-made wedding dress cost significantly less than the designer gown it was inspired by

“We get brides that dream of a couture dress, but can never afford a dress that costs $2,000-$10,000. Our Boutique creates designer-inspired dresses for brides with couture tastes and bridal budgets,” says Ramona Gonzalez, owner of Casa Gonzalez.

The results are one-of-a-kind creations that equal any runway from New York, Paris or Milan at a fraction of the original cost.

Gonzalez recalls how a recent bride wanted a designer bridal dress that originally cost $6,000. Working closely with the bride, Casa Gonzalez Bridal Boutique designed a dress with silk satin, silk organza overlay and hand-sewn Japanese pearls, inspired by the brides’ favorite designer. The dress cost her $1,500, a $4,500 savings.

Brides also ask for unique bridesmaids’ dresses as well. With high-fashion magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, in hand a bride asked for a reproduction of a designer dress originally costing $1,100. The bride chose polyester satin instead of silk, which helped keep within her budget.

“Using the magazine photo as inspiration, we made some changes to suit the bride, her bridesmaids, their budgets and voila!” Gonzalez said. “A fashionable dress that bridesmaids can wear after the wedding and looks hot off the runway.”

No one needs to know that the custom-made dress cost only $250 (a savings of $850). Having a dress custom-made offers the bridal party variations that can work within budgets and visions. Material choices, such as silk organza versus polyester organza, Swarovski crystals or rhinestones, Japanese pearls or faux beading, can help make the dress more affordable or unique depending on the bride’s decision. Because the garment is hand-tailored, there are no additional alteration costs, which can exceed $200 for a catalog ordered dress.

“Some brides choose top quality silk fabric, but decide on rhinestone accents instead of more expensive crystals. By having the dress custom-made there is room to work with the design and budget,” Gonzalez said.

Other advantages to a custom-made gown beside budget savings include personal attention to detail by both the bride and gown maker. The gown maker and the bride build a personal relationship over the planning of the gown. Both have a vested interest in the process as the bride wants the gown of her dreams and the gown maker’s reputation will be on display the day of the wedding.

Since the dress is custom-fitted to the bride’s shape, she is guaranteed comfort and confidence on her big day. Based on initial measurements the dress is cut and base-stitched. At the second fitting the bride wears her wedding shoes and undergarments to ensure proper sizing. By the final fitting the dress is perfectly suited to the bride’s form. The last thing a bride wants to worry about on the big day is a puckering neckline or crooked hem.

Brides considering a custom-made gown should take into account the following: Ask for references: Ask friends, family and co-workers for referrals. Be sure that you are referred to gown makers that are known for quality. What is the gown-maker’s reputation of the work quality, customer service and personal attention to detail?

Gown-maker’s experience: “A bridal gown seamstress can make a dress but a dressmaker cannot make a bridal gown,” Gonzalez said. There are two different techniques of measurements, fabrics and fittings. Working with an experienced bridal shop owner who specializes in custom-made wedding attire is very important. A qualified gown maker will give you the feeling of confidence and will tell you what will and will not work with your design choice. (Again, their reputation is on the line too.) Ask to see samples and pictures of their work. Looking at a completed product will let the bride see the quality of seams, finishing detail, and materials used.

You get what you pay for: If Aunt Ruth knows a co-worker’s neighbor who sews bridesmaid dresses out of her house on the side for only $50 a dress plus material, ask yourself — is that worth it? It may seem like a good deal, but what are you really getting for your money and in the end will you pay more in stress, re-dos and time for your dress? Remember custom-made dresses are a work of art, and though local prices are reasonable and affordable, they do reflect the personal attention and expertise of your gown-maker.

Having a wedding gown custom made is not as expensive as one may think when compared to designer prices. Local brides looking to make a unique statement or wishing for that “designer-inspired” gown can now have their dreams come true and still afford the honeymoon! Casa Gonzalez Bridal Boutique specializes in attire and accessories for wedding, quinceañera, communion and christenings. They located at 830 S. Central St., and open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For more information, call the boutique at 369-5806.

PLEASE VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS

» Amorosa Inn & Gardens
» Angelina's Spaghetti House
» Balloons Unlimited
» Beyond Pots and Pans
» Black Tie Gourmet
» Blum Jewelers
» Crepe Vine
» Davis Photography
» Diet Center
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» Giuffra's Party Rentals
» Grand Island Mansion
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» Habanero Hots
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» Ironstone Vineyards
» Judy's Alteration Shop
» Katie Bender - Esthetician
» L&L Travel
» Larson's Hallmark Shop
» Liene's Bridal Shop
» Loel Center and Gardens
» Maddie's Antiques
» Marquis Entertainment
» Maxine's Bridal Shop
» Mokelumne Coffee
» Mokelumne River Winery
» Ocean Avenue Bed & Bath
» Porfi's Restaurante y Cantina
» Ramos Jewelers
» Russell's Full Service Salon
» Terra Photography
» The Point
» The Studio
» The Tea Cottage
» Tipton's
» Travis Cafe & Catering
» Tux & Tails
» Tuxedos of Lodi
» Vikki Goodman Photographer
» Vintage Limousine Service
» Weddings by James