Help Me I Can't Find the Underwear!

How important is Underwear? From the experience of a seamstress, it can completely change the way your cloths fit you. I have seen SO many women not need major alterations, by putting on a pair of SPANXS. Also lately brides have been coming in with corsets. While these will give you tiny waists, they flatten and push the breast up like cupcakes. This look is great for S&M, or a Medieval Bride, but contemporary designers give a rounder and fuller curve for the bust. When you re-shape the bust of a wedding dress that is covered with beads and embroidery, add another $50 to $200 to the price of your dress. Believe it or not the right bra or even bra cups can save you a lot of money. Most important to remember, bring the bra you are going to wear on THE DAY OF to your first alteration fitting. And don't forget the shoes.

We have stopped selling bras, only because you can go to Wal-mart and buy a very similar long line bra for under $15. We sold ours for $55, and David's Bridal has the same for $75. The other reason was, we felt that we could not carry enough styles to fit all the different needs of our clients. For many years we would refer our customers to Pennyrich Bra Shop. Unfortunately they are no longer in business. We have been looking for somewhere else to send our patrons, they must truly understand how to measure and find the cut to fit all shapes and cup sizes. If anyone who reads this has a suggestion about where to go in Tampa,FL PLEASE let me know.


P.S. If you know a good Dry Cleaner.

children in the wedding

Aren't they cute.Remember that there is a lot of waiting around, at the same time there are millions of things to do. Small active children can sometimes make a stressful moment, over the top. That's only if you expect them to be perfect, I know my own children never surprise me with the things that they can get in to, or say


One way to avoid this is to hire a sitter just for the ceremony, that way if you have a long religious ceremony, they could sit in another room. Bribery is another way to give them incentive to be on their BEST BEHAVIOR. It can help to have some hand held games. That way the will not announce they are BORD every 15 minutes.

Wedding Tackyness

These are the list of things that are just... TACKY!

♦As the Bride it is alright to ask someone to back out of your Wedding, but before you give the replacement Bridesmaid the dress. Tell the former Bridesmaid first. I don’t think that the Bridal boutique should be the one to tell her she’s out.

♦You wait for the Bride to pay for her Gown, then tell her that it is ugly. NO REFUNDS!!!!!

♦You tell the Bride her dress is ulgy days before her wedding

♦As a bridesmaid you alter the Bridesmaid dress to look like a Hoochie Mama, and the Bride doesn’t find out until you show up.

Glossary of The Gowns

Wedding Dress Glossary
As seen on: http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/guide/glossary

Silhouettes

A-line/Princess

Slim-fitting with vertical seams from shoulders to hem. Best for: All body types.
Ballgown

Full skirt with a fitted bodice and waist. Best for: Pear shapes, full figures, and tall, slim builds.

Basque

Dips below the natural waistline and forms a "V". Best for: Pear shapes.

Dropped

Dips below the natural waistline and sits on the hips. Best for: Hourglass figures.

Empire

Small, scooped bodice and high waistline with a slender skirt. Best for: Figures with thick waists.
Mermaid
Fitted to the knee, then flared. Best for: Slim, tall builds.

Sheath
Narrow, body-conscious style that hugs the bust, waist, and hips. Best for: Slim, tall builds and petite figures.

Necklines

Bateau
Follows the curve of the collarbone from shoulder to shoulder. Also called "Sabrina."
Halter
Wraps around the neck; generally leaves arms and back bare.
Off-the-Shoulder
Fits just below the shoulders with long or short sleeves.
One-Shoulder
An asymmetrical neckline where one shoulder is covered and the other is bare.
Portrait
Slightly scooped with extra material framing the neckline.
Scoop
A deep U-shaped neckline.
Square
Straps and straight neckline create a square shape.
Strapless
Neckline goes straight across the body just above the bust.
Sweetheart
Heart-shaped neckline.
T-Shirt or Jewel
A round neckline resembling that of a T-shirt.
V-Neck
Drops from shoulders to collarbone in a "V".

Fabrics

Brocade
Jacquard-woven fabric with a raised design.
Chiffon
Transparent fabric of sheer silk or rayon.
Crepe
Soft fabric with a crinkled surface.
Eyelet
Open-weave embroidery.
Damask
Similar to brocade, but lighter in weight.
Duchesse Satin
Silk-and-polyester mix woven to create a satiny finish.
Doupioni
Silk with a thick, coarse finish and a slight sheen.
Illusion
Fine, sheer fabric often used on necklines and sleeves.
Organdy
Stiff, transparent silk or rayon fabric.
Organza
Sheer, stiff fabric of silk or synthetic material. Similar to tulle, but less coarse.
Satin
Smooth, heavy fabric with a high sheen on one side.
Shantung
Plain-weave silk or cotton fabric with a rough surface.
Silk
Smooth, soft fabric that is the priciest wedding dress material.
Silk Mikado
Blended silk that's heavier than regular silk.
Taffeta
Crisp, lustrous, light-weave fabric.
Tulle
A fine, starched netting of silk, rayon, or nylon.

Laces

Allençon
Re-embroidered, Chantilly lace.
Belgian
Laces made with machine-made grounds.
Chantilly
Fine mesh, often with scalloped edges, with delicate scrolls and floral designs.
French
Machine-made lace fabrics that imitate handmade French lace.
Guipure
Heavy lace with large patterns in needlepoint or bobbin.
Schiffli
Machine-made lace with delicate floral embroidery.
Venise
Heavy lace with floral, foliage, or geometric designs.

Bustle

Bustle
Pulling up and fastening the train at the back of the wedding dress, often with hooks and eyes or buttons, for the reception.
French Bustle
Fastening the train underneath the top layer of the wedding dress, rather than pulling up the train to secure it.

This is not my first wedding, can I wear white?

Of course you can wear white!
Ladies, let me give you a little history lesson. Couples would only get married to join LAND, MONEY, or POWER. When the bride's father "Gave her away". Literally the bride would be given to the groom as a payment of some sort. The veil being lifted from her face, by the bride's father, would be the first time that the Bride would formally meet the groom. "As the father gave the Bride away". If that bride wore white, then her family was very rich. Only the wealthy could afforded the be able to purchase white satin or silk. Only wealthy people could afforded lace and seed pearls. Only the very wealthy could keep white garments clean. So they had a lot of money.
In in some cultures the bride wears red for good luck, Some a rainbow of colors.
In todays society, if you want to get married on the beach and wear bathing suits, go for it. If dressing in county and western is your thing have at it. White can be a symbol for a new beginning. So, make a fresh start. Don't feel afraid to wear what ever color you want to. It doesn't tell you who you are, but it could say, we are starting a new life together. Just remember that a wedding is a celebration. If you are not going to be formal, and traditional then what ever you do you must be FUN, just have a good time.

How do you know it is "THE WEDDING DRESS"

I have seen hundreds of Brides try on wedding gowns. For some it can be as easy as the first dress. Others only have weeks before the wedding, and they are freaking out, usually they throw up there hands and say, "I'm just going in jeans and t-shirt!". I have yet to see a bride get married in jeans, unless they wanted to.
Everyone has heard "When it's the dress you just know it". Sometimes Brides put on something that I think is nice, maybe not WOW for their bodies, but when I see how they just...glow I don't say anything. Although if they want suggestions I will have them try-on something that I think will enhance their shape.

These are MiMi's tips to finding the right gown

• You are a woman, show off your curves. A waist that looks smaller then your bust and hips is ALWAYS sexy.
• Can you see yourself wearing this at the wedding site? Does it look more like the Church, Beach, Victorian Garden or a Las Vegas wedding.
• Would your grandchildren make fun of you. Think timeless trendy does come back in cycles (every 30 yrs or so).
  
• If someone other then your Mom cries, says WOW, or is unusually speechless. You've got a winner.

• If you can't stop looking at yourself in wonder, or you just don't want to take it off. Beautiful and comfortable is very important.

Here is my most important tip, before a consultant tries a dress on you let them know your budget. Why try on a dress that is going to be WAY more then you really want to pay. Remember that 89 % of WOMEN need alterations, figure in another 10 % - 50 % of what you just paid to the cost. Also there are shoes, undergarment,and if you choose to do a veil and headpiece. These things just add up. So if a sales associate turns up her nose and announces that nothing is that price, trust me you don't want her helping you!

Mekong Bridal and Tuxedo will be moving again on April 1st

In the next few months we will be gearing up to move to our new location. 220 Moon Street, Brandon FL. 33610. It is on the corner of Moon St, and Highway 60 in the Executive Center. The parking will be much better, the intersection that we are at now is very busy and dangerous. We have enjoyed being at Parsons Plaza, but this move will beneficial for everyone. Our phone number and store hours will not change. Just try to understand that we will be scatter-brained and possibly a little more crazier then usual. We apologize ahead of time.

Thank you,
Mai, Toi, and Mimi