From I will to I do

We Are Moving!

2011-12-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

The Gallery by Lynette will be moving a couple of doors down, in the same building complex that we are currently in. Our new address is 5404 S Freeway Park Drive next to Guitar Center. Our new store is in the works and we are making some amazing changes to the way we structure our bridal and prom fittings. Brides and prom customers will be able to reserve our complimentary suites to allow them the opportunity to try on dresses in a unique and spa-like atmosphere. It's something like having your own private little store to shop in.Pictures to come!

Style 7124 with optional captain sleeve

To help make the move a little easier on us (and the wedding dress budget a little easier on our brides) we are having a sample sale! Gorgeous dresses in all sizes and styles at a great price- most are at least 50% off their ticket price.

We are still working on exact dates of when we will be moving into our new store. For updates, please add us on Facebook (the link is on the right hand side of the page), or give us a call. We are looking forward to the fresh changes to come, and to helping our beautiful brides find the wedding dress of their dreams.

To reserve your own personal shopping experience at The Gallery by Lynette please call 801-773-7435, visit us online at www.lynettes.com or stop by 5316 S Freeway Park Drive, Riverdale Utah. We are beside I 15 freeway, exit 338, just north of the Hill AFB Museum

-The Gallery Team

Dress Feature

2011-12-21T16:45:00.001-07:00

This beautiful vintage inspired drop-waist wedding dress was designed by the talented owner of The Gallery, Lynette. I was absolutely in love with it the first time I saw it and it has remained one of my favorite dresses in the store.

Crystal Bridal Couture Style 7124 color way Ivory/Champagne

The bodice of the dress has a sweetheart neckline with a small strip of pleated organza peeking out the top. The soft tulle rouching on the bodice flattens and flatters any body type, and the hand beaded re-embroidered alencon lace really pulls it all together.

The line of the bodice to skirt is gently rounded up to the front left hip, which is very flattering. The skirt has alternating layers of pleated organza and beautifully detailed lace.

The back of the dress is just as stunning as the front, with a full loop and lace up back closure, and a beautiful and delicate brush train.

Because this dress was designed by Lynette and made in our factory, there are many options for making any changes that our brides might need such as changing the color, size and neckline. It can be ordered in any size and if it is needed, we can customize the exact measurements to your body. This dress comes in all white, all ivory, or ivory lace over champagne. For brides who are looking for sleeves on this dress, it can be done beautifully. Here are just two of many ways that we can make this dress modest for you.

Style 7124 shown with optional captain sleeve

If you would like to try on this dress, or any of our other amazing dresses in the store, please call and set an appointment with The Gallery by Lynette at (801) 773-7435.

What We Love Wednesday ♥

2011-12-21T14:38:00.001-07:00

There are so many beautiful things in the wedding (and especially bride) world. Today we want to feature something that can really complete a bride's look and add an extra touch to your wedding day look- headpieces. There are so many to choose from! You can have a headpiece that has feathers, is covered with diamonds and pearls, or is just the classic flower. Whatever you decide to do, headpieces can really show off your personality and add that extra bit of flair and femininity.

Another fun feature about headpieces is that you can choose to wear a veil during your wedding, and then switch to a headpiece for your reception. You can also bring both a headpiece and a veil to your bridal photoshoot , and switch them throughout your shoot so you can get a variety of looks.

Here at The Gallery we have a gorgeous selection of headpieces that are hand picked specifically to coordinate with our dresses. They are great quality and can really add the final touches to your look. Here are just a few of our favorite headpieces we have in our store...

Free form feather floral with wisps of petals. Place on the side of a chignon and a
small veil centered in the back.

You'll be stylin' in this elongated feather, flower and crystal comb. May be worn on
the side high or low for added drama.

Fabric Flowers and real feathers with just a touch of pearl and crystal in the center.

Feathers and bold crystals on a headband that can be hidden under your hair.

Symmetrical flower from feather with crystal star burst, pearl center and
curly feather wisps.

Vintage style with dramatic bling!

Soft organza loops and petals with crystal topped stems.


Hand wrapped pearl twists, organza and horsehair petals with feather accents.

No matter which headpiece you choose, you will surely look stunning on your wedding day. Hair ornaments such as a soft hairpiece are both feminine and alluring. Be sure to visit our store to see our full collection 5316 S. Freeway Park Drive, Riverdale, Utah or visit us online at www.lynettes.com.

Choosing your wedding day jewelry...

2011-11-19T12:26:00.001-07:00

The jewelry and accessories you choose can make or break your wedding dress. Because you have put so much time and thought into your dress, you want to be sure to choose wedding jewelry that will complement your dress and bring your entire look together. Here are some tips to do so...

A common mistake brides make is not matching the style of their jewelry with the style of their dress. If your dress is an elegant ballgown, stick with elegant jewelry. If your dress is more vintage, wear vintage jewelry. However you also want to keep your own personal style in mind. If you are not one to wear flashy chandelier earrings, wear something more simple. Pearls and diamonds are timeless and are typically safe with any dress style. This chunky layered look adds a twist to the regular single strand pearls.

Have your dress on your body when you are trying on jewelry. This is the only way to ensure that your jewelry is going to complement your dress exactly how you want it to. You also want to keep your hairstyle in mind so it wouldn't hurt to have your hair done or similar to how it will be on your wedding day.

One of the most important things to look at is the neckline of your dress.

For a sweetheart neckline, you may want to skip the necklace altogether and go with some chandelier earrings. You could also opt for wearing soft flowers in your hair and simple earrings with no necklace. If you do decide to wear a necklace, keep it simple so that it doesn't take away from the neckline.

For a strapless neckline, try either big earrings or a big necklace but not both.

If your dress is a V-neck or halter, try a necklace with a pendant, or Y drop necklace to imitate the neckline. Again, a simple strand of pearls works with these dresses too.

If you want to add color, use something meaningful like your birthstone, or even the stone of the month you and your husband-to-be met, or the month you are getting married in. You can also match some of the colors in your bouquet.

Consider incorporating "something old" or "something blue" into your jewelry. For something old, try some jewelry that one of your relatives or husband's relatives has. Vintage jewelry is beautiful and you may be surprised what you find in an old jewelry box. For something blue, try incorporating a bit of Sapphire, aquamarine, blue topaz or other shades of blue into your jewelry. It doesn't have to be bold and stand out, it can be something very subtle.

You should also take the color of your dress into consideration when choosing your wedding day jewelry. These color tips are from a great wedding website, theknot.com:

For a white gown, gold embellishments may clash with this bright white hue. We suggest sticking to pearl and platinum.

Diamond-white gowns (barely off-white) work with gold and silver (and rose gold, and pearl -- you get the idea).

This one works best with silver because of the silver embellishments on the dress.

Ivory Gowns often have yellow undertones. Adorn yourself with gold jewelry to highlight the creamy tint of the fabric.

This necklace is a mixture of pearls and gold.

All of these are general tips and rules of thumb, but every body type, dress color, neckline and skin tone vary. So the most important thing to keep in mind is that your jewelry shouldn't take away from your dress, it should add the finishing touches to it. Take pictures of you in your dress with different kinds of jewelry on and then see which ones you feel really bring your bridal look together.

Remember that this jewelry can be used as a sentimental keepsake to pass down to your daughters or granddaughters, so look for jewelry that is good quality and will last through the years.

Wedding Inspiration: Pinterest Style

2011-11-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have not come across the website Pinterest, it is a great place to get ideas and inspiration for your wedding. Have you ever cut out pictures from magazines of the flowers, decorations, dress and hairstyles you want for your wedding? Pinterest is similar to this, but an online version where you can pin things you find as well as re-pin what other people have found. This is also great because you can click on the picture that you or someone else pinned, and it will take you to the website where the picture is from. I would strongly recommend using this website to help make your wedding planning easier, and more inspired.

Here are some wedding ideas I love that I have found using Pinterest:

Source: http://www.polkadotbride.com/

This is such a stunning photo idea.

Source: Unknown

Adds a twist to the typical flower girls or ring bearer.

Source: http://www.weheartit.com/

I love how classy this hairsyle is.

Source: lesapea.tumblr.com

Beautiful and original wedding decor

Source: http://www.weheartit.com/

Another great wedding photo idea.

Source: http://www.enchanteddreamweddings.com%27/

Even more adorable than regular cupcakes. I love the lace and the "I Do" sign.

Source: http://www.stylemepretty.com/

A beautiful way to thank your guests

Source: http://www.cristinamella.com/

An easy to do project for chairs.

The Elements of a Wedding Gown

2011-11-03T20:09:00.000-06:00

When I was a little girl my grandma would let me help hermake cookies. We would add the butter,eggs and sugar. This had to be wellmixed before we move to the flour, baking powder and finally the vanilla couldbe put in the bowl. If we were makingoatmeal cookies we added oatmeal, sometimes raisins or chocolate chips. If we made sugar cookies I got to sprinkle onthe colored crystals or decorate with icing from a bag she had cut the corneroff as I would pipe lips, eyes and noses on. We had little candies in many colors and shapes to add not only flavorbut visual interest.

The elements of a wedding gown are much like cookies. The fabric can be satin, taffeta, organza andchiffon. There might be lace, embroideryor bead work. Three dimensional flowersand fabric detail may be added. When youare standing, looking at yourself in the mirror, in the gown of your dreams youwill have the perfect combination of fabric, cut, detail and bling. These are known as the design elements of awedding gown.

Rouching is an interesting element that we see so much ofbut never grow tired of because it’s style is as varied as one’simagination. Folds of fabric are laidatop the base dress. Nimble fingers ofthe designer fold and pin and then stitch with quiet perfection. The direction of the folds carries the eye ofthe beholder across the body creating a visual masterpiece.

Embroidery is stitched, usually drawn on the fabric and thencarried out by a sewing machine guided by a meticulous operator at a hummingbirdstyle rate that is difficult for the human eye to see. The operator’s fingers stay close to move thefabric in just the right position at the correct time. It is fascinating to watch.

Hand cut lace applique is artistically placed in a pre-determinedpattern to draw the eye and create elegant patterns atop satin or taffeta. There are many different styles of lace thatwill be covered in an upcoming article.

Most of my customers are so surprised when I ask them “Do youknow how they get this magnificent bead work on your dress?” They wonder if there is a bead fairy or awonderful machine that puts them there. “I say, they put them on the dress by hand, one at a time with a needleand thread.” I have been around themaking of wedding dresses since I was a little girl but when I first startedbuying ready-made gowns more than 30 years ago the beads were glued onto thefabric and lace. This made greatproblems when it came time to launder the gown because the beads would oftencome off sometimes leaving dots of glue in the wrong places on the fabric. The best beadwork is a combination ofSwarovski crystals, beads, pearls and sequins. Glass beads will be more sparkly and will hold their sparkle throughtime. Nowadays, many companies areresorting to plastic beadwork because it is cheaper and glass beads must behandled more carefully.

The placement of the embellishments is also an element ofyour wedding gown. Select the cut, thenthe fabric, lace, beadwork, embroidery and all other elements of your gown.

The color and size can be the last choice you make when youshop with ample time that your gown may be ordered. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months foryour gown to be made for you. The moretime you allow yourself, the more choices you will have. Your wedding gown is the most important dressyou will ever wear. Take time to do itright and find a bridal salon where you feel that your long term happiness ismost likely to be achieved. At TheGallery by Lynette we want you happy in the store, out the door and door theaisle and that means we are here for you no matter what.

Please visit us at 5316 South Freeway Pk Dr, Riverdale, Utah 801-773-7435 or online at http://www.lynettes.com

Shop for your Gown First!

2011-10-09T20:48:00.000-06:00

If you need a pair of shoes you can fully expect to shop in a store and buy what you want, when you want, in the size and color you want. If you are hungry you can go to any restaurant or fast food place and get lunch now. But when you are shopping for your wedding gown, the most important and memorable item of clothing you will ever wear, you must plan ahead a little more.

The other day we sold a dress to a bride to be. We had the dress in ivory but she wanted it in white. No problem, we can order it. When we called our supplier we were told that the gown would not ship to us until the second week of February 2012. Yes, that is right, nearly 16 weeks from now. Why that's crazy you might say. Well, maybe it is but that is how it works. Some of our collections are available in 6 to 10 weeks on a special order but occasionally, a popular style or one with extra special and intricate detail will require more time.

After all, this is a very important dress. Doesn't it make sense that you would plan ahead?

At The Gallery by Lynette we have been serving bridal families for more than 30 years and have every service you would need to outfit your bridal party perfectly. It begins with the dress and no matter when or where you are getting married the most important thing to consider is that you want to look and feel your most beautiful on your wedding day. Because you don't wear a wedding dress often you might need some professional help finding the right one. At The Gallery by Lynette our consultants are experienced in the basic silhouettes and which ones look best on your body type. Once you know your best silhouette they can help you select the right details and fabrics from the hundreds of gowns we have in stock. We don't have to use high pressure selling. That is for when a store can't give you exactly what you want. We know what is available and our design department can change details and make your gown fit you like a glove. We are very different from other bridal shops.

Shop for your gown as soon as you know you are getting married even if you don't have a ring or a date. The longer you allow before your wedding, the more choices you will have and the better the outcome especially if something has to be tweaked. Don't worry if you plan to lose weight. We can allow for that and you couldn't lose so much weight that we can't alter your gown perfectly.

Don't listen to some of the so called " bridal store experts" who tell you it's too early to shop. Don't listen to them when they tell you what you should like as you desperately try to get them to listen to what you want. It's your dream and your day. Come to The Gallery by Lynette and lose the stress.

When you purchase your gown at The Gallery by Lynette you may be eligible for our new Diamond Savings card that will save you more than $900 in free stuff and discounts on the things you will need anyway such as half priced bridal jewelry and $50 off your veil. Give us a call today 801-773-7435 Click here for hours. More info at www.lynettes.com

Three Weddings One Dress

2011-09-19T18:15:00.000-06:00

Many things are passed down from generations: stories, sayings, and wisdom. Sometimes, a memento can be preserved through the years: granddaddy’s pocket knife or grandma’s glass set. But rarely is a satin dress able to soak in the collective joy, love and anxiousness of three generations of weddings – except in the case of at least one Dickson County family.
On June 16, 1947, Edward Edenfield married Dolores Ruth Hickle, who was dressed in a white candlelight satin dress, with Italian lace and an antique netting veil. Afterward, the new Mrs. Edenfield wrapped the dress in a black shower curtain and packed it away in a trunk. It stayed there for 33 years. When Jane Anne Edenfield decided to marry Wayne Bass, her mother brought out the dress. “(Wearing the dress) had been discussed. We always knew it was there,” Jane Anne said. “It was a beautiful gown… you can’t buy a dress like that any more.” Jane Anne had the dress taken in slightly, but otherwise, it fit perfectly.
The vows were exchanged, “I do” was said, and the dress went back into the trunk. In 1994, Dolores Edenfield passed away. Jane Anne’s sister had two little boys and Jane Anne had two young girls – so the dress fell to her. “It came to me so my girls could hopefully wear it,” Jane Anne said. Jane Anne’s daughter, Rachel, met and fell in love with Dewayne Tidwell about a decade later. They set their wedding for Oct. 1, 2005. It didn’t take long to decide on a dress. “It was just kind of a given,” Rachel said. “I thought it would be cool for a third generation to wear it.” However, Rachel “couldn’t handle the long sleeves” and had the dress slightly altered. She had the sleeves cut off and had the necking altered, as well.
Earlier this year, it was Rachel’s sister, Sarah’s turn to wear the dress when she married Bill Story. The only change she made was removing the bustle. “Just for it to still be intact and for all of us to wear it and it’s still just so pretty,” Sarah said. “It’s got the old romantic charm to it. It’s ageless – that’s what makes it perfect,” Rachel said. Both Sarah and Rachel said they didn’t mind missing out on the process of trying to find the perfect dress. “Once you put that dress on, you’re just like ‘wow,’” Sarah said. “Just the feeling you get when you put that dress on, sets it like ‘that’s the dress I’m going to wear.’”

The next in line for the dress is Rachel’s one-year-old daughter, Kinsley – if that’s the dress she chooses.
“If she says no, that’s her decision, and that’s alright,” Rachel said.
The dress still sits in the attic at Jane Anne’s home in the same black trunk for whoever wants to carry on the tradition.

Still reminding you about alterations

2011-09-03T22:41:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I took a phone call from a frantic mother who wanted to tell us about her horrible experience she and her bride to be daughter had with a local seamstress in regards to her wedding gown. For about 30 minutes this lady literally cried and lamented about the seamstress who initially promised to add sleeves to her gown but actually ended up doing them the way she wanted instead of listening to the bride and following pictures provided. The mom was calling stores in the area to warn them not to refer to this particular seamstress. We don't refer to any outside seamstress as we have our own in store design staff.

That same day a bride who purchased from The Gallery by Lynette a couple of months prior came in to buy a veil and headpiece. After they left Chelsa, who works for us, came and told me that she had taken her gown to two different seamstresses and still the dress was a disaster. I had Chelsa call the bride and she brought me her gown. Luckily, the only real problems with the dress were that the previous seamstress had gotten it quite dirty and there was no longer any fabric to work with because she had made a bolero out of it. A bolero that the bride had not ordered and didn't get to keep unless she paid for it.

I got this dress a week before the wedding and did the modesty fill that this bride expected all the long. She had taken it elsewhere hoping for a lower price but instead endured two months of nightmare excuses and worry. It was delivered 3 days before her wedding so that she could have bridal photos.

I will post photos as soon as they are available. In the meantime be sure to visit our facebook page dedicated to modest conversions Modest Gowns by Lynette

My New Car

2011-06-25T16:29:00.001-06:00

After many years I finally was able to afford the car of my dreams. It was extremely expensive, is beautiful to look at and the interior is plush and elegant. The carpet and seats are luxurious. I get great enjoyment out of driving my car. The ride is out of this world. I wash it and clean the interior every week.

The other day my neighbor called to ask if I could take her to the store because she didn’t have a car. “Sure”. I said. We agreed on the day and time.

When she knocked on my door I was surprised to see that she had brought her mother, two sisters, three toddlers and a grandma with her. I was more than a little surprised because she had not asked and at the very least I thought she would know I didn’t have car seats or sufficient room for all those people and myself in the car.

I grabbed my purse and the car keys and we walked to the garage. “Would you all please take off your shoes in my car?” I muttered as one of them opened the back door and the toddlers climbed in like monkeys and started jumping on the back seat. I gasped under my breath as one scrambled from the back to the front seat and I watched a dirty shoe make a deep mark on the fine leather my arm rest. Someone muttered something about taking off shoes but they got in with shoes still on ignoring my request.

I walked around to the driver’s side to find my neighbor already sitting in my seat with her hand out. “We have decided that I am going to drive since there isn’t room for everyone so you can stay here.” She grabbed for the keys as I swiped them behind me. “Oh, no. That is not happening!.” I said.

The mother expressed her disgust and the rest chimed in. They all got out of my car and stomped out the door and down my driveway. “We will never ask you for a ride again!” One yelled over her shoulder.

My stomach quivered and my hands shook. My phone rang and I fished it out of my purse. It was my husband. I told him of my experience and he gently talked me out of my hysteria. I actually felt bad like I had somehow caused this fiasco or at least could have seen it coming and been prepared.

Ridiculous, you say? How presumptuous of them? I actually don’t have a really expensive car but I do have a bridal shop full of about $250,000 worth of wedding dresses, formal gowns and other merchandise. This is all my personal property and I would be sued if a someone was hurt in my store. I have seen a child pull mannequins and racks down in their quest for fun.

This scenario is played out in my bridal store about once a week. A bride brings a crowd, often including small children who get bored easily and are allowed to wander or run uncontrolled through my store with little hands that want to touch everything. They love to explore our back room and hide in our racks and the dress bags make nice swings. We ask that our guests remove their shoes in our dressing and mirror area out of respect for our investment and also for the persons who will eventually buy the dresses that are being tried on today. The “no shoes” area helps us keep the gowns clean as the delicate train trails behind to and from the dressing room. We insist that we put the gowns on the bride because our people are trained to put the on and off with the smallest possible detriment to the gown while being very respectful of one’s modesty. We ask that no food be consumed in our store but it is surprising how a sticky piece of candy is given to distract an active child. That sucker in the hands of a child sitting on the lap of an adult can easily be hewn across the room to leave sticky residue on the skirt of an expensive gown. One busy Saturday an adult guest actually opened a yogurt and spewed pink yogurt on the skirt of a bridesmaid dress. At the least we have to pay to clean a gown but often the dress is ruined.

Shopping with several people results in several opinions and loads of confusion. You value their opinion or you wouldn’t have invited them. Even if they invited themselves they feel compelled to weigh in. Often before you yourself have expressed your feelings about the gown you are presently wearing. You thought you loved it but with that comment cousin Sally just made there must be something you aren’t seeing when in reality it has nothing to do with the dress. She is only jealous and wants the spotlight. You want everyone to love your dress as much as you do. Too many opinions often equal frustration and a wasted shopping trip. Demanding guests create imbalance with your consultant and she can’t serve you well. Remember, this is your day and your dress. Just because someone has an opinion doesn’t mean their taste is better than yours.

Back to the reason why we ask that you let us do our job and have requests that might be different from other places you have shopped. The Gallery by Lynette has been a Utah institution for the past 35 years. We rub shoulders with the biggest names in bridal and formal wear all the times. We tap their experience. Lynette knows the designers that we carry personally. She designs for and knows the owners of some of the largest bridal boutiques in the country and she teaches our consultants not only how to show dresses but how to show you the very best dresses for your figure, your budget, your tastes and your venue. Your friends and family love you and have your best interests at heart but they do not know our inventory or what we have available and if you come to our store with an uncooperative group, then you won’t have the best experience possible. We love our customers. We do everything possible to make you happy but we do have reasons why we ask you to take off your shoes, let us dress the bride, and not bring too many people shopping with you and it is all to help make your experience better.

Maggie Sottero Geneva Modest

2011-05-29T21:28:00.001-06:00

Of all the designers we have ever carried at The Gallery by Lynette, Maggie Sottero is by far the one we have most requests for. The fabric is exquisite, Maggie has the best fit in the industry, the lace and beadwork is flawless and the designs unique and incredible. But in Utah, we have so many bridal shoppers who need a more modest alternative. Have you ever fallen in love with a strapless gown only to have to give it up because you need something more modest? When you shop with us rest assured that if it can be done in fabric, we can make it happen. No matter what. If you change sizes, if you want a style change, anything. Even if you fall in love with a strapless and need sleeves. We can show you so many options and every temple fill that we do is designed uniquely and exclusively for you.

My mannequin and my bride are not shaped the same but since I recently completed this fill and since she is not yet married I wanted to show one of the possibilities. Look at the Maggie Sottero picture of the Geneva at the top of this post and look at our modesty translation. Also, the bride wanted a zipper back with buttons but didn't want to lose the fit with the corset so we moved the corset inside of the dress. If your gown is a zipper back but you want the fit of a corset it is very simple to add one to your gown. If you want access to every design change and alteration you must purchase from The Gallery by Lynette where we guarantee that you will not pay more for your genuine designer gown.

This gown fits flawlessly on our bride and we have converted this gown from a signature Maggie Sottero lace up back to a zipper with an internal lace up. I'll post real pics as soon as they are available.

We would love to know what you think. Be sure to follow our blog and make comments.
www.lynettes.com

see also
www.replicagowns.blogspot.com
www.maggiesottero.com

Alterations Gone Bad

2011-04-17T20:52:00.007-06:00

By Lynette Robinson

I am imagining the scenario where someone would call a store and ask “How much do you charge for a shirt?” Or you call your accountant and ask “How much will you charge me to do my taxes?” The logical answer would be “It depends on what you need.”

Especially in the case of your accountant a more relevant question would be, “What is your area of expertise and will you do my taxes correctly and if I am audited will you stand with me?”

The sad stories I have heard over the years about alterations gone bad have been too numerous to count and in most cases she has no choice but to wear the problem dress or buy a new one. I do understand the question regarding the cost of alterations is in an attempt to get the best buy and make your money go further but if you have to buy a new dress or pay for another seamstress to “un ruin” your gown, using the wrong alterations service is costly and stressful.

Not too long ago a young woman came to me and asked about a bra for a gown she purchased elsewhere. As I fitted her with the bra I made conversation with her because I could sense a deeper problem. She confided in me that her gown purchased at our competitor had undergone some alterations but still didn’t make her feel happy and beautiful. She had it with her in her car. I asked if I could see the source of her deep despair.

As I helped her into her gown I was really surprised to learn that she had purchased at a well-established local bridal shop. Someone at the shop had pinned the dress and the seamstress never saw her in it which I don’t really think would have saved her because the work was not professionally completed.

Now, I won’t mention the name of the bride or the store because this dress was such a mess. I will discuss the problems, what they did, how the dress came to us and what we did to fix it.

First, the shoulders were raised too high bringing the bust point in the princess seam too high resulting in a bubble of fabric above the largest part of her bust cup. The excess at the shoulder seam had been mostly cut off. The armhole had been cut in at the shoulders causing the sleeve to be too high and tight and the sleeve had bubbles in the front and around the armhole because it was set improperly. The beadwork on the top of the shoulder near the neckline had not been replaced after the alterations and there were bare spots and threads sticking up.

Our seamstress reset the sleeve and replaced the missing beadwork. She also let the shoulder down as much as possible but the bust curve remained above her own body bust point. She took in the sleeve hole which improved that part greatly.

The dress had obviously been much too big for the bride in the first place. They changed the dress from a zipper back to a lace up. This is not a difficult job but requires extensive experience. The lace up was only done from the neckline to the waist. The loops were made out of a cording that we usually use on the edge of a rat tail veil and will not hold up to the stress of being laced up. The lace up string was a funny gauze type material and stretched. My seamstress changed to a fabric loop which is industry standard and we provided a proper lace up string made of satin.

The waist of the gown was designed with rouching in a diagonal way across the mid-section but the over lay of fabric was very loose and the bride said she felt like it made her look pregnant. She said she had repeatedly told the other store people that she was not happy and they basically said that after nearly 3 months in alterations they had done all they could do for her. My seamstress took 7 inches (yes, you read right seven inches) from the circumference of the waist of the dress.

The bustle was another matter. There was a big very visible fabric loop surface sewn to the center seam on the train of the dress and a big covered button on the back of the dress at the waist. When one would put the loop over the button the hem of the train was lifted a full 18” off the floor instead of falling to floor length. There were also two white hooks on either side of the zipper at the waist from the first bustle the other seamstress tried and failed to complete correctly.

After taking the bodice in a full 7 inches it fits like it is supposed to. The neckline lays flat and the sleeves that had previously been moved in were moved back to their previous position. It is my opinion that they had this dress in stock that was far too big for the bride and convinced her that they could make it fit. The bride told me that she never saw a seamstress. The lady at the salon marked the dress and even though she had several fittings the seamstress never saw the dress on her. Most of the alterations that were performed were in a desperate attempt to get the dress out the door and off their racks.

As you can see from the pho to, our seamstress corrected the lace up conversion by replacing every flimsy loop with a proper satin loop and a satin lace up string. The result is a beautifully symmetrical and even closure. The hooks and big button for the bustle are gone. Our seamstress used a French style bustle which is completely invisible when the train is down and attaches underneath so it looks totally natural.

Notice that the hem of the train at the left is beautifully draping and ends just at the floor. Our bride shed tears, gave hugs and thanked us over and over for saving her day.

This is what a lace up back is supposed to look like.

So next time you feel inclined to ask about the charge for alterations a better question might be, “Is your seamstress qualified to do my alterations and will you stand behind your product?”

Lynette Robinson is a third generation bridal and formal wear dress maker and designer. She has also worked as a designer and sales representative for 3 bridal manufacturers and traveled to Asian gown factories on multiple occasions in the capacity of designer and consultant. She and her husband run their family owned bridal and formal wear store The Gallery by Lynette located in Riverdale, Utah just north of the Hill AFB Museum adjacent to I 15. Please call 801-773-7435 or visit us online at http://www.lynettes.com

The Real Cost to Make a Wedding Dress

2011-03-17T13:13:00.000-06:00

The Costs to Make a Wedding Gown -- Judge for Yourself

Can a factory in China make a dress and sell it for 10% of the original cost of a designer gown? Anything is possible I suppose but I haven't yet met anyone who has been 100% satisfied with a website order from a knock-off factory in China.

There are real costs associated with manufacturing a bridal gown. There's a limit as to how low prices can go -- given the amount of time and materials required to make the dress. Here are some of the guidelines that control gown pricing:

1. The Factory. Factories that produce bridal gowns for name brand designers wouldn't consider jeopardizing their client relationship by selling directly to consumers. They have much more to lose than they have to gain if illegal activities are discovered. The factories that are involved in producing knock-off gowns generally are not equipped to produce bridal apparel. They may be equipped to produce tennis shoes or T-shirts. Therefore, the equipment required for delicate lace appliques and fragile fabrics isn't available. The cost of the facility is part of the cost of the product.

2. Staffing. Bridal gowns are not constructed in the same way that blue jeans or T-shirts or sneakers are constructed. The people who sew these garments must be experienced in handling laces and delicate fabrics, bodice boning, intricate inter-facings and linings, complicated bodices and elaborate hems. Bridal specific experience translates into higher costs.

3. Identical Copies. It's virtually impossible to create an identical copy of a gown without having an original in hand. In many cases, it will be difficult -- perhaps even impossible -- for factories in China to obtain the original gowns to create a copy. More often than not, factories are forced to create patterns based upon ad photographs. Ad photographs generally show only one view of a gown rather than the view from all angles. Therefore, it's impossible for the factory to know exactly how a gown may look from the back or side. Therefore, it's impossible for the factory to deliver an "identical" copy.

4. Labor. Most bridal gowns require from 20 to 70 skilled hand hours to finish the gown. Less skilled labor diminishes the quality of the product and generally requires more hours to complete the garment. Lesser skills have an impact upon the way the gown is finished. Additional hours add to the cost.

5. Materials. Bridal gowns are big dresses. Usually they require from 10 to 50 yards of fabric -- depending upon the design and the width of the fabric bolt. Bridal gown fabrics generally are more expensive than typical dress fabrics. Even polyester fabrics can cost upwards of $30 per yard.

Every item used to create the gown adds to the cost. Lace, beading, zippers, interfacing, lining all have costs attached. While it is possible to cut production corners, there are limits. Even inexpensive lace trims can cost as much as $40 per yard.

A designer gown is appealing because of the combination of fabric, lace, beading, and design to create a total look. It's unrealistic to believe that inexperienced workers who are using the least expensive fabrics, laces, and accessories can deliver a finished product that even vaguely resembles a designer gown.

6. Shipping. As previously mentioned, it may cost anywhere from $50 to $150 to ship a gown from China. While the factory may have a refund policy that sounds attractive, the consumer is responsible for shipping to and from the factory. Shipping costs are not refundable. Therefore, it may cost you $150 to receive the gown and another $150 to return the dress if you don't like it -- $300 in shipping on a $200 bridal gown. The math doesn't work for most people.

Please accept this advice in the spirit in which it's offered. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it generally is. Don't be tempted by an enticing opportunity to buy a gown that is "identical" to any designer gown at a fraction of the cost. The gowns are seldom if ever identical. Lunch never is free.

Don't buy a gown unless you can try it on -- touch it -- see the quality for yourself. It isn't difficult to make even a hard decision when you know what you value. A cynic will know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Sometimes, it isn't worth the price for the value you receive.

The point in writing this isn't to tell you that bargains don't exist. That isn't true. However, you can't control something that you can't measure. When you order an item as important as your bridal gown online, there's no way that you can control the factors that are important to you.

Do You Really Need a Wedding Dress?

2011-03-14T21:54:00.001-06:00

Everyone knows there's a difference between a Need and a Want. You NEED to have a roof over your head but you WANT it to be a nice home in a quiet neighborhood. You need a car but want it to have a nice ride and look good. Same goes with wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, mother's dresses and accessories.

You NEED to have a dress. You WANT it to be in your budget.

You NEED to have the dress arrive on time. You WANT to try on every dress in a 100-mile radius.

You NEED to have all the bridesmaids in dresses. You WANT them to be all the same/different/same color/etc.

Unless you have an unlimited wedding budget, which is not likely, you are going to need to make some tough decisions over the next few months. You have already made the most important decision of all and I’ll bet it was quite easy. You said “I will” to your own prince charming and now is the time to begin creating your own fairy tale.

This is the time to make a list of the parts of your wedding that are the most important to you. I liken this to the idea that you are throwing a really great party. “What will I wear, what will we eat, and what will we do?” You also want to make sure to hire someone to record your day so you can relive it over and over.

If you are like most brides to be, your thoughts turn to the most important dress you will ever wear. Even the girls who come into my store saying it doesn’t matter find out that it does matter. The most laid back girls become picky. That is why it is essential that you shop in a real bridal shop. You can tell the best shop for you because you will feel welcome and assured by the staff, the atmosphere and the dresses.

Think about what is most important to you and allocate more of your budget in these areas and less in the places that don’t matter to you. Some things can be eliminated completely while others can be minimized. You might want to enlist the services of a professional at this point. Your bridal consultant can be invaluable even if she is not an overall wedding planner she has likely heard it all and can give you guidance as you navigate the sea of uncertainty and steer you away from crashing into the reef of big mistakes.

So many times I see brides lament over the bridal bouquet and flowers for the wedding party. Ask for referrals to the most creative and reasonably priced florist and ask for ideas to keep the cost in line. Most wedding party florals will fit in a small box and should not cost an arm and a leg. What about getting in-season flowers or asking to use flowers out of a friend's garden, or even having bouquets made of silk flowers? Your florist will have great money-saving ideas for you if you want to use fresh flowers professionally created into a stunning bouquet.

If you have the time and the creativity, why not design your own invitations? It does take a while, and is labor intensive, but it can be satisfying (and save you some money). If invitations are important to you, then plan your budget accordingly.

Another place where I see money wasted is in the cake that rarely gets consumed and at the end of the evening is a “monument to the trash can.” You can have your cake and eat it to and that is exactly what you should do. Budget your cake in with your food and make sure that it gets eaten. Make sure that there are slices of cake available for your guests to pick up at their leisure.

Isadora by Maggie Sottero available at The Gallery by Lynette

When you really put your budget in the right places you will find that your wedding gown is actually one of the more affordable line items but the impact on your day will be huge. It isn’t just for one day. You have been wearing your wedding gown in your heart since you were a little girl and you will wear it in your memory for the rest of your life. You will also wear it on your mother’s wall forever. My own mother’s wedding day picture in her wedding dress has been hanging on the wall in my home for the past 20 years and as I look at that young woman gazing into her new husband’s face I am so grateful that her mother didn’t talk her into a cheap dress because after all “it’s only for one day.”

Are you Guilty of Over Shopping?

2011-03-13T10:18:00.004-06:00

Are you Guilty of Over Shopping?

The other day I was helping a bride who told me that she had tried on dresses in eight different bridal shops and had yet to find “the dress.” We chatted for a few minutes and went to look at gowns. She pulled one and I pulled a couple. The first one she tried on was the one she had picked out. The second one she tried on was the first dress I pulled after our conversation. She squealed and jumped a little as she came out of the dressing room and got to the viewing area. I could tell from the smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye that we had hit pay dirt. She found her dress on the second try with someone who paid attention to her, asked the right questions and showed her the right gown.

I often hear a well-meaning friend or relative suggest that the bride couldn’t possibly buy at the first store she shops and should look around. I can tell you without a doubt that there is no way anyone could spend an hour alone or with a self-absorbed sales person in any store and know whether or not her dream gown is there. Some browsers will even walk the perimeter of my store and say that they can’t see what they are looking for. When I travel to a foreign country the first thing I do is take a tour with a native. Let them show me the points of interest and help me navigate the terrain. If I shop a new store or need a specific item I will find the most intelligent looking sales person and ask questions. Within minutes I have what I want and am happy.

When you shop at The Gallery by Lynette you will find friendly, attentive, knowledgeable consultants whose only agenda is to help you find your perfect dress.

Crystal Couture 1691 Available exclusively at The Gallery by Lynette

What we do is not rocket science but it is more than renting a building, buying a bunch of dresses and leaving customers to believe that this is a do it yourself project. Big box, most bridal shops and chain stores do exactly that and they are spending the huge amounts of money on marketing and advertising. The big box bridal stores that shall remain nameless sells 27% of the wedding dresses purchased in the U.S. Well, it’s no wonder. Have you ever shopped or registered online with one of the big box bridal stores? They keep themselves in front of you at all times with emails, phone calls, etc. You go there just to check things out and see what styles you like. Their sales people are trained in the “hard sell”, you get the deer in the headlights syndrome and suddenly you are out the door with a wedding dress you never intended to buy.

Do you want to buy the most important dress you will ever wear at an impersonal mass marketed, cattle herd style, chain store or do you want a one of a kind, personal and happy to the end experience? The choice is yours. If you or someone you know is getting married in the next 12 months you owe it to yourself to visit The Gallery by Lynette. Click here for more information.
Be sure to follow us for updates and industry new.

Looking for the Valentines Story

2011-02-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to the second story for the Valentines Story.

Wedding Gown Preservation

2011-02-10T18:11:00.003-07:00

I received a phone call the other day from one of my past brides. I could tell from her voice that she was distraught. She told me that she had a flood in her house and her gown had been ruined. When she discovered the water she set the boxed gown up but didn't check it as she assumed that since she had had it preserved in a box it was safe. After she attended to the other things she went back to the box that held the most important outfit she had ever worn. Her shoes, bra and veil were also in the box. When she opened it all she found was a mildewed mess. Black fungus had begun to grow in the fibers. I can picture her now and she probably looked a lot like the girl in this picture. I was heart sick for her. I had not handled her gown preservation. I wish she had let us do that for her.

Not all preservation is created equal. I hear stories of dry cleaners requiring a release prior to cleaning a wedding gown. They don't want to be held responsible in the event that your gown is damaged or ruined in the cleaning process. Some cleaners will dry clean your gown and put it in a box. Sometimes it will be in a bag, usually not sealed. Some so called authorities say that a gown should not be sealed. That fabric needs to breathe. Fabrics don't have lungs, why would they need to breathe? When you preserve peaches you seal them in a jar in a process that removes oxygen and bacteria and the peaches stay beautifully orange. There are 4 things that will deteriorate your gown. Air, moisture, sunlight and insects. If any of these come into contact with your gown you will have a problem.

Several years ago I was chatting with my preservation company rep. and she said that there had been flooding in Florida so severe that coffins were erupting from the grave yards and even some of their boxed wedding gowns had been recovered and returned to her for re boxing. As long as the inner clear packaging had not been punctured the gown was totally protected and preserved.

At The Gallery by Lynette we do not recommend any preservation method except first, cleaning by the best method for your particular gown, if it is silk it must use a low moisture cleaning process. Many gowns can be wet cleaned but must be dried thoroughly. The air within the preservation chest must be totally moisture and oxygen free and the sealed very heavy clear covering must be administrated by an expert. Sure, you might pay slightly more (usually not more than $20) but isn't it worth it to know that if your gown were found floating it would be protected. Our process is totally guaranteed and is only $199 for most gowns which includes both cleaning and archived. Drop your gown by and we will handle the rest. You can also include two accessories at no extra charge.

History of Saint Valentines Day

2011-02-07T21:50:00.001-07:00

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I
lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time,
Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and
I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.
Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join.
Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their
wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made
Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men
were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not
to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I
thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!
Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to
marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing
marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting.
Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We
would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps
of soldiers.
One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I
was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I
used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was
death.
I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened.
Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up
to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.
One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father
allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours.
She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by
ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was
to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and
loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."
I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on
Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now,
every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about
love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how
he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that
love can't be beaten!

Bridal Guide

2011-02-01T11:43:00.001-07:00

I just got off the phone with the Editor of Bridal Guide Magazine. He wants some input on the problems that brides are facing with the issue of buying wedding gowns off the internet. It is a big problem because un suspecting individuals are being tricked into thinking that the picture online is a representation of what they will receive. All I can say is the immortal words of Clint Eastwood "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you?"

(Read More)

Modest Conversion

2011-01-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Caroline Williams has shared her pics with us to show a beautiful modesty conversion by Cheryl at The Gallery by Lynette alterations manager. Doesn't she look happy?

Why Shop Now!

2010-12-21T09:39:00.001-07:00

Last July to September David and I attended our markets and met with factories to select the dresses and accessories for The Gallery by Lynette 2011 season. We are so excited and have been receiving them during the past few weeks. Along with the beautiful gowns we have also been receiving notices from our dress manufacturers that even though prices were up 15-20% from last year, they didn't estimate sufficiently and are raising prices on reorders by another 12-15% after the first of the year.

Why is this happening? Well, the Chinese currency is gaining value against the U.S. dollar, Chinese families can only have one child and this generation is now old enough to work in the factory resulting in a diminished work force, As the world is more globally minded Asian workers have more opportunities and the list goes on.

What should I do? you might ask. If you are going to be needing a prom dress, a wedding dress or a dress for a special occasion we recommend that you shop right away. One of our main suppliers' prices are going up on January 1 but it will take a couple of weeks to finish re pricing. We do sell off the rack but when we order we have to charge the higher price and it is confusing to have one price on the tag but a different price when ordering.

When you shop at The Gallery by Lynette be assured that you will receive the very lowest price possible. Our economy is actually in a recovery but it may take awhile for the effects to be apparent. We will do everything we possibly can to make sure that you can afford to have a beautiful, well made gown.

Please visit us today. Also, please pass this information on to your friends. We will keep you updated on specials, new arrivals and pertinent info when you follow our blog.

Have a very Merry Christmas

Design and Alterations

2010-11-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

We are happy to introduce Cheryl Yearsley who is a very talented and experienced designer with many years of experience in alterations and design. She also manages our GBL 2 Outlet where you will find amazingly low prices on wedding gowns, formal dresses, accessories, shoes, veils and more. Located in the same shopping center as our Gallery by Lynette store at 5392 S Freeway Park Drive. http://www.gallerybylynette.biz/ 801-920-0602

Wedding Specials

2010-11-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

We hope that those of you sho attended the Wedding Showcase in Logan last week were as impressed with the new Accolade event center at Hamiltons as we were. It is beautiful. (Continued below Pictures)

Later that evening David and I went back for a reception for a bride who feels more like a daughter than a customer. She came to me for a prom gown a few years ago and we fell in love with Kyla and her family. When she came to me for her wedding gown I knew it had to be over the top as Kyla is beautiful and has exquisite taste. She brought her mother, her grandmother and some of her siblings to help her decide. She tried on several gowns and then I pulled out the Maggie Sottero gown called Ambrosia the shopping was over. We discussed how we would make the modesty conversion and we began. Without getting into a lot of boring descriptions I will say that this is one of the most elaborate projects we have ever done. However, if you have ever shopped with us you know that your dress should not look like it was ever changed no matter what we are doing to your gown and we tweek and personalize a lot of gowns.

Kyla, I hope your wedding tomorrow is as beautiful as you are.

If you were at the Wedding Showcase, give me a call on my direct line and when you come in for your free gown consultation with me or Chelsa, you will receive a free pair of real pearl stud earrings valued at $30. No strings attached. You must be in the market for a wedding gown. You will also receive other really great offers. Click here for more info.

Companion Special: You can bring a friend who is also getting married and needs a dress even if she wasn't at the show. She must come with you or mention Wedding Showcase and your name that is on the attendee list for the free gifts and specials.

Shanelle and Anthony

2010-10-10T21:23:00.000-06:00

The greatest gift that I can receive is knowing that my bride is happy. Thank you for the honor of being a part of your special day.

Amanda Prince

2010-09-22T00:09:00.002-06:00

I don't know when I've seen a more breath taking set of pictures. Cudos to Amanda and her groom for being such great subjects and to the photographer Elizabeth at http://www.etfphotography.com/Gown from The Gallery by Lynette is Fiorella by Maggie Sottero. Seamless Modesty alterations performed on a strapless gown.

Retro Gowns

2010-09-11T22:54:00.000-06:00

David and I are in Dallas this week meeting with designers and selecting our collection for 2011. Wedding Gowns, Prom dresses, Party Dresses, Tuxedos, and you name it. Tonight we were invited to the preview of 2011 Flirt Prom by Maggie Sottero. Lots of energy and beautiful new styles. Colors are vibrant, silhouettes are across the board anything you might like to bring out your unique style. Wouldn't this be cute in color? How about the dress in black with the aqua colored hem? You decide. Your Unique Style, Perfectly Priced. Call or stop by today. The Gallery by Lynette. 5316 S Freeway Pk Drive, Riverdale Utah 84405
www.lynettes.com
Retro Gowns are big right now. The one pictured is a 1950's style in white silk finished french taffeta with a colored net drop hem from our Crystal Couture Collection.

Your Unique Style

2010-08-29T14:59:00.000-06:00

We just attended the Ogden show at the Mariott Hotel in downtown Ogden and met so many of you who are sooo excited to share your plans with me. I have spoken to one bride who's theme is around the seasons of the year, we have seen a peacock theme. One of my brides wants to take water skiing pictures in a flirty short white dress that we just got in at the store. Don't be afraid to incorporate your unique interests into your wedding. One groom loves camo because he is a hunter. I told him that he probably wouldn't win that one with the wedding cake but he could have a groom's cake and I would love to see him do camo icing. His eyes lit up and I could tell he liked that idea. Come see us any time for original ideas on wedding planning.

2010-07-24T15:47:00.002-06:00

I am the eldest of 6 kids and therefore did a lot of cooking. More than 30 years ago when engaged I was very excited to begin my new life as a wife and collected recipes and home making tips. This link was sent to me and I thought you might enjoy it also. We do not provide the content. Let me know what you think. http://www.rightathome.com I found recipes, home decorating ideas and lots more.

Rykki Lynn Olsen Neale

2010-05-02T17:22:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to the newlyweds. Rykki chose a multi layer soft tulle skirt with rouched tulle strapless bodice. Our design team at The Gallery by Lynette made it modest enough for the LDS temple. We also added the baby blue tie in the lace up back. The Gallery by Lynette specializes in taking your high fashion designer gown to the next level.

Some of our new designs

2010-03-13T21:48:00.002-07:00

Rebecca Todd

2010-03-13T21:09:00.002-07:00

Rebecca Todd Ortiz

2010 Trends

2010-02-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Spring bridal shopping has been so exciting. Rich new fabrics, Sensuous laces and embellishments, Beautiful silhouettes have been arriving in our store for the past several weeks. Dropped waist and folds of fabrics caught up and sweeping around the body with just a touch of applique and crystal beadwork for sparkle. I overheard someone in our store saying that she had been dreading shopping for her gown but was amazed at how beautiful and curvy she felt in the gowns she had tried on.

Come visit us today and ask us about our new addition we are planning.

Custom Gowns

2009-12-25T22:03:00.001-07:00

We have been busy this month with so many customized and custom wedding gowns. If you are the kind of bride who doesn't want to wear a "ho hum" gown then you really owe it to yourself to visit us at The Gallery by Lynette in Riverdale, Utah http://www.lynettes.com/.. My greatest joy is to create a one of a kind look for you and then see the look on your face when you see it in completion. Our job isn't done until you are happy.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Thank you to all of our customers over the past nearly 30 years in business.

Warm Wishes,
Lynette
Owner and Designer

The Good News

2009-12-06T19:44:00.002-07:00

We have been reading wonderful news. According to Money Magazine the recession is over and now we are in the recovery period. Over the next several months we will see improvements to the economy.
Jobs will be increasing and incomes will improve.

We are so excited at The Gallery by Lynette because this will mean that customers will feel more confident about planning the traditional wedding celebrations of the past.

We have new styles on order for the 2010 bridal, prom and social occasion season. All the newest styles, fabrics and colors. Our alteration specialists are here to adjust or custom change your gown to the exact dress of your dreams. When you purchase from us instead of from a discount store, online or from many other salons, you will receive services and benefits that will actually save you money.

If you buy online what will you do if:
*Your dress arrives damaged, wrong size or worse yet, not the dress but a cheap copy. This happens more than you would like to think. See http://www.replicagowns.blogspot.com/
*Who is going to alter your discount or online dress. Most shops leave you on your own when it comes to alterations. There are NO SERVICES with online shopping
*What if you gain or lose weight at the last minute. Will the discounter or online store alter your gown?
I think not. If you buy from us, we will help you right up to the moment you walk down the aisle.

When you are a Gallery by Lynette bride you are like part of our family. Always, always, always will you have whatever we can do to make your memories sweet because you are a walking advertisement and our reputation is priceless.

Kristin Peterson Smith

2009-11-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

Wedding August 15, 2009

"Lynette,
My wedding day was perfect! Thank you so much for your outstanding customer service. It was fun & easy to pick my bridesmaids dresses. They looked beautiful. I will recommend everyone I know to you guys. Thanks again!

Kristin Peterson Smith

Rebecca Bell

2009-09-15T21:17:00.004-06:00

When some girls think about a wedding dress it is white and long. Others want to express their unique indivuality. I was so excited to create this tea length taffeta gown with the aqua net hem. She gave me some inspiration pictures but I think that her gown is absolutely gorgeous. Becky thought so too. "Things have been crazy busy, but you will be happy to know that everyone loved my dress. Especially me!!! It was a big hit, and people are still talking about how beautiful it is. Thank you, thank you, thank you:) You can find all of my bridal and wedding pictures at http://www.imagedesignbymarcel.com."

Dream Vacation Week

2009-09-12T15:34:00.002-06:00

We have been offering our brides a wonderful way to buy the dress of her dreams and have a great honeymoon. When you purchase your gown, min. 2 bridesmaids, rent at least 2 tuxes and buy at least 3 accessories from us we give you a http://www.dreamvacationweek.com/ certificate valued at up to $2,000. Some of our customers have been skeptical that they could spend $800 or $900 and get a gift worth more than they spent but it is true.

This week David and I had to go to Las Vegas for our annual buying trip at the Rio. 4 nights at the Rio would have cost us $350 for the room. I thought "why not use your dream vacation week certificate?" I got online at http://www.dreamvacationweek.com/ and put in my certificate number and code. You can use this to look but must see me for the real thing because after you visit and see what is available you will want to kiss me. Certificate #2762865 Security code 08W1 Go just about anywhere in the world from Park City to Italy.

I found the Tahiti resort. I went to http://www.hotels.com/ and looked at the reviews. I called the resort to find out if there would be any additional costs which they said only a refundable security deposit of $150. This is a luxury resort and not merely a hotel room. I paid $249 plus about $25 tax when I made the reservation online. I printed out my reservation. You can actually reserve your vacation and leave the next day or plan up to six months in advance.

When we arrived the lobby was amazing, the people were helpful and nice, the room is a mini suite with a big bathroom, jetted tub, mini kitchen, and huge comfortable bed. Our room overlooks the 3 pool area and there are big gas grills. A laundry, small putting area. We got free tickets for two shows and a free shuttle pass for transportation downtown. We are two minutes off the strip by car. Right across from the Orleans on west Tropicana.

The pool is open 24/7. We have been in the hot tub and pool nearly every night.

My expectations were exceeded in every way. I am going to walk over to my in room frig and get me a cold drink. Then I am going to go out and lay by the pool. See ya when I get back.

Lynette

Twitter

2009-09-11T22:53:00.002-06:00

I just started a Twitter Account at http://twitter.com/LynetteRobinson

I'm new to Twitter so help me keep in touch with you. Let me know what you think.

Gentry White James

2009-08-06T20:20:00.002-06:00

The Gallery by Lynette offers custom bridesmaid dresses so you won't have to settle for another cookie cutter look. We also offer matching ties for your guys.

Heidi Jones Springsteed

2009-07-10T22:14:00.002-06:00

Hi David and Lynette! I finally got around to sending you some of the pics from my wedding. The day turned out very well. Everyone loved my dress. I had little girls coming up to me all day, saying I looked like a princess. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful drees, thank you so much!

Love
Heidi Jones Springsteed

Jessica Ovard Omer

2009-06-28T21:42:00.005-06:00

" Everyone LOVED my dress. Along with me (the bride!) It was perfect and I'm so glad I walked into your store that day! You are amazing! Thanks! P.S. The veil turned out awesome! Don't you love it?! It was just what I wanted!" Thank you to the photographer Elton Film and Images.

What I love

2009-06-22T11:57:00.002-06:00

I have been so blessed in so many ways. First of all, for my family that I love more than anything. For the opportunity I have to work doing something that I am passionate about. I think that what we wear, especially for weddings and other special occasions, is not merely temporal but intensely spiritual. As women, if we feel like we look great we feel great also. We can tackle anything, things seem to fall into place.

Your wedding gown, prom dress, or other social occasion dress has to be perfect. I understand that. I put my name on every single gown that goes out of my store.

Emily Miller

2009-06-22T11:51:00.003-06:00

"Lynette, I just wanted to write you a little note telling you how wonderful I think you are! You are such a special lady with such a special gift! I LOVE my dress! It was perfect! It was all because of you! Thank you for your sweet spirit and your kindness towards me! I will always remember you!! Thanks again! Emily"

Chandler and Amanda Robinson

2009-06-21T16:27:00.002-06:00

Chandler, Amanda, Cole and Tawnee became a family on August 30, 2008 in Las Vegas Nevada. The chapel had a webcam and we watched it on the internet. People from several locations joined in also. Our friends Donny and Lauri Stewart watched from Indiana. Lauri told them "you didn't see me but I was at your wedding. I was the one crying in the back."

My new little grand children. Tawnee is the president of my fan club.

Chandler and Amanda Robinson

2009-06-21T16:24:00.001-06:00

The gown Amanda chose was all white. We added red swarovski crystals to the beadwork and a red satin lace up string in the back. It was a dramatic look.

Jocelyn Randall

2009-06-20T20:53:00.006-06:00

J0celyn has exquisite taste and wanted something really special. Her gown was purchased as a strapless off the rack. The Gallery by Lynette, in store seamstresses added the modesty alterations that merged seamlessly. "I can't tell where you added" remarked Jocelyn. Can you?

Love ya, Jocelyn Best Wishes.

Photos courtesy of http://www.etfphotography.com

Sara Myers Stoke

2009-06-20T20:30:00.003-06:00

Sara Myers Stoke. Married June 17, 2009

What a sweet bride. Sara and her mother have refered many customers to our store.

What an honor to be part of her special day.

"Thank you so much Dave and Lynette. Love ya guys, Jody and Sara"

We converted Sara's gown from a zipper back to a lace up for an exquisite fit.

Justie Brown Prom

2009-06-12T16:31:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to thank you for having such beautiful dresses in your shop - I will never go anywhere but to Lynette's again for a dress. Thank You
I also have to let you see how beautiful Justie looked at prom. (She was the ONLY one in yellow!) We did have to put staps on it but it turned out perfect.
Thanks Again
Love Stephanie BOWEN Brown

Amy and Chancy

2009-06-12T04:06:00.004-06:00

Amy didn't think that a gown was really so important until she tried on her gown. She beamed and smiled and danced. Her and Chauncey's day was perfect. Amy's gown is vintage lace with charmeuse satin accents and sash.

Jenny West

2009-06-06T12:05:00.003-06:00

Jenny was a delight to design for. Her personality was really easy to work with. She selected my Angellica gown with the modest option. This gown requires 40 yards of organza for the circular ruffles but is as light as a cloud. The handmade floral embellishment on the empire seam and hand detailed, vertical rouching on the bodice. Tulip sleeves make for ease of hugging all of her guests. Jenny was sealed to her husband in the Portland Temple last weekend. Photo courtesy of http://www.melissasuephotography.blogspot.com/

Megan and Dave

2009-06-06T10:46:00.002-06:00

Meagan is my niece and although it isn't evident, she is really petite in build. She came in not knowing exactly what she wanted and after trying on several gowns we took elements from three different gowns and a custom bead pattern for the waist, neckline and sleeves. Her organza pinched skirt and simple bodice with flowing train was the perfect outcome. Her and Dave's wedding day was perfect. Many family and friends came to wish them well. At the wedding dinner Dave sang a song that he had written for Megan. She cried. We all did!

Chelsea Bair,

2009-06-06T10:38:00.002-06:00

What a wonderful opportunity I have to design gowns for a once in a life time event. Chelsea came in to my store and tried on a few. The one she settled on was strapless and we created a gown that was not only modest but was exactly what Chelsea wanted. Her dad requested that the train be longer and so it was. Photos provided by www.etfphotography.com

2009-03-15T21:45:00.002-06:00

Take time to enjoy the little things. My mother in law passed away this week after a courageous battle with bone cancer. She was the perfect example of the kind of person I would like to be. Her family was her focus and we all thought that we were her favorite. She was always honest and hard working. She never spoke badly of anyone.

I spent a few hours with her during her last day in her mortal life. We spoke of heaven and those who were waiting for her there. Those who had been gone for several years and her true love who has been away for 8 years. What a joyful reunion.

A lifetime with the right mate is never long enough. I have learned that we never know when will be the last day on earth for us or someone we know.

2009-02-05T20:03:00.002-07:00

We have decided not to participate in the economic down turn because we believe that panic does not help anybody. Weddings and proms will continue to happen and we will continue to provide a huge selection of gowns and accessories.

We have actually increased our purchases of gowns and added two new seamstresses. We offer custom wedding gowns and dresses through our Crystal Couture line so that you can put your budget into a fabulous dress instead of alterations. No more alterations costs when you order your custom gowns from The Gallery by Lynette

How wonderful!

Call us today!
801-773-7435

New Styles from Crystal

2009-01-18T21:54:00.001-07:00

Replica Gowns VS Original Designer Styles

2009-01-18T21:13:00.001-07:00

2009-01-16T23:18:00.005-07:00

What an honor it is to help my customers with the most important event they will ever attend. Although I have been designing and delivering gowns for years, I have never been so able to create truly amazing styles and receive them from my factory in such attention to detail. "I love it!" has been echoing through my store and in my ears and heart.

Ester, Tina and Tara and all the others who are wearing Crystal Couture by Lynette. You are always on my heart.

And they are off!!!

2009-01-11T01:05:00.002-07:00

Wedding gown shopping is here. The frenzy shopping from store to store in search of the perfect dress. Does it really need to be so difficult? The answer is no. Actually, going to a lot of shops and trying on too many dresses wastes time and creates un needed stress.

A smarter approach is to visit a few stores and just look around. Find one where you feel relaxed and styles that appeal to you.

Most salons take walk ins but an appointment will make the most of your time. Imagine yourself walking into a crowded salon and you are ushered into the fitting area immediately. Your professional bridal consultant is ready for you and you don't even have to wait for a dressing room. That is much better than being forced to wait your turn.

I was at the Bridal Show at the Salt Palace today while David and our staff waited on as many brides as possible but there were still some who couldn't wait to be served.

Gown designing is my passion. I feel that every bride deserves to have her dream gown no matter her budget or circumstances. It is an honor to help you with your wedding gown.

Don't hesitate to call me today for your free wedding session to find your perfect dress.

I have some new styles that arrived this week.

2009-01-07T20:36:00.002-07:00

How would you like a Free Wedding Dress? The Gallery by Lynette is giving away a FREE Maggie Sottero gown on February 14. You have to enter but no purchase is required. Just visit
the Gallery by Lynette at 5316 S Freeway Park Drive in Riverdale I-15 Exit 338
website http://www.lynettes.com or http://www.gallerybylynette.biz
http://www.maggiesottero.com Some restrictions do apply. For more information please visit The Gallery by Lynette

Bridal Fair Basics

2009-01-01T22:23:00.002-07:00

It's bridal fair time and chances are, if you are engaged you will go to one or two. Bridal fairs are a great place to see what's out there. Go, enjoy the fashion shows, sample the goodies. Sign up for prizes.

A bridal fair is a good place to compare

Photographers
Videography
Decorators
Caterers
Etc.

It is not the best place to shop for a wedding gown and attire

Only in a reputable shop with a trusted, experienced wedding consultant will you have
the best opportunity to find that perfect gown. The one that shows off your best figure.
The one that gives you body length and curves.

Come to The Gallery by Lynette and let us show you all the latest styles. We have our spring dresses in. Let our designer show you all the possiblities.

Replica Dresses

2008-12-26T09:38:00.002-07:00

They are all over the net. Pictures of beautiful designer gowns offered at a fraction of the price you are finding in bridal stores. My mother always said "if it is too good to be true it probably is." This is so true about Replica Dresses. An opportunist in China illegally copies a designer photo to their website. They promise you a dress that looks like the one you tried on in the bridal shop and fell in love with. You are excited by the opportunity to save big bucks and have the gown of your dreams so you order it. After all, you can return it if you don't like it. What do you have to lose?

A couple of months later your dress arrives. You open the box and find a very disappointing and ill fitting dress that bears little resemblance to the original gown. You hate it. There are a few tears. Maybe a lot of tears. What are your options? If you decide to return it you are not only out the incoming postage but also the return postage with is usually more expensive. You have $300 tied up in a dress you aren't going to wear. You could put it up for sale online but unfortunately, the web is full of cheap Chinese copy dresses. You would be lucky to get your postage, let alone what you paid for the dress. So much for saving money on the dress!

Now you are back to square one without a gown. If you want the designer gown, come see us at The Gallery by Lynette. If you can't afford the designer gown and want the replica, come see us anyway. We have our own factory overseas and can make sure that you get the very most for your money. You will be dealing with a local source who is doing it legally. Plus, you have access to all of our services. It's a win, win situation.

2008-01-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

It's a new year with new possibilities and a renewed enthusiasm to put our best self forward. If you are planning a wedding, January also means that it's time to refocus our atte ntion from the holidays to the many things that need to be done.

Your wedding has never been planned or executed before. You will want it to reflect your unique style as a couple. You want the day to be fun and exciting without stress or conflict.

Many people think that hiring professionals such as photographers, caterers, wedding planners, etc. is expensive but I know from experience that having the right person in your corner is not only priceless it is actually less expensive in the long run.

Now is the time to shop for your wedding gown. The selection is is at it's peak. The new season's styles are in the shops. Utilize the expertise of a full service salon such as The Gallery by Lynette where experienced and engaged bridal consultants will help you find your perfect look from head to toe. Day of preparation such as steaming is included free of charge so your gown will be picture perfect.

December Bridal Benefits

2007-12-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.lynettes.com
I know that time in December screams to be spent on Christmas concerns but if you are planning a wedding anytime in the future you might want to consider this.
The months of January through June are typically extremely busy months in a bridal shop

December is typically quiet because, you guessed it, people just can't seem to think about Christmas and anything else.
The benefit to wedding planning is that the specials and sales are typically more generous in December. As an added benefit you will receive more attention and personal assistance.

We offer layaway so you won't need to break your bank account to take advantage of the December sales.
http://www.lynettes.com

visit us today.

When you visit our store mention the keyword "blog" and take an additional 10% off your entire purchase. You will only be required to pay 25% down for layaway instead of the typical 50%.

http://www.lynettes.com

Top 10 Mistakes made by Engaged Couples and How to Avoid Them.

2007-12-14T23:27:00.000-07:00

Avoid these Wedding Planning Blunders

1: Procrastinating: Start planning your wedding as soon as you get engaged. The more time that you allow the more choices you will have and your budget will be more flexible.

2: No Vision or Theme creating a fragmented look and flow. Envision your wedding day in your mind from the moment you wake up to the end of the day. A theme should emerge that will help you have continuity and a pleasing outcome.

3: Trying to do it alone-this can get ugly! Even if your family is not available, delegate some tasks to trustworthy friends. You would do the same for them.

4: No Budget or Unreasonable Budget. Although you can’t know exactly what you will spend on each item, try to set a realistic expectation of your total budget and allocation to each category.

5: Vendor Disaster. Hiring the right vendor is of utmost importance since you only get one chance to do it right. Check references. Don’t hire friends or relatives unless you would hire them if they weren’t related.

6: Broken promises. If money is to be exchanged between you and a vendor you should have a contract in detail and outlining what each party can expect from the other that is dated and signed.

7: Bridezilla obsessing about the wedding. Have one day a week when nobody talks about the wedding. It will help you enjoy the planning process. Pace yourself.

8: Your wedding is in a few weeks and there is more to do than can possibly be accomplished. Assuming that things will work themselves out on their own is a big mistake. If you aren’t concerned, why should anybody else be? Nobody knows what you want unless you tell them. Many of your details can be arranged by your mom or trusted friend. Some things will require your attention. If you are too busy to plan a wedding, chances are, you are too busy to be married. Make a list of what you need to do, break down by tasks. Divide the tasks by how many month you have left. Take one day per week when you will focus on your wedding planning.

9: Your gown won’t arrive in time for your wedding. There is no good reason to wait once you find the right gown and attendant dresses. Bridesmaids come in all shapes and sizes. In order to get the right size, style and dye lot (color/shade) you might need to allow as much as 12 weeks. Not getting the right dresses is one headache you can avoid with a little pre planning.

10: Allowing your wishes to be over ruled by someone with their own agenda. When hearing advice about any aspect of your wedding, just smile, nod, and tell them thank you. Unless they are paying, it is just an opinion, nothing more. Remember, this is your wedding!