Shop for your Gown First!

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

Still reminding you about alterations

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

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.

The Real Cost to Make a Wedding Dress

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.