Got A Prom Date?

NO????  What are you waiting for?  There's no rule that says you have to wait around for your crush to ask you out.  You can ask him!  Don't be shy - and don't wait until the last minute or someone else might ask him first! Need some advice on asking him out?  Check out this article from CosmoGirl: http://www.cosmogirl.com/fashion/prom/ask-your-crush-to-prom.  He'll be glad you asked him when he sees you in this fun number from Air by Victoria (Style #6128).  You can get this cute dress right now at Suzanne's Bridal Boutique.  Feel like it's too soon to pick your prom gown?  I don't think so...like your first pick prom date, dresses go fast.  Don't miss out on snagging your perfect gown.

See ya soon!

P.S. - Mark your calendar for The BIG Prom Event happening February 19th from 6-9pm.  There will be fashion shows, music, giveaways (including a FREE prom gown), hair and makeup demos, and more!  Call us for details: 480.926.9106

Miss Arizona's Having Fun In Vegas

We've been getting daily updates on Savanna's activity in Las Vegas.  It sounds like she and the other Miss America contestants are having a blast.  Yesterday she had her first meeting with the judges for the interview portion of the competition.  One of the judges was Rush Limbaugh!  But we've been told that Savanna felt confident that she did well even with such a tough critic.  Be sure to keep up with her Miss America bid on her website: http://www.miss-arizona.org/.  Also watch the pagent on Saturday night on TLC.

Good Luck Savanna!

Be Careful Who You Work With

As a former lawyer and as a former bride-to-be, if there was one piece of wedding advice that I had to give a bride, it would be: Be careful who you work with.
Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and if you're not careful you can make some very costly mistakes.  One of those mistakes is not purchasing your wedding gown from a reputable, authorized dealer.  I know that in this current economy we are all pinching pennies.  But if you leave your gown in the hands of a dishonest or invisible (meaning an internet only) dealer, you'll end up paying more in the end anyhow.
Nearly every week we get a letter from one of our dress manufacturers warning us about stores who are failing to play by the rules.  At Suzanne's Bridal Boutique we play by the rules.  We honor all the requests of our manufacturers even when others don't.  Why?  Well, that's how we stay in business.  We may lose a dress sale here and there, but we don't have to worry that we can't get your gown because our license has been pulled.  And our brides don't have to wonder what to do with their dress after it arrives, because we're there to service them all the way to the "I do."
Lest you think we are simply whining, I'm copying a letter we recieved yesterday from our biggest desinger, Maggie Sottero.  It warns of the danger of "transhipping" to non-authorized dealers.  Transhipping is the practice of an authorized dealer purchasing a gown for an unauthorized dealer. 

"January 27, 2010

Dear Authorized Retailer,

We have become aware of emails specifically targeted at inducing Maggie Sottero Authorized Retailers to violate Maggie Sottero's Authorized Retailer Policy by transshipping gowns. The primary offender is a shop in New York referring to itself as Gowns and Other Glitz. The contact phone number provided on several emails we have received is 315-524-4526. This number is listed as the contact phone number on the internet website, Bridalgown.net, and is registered on 411.com to Julie L. Painton. Bridalgown.net, Julie Painton and Gowns and Other Glitz are not authorized retailers of Maggie Sottero products.

The emails we have received claim a variety of reasons for needing Maggie Sottero gowns and the methods used to contact our retailers are equally diverse. The primary method of contact has been using the email address gownsandglitz@yahoo.com, however, some retailers have received messages through eBay from the user name "mywaydeals".

The Authorized Retailer is the heart of Maggie Sottero and transshipping is a direct assault on those loyal retailers who invest in samples each season. These are clear examples of an unauthorized retailer who has not made an investment in the line preying upon our Authorized Retailer network to get product and then taking business from them by discounting in many cases. The best way to prevent the unauthorized distribution of Maggie Sottero gowns is to ensure that our Authorized Retailers understand the seriousness of this issue, and for Maggie Sottero to discontinue business with those who blatantly disregard this policy and damage fellow retailers who have made a commitment to Maggie Sottero.

Included below are two examples of email solicitations that have been sent to Authorized Retailers, one of which requests over 20 specific Maggie Sottero gowns. Please be aware that Maggie Sottero actively monitors all suspicious ordering activity, and any retailer who is found violating Maggie Sottero's Authorized Retailer Policy with respect to transshipping is at risk of losing their authorized retailer status and their ability to receive any pending special orders.

Maggie Sottero is committed to supporting our retailers who invest in our products and we will continue to pursue the unilateral enforcement of our policies which we believe give our Authorized Retailers the greatest opportunity for success.

Sincerely,

Darven Erickson

Executive Vice President

Sent from gownsandglitz@yahoo.com email address:

'Hello and Happy New Year!

I have an off the rack shop in NY but often receive requests for specific gowns. I'm looking for a few specific Maggie Sottero gowns in stock because the brides do not have time to order. Would you have any of the following in stock? I can be flexible on size and color if you don't have an exact match:

Kadence 6 ivory, Sterling 4 or 6 ivory/pewter, Astrid 8 ivory/pewter, Jovi 4 all white and 8 ivory/pewter, Gatsby 8 and 12 all ivory, 6 and 8 ivory/pewter, ASM3239 diamond white 10, Alannah 8 ivory, Chelsea 12 ivory, Nevaya 8 ivory/pewter, Nyna w/cap sleeves 4, 6 or 8 diamond white/pewter and 6 white/pewter, Carla w/bolero 6 pearl/ivory lace/pewter, Layne 10 gold/ivory lace, Aspen 6 ivory/black, Allison Marie 8 diamond white, Adrianna empress taffeta 14 light gold, Zoe 10 white, Ida 10 deep ivory, Freesia 16 white Hope you have some matches and can help! I can also be reached at 585-319-6067.

Thank you,

Julie

Gowns & Other Glitz'

Sent via eBay Message Center:

Dear ,

Hello! I'm wondering if you might be able to assist me. I have about 20 maggie sottero gowns I either need to locate in stock or special order as the shop I used to order from is preparing to close due to family illness. I pay in full and in advance at cost plus 20% and shipping. I'm hoping I don't have to disappoint these brides and we can work together.

I can be reached at gownsandotherglitz@yahoo.com, my name is Julie and I am located in NY.

Please let me know if you can assist. If it helps, I can order Pronovias gowns as well as some other lines that may be helpful to you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Julie

mywaydeals (110)'"

"What's wrong with all this?" you might ask.  Well, an unauthorized dealer obviously doesn't have to play by anyone's rules.  They can undercut the price (by the way, our designers pretty much dictate the price we sell the gowns at and they tell us how much we can discount.  Contrary to popular belief, it is not a negotiable thing.).  And who suffers?  Honestly...the bride.  Because she's been tricked into believing that she is getting the quality of service that a bride deserves when she purchases a gown.  What happens if there's a problem with the gown?  You have nowhere to go.  They can't send it back to the manufacturuer because they've purchased it from some other third party.
And for those of you who don't think this in any way concerns you -think again.  If you bought your dress from a boutique who is providing these dresses to unauthorized dealers, what will happen when their license gets revoked?  You won't be getting your gown!
So ladies, this is why we don't price match lowball prices from other bridal stores or prices on the internet.  When you're price shopping and you run across an unusually low price, ask: how are they able to offer such a steal?  The answer could be important for you and your dress.

Until next time,
Best wedding wishes

P.S. - lest there be any questions, there are some reputable internet stores out there.  They typically have a brick and mortar store that you can actually visit and their prices will abide by manufacturer's MSRP.  Again, ask questions.  The answers are important.

Miss Arizona is Rockin' Las Vegas!

Savanna Troupe, our current Miss Arizona, is a hit in Las Vegas!  We've gotten word that she is shmoozing bell boys and papparzi and having a blast!  We're so proud of Savanna; we know she's going to rock it during this pagent week.  You can keep up with all of her Vegas adventures by visiting the Miss Arizona site at http://www.miss-arizona.org/.  Also, be sure to watch for her on the 2010 Miss America Pagent on TLC this Saturday.  Check your local listings!

Ready For Your Best Prom Night Ever?

It always begins with the perfect dress...  Like this Flirt dress by Maggie Sottero that you saw in Seventeen magazine.  You love it and you absolutely have to have it.  It's the perfect dress for the biggest night of your high school career.

Well, don't worry.  We have that dress and hundreds more in our boutique.  Round up your mom and your best friend and come on by.  We can't wait to see how amazing you look in your dream dress. ;)

Best wishes!

Suzanne's Bridal Boutique

480.926.9106

http://www.suzannesbridalboutique.com/

Meet Van Ngyuen, Hairstylist

We first met Van when she came in looking for a pageant gown for the Miss Asia Arizona pageant last year.  She was petite and sweet and a little new to this pagent thing.  Good thing she found us as we know a thing or two about pageant attire!  LOL!  We helped Van find a beautiful, sleek, black gown which Suzanne tailored to fit her perfectly.  Although Van didn't win the ultimate crown, she did end up in the queen's court as Miss Asia Arizona Enterprise.

In Van's every day life, she's a hairstylist.  Late last year, in a move to promote her talents, she did a photo shoot featuring her hairstyles and our gowns.  We were happy to loan them to her as she is such a sweet girl.  Well, the photos are back and the models in them look fabulous.  So much so that we thought we'd share them with you.  And if you're looking for a hairstylist for your upcoming big day - prom, wedding, or anything else - let us recommend Van Ngyuen.  Contact Van at 623.694.4725 or vnguyen.stylist@yahoo.com.  We know you'll be pleased.

Best Wedding Wishes!

Good Luck Miss Arizona!

For the past few years, we've taken great pleasure in helping out the Miss Arizona winners prepare their wardrobes for their Miss America competition.  This year was no different.  Working with the current Miss Arizona, Savanna Troupe, has been fun and enlightening.  She's funny and sweet and always very friendly with our customers when she comes in. 
It wasn't so long ago that we scoured the racks with her looking for the best items to add to her competition wardrobe.  Then Suzanne - a former pagent mom herself - worked her magic editing each gown to perfection.  Now Savanna is just about to ready to jet off to Las Vegas and work her charms in hopes of earning the Miss America crown.
We're very proud of Savanna and want to wish her all the best in her competition.  Good Luck Savanna; we'll be glued to the TV cheering for you!

Best Wishes,
Suzanne's Bridal

P.S. - to learn more about Miss Arizona Savanna Troupe and her community efforts, visit www.miss-arizona.org/