Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Meet The Wedding Pro - Kamryn Hesington with Gracie's Bridal
Discover the secrets to a seamless wedding dress shopping experience with our special guest, Kamryn from Gracie's Bridal. Kamryn offers insider tips on navigating the world of bridal fashion, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead and understanding current trends. From accommodating size inclusivity with gowns ranging from 0 to 32W, to offering flexible appointment scheduling, Gracie’s Bridal ensures every bride feels confident and stunning on her special day.
Join us as we explore the thrilling journey of finding your dream dress, with Kamryn shedding light on how modern brides are breaking tradition by opting for unconventional styles and colors. We discuss the transformative role of bridal consultants who make the shopping experience memorable, treating each bride like family. Learn about the shift in the bridal color palette that goes beyond the classic white to include elegant tones like ivory, champagne, and even bold black gowns.
We wrap up the episode with a peek into the latest bridal trends, from versatile reception dresses to the nostalgic return of 90s fashion elements. Kamryn shares their commitment to expanding modest bridal options and highlights accessories that complete the bridal ensemble, like the innovative Boomba bra cups. With practical advice on utilizing resources like Pinterest and TikTok for inspiration, and insights on current appointment scheduling, this episode is packed with everything you need to know to make your wedding dress shopping memorable and unique.
Welcome to Metropolitan Weddings. I'm Meg, I'm Dawn, and we are here to educate couples with information from wedding professionals in the industry.
Speaker 2:Our goal is to make the wedding planning process as seamless as possible by providing you with insight from industry professionals.
Speaker 1:Okay, couples, let's get this party started. Hello listeners, we are here today with Cameron from Gracie's Bridal. Hello Cameron, Hi. So why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and your business?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I own Gracie's Bridal with my husband. We have a wonderful team that helps make it happen. We carry Bridal and Mother of the Bride gowns exclusively, and we have some really fun and exciting stuff coming in this next few months.
Speaker 1:Okay, we're going to ask about that here in a little bit, but let's start with what you have right now, which is bridal. Mother of the Bride.
Speaker 3:Yes, so we are a size-inclusive inclusive boutique. That's something we pride ourselves in. Um we have tried to have the biggest selection of all sizes, so we carry zero to 32 w in store, so everyone has a dress to try on in their size. Um, and then we also do mother of the bride and expansive siding as well okay now when?
Speaker 1:for I'll get back to bridal, but for mother of the bride, do they make an appointment? Do they walk in off the street? How does mother of the bride do the shopping work.
Speaker 3:So we have specialists there two days a week. Any of us can help you, but our specialist is just a little bit more experienced in that area. So if you can make an appointment with her, we definitely recommend it, but you can walk in. Fridays and Saturdays are a little bit harder to walk in for bridal or mother of the bride. Um, normally we're booked out a couple of weeks for that. So we definitely recommend appointment on Fridays and Saturdays, but Mondays through Thursday we're a little bit more flexible with walk-ins.
Speaker 1:Okay, Do they try? They try them on and get it altered.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Same things Okay.
Speaker 3:Do they try them on and get it altered? Yeah, yeah, all the same things. So we do offer alterations for gowns at our store as long as we have time. So, depending on what your date is, sometimes we can't get you in, we'll have to send you somewhere else. Or if we run out of spots that happens sometimes, especially with those really high volume months like October where there's a lot of brides to be married Our seamstresses can only do so many dresses.
Speaker 2:So definitely the more time you have, the better, because we can get you in for things like that.
Speaker 3:So planning is the key.
Speaker 2:So even the mother of the brides needs to plan early for her dress.
Speaker 3:For sure we get a lot of moms that come in last minute because you know they want to make sure that their daughter or son has everything that they want for their wedding and they kind of put themselves on the back burner. But we're able to accommodate those. We just may not be able to do your alterations, you know, in the house. We have to send you elsewhere for that.
Speaker 2:I mean that makes sense? Yeah, absolutely, as long as you can get the dress I mean that's perfect, right?
Speaker 3:Yes, yes, we are able to get mother's dresses a little bit faster than we can get bridal gowns, which definitely helps, because usually those moms are the ones that are waiting until last minute because they want to make sure everything's taken care of first.
Speaker 2:OK, girls, tell your mom she's got to shop early too.
Speaker 1:Yes, for sure that is. That is a good point, though.
Speaker 2:Moms are so focused on their kiddos and making sure like for sure in a row and then they're like it's two weeks away, oh yeah, we get that all the time.
Speaker 3:They're like the event's this friday and we're like, oh, okay, well, we can do it. It's just gonna be. Your options are a little bit more limited.
Speaker 1:You can wear this dress, yes, hope you like it. Hopefully it fits all right. So back to bridal. I love it that you guys is uh, size inclusivity has really. I mean, that's something that. Since how long have you owned Gracie's?
Speaker 3:um, I bought Gracie's in December of 2021. I was the manager before, so I did have a little bit of pull and background in it before then but we have really just invested in that. Half of our store is size 16 to 32. We just got really tired of hearing people come in and be like, you know, I could only try on, not necessarily just at our store, but just in general. Only try on, you know, a few dresses. It's the only ones that were in my size and that's just not fair. We want everyone to feel beautiful and what they're in and not feel like well, I have to go with this because this is what fits, and that goes for size zero to 16 as well. A lot of times you know you're going into a store if there's not enough sizes and you're kind of trying to make the other sizes work and it's just hard. It's easier if you can see something closer to your size.
Speaker 1:Yeah absolutely, you're always going to be clipping here and there a little bit, but Of course, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:And our girls are trained in that and they can really make a dress look like it fits, even if it doesn't. But we want to at least have something for you to try on so you can imagine, even on the ones that don't fit, how they would fit, even if you don't like all the detail on that one yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Well, good job taking that and and making it. You know one of the things that you guys pride yourself on. I think that's sets you apart within our industry, something that you guys do well, so absolutely uh. So how many appointments can you guys handle a day?
Speaker 3:On a Saturday we usually take about 16 to 20. It kind of depends. We have four bridal rooms, Okay, so we try to keep it around there, just so we don't get too overwhelmed. And then throughout the week we are open an extra hour and a half so we can take another four if needed. But we try to keep it between 16 and 20 a day, that's a lot, that's so many dress trials, you know how
Speaker 3:many buttons, that is, I want to know how many buttons I, I know I always say I don't even want to know how much glitter is in my lungs around this job or how many buttons all of us have like spots on our hands, because we've done so many zippers that like our hands, because we've done so many zippers that, like our hands are like built up to the zippers. Um, but we all just love what we do and you know that's finding those moments. I always say hearing a girl, you know, cheer because I said yes to the dress is my second favorite sound after my daughter's laugh. So, um, I just love that moment for them and kind of having that space to enjoy that special time with their family that you know, or their loved ones in general, that you never get that back. It's something you dream of all of your life and you want to make sure you like really lean into that experience and it's always so exciting when they find the one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love it that I feel like you found the one in your like career path. I don't know how many people like just fall into what they want that early in life and then go for it like you did so yeah, I think we're definitely really blessed with the path that you know we kind of fell into.
Speaker 3:We prayed about it a lot and we really try to keep God at the center of everything that we do, and we felt this is where he was leading us and, you know, the previous owner was ready to move on and we were ready to move forward and it just kind of worked out the way it was supposed to. So we're really blessed that we're able to have the business we do at the age that we are.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know I'm like just waiting for it to be rubies at any moment, I know.
Speaker 3:I know, I'm like just waiting for it to be rubies at any moment. I know, I know. Yes, she is already in there all the time. I always joke. She's going to be like our youngest bridal consultant as soon as she can carry a dress, she's going to be in there helping out.
Speaker 1:I love it, of course. So you have, you basically like grew up in the in the wedding industry and so you know like a ton about just gowns and things like that. What is something that you would tell like a you know somebody who just got engaged things that they need to think about when, when considering what dress is going to be right for them.
Speaker 3:For sure. So I we always say you know, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in it. I feel like there's so many guys out there that are like you should get this dress for your body type or you should get this neckline. You know all those different things, but really it just comes down to how you feel in the dress. If you're comfortable in it, if you're confident in it, that's what's going to show on your wedding day. If you're uncomfortable in what you're in, that's what all your pictures are going to show. So you just want to make sure that you know you feel the best, like the best version of yourself, even if it's maybe not what you were thinking you were going to like when you come in, because most people don't wear wedding dresses every day. All you can look at is the pictures on pinterest. So you don't probably have a lot of experience and what you're going to feel the best in. So just kind of like maybe letting your consultant pull you a couple wild cards that they think, oh, I know this is a little different, but maybe you'll like it. I feel like a lot of times that's when you find the one is when you're trying on something that's a little outside of what you're expecting.
Speaker 3:And then, of course, I always say come early, come eight to 12 months before your wedding. If you can, we can do quicker wears. But it just really gives you all the options instead of being like, okay, these are the dresses we can get in. Just really give you all the options, instead of being like, okay, these are the dresses we can get in, these are the dresses. You can buy any of our dresses off the rack. But if they're too big or too small, then that kind of creates an issue. Um, but definitely, you know, make it a priority early on in your engagement. Um, if you know your wedding's coming up, just get in as soon as you can, so that way we can make sure we get your dream dress for you.
Speaker 1:I mean it doesn't sound like it would be a hard you know talk into to get a bride to go try on wedding dresses.
Speaker 3:I know it is a pretty fun part. Yes, we're fortunate. We get to have a really fun part of the planning experience, something you know that you dream about, and we really try to make that experience what you dreamed of, since you were, you know, a little girl looking for that or dreaming of that dream dress.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so talk to me about that, you know, turning that experience into something that they'll remember. What? What makes it special?
Speaker 3:so we really treat our brides like family. Um, we want, when you walk in the door, to feel like you know, comfortable, and not like, oh you know, so proper or anything like that. Like we just want you to feel like yourself, so we feel like you know. If you feel like yourself, then you'll get what you feel best and you're not too stressed about. You know, keep making sure everything's perfect.
Speaker 3:Um, so all of our consultants are trained in what they do. We really try to spend a lot of time on that and they're able to kind of just walk you through everything. So when you come in, you'll sit down, you'll talk with your consultant. They'll ask you for info, pictures or anything that you do want or maybe don't want, and then they'll kind of help you pick out some stuff and let you look too, cause sometimes you don't know what you're looking for until you see it on the rack and you're like, oh, like I didn't know that was an option. So after we try on a few, your consultant will pull you more based on the things that you're saying, that you're liking, and then hopefully we'll find that perfect match of everything in one dress.
Speaker 1:Your consultants are like working a human algorithm in their brain, of like.
Speaker 3:Right. Consultants are like working a human algorithm in their brain of like right, yeah, I always say they're matchmakers, yeah, it's like finding the you're a fiance, it's finding the perfect dress, kind of the same idea like, okay, a little more of that, a little less of that all right, I've got one right, yeah you didn't like that.
Speaker 1:All right, let's pull in this for sure.
Speaker 3:we have about usually about 300 options on the floor. So they all really have to know what we have and be well-versed in that so that they can pull the right dresses. And our inventory is constantly changing. So they're really good and they love what they do, they're excited about it, they're excited to see the new dresses. So that definitely helps as well to kind of know what we have.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I would love to test to that, like every time we go in there to pick up gowns for like a styled shoot or for just even at the fashion show, like everyone's always like oh my God, I love this new one, like everybody that works there is in love with every dress, for sure.
Speaker 3:They all have their place in the world. Even if maybe I wouldn't wear it personally cause it's not my style world, even if maybe I wouldn't wear it personally because it's not my style, like, I can still appreciate it as a pretty dress and I can still see who would wear that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that makes sense. I like that. So what are the common? What are the like? What's the color palette? Now, I know white, all, all in white all the time.
Speaker 3:That's not necessarily actually yeah, we don't even really carry white anymore. Our whitest white is ivory, and that's kind of an industry-wide thing. Like not a lot of companies are even making white as an option. There's a few things, but not a whole lot.
Speaker 3:I always just say ivory is still white, it's just a natural white. It's the white that's found in nature. Bridal white is bleached, so you're not going to find that in nature. Ivory is going to be like white flowers, if you can imagine that. So it's just a little bit less harsh on your skin tone and white also absorbs the colors around it. So if you're outside it's going to look blue or purple or whatever colors. You're around green, where ivory kind of softens that a little bit. And then of course we have our champagne blushes, things like that. And then we have a lot of black. That's really been a pick recently. We have always had some black options, but at market in March I bought a lot more black, so we have a lot coming. We are hearing from our brides that they want to see it, so we're trying to get more options available in that. And you know I always say my first wedding dress I ever sold was black, so it's definitely been around, but um, it's definitely getting more popular as time goes on.
Speaker 1:I mean, I think, just standing out and being different, and you know choosing today to be bold, or whatever, so I'm not surprised?
Speaker 3:I'm sure it'll, and I think like in the age of social media, there's a lot that you see, probably more than ever. When you're planning a wedding, you get more ideas than ever. Um, and of course ivory is going to be the most common wedding color as far as dresses go. But you know people don't necessarily want to fit into that traditional, you know, white dress, whatever, chapel wedding, all of those things. So a black dress is a great way to do that.
Speaker 1:I mean, I will say that you know, some people just look, you want to look good. So, maybe just like dispelling the thought process that it has to be this certain way and just wearing something that you think you feel good in, not that black is like some sort of you know, symbolic thing of anything. Just like I look good in this black dress.
Speaker 3:Right, yeah, absolutely. Sometimes people are like I want good in this black dress. Right, yeah, absolutely. Sometimes people are like I want to try the black one on for fun, and they end up loving that one because they feel better in that color. We also have some options that are like smoky lavender, which is kind of like a purple, um, some mocha tones that definitely aren't ivory, but they're also not black. They're kind of that stepping stones in between. So if you're really wanting something alternative and mom is like no, you can't wear black, and she gets to say and what you're wearing? But you're like I really want to, really want to wear black, sometimes, those in-between colors are a nice compromise for everyone.
Speaker 1:That's not really pretty. I want to see well, I am all for, you know. Just at least. Like thinking about things Doesn't mean that you have to end up there, but it's interesting to have the options For sure. Yeah, gosh, I want to hear about our new things. Okay, yeah, let's ask, is she?
Speaker 3:going to.
Speaker 1:Yeah, are you going to tell us? I'm like waiting.
Speaker 2:Yes, for sure. I'm just sitting here waiting.
Speaker 3:Yes, so we, like I said, we just went to market in March and we really listened to what everyone was looking for and we're really excited about some of the things that will be arriving in stores soon. We've carried some reception dresses for a while, but we really invested in that this time when we went to market. So we have a lot of short dresses coming that can be fun for rehearsal dinner, reception, bridal showers, things like that, or it's an alternative wedding dress. We also have over skirts. So if you want to wear maybe like a fitted mini dress for your reception but want to wear a satin ball gown for your ceremony, you can put your satin over skirt on the mini dress, wear this ball gown skirt down the aisle, take it off and then have a short dress underneath. You kind of get two looks in. One is really fun. That's really cool. Yes, we kind of try to give a few different options for that um, and then we also have a lot more. I'm sorry, I mean I interrupt you.
Speaker 1:I just, I feel like that idea has been around for like a really long time, but why did it never make it into like the actual gown?
Speaker 3:right. Yeah, I mean'm there is some like logistics things with that making sure the materials match, and things like that and for a while we just weren't seeing a lot on our end of things to buy and bring into the stores. Um, but our designers have listened and they know what we're kind of looking for. So they came out some incredible styles. We're so excited to get them in. I'm like trying to justify why I can buy one of these for myself. I've been married for almost four years. I'm like I'm not gonna get wear this again, but I just think it's so cute. I wish I could have one in my closet.
Speaker 2:Five year anniversary party. I know I'm like maybe I can just wear it out yes, okay, I interrupted you.
Speaker 1:What were you gonna say?
Speaker 3:no, you're good. Um, we also have been hearing our brides saying that they're wanting more modest options and that's kind of a change in what we've seen in the last few years. So we really invested a lot into our modest line. We've always carried modest and we have a special collection just for those brides that want a little bit more coverage. But we really dived into that this time at market and we're really excited to bring all of those into store for our brides. Um, we also have an in-house seamstress so she can make most things modest, but sometimes it's nice to be able to walk in and be like I don't have to alter this to make it the coverage that I feel comfortable in. Um, so we have a lot of those coming. Um, I don't even know how many we got. I'm super excited about them, though. The girls my team is really excited about them. We're just hearing more and more that that is an incoming trend and we're excited for it. So it's just kind of a different look that we haven't seen in a while.
Speaker 2:Very good. It's cool hearing what the trends are. It is yes, yeah.
Speaker 3:And 90s are coming back. Oh man, we have lots of drop, waist, bass, waist all that good stuff. Coming bows if you could think, like 80s bows with 90s style. It's coming, I know it is coming.
Speaker 2:Oh the bows, oh the neon bows, oh my goodness oh yes, bows are in this year.
Speaker 3:We see so many of them. We have sample bows to try on with any dress, because we hear so often that brides are looking for them. At least they're not neon.
Speaker 2:I mean seriously, you remember our days? No, they are not neon yeah that's because we were in high school, so neon bows came to mind in those days. But you had the bows. That's so crazy so you can.
Speaker 1:What you're saying is in the same way, you would have the accessory of like gloves or a veil you guys just have bows.
Speaker 3:Yes, yeah, we have bows um to try. And gloves are back too, yes, so, um, all of those fun like gloves, bows, puff sleeves, all of that it back and we are ready for it. So we're excited to show that to everyone.
Speaker 2:What about the bows on the butt on the train? Do you remember those oh?
Speaker 3:they're coming yeah.
Speaker 2:She doesn't remember it because she was a child, but they were a thing.
Speaker 1:She's seen pictures.
Speaker 3:Yes, it's our favorite accessory right now. It's so funny how times change. Maybe 10 years ago we would have been like there's no way that's coming back. But they're back and they look so good, we're not complaining about it.
Speaker 2:That is funny. It's funny because I was on the phone with Charity Finn, with the Charity Finn cake design, the other day, and she was telling me vintage cakes, oh yeah, like the piping. Yeah, so can I break out my parachute pants?
Speaker 3:I think it's time. I think it's time.
Speaker 2:They're in the attic somewhere For a wedding or for just. Just in general.
Speaker 1:Just to show a house or whatever. Only if they're red.
Speaker 2:Okay, did Just in general, just to show a house or whatever, only if they're red. Okay, did you have red parachute?
Speaker 3:pants no, mine were multicolored.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh. Oh, that's nice. That's next level. It is true, though I was telling Dawn the other day like the trend in men's suits right now is looser-fitting jackets and wider-legged pants yeah so it's coming back.
Speaker 1:Comments on that. Oh yeah, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, we just can't leave the 90s in the 90s, can we?
Speaker 3:well, I mean, everything goes in cycles I know it wasn't the 90s can we?
Speaker 1:blame bieber freaking he can't wear he can't wear anything that fits him to save his life no, absolutely not, it's his fault.
Speaker 3:I think that the oversized suits are coming back, thanks, absolutely not, it's his fault. It's his fault. Yeah, I think that the oversized suits are coming back. Thanks.
Speaker 2:Probably Thanks, Bieber.
Speaker 1:All right. So how much fun did you have at Market? You said you don't even know how many you brought back?
Speaker 3:Yes, it's always so much fun. It's so exciting seeing all the new lines and seeing our friends. We see lots of designer friends and store friends. Just getting to spend that time with other people that do what you do is always a blast. I got to take one of my girls with us this time for the first time she hadn't been, so it's always fun letting her see the other side of things, where they help us with that in the store. But just being able to see it in person and kind of experience that is always great. And we get to see lots of fashion shows, upcoming trends, which is always cool to see what's coming down the line.
Speaker 2:I saw some pictures of you with Mr Randy.
Speaker 3:Oh, yes, yeah, we do carry Randy in store, so we always get to see him. That's always fun, and he brought his puppy Truie with him, so Truie was running up and down the runway with the models, which was so cute, but, yeah, it's always good to see him. We got to see Madeline from Mori Lee. She's incredible. She does an incredible job with everything she designs, and there were several other designers there that we got to see as well, but I'm gonna spend some extra time with them.
Speaker 2:Super fun so.
Speaker 1:I have been thinking. I have a question that goes back to the reception dresses. So are these something that they'll be trying like say they want to do like a gown and a reception dress? Is this a separate appointment, or do they try those on kind of at the same appointment? How does that work? Yeah?
Speaker 3:Usually we can fit it into the same appointment. Sometimes it kind of depends on when you're coming in, but we try to do it in one appointment. If we need to make another appointment, we will. Sometimes also, people feel overwhelmed by trying to make a decision about two dresses at once, so sometimes it's just better for us to separate it and have you come back and look again. But we're always happy to figure that out, figure out timing and things like that, because it can be overwhelming. It's a lot of decisions. Yeah, so you know, sometimes if you come in for your try-on after your dress comes in, it's a good time to look at your reception dress options. So there's different ways you can do it.
Speaker 1:Do you think or do you recommend people coming in like looking through things or looking online first?
Speaker 3:What's the best way for them to sort of know where to start. Yeah, so if you kind of look on Pinterest or online just to get some ideas you know TikTok has become a great place to get some info as well and just kind of come with an open mind. Though You're a consultant, once you show them kind of what you're looking for, they can pull some things like that. But also until you put them on your body it's hard to know what you're going to like. So I, I mean it is important to kind of have a background or what you're looking for, just so you kind of know.
Speaker 3:Well, maybe I for sure, for sure, don't want anything fitted. Maybe try one fitted on, just to make sure. But generally you know that kind of cuts out some options. Like I said, we have 300 dresses to choose from, so that could take days to try those all on. But you know we don't necessarily have to look through ahead of time. Your consultant is trained in that and to helping you find the right match. So just kind of coming in with an open mind I think is the most important thing, yeah.
Speaker 1:Do you guys? Is it important to know what the style of the wedding is Like? What if? Because this is pretty early on in the planning process.
Speaker 3:What if they don't even know?
Speaker 1:like all the things, yet Does it matter.
Speaker 3:I always say you say, you know, like it's your day, you're dressing for it, you're not going to be overdressed, you're not going to be underdressed, you are the guest of honor, so you know you can usually make it into whatever you're dreaming of. And I also say you know, yeah, having an overall vision is great, but these are the textures that are going to be on the wall for the rest of your life. So you want to make sure that you love that dress, regardless of what's going to be around you. Um, and you can, a lot of dresses can fit into lots of different. You know, um, settings and your accessories can change a lot. A satin dress could, with pearls, could, fit in a ballroom, but you could also put a floral veil with it, and then it becomes a little bit more boho. So your accessories can kind of determine that a little bit. But I always want girls girls to you know find what they love and everything else will be fine.
Speaker 1:I like that. I like that you're not going to be over or underdressed too. Right, like you set the tone, it's your wedding, no one else gets to decide that for you, you are the dress code?
Speaker 3:Yes, absolutely so. Accessories wise, what all do you guys have in there? Yeah, so we have a full range of veils, we have jewelry. We've actually expanded our jewelry a lot over the last couple years Because you guys keep winning the best jewelry award.
Speaker 3:Yes, I know we won best jewelry and I was like so thankful, but I was like need more if we're gonna have this award in here. So we got more jewelry. I actually was fortunate to get my grandma's um sort of karaoke, so like lighting and stuff in it, um, and so my husband refinished it and it was able to be our jewelry case. So we have that in the store now, um, and we also carry a product called boomba. It's like a super sticky bra cup. You may have seen ads for it online, but it's really transforming the way dresses fit, um, so that's been a really great product for us. We're super happy to be carrying that, um. And then you know, the reception dresses and things like that we have as well.
Speaker 1:You guys have a lot you do Boomba. I know I'm like do you just do boombas work mostly with gowns, or are these a daily wear type item?
Speaker 3:You can wear them in anything that has like a fitted waistline. Okay, you can't wear it with like a flowy sundress because there's not like a defined enough waist in that. But I mean, I own them All of my team has them Because we wanted to make sure we could stand behind the product before we sold it to the bride. So we all tested them out. We all love them. We all have almost every style we carry because we wanted more and they're reusable 40 times and water resistant. So they're definitely a really nice add-on to your dress.
Speaker 2:All right, I know I'm like that's cool, that is cool yeah.
Speaker 3:For sure, it's definitely a great add-on All day today.
Speaker 1:Adam is going to be like oomba.
Speaker 3:Oh my gosh, it's the perfect name for them too, it is.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is it is that's funny?
Speaker 1:All right, so you said that you were booking out about two weeks.
Speaker 3:So what you're saying?
Speaker 1:Oh, sorry For like a Friday or. Saturday.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so depending on the time of the year that you're wanting to come in, sometimes we are booked out a month or two on Saturdays. So definitely, as soon as you know when you want to come, give us a call or visit our website. You can book from our website and see available times on there. But it kind of depends on the time of the year. Usually a week or two out on Saturdays, but during busy season, which is January through March, you could expect up to a month or two to get in on a Saturday. So definitely give us a call as soon as you know.
Speaker 1:All right, get on it. Yes, do we have do you have like different um, I don't know like packages.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so we actually just recently decided to simplify a little bit. Um, so we were just offering a standard bridal appointment and they last usually about an hour and a half. We say we don't limit your time and we really don't. You are still looking after the hour and a half. We aren't going to kiss you out or anything like that, but that's kind of how much time we plan for. So we see most brides that fit within that. And then mothers is a type of appointment as well, but it's obviously not like bridal. So it's not like a different kind of bridal appointment, but you can make mother to bride appointments as well.
Speaker 1:Do you find that people come with the mother or the bride and weigh in, or is it mostly just her?
Speaker 3:Sometimes the bride will come or another maybe a bride's sister or maybe the bride's mom, usually maybe one or two other people just to give an opinion, or they'll send pictures to someone you know. They want to look great too and, really technically speaking, the bride's mother is the host of the event and the bride is the guest of honor. So we always tell moms that, like you want to feel beautiful, you're going to be up in front of everyone, um, so we want you to find something that you feel great in and that fits within the scheme of the wedding, um, but we want you to feel just as special as as everyone else does.
Speaker 2:I like it. I do too.
Speaker 3:It's a great way of looking at it because, yeah, the mom is really kind of the host or the yeah, right, yes, and we, we talk a lot, a lot about, like you know, the background of why they're the host and things like that. But, um, you know, even if they're not maybe doing a lot of the planning, still that day, they're considered kind of like the host of the event. They want to feel special in that too. Aw.
Speaker 1:I like it. I do too, yes. Well, what have I forgotten to make sure that we have educated couples about before gown shopping Anything?
Speaker 3:I can't think of anything specific, just definitely coming with an open mind, coming in plenty of time, as long as you can. Like I said, we can do it in quicker turnarounds, but that's definitely not the ideal way to do it. It limits your options a little bit. But we're so excited to meet everyone. We love what we do, we all have a heart for it and we really care about every bride that comes through our doors. So you know we have invested a lot into making everyone feel comfortable and confident in who they are and hopefully we can help them find that dream dress.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love it. I do too, and hopefully maybe two dream dresses, yeah yeah even better. You know that they're all like, yes, I actually do want to.
Speaker 3:That would be nice oh, absolutely, it's such a fun. I feel like it's a little bit of a trend right now, but it is so fun and like having a dress that can convert into your reception dress, too, is always fun, yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean it is a trend, but it's also so smart, yeah, because they get very warm.
Speaker 2:They're cumbersome, it's hard to sit down in them.
Speaker 1:It's hard to dance in them, so getting to have— For sure.
Speaker 3:Or even if you're just leaving and you want a getaway dress, dressed like it's hard to get into the car with the ball gown on. Yeah, so it kind of. Or a fitted dress, for that matter it gives you another option there.
Speaker 1:Yep, absolutely yeah, the fitted dress. That's even you're right, though it's like the other thought of it. But yeah, they aren't made for sitting in a car right, exactly.
Speaker 2:That's not what they're made for no, they're not adam, did you have any?
Speaker 1:more questions about gowns or how they should fit you will they show off my thighs? So thanks for spending your time with us today, cameron it's been really nice.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much and we're gonna skip right on over that question. I do like the idea of calling your consultants matchmakers yes, yes, they really are.
Speaker 3:I mean, they're trying to know what they do and they are passionate about it, so they really get to help find that perfect match so if somebody is ready to meet with one of your matchmakers, what's the best way for them to get a hold of you? Yeah, you can give us a call at 417-866-1808 or visit gracysbridalcom, and on our website there is a booking link where you can see all of our available appointments and find a time that works for you.
Speaker 2:Perfect. I love it. It was great talking to you today everyone.
Speaker 3:Yes, thank you so much, absolutely.
Speaker 1:We'll talk to you soon, okay, bye. Thank you for joining us for Metropolitan Weddings Engaged podcast.
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Speaker 1:For more information and to get connected with merchants for your wedding, visit MetropolitanWeddingscom. You'll find information on upcoming wedding shows, access to our blog, facebook and IG.
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