Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Meet The Wedding Pro - Liz with Norman's Bridal
A second-generation boutique owner shares how to choose the right appointment, set realistic timelines, and protect your vision from too many opinions. We break down budgets, alterations, and the small cues that reveal when you’ve found the one.
• Handpicked gowns across a dozen bridal collections
• Off-the-rack vs special order appointment paths
• Realistic timelines for ordering and alterations
• Budget setting to avoid heartbreak and overspend
• How many guests to bring and why fewer can help
• Reading emotional cues to know it’s the dress
• Simple, clear steps to book and prepare online
Be sure to click subscribe so you are notified when our new episodes drop
For more information and to get connected with merchants for your wedding, visit metropolitanweddings.com
Welcome to Metro Wedding. I'm John, and we are here to educate the couples with information from wedding professionals and editors.
SPEAKER_02:Our goal is to make the wedding planning process as seamless as possible by providing you with insight from industry professionals.
SPEAKER_01:Okay, couples, let's get this party started. Well, hello, listeners. Today we are here with one of our industry staples. Uh we've got a bridal shop owner with us. Please introduce yourself and your business.
SPEAKER_00:Hi everyone, I'm Liz Stoner. I'm the second generation owner of Norman's Bridal in Springfield.
SPEAKER_01:And Norman's Bridal in Springfield, where are you located?
SPEAKER_00:We're at 317 South Avenue, uh just south of the square in downtown Springfield.
SPEAKER_01:How long have you guys been there?
SPEAKER_00:Oh man. Time flies. What, 14 years?
SPEAKER_01:Has it been 14 years? That's amazing. Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah. I you we because we had that office downtown and one of my favorite parts was walking past you guys' storefront window. Like you guys do the best windows.
SPEAKER_00:You know, I I'm not gonna take any credit for that. That is totally my mom and some of the staff, but they do fantastic windows, and it's always a treat. Um I that that's I the best part of that building downtown is that giant front window. It's so fun.
SPEAKER_01:And you guys do a great job. It's worth going and peeking every how often do you guys do it?
SPEAKER_02:Usually about every six weeks. Okay. Yeah, it's it's pretty cool. I think you may be one of the like only local businesses that really like storefronts? Yeah, that storefronts that really works on your windows and makes it kind of a a a major focal piece.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's kind of sad really. Um, but because I mean that's used window shopping, I mean that's what it's called. Yeah. Um yeah, it grabs everybody's attention. And I do, I get told all the time um that they love to just come and look at our window. So, you know, great, we'll keep doing it. Brenda loves it.
SPEAKER_02:Good, because it's awesome.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you.
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so what would you say, aside from the storefront, makes you guys special as far as you know, one of the providers of like gowns and and things for our industry in Springfield?
SPEAKER_00:Well, I think that my mom and I run it together, and I think in this industry, that's kind of far and you know, few bit in between um that it's a truly a family business. We run it together, we buy all of the dresses together. Everything that's in the store we have hand picked. Um and we still love what we do, and we I think that our customers see that and feel that. I I mean it goes to show because we we love every part of it, including the displays. Um, so we put our all into everything that we do.
SPEAKER_01:So, yeah, that family feel and the passion that you guys actually have for the industry, and I don't know. I you have to have developed relationships that you've dressed the mom and now you're dressing the daughters and you know, all of that kind of thing.
SPEAKER_00:We are definitely getting that. Um we just started taking uh some photos this I think it was last fall, um, that you know, mom brought in her daughter to purchase her wedding dress because she got her wedding dress from us, and so we took all the pictures with all of us together. Um, and that's not the first time that's happened, but we are definitely on to second generation brides at this point.
SPEAKER_02:That's so cool.
SPEAKER_01:That is cool. Yeah. It's make that is definitely something special that makes you unique unique. So absolutely, absolutely. How many like how many designers do you guys work with?
SPEAKER_00:Do I carry? Um, you know, a lot of our designers carry different lines or collections within, but they're the same designer. But I was looking through the other day and we carry about a dozen different lines or collections for brides. So we try to do that so that we get every bride can find what they're looking for because we all, you know, every bride's getting married somewhere different and they have a different vibe and a different look. Um, and so that's why we we reach out to different designers to make sure that we're bringing in all of those different looks and price ranges.
SPEAKER_01:So over overall, how many solo like I don't know, how many different dresses do you think you guys have for in sample dresses to weddings?
SPEAKER_00:We we have well over 500. Oh my gosh. That's yeah, it's probably too many. But um that means you know, if you're a bride and you're coming in to look for a dress, you had a really good shot of finding it with us because we have uh we have definitely invested in all different styles.
SPEAKER_01:I'm telling you what, yeah, yeah, you do.
SPEAKER_00:That's fun. That is fun. And you know, there's a lot of people struggling right now price range wise, and so um we've been able to bring in a couple of lines that are even lower priced that allows those rides to also have some options as well.
SPEAKER_01:Awesome. That's cool. So what is the what is the buying process like with Norman's? Like what walk me through how a how a couple goes from like getting engaged to finding their perfect look.
SPEAKER_00:Well, it's gonna start with making an appointment. Um, we do have, like I said, we we have two different areas of the store now. So our one area is our off-the-racker clearance area. So those are gonna be, you know, basically a thousand and under, and brides that also have really fast wear dates. So that they know they don't have time to special order, they know they're coming in and they're gonna try to find the dress that they're taking with them that day. Um you're gonna book that appointment, you're gonna shop for an hour and a half with my stylist and hopefully find the perfect dress and walk out with it that day. And then on the other hand, there are the brides who maybe want to spend a little bit more, they have a little bit more time uh to invest in this process. So they're going to be looking at my special order dresses. Um, so they'll book out an appointment in that area. We'll again shop for an hour and a half with a stylist. You have your own mirror where your family can sit just around you, and then we hopefully find the perfect dress and then we special order it, and then usually four to five months later, it arrives uh brand new just for that bride.
SPEAKER_01:Wow.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Four to five months isn't that bad.
SPEAKER_02:No, but it does it's not, but it does let people know they need to like get in there, you know?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it does.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah. Because sometimes people underestimate what all goes into it.
SPEAKER_00:It's not a good thing. And we're seeing a lot of quick words. Are you right now? Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Right. Which you can't. I I mean, I knew better and I gave myself, I think, five and a half months to prepare. Um yeah. My mom's gonna hold that one over me forever. And so you can definitely do it. Um, you just have to know what you're looking for and just know that some things may not be available. Yeah, right.
SPEAKER_02:Right.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Or something something of course to dress. All kinds of different timelines. You just have to be flexible if you have a short one.
SPEAKER_00:Right, right. That's what I'm saying. And on the other end, if you've got a year and a half and you want to do a custom dress, then those are gonna take six months to come in and you still have plenty of time to do that.
SPEAKER_01:So after the four to five months, when it comes in, are there generally alterations that have to happen after that?
SPEAKER_00:Most every bride will need something, um, from a hem to shorten it in the front to a bustle where they're gonna pick it up in the back so that it doesn't drag during the reception and other little things like straps and maybe a little bus start and things like that. So, yes, I'm gonna say that 95% of brides will need something done for their dress. And the way it works with us anymore is when the dress comes in, they try it on. Then if it's uh time that they take it to a seamstress, they will take it with them that day, they take it and get it altered, and then they come back and drop it off with us, and then we will press it and have it all ready for their big day.
SPEAKER_01:Wow. Yeah. Yeah. How many people how many people do they usually bring with them to the try-on?
SPEAKER_00:The I mean, the average is probably five or six, and then we have a lot of groups that will, you know, be ten and twelve, but then we also have those that it's just mom and daughter, which are sometimes uh some of the sweetest interactions. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Because they want it to be a surprise for everybody.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah. Surprise for everybody and they just want to keep it special and and intimate.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, there's a lot more of the bridesmaids reveals happening on the wedding day where the bridesmaids are all lined up with their backs turned, and then the bride walks in and they all see them her in her dress. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Like they haven't seen her yet.
SPEAKER_02:Yep, they haven't seen her yet. Yeah, because y you know, they're not all taking all their bridesmaids with them anymore, which is maybe less opinions is better.
SPEAKER_00:I mean, in from my perspective and working with brides, you know, everybody is different, but I think you know you and you know your bridesmaids and their opinions. And so I would always recommend if you know that somebody is going to be very opinionated and maybe not necessarily go along with what you're thinking, I would reconsider bringing them to the appointment because truly, when you're shopping for a wedding dress, no one's opinion matters except the bride's. So we want her to absolutely, you know, get that emotion, get that feeling, and know that it's the dress and not have some distractions that are questioning her precision. Agreed.
SPEAKER_02:Yep. If she feels beautiful in it, that's what matters. Absolutely, absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:So if you could offer, you know, a couple of pieces of advice for a bride getting ready to come in and try things on, what would you recommend she think about prior to that appointment?
SPEAKER_00:Well, the first thing is consider, you know, think about who you're bringing. Make sure that they're going to be supportive and the person that you want with you. Also, it really is important to think about your budget when you get there. Already have your budget lined out so that you know where you would like the dress to fall within your budget because we don't want to show you a dress that is way out of your budget, but it's the dress that you love, and then nothing will compare to it. Um, we truly want to find a dress that fits within your budget and you love it. So make sure you know your budget when you come in. And then also it does not hurt. Uh, we work really hard to keep our website updated with a lot of the styles that we have in the store. So to go through and pick out, you know, three to five dresses that you think might be a style that you're interested in, and then that's a really great way to jump off when you arrive. And we will start with those, and either they'll be great or they won't, but it really sets us off uh in the right direction when you get there.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think that makes a lot of sense. It kind of helps you guys. Well, you you guys speak in the language of of silhouettes and and I don't know what details, right? So you seeing kind of what they're attracted to helps.
SPEAKER_00:And for me, I mean, I love working with brides. The hardest bride is when they walk in, they said, I absolutely have no idea.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Which I get it, maybe you don't, and and that's okay. We will work through it. Um, but we real I'm you really are just kind of throwing darts at that point. You know, I I typically will grab a fitted and I will grab a ball gown and I may grab an A-line and I'll grab some different necklines, and that's how we have to start narrowing down what she really does like.
SPEAKER_02:Yep, it makes sense. Yep.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Interesting. And then I have brides that come in and show me a picture, and she ends up walking out with that same dress. You know, because she really knows she knew herself well enough to know that that is the dress.
SPEAKER_01:I love those girls. I wish I could be that girl. I'm not. I'm not that girl. But there's some of them that just know they just they're so good at making decisions. They're just like that one, not that one. Yeah. Some of those, no, no, not that, yes, that. You know what? I just, yeah, I'm like, I don't know. I'm like, well, let's put it together. Let's see what happens. Let's try it on.
SPEAKER_00:And you know, I think the big thing is for the bride to be really, really honest with our stylists because we're truly there to help. And we can't necessarily help if we don't know all the information. So when we ask the budget, you know, don't you don't don't feel bad about giving us your true budget. And if you don't like a dress, you can tell us you don't like a dress. It really will help us narrow down what you do like and you know what fits in your budget.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, you're not personally attached to that dress.
SPEAKER_00:No, no, and I tell my brother that I said, I get you're not going to offend me if you don't like a dress. This is not a big deal.
SPEAKER_01:You mean you're not gonna show up on their wedding day and like heckle them down the aisle?
SPEAKER_00:How dare you to not pick my favorite dress. No, no.
SPEAKER_01:You're like leaning over to all the guests, you're like, it's not what I would have chosen.
SPEAKER_00:You should have seen her in this other dress that she had on. No, of course no.
SPEAKER_01:You want them to be happy. That's the main goal. I love it.
SPEAKER_00:Truly, truly. Yeah, because then they glow, and that's that's what you're looking for, is that bright glow when they put the dress on, and then you know. Yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:Do you think that you've been doing this long enough that you can tell pretty well as soon as they put the dress on that they're gonna choose?
SPEAKER_00:Pretty close. You know, not everybody is very um animated. Yeah, animated, yeah. You know, some brides are really much easier to read than others. Yeah. But I I watch for the small cues or the bride or the dress that she has smiled the longest or the biggest in.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:That's funny. Yeah, that's what I'm looking for. The the small clues. And then it's that it's that dress that she either is has just smiled nonstop, or she does like the bride dance, is what we call it, and she's just kind of danced around and she can't stop moving and smiling. Um, those are those are pretty big clues. Uh super simple.
SPEAKER_01:Same thing I do whenever I get my favorite dessert.
SPEAKER_00:Is that what you do too with with ice cream? I might have done that yesterday when I ate ice cream on the way home.
SPEAKER_02:Do my food dance.
SPEAKER_00:Yep. You know, they have the fresh blueberries out now at Andy's.
SPEAKER_02:So Yeah, well, we can't have that. Thanks to reminding allergy. Oh man. Stinking Alpha Gal. I know.
SPEAKER_01:Just get the blueberries. Hold the items.
SPEAKER_00:What would they do? Just give you a big cup of blueberries.
SPEAKER_01:I want you to do that and tell me what happened.
unknown:Okay.
SPEAKER_02:I don't want any of your custard. Right. Hold your custard. Oh my gosh. That would be funny just to see what they do. That would be they give you the craziest look. They definitely would.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. So Liz, when when I'm ready to go gown shopping or our listeners are, what's the best way to start? Do they go to the website, make an appointment, call the store? What do they do?
SPEAKER_00:I think the easiest thing is to go to our website, and then they can easily click and make an appointment with us online. Um, but of course, if they've got questions or would like to do it over the phone, they are welcome to do it that way as well.
SPEAKER_01:Love it. Perfect. Couldn't be easier. Look for the gowns downtown.
SPEAKER_00:Yep, normansbridal.com. Perfect. All right. All right, girls.
SPEAKER_02:All right. Have fun. Okay. Bye.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you for joining us for Metropolitan Weddings Engage Podcast. Be sure to click subscribe so you are notified when our new episodes drop. For more information and to get connected with merchants for your wedding, visit metropolitanweddings.com. You'll find information on upcoming wedding shows, access to our blog, Facebook, and IT.
SPEAKER_02:Also look for the latest history of Metropolitan Weddings on newsstands near here.