Got started early- too tired to put everything away last night. We got in around 6:30pm from the bridal show in Kitchener. I have a lot of new accessories that we took to the show and I want to re-do our cabinets to accomodate some beautiful new feather hair pieces and pearl and crystal jewellery. Our booth got some really positive feedback and there was lots of interest in the gowns we had on manneqins as well a few new bridesmaids dresses we took with us. Looks like I guessed right when I ordered more floral and feather pieces rather than tiaras for our 2011 brides. Lots of girls indicated they would come out and see us- we are only about an hour from Kitchener. I really think if the brides feel we have something different they will drive further than ever to visit. Shopping has become a form entertainment and the bride and her party love to "find" a new favourite shop or product when planning their wedding. Brides want to be ahead of the curve and find the next new thing for their wedding so we try to keep things fresh.

I'm at the Bingemans Wedding Dreams Show working at the booth and talking to all our future brides. Debbi our new consultant is on board as well. We left the shop in Caledonia around 8:30am (how's that for dedication) with the idea of getting to the Bingemans Centre before 10:00am. The show organizers are providing a free breakfast for exhibitors and its a great opportunity to meet the faces behind the names. I always enjoy meeting the biz owners at the other booths as well - its interesting to see all the different display ideas. I noticed when I walked around Friday evening( when we were setting up our booth) how beautiful and innovative some of the exhibitors are. The event planners have really pulled out all the stops and their booths are amazing. Lots of other dress stores here as well so we'll have to work really hard to impress the brides with our gowns and accessories. We elected not to do the runway show this time but I got over to watch a couple of the segments and they were well produced. Lots of great gowns - looks like fit and flare and more body concousious styles are in. Didn't see much in the way of the princess look with the tulle skirt- but as I thought many of the gowns did have straps - but many of our brides still favour strapless over gowns with any types of straps. Please email me and let me know what your perfect gown looks like- did you purchase a gown with straps for your 2011 wedding? What type of material is your favourite ? When you look at all the latest bridal mags what style of gown do you like best? I'd love to hear from you. propertopper@mountaincable.net

We've closed the shop a little early tonight to allow us to pack up everything and set out for the Wedding Dreams show at the Bingemans Centre in Kitchener. We have to have everything set up by 8:00pm. Can't wait to see how our new booth design looks with our new artwork and banner.

One of our busiest days at the shop - we have a new employee starting today- her name is Debbi and I think she'll be a wonderful fit. We have had so many requests for gown appointments this evening I've made arrangements to work late so I can meet our last bride Stephanie at 7:30pm ( it's her first appointment with us for gowns.) We like to spend at least an hour with each of our bridal customers when they are looking for gowns - it takes awhile to chat and get a feel for what they would like and then we need to try things on to see what actually looks best. It's interesting some brides come in with no idea at all about what they would like while others have all kinds of clippings of their dream dresses. Sometimes by looking thru the pictures you see consistencies re bodice or skirt styles and that's where we start. Some brides choose exactly the kind of gown they had cut out of mags while others find the dress they really love looks nothing like they even thought of wearing. When working in bridal one of the most rewarding things is seeing that "look" on the customers face when she finds THE ONE.

We have a bit of a bottleneck with alterations and I've been starting earlier each morning to get more done before the store opens. Taking time off in September has put me a little behind the eight ball.

We have all kinds of weddings for October this year and our mandate is to have our alterations done at least a week in advance. I realize how busy that last week is for all our brides and I don't want to cause more stress. The bridal season is getting longer every year and with the popularity of destination weddings we seem to be busy almost all year long. I enjoy the challenge of taking a wedding gown that looks ok and making it look great- just a change here, taking in a seam there - changes everything. Sometimes the girls hate to spend money on alterations, but remember its not how beautiful the dress looks on the hanger but how great it looks on you.

I been working since 9:00am pulling all the gowns and bridesmaids dresses for the show this pm. We have a great line-up of models for this show - provided by an agency from St. Catharines called Geofrey Chapman Agency. We're putting some our newest fall gowns and bridesmaids dresses on the runway in lots of fun colours (raspberry, grape, purple, tourqoise). Tons of work putting everything together. A couple of weeks before the show the models come to the store to be fitted, our music selections and forwarded to the dj doing the runway music for us, and the runway lineup is organized.

Just got in from holidays - our last two days in Huntsville were the best weather wise. Back to reality - have a Welcome Wagon show at the Michelangelo Banquet Centre tomorrow night. What was I thinking!!!

Just remembered forgot to do my PST yesterday so even though its my day off my to do list just got longer. Started the day as usual at 6:30am. Going thru the draw tickets from the show and putting away the last of the gowns from Saturday. Now I`m thinking of the show I`m doing for Welcome Wagon at the Michelangelo Banquet Centre on Tuesday the 21st of September. Yesterday, we were trying to iron out some problems with getting models for this show. With summer holidays and everyone going back to school hard to get people to commit. I want real sized models sizes from 10 to 16 and what I`ve got are 4`s and 6`s.. We`re using an agency from St. Catharines - lets hope Stanlee can sort things out. Posted a new job listing - I`m wearing too many hats and I need more help. All that and it`s 8:30am. now I`m off to start my day. Bye for now- I`m off...

Ancaster Agricultural Building - 1st ever Fall Bridal Show Left the building last night around 8:30pm and now I`m back at 8:30am. Busy, putting the dresses on the mannequins, setting up the table with jewellery and headpieces. Makes it a little easier when we aren`t doing a runway show less product to bring. We do however have a double booth at this show- so we want to do a good job for Tiffany the show manager. The trick is to create a booth that is interesting and kind of fun - we went with hot pink, lime greens and even a touch of bright yellow to make our booth seem current and happy. We only have a few moments to grab people`s attention. Picked up these neat metal pieces from Homesense that kind of set the tone.

The doors have opened at 10:00am and I`m really surprised how many people are already here. Never thought anyone would arrive before 11:00am or so - we set up a free headpiece and accessory draw and as we speak to the girls we get them to fill things out. Talked to lots of great people everyone so enthusiastic. Been doing these shows for a long time- about 20 years or so - I make sure to do a walk about say hi to old friends and new ones working in the surrounding booths. I know a lot of businesses use these shows to do networking with other bridal businesses and I`m open to the idea but mostly just enjoy meeting new people and letting the girls know we`d love to see them at the store. The show`s over and now for the take-down. Back home at 7:00pm. Yes retail does take long hours.

Another Saturday and while a I wish it were a bit busier I know where all the brides are- at a friends wedding. This August has been one of our busiest with numerous weddings each weekend. Lots of alterations and lots of beautiful brides. Today we actually assisted four brides with gowns and two said `yes to the dress`. Lisa came earlier in the day and tried on a couple of dresses then went out to visit a couple of other shops. I was so happy as she returned later and we helped her try on a few other things and she found the perfect dress. Lisa made me smile when she said we spoiled her - helping her do up zips and lace-ups and spending time with her. I think having bustiers here (in all sizes) to try on makes a big difference and gives you a real feel for how great the dress will look. Helped a couple of bridesmaids find the perfect fit in bustiers. Laura (one of our brides whose wedding is September 25th) dropped in to pickup a fabulous earring and necklace set in champagne european crystals for her Mom. Her Mom had been admiring it for weeks but felt guilty treating herself so Laura is treating her. More bustier fittings and purchases - one of our brides dropped in a picked out the perfect veil to compliment her dress. Another bride made an appointment to come in next Saturday with her Mom she fell in love with two gowns and needs her Mom`s input. Put in a little overtime as while the morning was a little quiet the afternoon was full of drop-ins small purchases. It`s 5:30pm and`now I`m just starting to pack up for the Ancaster Bridal Show to be held at The Ancaster Fair Grounds on Trinity Road.

To-day was the day Brittany picked up her bridal gown. It fit like a dream- she was happy with the results of the steaming we did. She commented she was even happier with how she looked in the dress because her hair was "up" today and more like she would be wearing it for the wedding. We gave her Mom "lacing" lessons and then practised putting the bustle up at the back so that even with wedding day jitters everything would be stress-free. We talked about how to wear the small tiara she purchased and where her veiling would be worn under her "up-do".. I enjoy so much this final interaction with my brides when they pick-up their dresses. I made sure to give Brittany one of our special "logo bags" as a special keepsake and a means to store her dress after the big day.

After much work my new website is live. I'm really pleased with the results. As with most things it is a work in progress and it is my goal to keep everyone updated on this blog about what's happening at the shop. The shop always has a million things on the go- bridal shows, new product arrivals, new brides, and prior brides returning with their friends and sometimes with their newest smallest familiy members. We are thrilled you let us be part of your up-coming weddings and want you to be part of events that are new to The Proper Topper Bridal Shoppe.

This is a wonderful high energy group. The girls and even the gents visited while we did the ladies final fittings. Bailey and Taylor the littlest members of the party looked darling in their little dresses-in white with matching sashes of Jamaican mist to match the Bridesmaids. The colour was a great choice for a summer wedding and perfect with the Brides stunning white gown embellished with silver beadwork. They are going to have some wonderful pictures at their August 7th wedding.