OT-NEED WEDDING SHOPPING ADVICE!

In Crystal there is one called the wedding chapel.  my daughter works there on the tux side and also she and her bridemaids got there dresses there. they have been fantastic to work with and have heard of  few little problems through my daughter but nothing major. in fact they just had like 15 tuxes had to be ready for thursday  pickup for one wedding. they are ready tonight !  they do have a site ist is    www.weddingchapelbridals.com      check them out, close to your home.  bonnie

I bought my dress at Angeliques (already mentioned) in Blaine and was very happy with them!!!  I also shopped at the bridal store in Crystal previously mentioned and was happy there too.  David's - not so much!!

Congratulations!

Lucy, I'm with the others - Angelique's in Blaine and also the Wedding Shoppe in St. Paul. I've been to both and had great experiences!!! My wedding dress came from the Wedding Shoppe and I loved it there - the ladies take good care of you and at that time, I was really self-conscious about my weight and they never made me feel like that was an issue. I found "the" dress the first time there, too - but of course had to go to all the shops and ended up going back there because I knew it was the one. My niece used to work for David's and she would never recommend them after all the grief she dealt with - and she always felt so horrible for the customers, so she quit after a few months. How fun!!! Don't forget to bring some high heels with. :-)

My uncle owns his own print shop. My cousin made his wedding invitations through him. I could check into that for you if you want. Let me know if you want company shopping. Lori

Another  for Angeliques.  My friend got her wedding dress there just within the past few months or so.  It's SO gorgeous, she looks gorgeous and the whole experience has been amazing for her. Best Wishes for your wedding

David's heards them in like cattle.  The Wedding Shippe on Grand ROCKS!!  I went there a few years ago with a friend and they were fantastic. The ladies treated my friend like a princess!  My sister went to a place in Crystal 6 years ago....but don't remember the name....I would think anything would be better than David's.   Good Luck!

Miss Lucy,  The only advice I will offer is to take a few trips out, check any number of places, and find a shop, or store that feels good to you. I had a nightmare with Angelique's, 23 years ago, but have heard wonderful things about them over the last few years.  When my good hubby and I married 8 years ago, I had my dress custom made at a shop on Hennepin and Lake, and 3 weeks before the wedding,it was stolen from the shop...I was fortunate that I have an amazing friend who is a former seamstress for the Guthrie costume department, and she whipped up my dress in 2 days!! (it was VERY simple) But, again, find a place where YOU feel comfortable. Dont let yourself get overwhelmed, remeber, its all about YOU!!!! Enjoy!!!!!

I'm going to share the best bit of advice anyone gave me when I was planning MY wedding.  It came from my gay pal, Craig.  He said to me "Darla, the point of the whole thing is that you & Rich will become husband and wife.  Everything else is just gravy." Translation?  Don't sweat the small stuff.  I mean, if you've always dreamt of the big fairytale wedding, then you kind of have to sweat the small stuff.  But if trying to get it all done - long distance, in 5 months - is going to make you crazy, then just remember the point of the whole thing.   To become Mrs. Randall Culpepper.  (have you been practicing your signature yet???  )

If you really only have four months until the wedding you are probably too late for the Wedding Shoppe or anywhere else that has to order the dresses.  My daughter is getting married October 11th, she ordered her dress about  4 weeks ago and they told her it would not be in until mid-August.  I was there two weeks ago with a straggler brides maid- a bride came in with a late July wedding date and they didn't know if they would be able to help her- it would depend on the manufacturer of the dress. I don't know how formal a dress you are looking for but Nordstroms and J Crew has dresses that you can order off the rack.  Also, I have seen alot of brand new dresses from David's bridal on Craig's list...you should check that out...good luck.