There are so many reasons that we continue to love Modern Trousseau’s designs—which are made with love in the U.S.A. They are sophisticated, elegant, and truly high quality. We simply fell in love with these looks at New York International Bridal Week. See some of the Spring 2014 beauties for yourself!

Sarah is wearing a custom Magdalena Gmyr gown with Sara Gabriel accessories!

This sale is especially beneficial for brides that are on a budget but still want a high-quality gown and personalized shopping experience. A “sample” is the dress that we use at TGS for brides to try on during appointments. So through this sale, you’ll be literally buying the dress off the rack – it’s yours the day of purchase. We keep our samples in excellent condition, and we’ll provide you recommendations for great seamstresses in the area who will help you get the perfect fit.

Oh, and another perk? All sample gown purchases during this particular sale will receive one of our gorgeous new bangles from Bourbon & Boweties!

A free bangle? Yes, please!

Check out our PINTEREST page for a sneak peak of gowns available. We’ve included some of the beauties below.

Modern Trousseau’s “Jessica” is $2,500 (originally $4,200). Our dress has a key hole back.

Fancy NY’s “Emily” is on sale for $500 (originally $1,200).

Lea-Ann Belter’s gorgeous “Allison” is $1,700 (originally $ 3,400).

The sample of Amy Kuschel’s “Eureka” is available for $1,000 (originally $ 1,960).

Click here to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 734-834-GOWN.

Designed by Lazaro Perez, the Tara Keely collection combines glamour with an unmistakable twist of modern sophistication. We’ll be showing off the “Best of” collection beginning this weekend. From May 24-June 29, come check the enchanted and alluring looks that this designer is known for. All purchases made during the trunk show will be 15% off.

Brides will have lots of options, from a hint of sparkle on a signature jeweled belt to the refined grace of tiered lace. Have a look for yourself!

See more photos here.

Click here to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 734-834-GOWN.

From May 10-11, the Sara Gabriel Veiling & Headpiece Trunk Show will be back at The Gown Shop for all of our brides to accessorize their big day look. All orders placed this weekend are 10% off. We love the fact that Sara Gabriel designs and produces each of her creations by hand in Denver, Colorado. While shipping takes five weeks, certain pieces can be rushed. There’s also a selection of top sellers available for arrival within one week.

TGS will also be participating in the Main Street Area Association’s First Annual Ladies Night Out. We’ll be open from 2 P.M. to 12 A.M, and 10% will be taken off all purchases. Walk-ins are welcome for those wishing to browse our social dress collection and accessories. Appointments are required for bridal gown and accessory purchases.

From May 8-18, we’re also hosting Kirribilla’s I Do! Collection trunk show. Come check out the collection of little white dresses for all your upcoming wedding-related events. We also have gorgeous dresses offered in a variety of shades too! All Kirribilla purchases will be 10% off.

Click here to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 734-834-GOWN.

As I anticipated in my post last week, we saw many looks incorporating lace, textures, and blush. Both strapless and strapped dresses were in full-force. But there were some unexpected designs out there too. I was surprised by the black/white elements incorporated in many designers’ collections—and I definitely didn’t expect to see so much sparkle! I was pleased to see both, and excited to bring aspects of both design elements to TGS.

So what were some of my favorites? What runway looks will head to The Gown Shop Ann Arbor? Here’s a sneak peek:

Remember Carrie Underwood’s gown at the Grammy’s? Well, meet Theia’s “Carrie.” I’m a sucker for ball gowns, and I love the classic lines of this dress. Plus, it’s always fun to have the chance to wear a celebrity-inspired look, right? The train is absolutely magnificent, and the subtle sparkles are done tastefully. Someone looking to add a twist can get this dress in a mermaid cut as well.

I adore Le-Ann Belter’s “Clara” for several reasons. It’s both classic and fresh and it includes the lace element that so many of our brides love. The sash is very flattering and narrowing, and the tool skirt has just enough shimmer to really capture the eye. The champagne skirt underlay is gorgeous, and the back is simply stunning.

Modern Trousseau’s “Yoko” is my “out of the box” pick. We often hear brides say, “I want to get a dress that people are going to be wowed by.” Well, ladies, this is it! It’s unlike any other that we carry, with its mix of embroidered rosettes, sweetheart neckline, A-line skirt, and feathered and pearl detailing.

There’s a lot to love about Ivy and Aster’s “Take on Me”—including its great name. I describe this gown as being modestly sexy; it has a deep v-neck, a pleated bodice with a jeweled lace insert, and cap sleeves. And, naturally, I love that it’s blush! It has that “wow” factor that many of our brides crave.

This is just a glimpse inside the amazing designs shown this weekend. We’ll have many more updates resulting from this bridal market, including an announcement about additional designers coming to The Gown Shop Ann Arbor. Yep, that’s right—there will be even more selection at TGS! Check back to the blog for more details soon.

Sarah Seven is a new designer to TGS, and we’re currently the only retailer offering these gowns in Michigan. This Portland, Oregon based designer crafts gowns in-house using natural fabrics—and our eco-conscious brides will be delighted to know that many of the offerings, including lace and tulle gowns, are vegan. Additionally, as part of the trunk show, we’ll have the opportunity to showcase some pieces that are completely new.

These dresses are whimsical, feminine, and romantic. Take a look for yourself!

Blushing Gown

Graceful

Practically Perfect

Sweet Nothings

This is “Swell.”

Click here to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 734-834-GOWN.

Photography : Kelly Sweet of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bride is wearing Modern Trousseau custom “Leah” with Sara Gabriel veiling and headpieces!

It’s that time of year again! This weekend I’m off to New York International Bridal Week.

Twice each year (in April and October) I join fellow retailers to get a look inside designers’ new collections. It’s an exciting trip—and a whirlwind, too.

I’ll spend Sunday visiting designers that are based in New York, such as Modern Trousseau, Carol Hannah and Theia. On Monday, I’ll visit designers that aren’t New York based, such as Ivy and Aster and Lea-Ann Belter. These designers are set up at pier 92, a glammed-up warehouse. In total, I’ll likely visit around 10 or so designers to check out their new looks. So I certainly make the most of my 36-hour trip!

The setup at the piers

Here I am posed with some fan favorites at a Martha Stewart Wedding Party:

Darcy Miller (Martha Stewart Weddings Editor), Randy Fenoli (Say Yes to the Dress), Austin Scarlet (Project Runway) & Martha herself!

A Look Back: Past Bridal Market Weekends

As I gear up for Bridal Week, it’s fun to reflect upon some of my favorite market moments in the past.

At the first bridal market I went to for TGS, I fell in love with Ivy and Aster’s “Duchess.” It was shown in blush and paired with the ‘Prima’ lace cap. Shortly after attending, Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine called to ask what my favorite gowns were, and I mentioned Duchess as a top contender. They published the pick in the fall 2011 issue.

Duchess at Bridal Market

Our shout-out in Martha Stewart Weddings

Another favorite moment was when I saw Modern Trousseau’s “Leah” gown. It was essentially love at first sight. In the past, I had sold another designer’s dress with a ruched, crisscrossed bodice and textured A-line skirt. But this one was even better because it has textured lace. It’s perfect—and a little more fashion forward and fun.

Leah

A Look Ahead

So what do I expect to see this weekend? Ball gowns shined at Bridal Week in October, so I’m curious as to whether they’ll continue to take reign. I also think we’ll continue to see more lace and textured looks. In previous years, designers have featured more strapless gowns in their collections, but I think both strapped and strapless looks will make equal showings. And I’m guessing we’ll be seeing lots of blush and color—which I love!

Yes, Bridal Week is fun, but it’s work! The tricky part of the process is that I view gowns both as a fan and as a business owner. The first question I ask myself when I see a gown becomes: Is this a good fit for the TGS bride? Within that, I’m wondering: Who will wear it? When? Where? So I consider if the dress would pair well with the local venues in Michigan and Northwest Ohio areas, and for what season it’s appropriate. I contemplate what shade our typical bride would love the most. And of course I think of the pricing, too, ensuring that it’s within range of our offerings. Additionally, I don’t want gowns that compete with one another. I want each selection to be purposeful—and to be the perfect pick for one of our brides.

I always look forward to each Big Apple trip and all it has in store. I’ll be regularly updating our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts this weekend, so stay tuned for updates! Check back to the blog next week too, so you can hear all about how my visit went.

And now for a few more favorites:

With the Ivy & Aster Ladies

With Lindsie Jones, Haute Bride jewelry designer

Designer Carol Hannah Whitfield

Favorites from Lea-Ann Belter in October 2012.