No More Small Bridal Stores - Its Your Fault!

Bankruptcy - It is your fault.

As a bridal consultant, I get asked many questions that are all related: "Why don't more stores carry the brands I see in the magazines?" "Why is their only a David's Bridal or an Alfred Angelo?", "Why are the privatly owned stores going out of business?"

Here is your answer: "Its your fault for being so damn cheap."

David's Bridal get 1 in every 3 brides looking for a dress. The internet has now been getting 1 in every 10. David's Bridal offers "no name brand" dresses at bargain prices since they cut out the designers. Many of the internet stores, like House of Brides, Best Bridal Prices, RK Bridal and more have been selling seconds, knock-offs, floor samples and even used gowns. This would not be a problem and a great deal if they only informed you of this. Other websites that doe not have a physical store attached to them are just selling you cheap fakes. Always check the website for a physical store. No actual storefront, No Buy from here.

This is why the smaller stores are going out of business. Everyone is looking for the best deal no matter the quality, service or authenticity.

I am seeing this in my business too. Everyone is beating me up over prices. "Can I get that cheaper?", "Why do I have to pay for that?", "Can you give me a better deal now that the economy is bad?" The economy is bad because many brides have champagne taste on a beer budget.

I may sound a little bitter, I had a bad day. Otherwise, you know I still love you all. Best of luck out there and don't get taken.

Below is a case of yet another "out-of-business". I feel so bad for the brides.

Peggy's Bridal: A No-Show In Bankruptcy Court
Posted: May 20, 2009 6:53 PM EDT
Updated: May 20, 2009 8:01 PM EDT
I cannot believe that Orban Vannostran didn't show up for his own bankruptcy hearing. HE'S the one who filed it. It was to protect him. But now it's only complicated matters. Now brides can take him to civil court. But I know for many of them, time is of the essence. By the time it's heard in court, the wedding will probably have already happened. And then of course you'd have to serve him and finding him could be a challenge. We haven't been able to.

He's selling his home so you'd think his realtor would know where he's at - but no. He says Vannostran disconnected his phone and he can't get a hold of him.

And then what is really sad, is Vannostran has another daughter. Not Deborah who is the one accused of embezzling and running off to Florida. But this other daughter says she feels she's lost about everything. She can't reach her family either. She says both of their phones have been disconnected and no one's called her. You could hear her sincerity and sadness in her voice.

And then the landlord can't get ahold of them either. When we went to Peggy's Bridal today, we saw a new sign.

Click here to read it in its entirety.

It's by the landlord. We have a call into the landlord - his voicemail says he's out until the 28th. As soon as we hear from him, I'll let you know.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. File a complaint with the attorney general's office. File a complaint with your credit card company to recoup costs made with a credit card. And TRY not to let what has happened tarnish what will be your happiest day.