This weekend only! Mark your calendar!

OREGON EXCLUSIVES!

JAMES CLIFFORD BRIDAL COLLECTION

AND

RINA DI MONTELLA COUTURE BRIDAL

THIS WEEKEND ONLY, JANUARY 28- FEBRUARY 1ST

These gorgeous couture gowns cannot be found anywhere else in the Northwest! From January 28-Feb 1st, we will have their latest collections on loan for viewing and try-ons.

Fitting rooms are booked on a first come, first serve basis. Arrive early for the best selection!

Eugenia Couture Trunk Show January 15-21

Back by popular demand! The Silver Lining will hold a private showing of Eugenia's most sought-after designs, January 15th-21st. If you are looking for something truly one of a kind, you need to check these out! Not only are the designs incredibly unique, she uses fabrics that are to-die-for, and each gown is custom designed and sewn in the USA.

To preview these gorgeous gowns, visit her website at http://www.eugeniacouture.com

SAMPLE SALE! Up to 70% off!

Our annual sample clearance will be held January 8th and 9th!

Up to 70% off selected gowns!

All 2009 Pronovias, La Sposa, and San Patrick styles 60% OFF!

Select 2009 Carolyne Satuer gowns 50% OFF!

Selected gowns by all other designers, up to 40% off!

*Limited to stock on hand, discounts not applicable to previous purchases. No adjustments will be made on previous purchases. Cash and Carry, please. No layaways or holds.

Understanding Designer's Pricing

I understand that it's human nature to compare prices to get the best deal. I compare things like cars, cameras, and even dog food. It's just what people do.

When you are comparing prices on your wedding gown, first make sure that you are comparing apples to apples.....especially if the price you're comparing to came off the internet. There are MANY unscrupulous overseas vendors that use the designer's real photos, offering "the dress" for pennies on the dollar. It simply isn't so. Legitimate gown designers don't sell their gowns for pennies. They sell them through full service authorized boutiques.

There are a few easy ways to spot a knock off site:

1. They offer changes to the dress that the real designer doesn't.
2. The sites are often written in poor or broken english.
3. They offer the gowns in colors the designer never offered it in.
4. They put their own copyright on the designer's photos.
5. On the checkout page, there is usually a disclaimer about how the gown will look "similar" to the gown in the photo- that means it's a cheap knockoff!

Happy shopping, be careful, and have fun!

Internet Disasters, Part Deux

This week, we had a bride with a not too unusual problem- she bought her gown online to save a few bucks.....and what she got was not what she thought she was getting. Not by a long shot. She's asked me to write a quick blog to warn others about the perils of buying online.

This week's disaster belonged to a bride who bought was she thought was a Pronovias gown online:

You fall in love with a gown at a boutique, and you race home to google the style number. WOW! The price at the bridal shop is so much higher! How can they charge $2000 for the dress, when this internet site has it for $188?

The short answer to that is that they are knockoffs. And not even good ones. I'm talking about cheap laces, see through fabrics, unfinished seams, glued on embellishments. The price looks good because they're using the real designer photos.....and they're sending you their own cheaped out version. 99% of the time, it's a really cheaped out version. Trust me, "cheap" shows in photos. I've added a few to illustrate my point. The runway photos are of the Monique Lhuiller Scarlet. Notice how delicate the lace is, and how it flows so beautifully. Now, look at the other photo. The lace is stiff, the gown doesn't flow, and the bustline of the gown rides up way too high. Knockoff gowns never look the same (or even close to) the original gowns. The cost of the real gown is the difference between looking totally hot on your wedding day, or looking like you wrapped yourself in your grandmama's lace curtains. Your call...maybe your grandma has nice curtains ;)

FREE bridesmaids dress? Our 3rd Annual Bridesmaids Event Dec 12-19

Ladies, you don't want to miss this! Our annual bridesmaids event begins December 12th, showcasing the 2010 collections from Carolyne Satuer, Val Stefani, Lily Collection, and many more. These gowns are not sold anywhere else locally (bonus- they won't be at everyone else's wedding next season!). The gowns will be in the store December 12th-19th 2009. The gowns are priced from $118 and up before the trunk show discounts.


About that discount :) :

You choose! You may choose 15% off your entire bridesmaid gown purchase, or buy three or more gowns and get one free! Yep, you read that right....free!

So, ladies....gather your maids and make a day of it!

A Portland Exclusive- Please welcome James Clifford!

The Silver Lining is pleased to announce the addition of the exclusive bridal collection designed by James Clifford. This couture line features silk fabrics, crystal embellishments, and delicate imported laces, and all can be customized to your individual preferences.

A brief introduction (from his official website, used with permission):

A truly prestigious designer, James Clifford Hjelm started his formal career as a designer at the New England School of Art and Design. Following graduation, he participated in a two-year apprenticeship at the House of Bianchi and was then recruited by Priscilla of Boston. During his nineteen years at Priscilla, Jim designed for numerous celebrity and prestigious political weddings, including that of Julie Nixon and Lucy Baines Johnson. In 1980, Jim moved to New York City. While holding the position of head designer at Galina Bouquet, Jim worked to establish his own style and make his unique mark on the bridal gown industry. In 1987, Jim's hard work proved prolific when he joined Jim Hjelm, Inc. Jim furthered his career in September of 2004 by premiering two exclusive new upscale bridal gown collections for the Spring 2005 season: The James Clifford Collection and the JCH Collection by James Clifford. The new James Clifford Bridesmaids Collection recently premiered for the Spring 2008 season, already receiving rave reviews from retailers and brides alike.

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Stay tuned, Portland brides! We'll be featuring James Clifford's 2010 collection at an exclusive trunk show in January 2010!