FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IrisD Bridal Receives 2011 Best of Tempe Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, December 13, 2011 — IrisD Bridal has been selected for the 2011 Best of Tempe Award in the Wedding & Bridal Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

*Service is more personalized
*Quality of gowns are better
*Individual Style is captured
*One on One Service
*Flexibility with products

David’s bridal may be a national chain and more well known but that doesn’t mean they are better than the shop around the corner. Bridal boutiques and smaller shops work very hard for your business because they want to and have to. They don’t necessarily have millions of dollars to spend on advertising but what they do spend is time with the bride. Time learning what the bride really wants even if she doesn’t know it yet herself. Trust that your bridal consultant at a boutique does this because she knows what she is talking about and loves what she does.

Think local boutiques before thinking national chains; you will be happy with your outcome.

Book your appointment to come try on our stunning wedding dresses today and you will be happy you did.

Kristen Erwin

Name: Amy Bacon

How long have you been in business? I have been doing Wedding and Event Planning for almost 9 years now. The last two years as a Wedding Division Head, this Summer I opened Celebrations By Amy Bacon.

Why did you want to start your business? I’ve done Wedding Planning since I started helping friends and saw how much stress I could take away from them. I love watching my couples embrace their love for one another and actually enjoy their wedding day.

What is your goal for your business? Afford a bride and groom a sense of comfort knowing all the little and big details are covered so they can enjoy time with their family and friends. At the same time I can save them money with my vendor relationships.

What are your price ranges? My services start at $950.00 and go up. My day-of service includes at least 50 hours of work well before the week of my clients wedding. I also cover rehearsal day and all day wedding day.

Is there anything else that you would like to comment on for your vendor profile? I offer free consultations to meet with the couple and allow them to get to know me and interview me for the position as their wedding planner. I think every couple and wedding is unique so all pricing is unique as well. Factors that will effect your pricing – 1) Number of guests 2) Bridal Party Size 3) Venue 4) Ceremony / Reception times.

Celebrations by Amy Bacon
www.facebook.com
Celebrations by Amy Bacon | Facebook

Upon reading a fellow wedding professional blog, Angie Bluemling of Black Diamond Weddings, she brought up RSVP’s to weddings.

RSVP’s are so important for you as a bride and you as a guest to a wedding. But what about you as a potential client to a Bridal Boutique? When you RSVP to any event, you are expected, you are planned for. This would in turn mean you have a great experience because your host or hostess is prepared for you.

Would you want that same experience when you are shopping for your wedding gown?

Dropped Waist Floral Gown

We always recommend appointments or RSVPs because we can plan our day according to the demand of brides that day and give you the personal attention you deserve. This is your one time being a bride. You should have the best experience you could possibly have when shopping for the gown.

When you RSVP for your appointment with IrisD Bridal we can offer you two kinds of appointments. The standard or the premium appointment.

The standard appointment ensures that you are served first and walk in brides come after your 1.5 hour appointment.

The premium appointment is an exclusive consultation that shuts IrisD Bridal down to the public for 1.5 hours, you can have chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, and sparkling cider for you and 5 guests. This appointment requires a day notice and is $30 with a cc required over the phone to hold your spot. This $30 can apply to any item in the store including a new gown order.

RSVP’s are good for any special occasion in life and your wedding gown shopping experience should be one of them!

Bubbly!

I do have questions though for brides, moms, bridesmaids, and anyone else who wants to share. This will help make IrisD Bridal the leading bridal boutique with the most amazing dresses for you in the Valley area. Help make IrisD Bridal the Kleinfeld of the southwest!

What is it worth to you to have good customer service?

What is it worth to you to have a bridal salon with a good selection?

What is it worth to you to have a relaxed atmosphere when shopping for the gown?

What is it worth to you to have convenient hours?

What is it worth to you to have an alterations expert available?

What is it worth to you to have something unique?

What is it worth to you to have gowns that range in price?

What is it worth to you to have a bridal consultant that knows some of the leading vendors in the valley?

Please let me know what would be your ideal bridal shop and your perfect wedding gown. We, at IrisD Bridal, are here to make your wedding dreams come true.

Feel free to email me at Kristen.Erwin@irisdbridal.com or Call 602-633-4747.

Thanks so much for any feedback!

I started this business because I get to work in two areas that I absolutely love: photography and weddings. I have studied under some of the best wedding photographers in the valley. Each wedding is truly unique and I want to capture the classic romance and beauty of each bride’s wedding day as it unfolds.

My goal is to capture each bride’s wedding day in it’s truest form so that when she looks back at her photos years from now she is brought back to the the day she said “I do”. I believe that what I do is immeasurable because these photos are of the utmost importance in telling our life stories. These photos document the beginning of a life together. My work has been referred to as “your favorite black cocktail dress“, always elegant and never out of style. My photos are thoughtful, creative, and true. I do not over stylize because I don’t want photos that years from now look outdated. My style is that of classic romance combining photojournalist, editorial, and fashion photography approaches.

Full wedding collections start at $1899. We also create custom packages to suit your unique event.

How to reach Gina!

Gina Keilen
phone: (480) 282-2858

website: www.ginakeilenphotography.com

blog: www.ginakeilenphotography.com/blog

email: ginakeilenphotography@yahoo.com

This month, we are featuring Laura Segall Photography who has been a professional photographer for over 10 years. She studied photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology and began her career as a photo journalist working for a number of newspapers around the country. She started freelance and wedding photography business in 2006.

IrisD Bridal: What is your specialty?

Laura Segall: I specialize in creating images that tell the story of your wedding. My goal is to capture the moments that will allow you to relive to your incredible day each time you look at your pictures.

IrisD Bridal: Tell us about one of your most memorable photo shoots you did.

Laura Segall: One of my most memorable weddings started out as a rainy gray morning in north Phoenix. As I was photographing the bride getting ready she kept looking out the window and getting more and more nervous about the weather. She was planning on riding her horse to the ceremony. We arrived at the wedding location in Cave Creek and the clouds parted just long enough for her to get her wish. The rain subsided and the sight of this bride riding horseback with a long flowing white dress in the wet desert was breathtaking.

IrisD Bridal: What is one tip you would like to give to brides about their wedding photography?
Laura Segall: Try not to stress out too much on your wedding day! This may seem obvious but the more relaxed and excited you are the better the pictures. Don’t sweat the small stuff, your wedding is going to be amazing not matter what happens. In the end it is all about you and your partner committing your life to each other.

IrisD Bridal: Besides wedding and engagement photos, do you also shoot other special occasions?
Laura Segall: In addition to weddings and engagements I also shoot family portraits, babies and special events such as birthday and anniversary parties. I am also a working photo journalist, my clients include Phoenix Magazine, The New York Times and USA Today to name a few.

by ‘Amy Bacon on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 12:06pm

Wedding Dress Shopping and your Entourage…..by Mrs. Hancock

Shopping for that special dress is such an exciting time! Of course, if your friends were Drama and Turtle (from HBO’s show Entourage), you’d be in and out of there in a jiffy; however we know the truth of the matter. Here are a few tips that will assist you and your Bridal Shop owner have a fantastic shopping experience:

1). For the very best service, please make an appointment! Call your Dress Shop owner, make an appointment and ask if it’s alright if you bring 7 people with you. Space may be at a premium; with perhaps a lack of seating. We’d prefer to see you bring only 1 to 3 others and have that small entourage be comfortable. Comfort is key when shopping. If you can go in the middle of the week or during the day or evening, the chances are you may have the place mostly to yourselves. Worst day of the week: Saturday.

2). Dress Shop owners prefer that very small children remain at home. Crying children disrupts others and as dresses and other items in the store are fragile and sometimes expensive, children running about worry Shop owners; this many times add a level of frustration and pulls focus. It’s all about you, not your Maid of Honor’s 4-year old. Please remember to be respectful of the other Brides and their friends in the shop.

3). Do your research. Think on your venue. The flowers you like, formal or cocktail; your body type, color palette, etc. These are all important things to consider before shopping. If you can pull magazine photos to share with the dress shop specialist, it will help them assist you! You may not want a formal dress if you’re having a Sunday Brunch wedding, for example.

4). Consider bringing only your most trusted advisors. Your dress is your dress and it’s your opinion that truly matters. However, should you feel bringing 7 people is what you need, then please ask that your young ladies be positive and supportive. We want you to find the perfect gown and other people’s opinions are just that.

5). Fuel up! Be sure to eat the day of, so that you have the energy to get through the event. Driving all over the Valley will be tough when you’re hungry; keep the “crankies” at bay. Drink plenty of water. Consider having a dutch-lunch, breakfast or hosted brunch prior to your outing and make it a lovely and memorable event. Consider bringing bottled water and snacks; granola bars, a bag of veggies, or unsalted almonds are perfect! Don’t drink alcohol for 48-hours before shopping and lower your salt intake to avoid swelling.

6). Dress for the occasion! Multiple layers cause changing issues. Consider a sun dress and bring a couple of different styles of brassieres and shoes; maybe a pair or two of earrings.

7). Most Brides want to lose some weight prior to their wedding day; that’s fine. Please don’t spend time judging yourself and your weight. Need to lose 10 pounds, not a problem! It’s about the dress. Don’t go to that ‘poor me’ place. Have FUN!

8). If you’re an older bride or are on your 3rd or 4th marriage, consider something other than white (at least for a minute). Mix it up! Try Silver or Gold, tea length and stand out as a woman of a certain age.

9). You’re always welcome to return if need be. You don’t have to pick a gown that day. Mull; consider and make the best possible choice for the time of day, time of year, inside or outside ceremony and, your figure. There you are! Have someone in charge of taking pictures!

Have a blast and we wish you a life full of love and joy! mrshancocks.com/weddings 602.762.1174 Amy Bacon