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Frequently Asked Questions
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Madelynn's offers answers
to a variety of store and wedding issues.
Please click on the topic below to receive more information. If this is not enough information, please submit a question or call us at 620-342-2743. |
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| What is a registry? | Starting the search. | |||||
| Why should we register? | Gowns for different body types. | |||||
| When should we register? | Budgeting? | |||||
| How do we register? | Why service is VERY important. | |||||
| What services should we expect? | Time-Table | |||||
| Red Flags | Red Flags | |||||
| Budgeting? | Deciding colors and styles? | |||||
| Styles and body types? | Time-Table | |||||
| Time Table | Budgeting? | |||||
| Services you should expect. | Measurements and Fitting | |||||
| Red Flags | Red Flags | |||||
| Services offered by a bridal consultant. | Hours | |||||
| Why have a bridal consultant is a good idea? | Map of Location | |||||
| Bridal Registry | ||||||
| What is a registry? | ||||||
| A bridal registry is a list of products that a bride and groom want in order to inform family and friends of their individual tastes and needs. The registry may contain a variety of products from table top and home décor items to lingerie (for personal showers). Each product is contained within a listing or database within a store or via the internet to allow individuals interested in purchasing gifts for a couple a guide when deciding on the perfect gift. | ||||||
| BRIDAL REGISTRY | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Why should we register? | ||||||
| Registries are very important today for innumerable reasons. Helping your guests chose a wanted gift easily is the primary purpose of a registry, however most contemporary gift registries offer many other services and "perks" that make a bridal registry attractive to today's couple. Good record keeping within a registry prevents a couple from receiving duplicate items, and prevents the once inevitable return process. Good record keeping also allows a business to record who purchased a couple's gifts, which is very convenient if a card is lost. Madelynn's offers incentives like 15% off of a couples invitations and a gift rebate program which pays couples a percentage of the gifts they receive in the form of a gift certificate. Madelynn's gift registry also provides an important notification service: if a couple's dishware, flatware or stemware is ever discontinued, Madelynn's will contact a previously registered couple to inform them. The notification service allows couples to finish sets of table top items before their items vanish from back stock. | ||||||
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| When should we register? | ||||||
| Etiquette dictates that a couple should register approximately four months prior to the date of their wedding or one month prior to their first bridal shower. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| How do we register? | ||||||
| Different businesses differ on their registry policies. In some businesses, a couple is simply handed a sheet of paper or a "scanner" and are told to pick out whatever they want. In Madelynn's, we feel that a more "hands on" approach is beneficial to our registered couples. Madelynn's offers couples that wish to register an expert who discusses registry options, helps develop styles and provides guidance throughout the registry process while recording items a couple wishes to add to their registry. The benefit to the Madelynn's approach is two fold: customers receive personal attention and guidance they deserve, and the staff of Madelynn's knows exactly what a couple chooses for their registry and why. After the completion of the registry, business officials should inform couples of any pertinent registry policies. | ||||||
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| What services should we expect? | ||||||
| A registry should be convenient for all involved, and in pursuit of that goal, a certain level of service should be expected. A new service that has proven invaluable for both couples and guests is the advent of the on-line registry. On-line registries allow couples the ability to check the status of their registry 24 hours a day and allow a couple's guests the ability to shop for them any time and any where. Couples should expect an on-line capability from their registry along with value gift services, like free gift wrap, free enclosure cards, free local delivery and the ability to ship via UPS and/or Federal Express for a reasonable fee. Good record keeping is probably the most important feature of registry that a couple should expect. Records should include the name of an individual that purchased items from a couple's registry, the amount of an item purchased and when the item was purchased. Good records can help immensely if a card is lost. Records should be kept in perpetuity. If a couple ever wants to add to a set of items, or purchase items they may not have received for gifts, the registry is the only record a couple has. A gift registry record system should keep a detailed accounting of each item chosen, including item numbers, the manufacturer, quantities requested & received, a "given by" field and some modern registries include pictures of items. Most modern registries are computerized so they can be adjusted easily at any time. Discuss services provided with a business PRIOR to making the decision to register with them to ensure that a couple receives the service they deserve. | ||||||
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| Red flags | ||||||
| Most registries are provided by businesses that care about customer service, however there are a few items you should watch for that could adversely affect a couple engaged in the registry process. If a company does not provide an individual to help a couple register, the registry often will contain flaws. The flaws contained within a registry may cause returns, duplications and subjection to return policies. Some companies require couples to purchase registered items that they did not receive as gifts or disallow returns on registered items. Madelynn's helps each guest looking for a gift for a particular couple, but most companies simply hand customers a sheet of paper with cryptic item descriptions and let them go. A lack of service during the sale may result in incorrect items purchased or duplicate items purchased. Service oriented businesses cover all policies and procedures regarding the registry process during the registry. If a company does not cover polices or provide good service, they may be more trouble than they are worth. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Bridal Gowns | ||||||
| Starting the search | ||||||
| What do you want in a gown? Is your determining factor for purchasing a gown the style, price or a combination of both? Regardless of what you are looking for, a little research prior to your search usually helps. Find styles of gowns you may like in bridal magazines, or on the web. Madelynn's has a great bridal style selection contained within our web site (Bridal), or brides can visit www.theknot.com . Set up an appointment to reserve an experienced bridal consultant to work specifically with you by calling the store at (620) 343-2040, or e-mailing Madelynn's at maddyj@maddyj.com. Bring pictures if you would like, style information, an approximate wedding date, time of day your wedding will occur, level of formality and your budget. Trained bridal consultants can generally help you find just what you are looking for. Madelynn's consultants may even provide some ideas or styles that you were not aware of but look great! We recommend that brides bring no more than two people with her when shopping for a gown. Many times, too many opinions can be confusing. | ||||||
| BRIDAL GOWNS | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Gowns for different body types | ||||||
| The most common problem most brides face is difficult: finding a style that they fall in love with in a picture, but does not look good on their body type. Luckily, today's bridal gowns come in so many styles/fabrics/colors that most people can find something that enhances their natural beauty. Most people do not look like the $2,000 an hour print models used in bridal magazines and other advertisements, but an experienced bridal consultant can determine a bride's body style and then guide them to an appropriate gown. Often, consultants can find gowns that incorporate several aspects of "the gown in the picture" into a gown that accentuates a bride's body properly. A Madelynn's consultant, for example, would discourage someone uncomfortable with their hips from wearing a sheath style gown, and would suggest an a-line or maybe a ball gown instead. Different neck lines, sleeve lengths, fabrics, train lengths and silhouettes can all be used to accentuate different parts of a bride's body. Working with experiences consultants can make finding the perfect gown for a bride's individual shape, color and taste MUCH easier. | ||||||
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| Budgeting for gowns | ||||||
| Bridal gowns generally
have a huge price range, starting at about $100 and some designer
gowns can cost several thousand dollars. Developing your acceptable
price range can decrease your stress level and help your consultant
show dresses within your range. Brides should sit with their families
prior to planning to develop a budget with allotments for each thing
each family is responsible for. Most quality wedding planners have
sections specifically dedicated to budgeting, and Madelynn's has a
wide variety of quality planners from which to choose. When budgeting
for a gown, remember that although decorative items like flowers and
table/pew decorations are important, the primary focus will be on
the bride and groom both during the ceremony and the reception. Make
sure that you include ALL costs of the gown into your general budget.
Madelynn's includes pressing and steaming, free storage
(up to the date of the wedding) and a free storage garment bag with
all regularly priced wedding gowns. Some boutiques charge significant
fees for the aforementioned bridal products or services which can
result in hundreds of dollars in additional costs. Make sure your
budget allows for the gown, its accessories and undergarments and
all costs associated with the gown. Experienced bridal consultants can help most brides find the gown style they are looking for in the price range they need to fit their budget. |
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| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Why service is VERY important | ||||||
| Have you ever been to a wedding where the bride had to hoist her gown up to prevent herself from tripping while walking down the isle? Have you ever watched a bride spend the ceremony fumbling with a shoulder strap? When formalwear does not fit or coordinate, one has to wonder what type of service the bride received. A bride can purchase the most beautiful gown in the world, but if it doesn't fit properly and it is not steamed and pressed, the gown will not flatter the bride. A gown may be beautiful on a hanger, but if it does not fit the body type and coloration of a bride it will look off. Once a bride purchases a gown, some businesses disappear. Madelynn's views the purchase of a bridal gown as the beginning of a process in which a gown is usually special ordered, steamed, stored and altered to the bride's body shape at the time of the first alteration. Generally, brides shopping for a gown are doing so for the first time. It is very important to have access to someone knowledgeable about the bridal industry, gown fit and etiquette (like a Madelynn's consultant) when planning a wedding. An experienced consultant can help you achieve the perfect fit for a gown and give you additional care information you might not have been aware of. | ||||||
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| Gown Time-Table | ||||||
| Gowns should generally be ordered at least 6 months in advance of the wedding date. This time frame should allow for potential shipping delays, check in and necessary alterations. In today's global marketplace, production delays, shipping problems and other factors can effect the arrival date of a gown significantly. Ordering a gown a minimum of 6 months in advance gives a bride enough time to factor in most potential delays and still have the gown altered before the wedding. Alterations should take place 1 to 2 months prior to the wedding date. If a bride has a dress altered before that time and her body composition changes, the gown may not fit correctly. Some bridal boutiques have "off the rack" styles that are usually discontinued gowns. Brides searching for gowns less than six months from their wedding date may consider buying a gown "off the rack" to avoid shipping problems. Check out Madelynn's time line to view time schedules for gowns and other wedding related activities. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Red flags | ||||||
| Brides and their families need to know what a bridal business can and will do for them. The responsibilities of the business and the bride should be clearly stated in a contractual format. If a bridal shop doesn't have a contract and they sell a gown laze fare economic laws take effect, and "buyer beware" rules generally aren't beneficial for the consumer. Watch out for services that businesses don't include in the original price of an item, but they force you to buy. For example, if you save $20 on the initial price of a gown, but are then forced to pay alterations charges of $300, you did not save a lot of money. A lack of service at the beginning of a sale is a definite indicator of how you will be treated after the sale. Consultants should help you try gowns on, discuss style and help you find the fit that is right for you. If consultants don't help you to any great degree before they sell you a gown, they probably won't afterwards. A computerized register system is also a must for bridal shops. Most brides pay for gowns and other items on layaways. If a layaway system is not computerized, your payments (and your gown) have the possibility of being lost. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Tuxedos | ||||||
| Budgeting | ||||||
| A rental for a basic tuxedo generally starts at about $50 per tux and can be as much as $120 per tux depending on the style of the tux and accessories chosen. Different companies have different tuxedo packages which may or may not include a premium vest and tie upgrade in the price of the tuxedo. Formal shoes are an additional cost in most instances, and Madelynn's consultants are trained to price the entire ensemble prior to ordering. Different wedding parties will handle tuxedo payments differently. Some parties will pay for the entire wedding party's tuxedo rental, while others will ask individuals within the party to pay for their own tuxes. Make sure couples discuss payment for tuxedos when asking individuals to join the wedding party. Wedding parties should ask if any packages are available which decrease the parties cost. Madelynn's general tux parties receive a free tux with every six paid rentals. | ||||||
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| Styles and Body Types | ||||||
| Most tux jackets will fit a variety of body types with one notable exception: double breasted jackets should only be worn by taller gentlemen of slender build. Besides the aforementioned exception, most tux jackets can be worn by most men. If a gentleman possesses an unusual build, general coat measurements may have to be altered to compensate for the individuals body type. For example, a gentleman with a chest measurement that is over seven inches larger than the waist measurement is generally known as an "athletic cut". Gentlemen of an athletic cut must have a larger coat size than generally needed to compensate for the larger chest circumference and shoulder width. Experienced consultants can easily spot unusual measurements and make the necessary changes to compensate for body style. To check out Madelynn's tux styles on line, visit our bridal page. | ||||||
| TUXEDOS | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Time-line | ||||||
| Generally, tux parties need to have their selections made and all of their measurements recorded no later than one month prior to the wedding date. During high traffic periods (prom, peak wedding season, etc.), it is a good policy to have selections made and measurements recorded two months prior to the wedding date. It is imperative that measurements be correct, and if any member of the wedding undergoes a significant change in body shape or style they should be re-measured immediately. Parties should try on all tuxes a minimum of 48 hours prior to the wedding. If an item does not fit, or there is some other tux related problem, a 48 hour time allowance generally gives the business time to acquire replacement pieces. | ||||||
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| Services you should expect | ||||||
| Most gentlemen will not wear tuxedos often, so it is important to have access to a professional consultant that can critique the fit of the tuxedo and make any spot alterations (if necessary). Consultants should be available to make any necessary adjustments to tuxedos while gentlemen try them on inside the business. Madelynn's offers free local delivery, which is a time saver and prevents damaged or wrinkled tuxes. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Red flags | ||||||
| Businesses that provide no help or guidance when choosing tuxes can inadvertently provide shoddy products to their customers. Consultants know the nuances of each tux, vest and tie. This knowledge base allows consultants to provide valuable information to wedding parties. If a business is unable or unwilling to provide a customer with information, it may be an indication that the lack experience. Businesses that simply hand tuxes to customers without a try on may subject customers to incorrect items. Even if a company has a 90% success rate, that still means 10% of the tuxes have potential problems. If a customer tries on a tux outside the business immediately prior to the wedding and a significant problem exists, there may be nothing the business can do to rectify the situation. Caring businesses should always encourage customers to try on rental formalwear inside the store prior to use, it is simply the responsible thing to do. Rental establishments should be clear concerning the required return date and time because most establishments require the payment of late fees on items returned past a certain date and/or time. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Bridesmaid Dresses | ||||||
| Deciding Colors and Styles | ||||||
| In deciding the perfect style of bridesmaid dress for a wedding, the same basic criteria are considered as when an individual is picking a bridal gown with one exception: multiple individuals with multiple body types must be considered. Unless a bride is lucky enough to have a wedding party with the same exact body type, using a style that works on multiple body types (an a-line) is usually preferable. Experienced bridal consultants can help brides choose a style of dress that fits both the individual body types in the wedding and coordinates with the gown. The use of color in the bridal party generally depends on the time of year and the couples tastes. Bridal consultants are trained to identify appropriate colors for different seasons and can work with bridal parties to choose colors and styles that fit a couples wishes. Every wedding is different, so for best results contact a bridal consultant at Madelynn's to discuss style and color prior to making a final decision. | ||||||
| BRIDESMAID DRESSES | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Time-Table for Bridesmaids | ||||||
| Bridesmaid dresses should be ordered no later than 4 months prior to the wedding date. This time frame should allow for potential shipping delays, check in and necessary alterations. In today's global marketplace, production delays, shipping problems and other factors can effect the arrival date of a gown significantly. Ordering a gown a minimum of 4 months in advance gives a bridal party enough time to factor in most potential delays and still have the dresses altered before the wedding. Alterations should take place 1 to 2 months prior to the wedding date. If a bridesmaid has a dress altered before that time and her body composition changes, the gown may not fit correctly. Check out Madelynn's time line to view time schedules for gowns and other wedding related activities. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Budgeting Bridesmaids | ||||||
| Bridesmaid's dresses usually range between $120 and $240 per dress. That price does not include shoes, alterations or accessories, but Madelynn's brides that purchase their bridal gown from Madelynn's receive a 20% discount on the bridesmaid dresses for their party. Different wedding parties will handle bridesmaid payments differently. Some parties will pay for the entire wedding party's bridesmaid charges, while others will ask individuals within the party to pay for their own dresses. Make sure couples discuss payment for bridesmaid dresses when asking individuals to join the wedding party. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Measurements & Fitting | ||||||
| Without accurate measurements bridesmaid dresses will be ordered incorrectly. It is always advisable for a bridesmaid to get measurements taken by the business ordering their dresses. However, if a bridesmaid lives a significant distance from the business from which their dress is ordered, measurements may be taken by a professional experienced in formal wear measurements. For bridesmaids, four measurements are generally required to order a dress. The four required bridesmaid measurements generally include the following: bust, waist, hips and hollow to hem. Bust, waist and hips are common measurements that are fairly self explanatory. The hollow to hem measurement starts at the hollow of a women's neck and ends at the hem line and helps determine the length of the dress. Additional information like shoe heel height or undergarment style may also be required to ensure the accuracy of measurements. After correct measurements are taken, it is important for a bridal consultant or seamstress to ask a series of questions to check the validity of their measurements. The bridesmaid should communicate their normal dress size and any factor that may change their body shape prior to the wedding (pregnancy, projected weight loss or gain, etc.). Bridal consultants should then gather all of the aforementioned information and present it with the dress company's standard size chart, and the bridesmaid and bridal consultant should choose the standard size that best fits the bridesmaid. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Red flags | ||||||
| Most problems with bridesmaid dresses stem directly from a lack of service. Bridal businesses that do not form a relationship with brides and bridesmaid that allows a dialogue generally cause problems for the wedding party. A wealth of information needs to be gathered for the bridesmaid dresses to fit the style of the wedding and for the dresses to fit properly. If a business's is not asking questions and creating a dialogue, problems can easily occur. It is important that a dress choice be a team effort between the bride, bridesmaid and bridal consultant. Each individual generally has different tastes and/or concerns, and it is the bridal consultant's job to facilitate discussion which allows compromise and the ultimate style choice. Madelynn's goes beyond simply facilitating discussion and offers services like free steaming and free local delivery. Madelynn's also offers a wide selection of shoes, undergarments and bridal jewelry so brides and bridesmaids can create a complete look without unnecessary travel. Bridal businesses truly concerned about creating an exceptional look will always try to ensure that when bridesmaid's dresses leave the business they are ready to wear. | ||||||
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| Wedding Time Line | ||||||
| For a complete wedding time line, visit the Madelynn's wedding time line page here: Time-Line. | ||||||
| WEDDING TIME-LINE | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Store Hours and Location | ||||||
| Madelynn's is open seven days a week. Our normal hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Madelynn's is open late Wednesday evenings until 7:00 p.m. and Madelynn's is open every Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Madelynn's is located at 511 Commercial in Emporia Kansas, or you can visit the link to our location map. | ||||||
| STORE INFORMATION | BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Wedding Consulting | ||||||
| Duties of a Bridal Consultant at a Wedding | ||||||
| A bridal consultant is essentially a coordinator with a wealth of bridal experience. The consultant keeps people on schedule, organizes individuals for pictures or other events, ensures that decorations are in place, helps dress party members and generally deals with almost any emergencies that occur prior to the ceremony. | ||||||
| BACK TO TOP | SUBMIT A QUESTION | ||||||
| Why having a consultant is a good idea? | ||||||
| Think of a bridal consultant as a major stress reliever and insurance policy wrapped into the same person. Madelynn's consultants can perform spot sewing functions, help with decorations, organize members of the wedding party and generally keep things on schedule. Paying an individual to take care of menial tasks and handle emergencies allows a wedding party and their families the luxury of enjoying the wedding without worrying about every little detail. Qualified consultants book extremely quickly, so reserve your consultant as soon as possible. | ||||||
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Madelynn's, 511 Commercial, Emporia, Kansas
66801 |
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