Thursday, April 30, 2009

Why are modest-styles considered Frumpy?

Strapless wedding gowns became the preferred style only about 10 years ago. Prior to that, wedding gowns had sleeves.

When I talk to women about modest styles the first response is the word frumpy. Aren't we past the Victorian era and Little House on the Prarie mentality? Out of the thousands of wedding gown designers, (and I do mean thousands), less than 10 actually do a modest line.

Now modesty standards vary, but typically the brides I see understand what modesty means and they are searching for those standards.

I've helped four brides this month that purchased a modest-style wedding dress, (that originally had no intentions of purchasing a modest dress). One bride was amazed at how comfortable the dress was and her dad was extra happy.

The brides I typically see are religious brides such as the LDS (Mormon Faith), Pentecostal (UPC headquartered in St. Louis), Jewish Orthodox, Southern Baptists etc. But I also serve plus size girls that love the extra coverage a modest dress provides, older or second time brides (most brides ages 40+ do not wear sleeveless or strapless clothes), and women with tattoo's that promise their families to cover them up.

There are many women/brides that are underserved. When women drive 6-7 hours to my store to buy a wedding dress, there is a need for modest dresses.

Check out : http://www.dressfinder.com/. You can scroll through the hundreds of wedding dress designers.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

What is Chatfields?

My name is Debbie (Chatfield) Welcher. I started a bridal store in St. Louis, Missouri - Chatfields Bridal Boutique.

I feature bridal gowns that the other bridal stores do not offer.

My store is reflective of my life honestly. I've had the opportunity to travel the entire world and meet wonderful people, different cultures, religions, various ways of life. The whole world opened up to a girl from the midwest. I couldn't afford to put $10 of gas in my car, and my company put me up in 5 star hotels. Surreal.

I'm very close to my one year anniversary. I left a good career as an Executive to open a bridal store, in a city that has 20 or more bridal stores, in the craziest economy since the 1920's.

Modest wedding gowns make up 75% of my bridal shop. I carry Eco Friendly wedding dresses, Destination type wedding gowns - and one my favorites - Vintage-Inspired wedding gowns.

I've spent countless hours reading books and meeting women from various faiths to understand their need for modesty.

I'm grateful for the experience of world travel. I truly feel that my store is a culmination of my life and experiences.

I bring that feeling every day I turn the key to open my bridal store.

I made the right decision.