When people find out I'm a Bridal consultant they always say
And it really is. Most days. But there is so much more to this career than just playing dress up with people. Just remember when you read the following, I still love my job and better yet, I'm darn good at it. (Sorry to toot my own horn but I'm proud to say it because it even shocks me.) But just for your reading pleasure...here are the Top 5 reasons that Bridal Consultants deserve a raise. Every. Single. Day.
5) We are psychologists....I don't just have to assist a nervous/excited/indecisive bride. I also have to help bring mom, sister, future mom, and bride all together. Every. Single. Person. Has to like what the bride picks out. (Word to the wise...don't bring the ENTIRE family.) But often times they do and sometimes it's a hoot and other times it's down right frightening. Recently I had a bride in tears because mom and future mom-in-law were not on the same page. One mom is offering to help put more money towards the perfect dress and the other mom is crying to me because she's feeling left out. Awkward. Ummm....I wasn't sure what to say? You should really talk to your daughter. Really. No...really?
I have never had a Bridezilla. I get "momzilla's". I've had mother's absolutely hate the bride's favorite dress and dress after dress after dress I FINALLY get mom to see that her daughter is smiling in that dress. About 98% of mothers imagine their daughter getting married in a "Princess dress". And don't forget the sparkle. (More sparkle please...we still need more sparkle...it could almost be a Saturday Night Live skit) Can we just get the word out right now that the bride is supposed to be the one in love with her dress?
4) We are artists....ALERT...all those gowns you post on Pinterest? Those gowns are a few thousand bucks. Don't get me wrong. I did it. I'm still a Pinterest junkie myself. But it isn't the bargain website. Dress shopping is kind of like car shopping. You don't get the fully loaded options for the basic economy cost. But everyone comes to us wanting that unique dress for under $1000. And I get it. I totally do. I didn't want to spend a lot on a dress that I got to wear for only one day. But I was also open minded. So another helpful hint...if you want to find the dress of your dreams and not get stressed out, be open to ideas. If you let us think outside the box, we're pretty amazing. We've added sleeves, straps, sashes, brooches, appliques, beads, color, slits, camo, "poof", lace overlay, less "poof", removed straps, created new necklines, removed flowers, added flowers...you name it. And we've done all under $1000. Bet Pinterest can't do that. What can I say? We're talented folks.
3) We are secret keepers....I'll not be naming any names or breaking any promises but we hear it all. We have women come in all the time that don't want their family to know they were already in and found a dress. So we play dumb and let the "search for the perfect dress" start from scratch again and again. I've learned of secret pregnancies that even moms know nothing about. I've been told about breakups and learned about personal insecurities. (If I had a dime for every person that complained about their boobs or "armpit fat" [is there such a term???] I'd be a millionaire.) Standing in a bra and underwear while in a 5 x 5 fitting room tends to lead to honesty and spilling of personal information. This is actually the part that makes the job worth while to me, however. These are girls and women that feel comfortable enough around me to trust me with their story. And when they trust you with that kind of information, it makes helping them find the perfect dress that much easier. It's what makes me feel like I make new friends in this world, almost every single day. And if I help make a difference in someone's day or wedding planning or once in a lifetime experience, then that makes the job totally worth it.
2) We are strong...We eat and drink very little. Haha! It's true! We work around our appointments and if that means we have a bride (or bridesmaids or tuxedo appointment) every hour then that's what we do. And we do it with a smile on our face. Because we love what we do. Even when the sister is doing our job and pulling 10 extra dresses "just to see them on" or when mom thinks the bride should try on every dress in the store so she has "an idea" of what she likes, we do it happily. We do not cry, whine, whimper or show weakness. We put the customer before ourselves. When our stomachs growl we suck it up, gulp a soda
1) We are miracle workers....I could just leave it at that. When people call in March wondering when they should order their wedding gown for a June wedding I am not allowed to say "six months ago", which is what all of us would sometimes like to say. Pretty sure that would get me F-I-R-E-D. What women want, women usually get. And we are the ones that make it happen. We make sure their dresses come in, in perfect condition. If they don't, it's our job to send them back and make sure that they get here on time. When a woman comes in and her wedding is in a month, she is looking at us to help her find the perfect dress. And by perfect dress it means: right color, slimming, flaw covering, confidence building, make-every-one-at-the-weddings-mouth-drop gorgeous dress. It doesn't matter the shape or size of the bride, the goal is always the same. And we have to know what they mean when they say ruffles and really mean rouching, dipped front which means sweetheart, mermaid which is a misidentified fit and flair, no poof a.k.a no ball gown but A-line is ok. We learn to read what all these women mean when they say one thing but sometimes (often times) mean another. And last but not least....once the miracle of finding THE dress is over and the dress is ordered and 6 months later comes in, the rest of the magic happens. The alterations. No, a dress does not come in with a bustle, hem and perfect fit. Those amazing seamstresses make it happen. They might be the real miracle workers. You could not pay me enough to do what they do. They. Are. Amazing. Here is my last little tip: treat your seamstresses with respect. They are the ones that make you look like a million bucks and one wrong stitch can make or break your dress. Waiters can spit in food....seamstresses can_______(you can fill in the blank). They won't. But they could.
Now don't you want to run out a become a wedding/bridal consultant??? It sounds horrifying and yet I'm strangely crazy about it. I love it. I enjoy the hustle and bustle. I am thrilled to meet new and interesting people. And best of all, I love the thought that someday when they are telling their kids about their quest for their dress...they might actually remember how fun their experience was.
I hope that all of you get the privilege of loving what you do every single day. Life is short...be happy! Happy Friday everyone!
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| Our wedding day. The search for my dress is what made me realize I would be good at this job. And I got my dress at the company that I now work for! |
