Wouldn't That Look Better With Shoes?

Guess who gets to play with customers now! Yeah! Me! By which I mean that I've shadowed other non-bridal consultants on the floor twice and not seen a penny from it. But that is A-OK because I'm getting in some really good practice.
(Have I explained yet that I'm a non-bridal consultant? Yeah, I don't get to talk to brides yet. I work with prom girls, bride's maids, mothers, special occasion dresses, etc. I promise it's still fun and I still talk about weddings ALL day long (I'm not leading you, my readers, astray))<---[An overabundance of parentheses]

So, here is the selling strategy promoted by my place of employment:
1. Customer walks into store; greet customer in welcoming fashion
2. Ask customer what she/he is looking for and inquire as to whether they desire assistance
3. Ask all female customers if they need a dressing room then creepily stand outside said dressing rooms and offer unsolicited opinions, advice, and more products
4. Ask if they would like to try shoes on with that gown because honestly, how do you know if you love it if you're not wearing the proper shoes?????
P.S. Always smile. Smiles make the sun shine don't you know?

It devolves from there into a frenzy of accessories. We have shoes, earrings, necklaces, tiaras, headbands, bracelets, veils, feathers, rhinestones, SPARKLE BABY! Sometimes I feel like I'm in a classier version of a Ke$ha song and I lovvvveeeee it <3
I have no problem trying to sell any of the above mentioned items, and so far I have met with success. My downfall? Foundations, otherwise known as assets, Spanx or intimates, AKA underwear meant to smooth and shape the female body. For some reason I feel that it is deeply offensive to say to any woman of any height or weight "Have you seen our line of spandex underwear? It creates smoother lines so that your gown will fall cleanly and elegantly." I feel like I might as well be telling them that they look like a baby beluga whale hell bent on devouring everything in sight. However, my co-workers have no such problem. They just casually drop the line "Do you want to try some Spanx with that?" And the customers demurely agree and grab a pair. Just like that. Nonchalant. Metaphorically, I sit at their feet.
What I do understand is that selling a dress is mediocre and doesn't do the customer justice. Selling an ensemble is what women are really looking for. They want a "look", a vision not just an article of clothing. Accessories are what take an outfit from average to stunning.
I also firmly believe that accessories are the real place to express personality rather than the gown. A gown should fit well, flatter, and provide a base for a theme but a feathered headband, a chunky necklace, a rhinestone belt or even more understated items are the things that create a statement and allow you to project the image you want.
I would like to give you picture examples but I have yet to figure out how to do that because technology hates me.
I sound like What Not To Wear. My ten year old self would be disgusted and promptly tell me to throw mud at a boy to snap myself out of it.
I think the biggest problem with working at a bridal salon is that I constantly find myself fantasizing about wearing the dresses that I get to stare at all day. They're so pretttyyyyyyyy! I must keep reminding myself that I am feminist gosh darn it and I will wait until the proper time to get married instead of grabbing some guy and running off to Vegas if my ever so wonderful boyfriend isn't down for a super premature wedding. I will live vicariously through our brides. I solemnly swear.
Two things.
A very cute DIY project that would make adorable bridesmaids gifts or even just be an awesome present to yourself: homemade satin hair bows. I did it today and it takes like ten minutes to make each one. Hit up Joanne's Fabrics and buy a few spools of their satin ribbon when it's on sale, whichever color tickles your fancy. Cut the ribbon into 12" pieces (we want big fluffy bows here). Tie a loose knot in the middle of the ribbon and then tie the two ends into a bow with relatively short tails as seen in the picture at the top of the page. In a similarly colored thread put a few stitches in the back to keep the bow from coming undone and then hot glue it a barrette or something similar. Sorry if that was vague, I'm happy to answer any questions you guys might have.
Second thing. Our internet treat. Click here to see some really beautiful wedding cakes. It's basically just eye candy since obviously we can't eat the pretty pictures but it might give you some ideas as to what you want your cake to look like. Nowadays anything is possible in cake so it's a good idea to focus and get your thoughts in order.
Till next time! (Comments are the happiest thing ever and I would love to hear any ideas or suggestion you guys have or want to see on the blog!)