What a "sweet" way to start my day!

One of my brides, Megan B., lives in Washington, D.C. and surprised me with this gorgeous box from Georgetown Cupcake.....and it wasn't just the box!

Inside are a dozen assorted flavor cupcakes, so well packaged that even though the box came to me upside down, via Fed Ex, they weren't in the least smooshed. (Is that a word?)

My staff quickly told me of the buzz about this this shop and it's spotlight on the TLC Network. I look forward to learning more about the source...as I savor the sweets this evening at home.

Though the gift was wonderful, the words of her enclosure card touched me:

"Dear Mike,

I thank you for the experience of finding the perfect dress. I have no words for your endless kindness and generosity. I hope you enjoy a slice of DC!

Love,

Megan B.

By a "dating coincidence" was a Plus One guest at her parents' wedding 33 years ago!! Since that time, I have dressed several brides in the family.  It was fun to see both of her Grandmothers with her the day we ordered her bridal gown. 

The joy of being in business such a long time is the rich reward of such relationships.

Oh...the web site of the bakery is...... http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/

Paying it forward...one bridal gown at a time!

Proud.  Honored.  Inspired.  These are all words that describe how we feel as a result of our partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Each one of us here at Nolte's Bridal has the privilege of seeing that ear-to-ear smile that can only come from finding "the dress". We see this every day, and it's why we do what we do.  It's only right that we give as many girls as possible that chance; to look in the mirror and see how beautiful they are.  And who doesn't love a fabulous designer gown?!


We donated multiple gowns to St. Jude's for patients as they celebrate one of the most hallowed events of teen life: prom. Patients and their siblings, ages 13 to 24, are invited to the event, organized by the St. Jude Child Life department.  And a proper prom needs proper formal attire, yes?  That's where we come in.

    

Click on this link for a photo gallery of prom photos from St. Jude's.  Reader, be warned--there are 32 images in the gallery and by the 6th one, you WILL be moved to tears.  They're just that good.

Here's a portion of a letter we received from Dr. Stephen Smith, Medical Director at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/ Midwest Affiliate (pictured below).  "I have enclosed thank you notes and pictures of the St. Jude patients with the gowns that they selected.  You not only brought tears of joy to these patients, but tears of thanksgiving from the staff.  We are constantly inspired by our patients' strength, hope and determination.  To see them wearing a prom dress during and after their difficult journey is a miracle."

Thank you to the patients and staff at St. Jude for reminding us how lucky we are, and for giving us the opportunity to bring a bit of joy to your lives.  God Bless you all!

Who Attended the KC Weddings Bridal Spectacular?

Here at Nolte's Bridal, we know the KC Weddings Bridal Spectacular show this past Saturday was well attended...because we were swamped all day with brides saying they were glad to be out of the crowd!

January is always a busy wedding gown selling month in Kansas City but trade show days really pack in the brides. It helps that Nolte's Bridal is located just three minutes from the Overland Convention Center.

Bridal shows like the KC Weddings Bridal Spectacular can be a large, overwhelming experience and our niche has always been to be more understated and a quality experience for the bride who isn't a big bridal show fan. But I do think it's a good show and am considering participating in the future.

The Kansas City Star and KC Weddings always do a nice job organizing the Bridal Spectacular. I would like to hear from brides who attended that show. Do you think Nolte's Bridal would be a good fit there? If you tell me "Yes," let me know what you'd like to see from us there - a full display of gowns, live models, lookbooks, wedding planning portfolios? What else?

Blowout Sale at Nolte's Bridal - Saturday, February 4, 2012

So many gowns! So little room!

For a bride with a modest budget, the day to buy her gown is Saturday, February 4.  This won’t be the typical leisurely, gentle pampering-of-our-brides kind of day, but it will be a heck of a deal for Kansas City-area brides who can make quick decisions and want to save a ton of money!

Hundreds of gowns will be sold in just seven hours for the low price of $399.00 each. Why?

I simply don’t have room for all of them and the win/win will be that this Clearance Sale will Clear out some brimming racks.

The format is as follows:

• No appointments
• Brides get the dressing room for 30 minutes each
• Only three gowns in the dressing room at a time
• Cash or check only. No credit cards.
• Please- no children or strollers.
• Two guests allowed per bride.

There will be surprise incentives all day for the brides that buy!

This isn’t the day to “shop”-- this is the day to buy! We will give new meaning to the term "Grab and Go!"  Nearly every dress is in mint condition.  Can’t wait to have you join the crazy fun on February 4!

Michael J. Nolte

*image courtesy of Mark Lennihan / AP