Bargains for brides at Bridal Affair in Streets of Woodfield
A bridal salon in Schaumburg is hosting an event this weekend that it hopes will attract the bride looking to save money while planning her wedding.
Brides by Demetrios at Streets of Woodfield is hosting a Bridal Affair Thursday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, Feb. 15. The event at the shop, at 601 Martingale Road, will feature dresses from the 2009 collection as well as more than 100 new styles. Shoppers will save 15 percent on all gown purchases made during the event.
In an effort to help plan the bride's big day, a variety of vendors will be on hand including photographers, representatives from Jarosh Bakery in Elk Grove Village, Venuti's Banquets in Addison and Savarino's Salon in Itasca. A personal trainer and men modeling tuxedos will also be part of the event; appointments are recommended.
Like nearly every other retailer, bridal shops are also feeling the effects the economy, said manager Katie Anderson, a resident of Cary.
"People are much more conscious with their money," Anderson said. "Everyone wants a deal."
She has seen girls cancel their weddings for financial reasons. She is also finding that more couples are planning destination weddings to keep costs lower.
"We're seeing the pinch," Anderson said.
But sales have remained strong at Brides by Demetrios, which has about 25 stores nationwide. The Schaumburg store, open for more than two years, has been ranked number one in sales for the New York-based company, she added.
The gowns at the shop range in price from $900 to $4,000, she said. Some of the discounted styles are about $600.
The full service bridal salon offers bridesmaids dresses, flower girl and mother of the bride dresses as well.
"We're elegant and upscale and pay attention to detail," Anderson said.
Demetrios James Elias, founder of the company, has designed all the bridal gowns at the shop. Elias was born in Pireas, Greece and immigrated to the U.S. as a young boy. His parents owned a bridal retail shop in Warren, Ohio, where the young boy started designing at a young age.
He launched his own company in 1980 and now has stores across the country including in St. Louis, Tampa, Dallas and California. His designs are also sold in about 2,000 other retailer's stores.
By 1991, Elias had so many ads in bridal magazines that he launched his own publication. "For the Bride By Demetrios" is a magazine that publishes quarterly boasting a circulation of more than one million.
For more information, visit demetriosbride.com.
• Kim Mikus covers small business. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.