Bridal shop burned down... ALONG WITH MY DRESS!

[peterpanpixiedust]

(I did a full forum search and found nothing... so here goes...)

 

Ladies, I swear I came on today with all intentions of posting great news!  After months, my student teaching and therefore graduate school is completed, and I will have more time to come and chat with you all.  However, I have another damper in my quest to get married.  My bridesmaid texted me today...

 

"Where did you buy your gown again?"  

 

After I texted her back with my bridal shop, she called right away to tell me the news.

 

Yesterday... Wednesday November 17th, 2010, Eva's Bridal of Oak Lawn burned down.  My dress just came in two weeks prior, so it is now ashes.  My wedding dress, a gorgeous lace Sottero & Midgely, that I couldn't try on as soon as it came in (because I was working crazy hours at the school I student teach at), I will now never get to try on.  And worst of all, I checked the Sottero & Midgley website to see it's style number, and it's gone.  After months of always checking it and showing it to my friends, it is nowhere to be found, which probably means it's discontinued.  So, I don't know if I will ever have my dream dress.  :-(   I'm devastated...

 

But, even worse, there are brides getting married tomorrow, and Saturday and Sunday.  Maybe even tonight or yesterday.  These women are going to have no chance to walk down the aisle in the dress of their dreams, and my heart breaks for them.  I know people are setting up donation stations for people to donate wedding gowns for these unfortunate brides, but still... how would you feel, wearing someone else's dress that might not even fit right?  I know there are worse things in the world right now, like our soldiers stuck in the middle east and hunger, but I can't help but feel pain. 

 

If any of you are Eva's Bridal customers, and your dresses were in the store, please call the hotline number for instructions on what to do next.  The hotline number 630-747-1911  and the website is http://www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com/

 

Also, they would like you to email them with you dress info (designer, style #, size, color) so they have a hard copy of your dress info.  They really want to make us their # 1 priority... which is great. 

 

 

When I find out places you can donate dresses to, I will let you guys know.  I know some of you have TTD's or second dresses that you are having a hard time selling, so maybe you are ok with donating them to these brides who have weddings in the near future.  I thank the lord that my wedding is at least a while away.  Although my dress took over 8 months to make and my wedding is in exactly 7 months to the day away.  Thank you all for letting me vent.  Please spread the word in you live in the chicago area and know any brides that might have ordered from them.... I live nearby and didn't even know. 

 

The email to reach them is [email protected]

 

God Bless,

 

Chris

 

[starchild]

Oh my goodness that is awful for everyone involved!!!

[Kathie]

Oh Chris I feel so bad. I am so sorry. I hope you and all the other  brides find other dresses that will make you happy.  My heart goes out to all of the brides who've lost their dresses.

[shelbygirl]

Sad deal! I hope they can pull together for the brides involved.

[acireta]

So sad! I'm in Downers, so I'm pretty close to you. Let me know if there's anything I can do (i don't have a dress yet so i have nothing to really give to those girls) :-(

[peterpanpixiedust]

Alright, here is the number you can call to get a list of authorized donor sites.  630-747-1911

 

Update... Eva's is working so hard to help all of their brides.  Dress designer manufacturers have replicated and Fedexed all but two (according to a news report my future FIL saw) brides' dresses for this and upcoming weekend weddings.  I went to see them yesterday at one of their temp locations (they were in the dining room of Palermos Pizza) and they were amazing.  The owner Ronia gave me a hug and they were all so friendly.   My dress is discontinued, but Maggie Sottero (Sottero & Midgley) had a size 6 on hand.  They asked if it was ok.  It was a size under mine, and I'm starting to gain back the weight I lost while stressed in school.  They took one look at my face and called the designer to ask if it was possible at all to make another in my size. The designer said they would make it and rush it to them by the end of February (even though it was discontinued!).  They let me speak to the Maggie Sottero representative on the phone so I could personally say thank you.  While I was talking to the ladies, I could hear one on the phone trying to get a dress for a bride whose wedding is this weekend.  Her size is unique and they have called so many designers and bridal shops.  I hope they can do it, God knows they are trying.  The only thing I am scared of is that my dress won't be perfect.  It took longer than usual to make my dress (8 1/2 months) and now they are going to make it in 3 months.  I told them no need to rush because my wedding is in June, but they assured me that they do rushes all the time and the designer is very reputable. To be honest, I want it early anyway in case something goes wrong.  But what if they don't have the fabric used to make my dress anymore and they have to improvise?  Hilariously, I found out the dress was discontinued Nov 13th... just four days before the fire! 

[acireta]

that's so great! what a relief for you and for the girls who have weddings today or next week! nice to see such responsibility and customer service nowadays (i sound like my grandma! :-))

[Avens]

That is sad.  As you said, I know their are worse things in the world - but when you dream of this day and this dress for so long, you couldn't help but be choked about it!

 

I'm glad they're trying their best to make it right.

[erinbrooke124]

Chris!  I'm so sorry you are having to go through this!  This is definitely not something you ever even think of happening!  I'm glad to hear that things are going to work out for you!  On the upside - it sounds like you are officially credentialed?!?!  Or very close to it... Congrats!  I know that is the biggest relief ever!

[lisa203]

Wow, I read this on CNN. They called Eva's the oldest bridal shop in the US. So sad this all happened but it's nice to hear how the owners and total strangers are helping out. Chris, I'm glad it all is working out for you.