If you are like most brides you have unplanned wedding expenses and must somehow reduce the budget. Fortunately, you can find a variety of wedding jewelry for less than you thought possible. Here are eight tips for doing so:
1. Buy replicas. From a distance and to the undiscerning eye, cubic zirconia and crystal are indistinguishable from real stones. If you have fallen in love with a piece of fine jewelry you cannot afford, a similar piece made with these less expensive materials can look exquisite.
2. Opt for silver or gold-plated jewelry instead of solid gold or platinum. To a casual observer, the difference in quality is not obvious. Also, silver is perennially in style.
3. Consider inexpensive pearls (freshwater cultured pearls are generally cheaper than other types). Or, buy pearl-shaped crystals.
4. Ask for a discount if you plan to buy several pieces. Also, it cannot hurt to make an offer on a piece. Designers, online stores, and other independents have some latitude when pricing their goods.
5. Buy on eBay. There is always a wide variety of inexpensive pieces available through auction or eBay stores. Inventory changes constantly, so return often if you do not find the right piece on your first visit.
6. Rent jewelry for your wedding. If you must have fine jewelry but cannot afford it, rent pieces for the ceremony and reception.
7. Make your own jewelry. You will enjoy the added benefit of complete customization. Craft stores like Ben Franklin and Hobby Lobby have aisles dedicated to jewelry-making supplies. You can also purchase supplies on eBay.
8. Consider borrowing. Wearing a piece from Mom, Aunt Ellen, or a special friend can add sentimental value to the wedding while doing wonders for a strained budget.
There you have it! Eight ways to ease budget strain and still wear the perfect jewelry ensemble on your big day.
The shopping interface at Apparelus.com stands out for its convenience and
ease of use. Inventory is organized according to type with departments such
at tops, pants, skirts, dresses, plus sizes and several others. With over
2,500 different clothing and accessory pieces in their collection, the
straightforward organization of their website makes it easy to find what you
are looking for. Ordering is also made easy. All ordering can be done
online, and no membership is needed to qualify to buy. Customer service is
available by phone, email or live online chat.
The bulk of the clothing available from Apparelus.com represents many of the
newest fashion styles. Their collection includes women‚s fashions, junior‚s
styles and some men‚s clothing. With new shipments constantly arriving from
manufacturers, their inventory remains on the cutting edge of fashion. All
of their pieces are of first-rate quality despite their tiny price tag.
Exclusive contracts with many of the best wholesale clothing manufacturers
in the industry allow Apparelus.com to offer these top-notch fashions to
customers both domestically and internationally.
Most of the items sold by Apparelus.com are available in small bundles of
between 2 and 8 units, though some are available individually or in larger
bundles. Offering wholesale clothing and accessories in bundles of these
sizes provides the opportunity for customers to buy what they need when they
need it rather than having to bear high upfront costs for larger bundles or
palates. Their policy of no minimum purchase requirements gives added
flexibility to customers.
It seems the guiding force behind Apparelus.com is customer satisfaction as
evidenced by the sheer volume and variety of their inventory, their hugely
discounted prices and their commitment to customer service support. It‚s no
wonder they have such a high customer retention rate. They simply get it
right.
The 451 exhibitors covering 1,010 booths experienced tremendous buying activity in the first two days of the show.
“Business seems to be opening up and retailers are out to buy,” said Allison Smith of CitiTrends. “The vendors seemed to be very happy.”
“We had our best first day ever,” reported Kay McQuade of New Hampshire based White Mountain Dry Goods. “We’re liquidating Desente Golf wear. We not only had our regular customers, we had new customers looking at our new inventory. We literally had no breaks throughout the day.”
While Rick Bosch of New York-based Alliance Wholesale cites that buyers have “put their holiday blues behind them,” he also acknowledges the buyers’ changing attitudes on how to present off-price goods. “Whereas closeouts used to be loss leaders in the stores, they are now being used for margin building. They (the buyers) are not necessarily looking for the sales items, they want to make money.”
Buyer Jeff Haughn of We Care Fashion in Clearwater, Florida agrees. “The lines were very good and we found new resources. A good 60% of the merchandise we carry is Off-Price. It has become more and more important to us.”
So does L. Roberts, owner of McBecklands ladies boutique in Gig Harbor, Washington. “I enjoy this particular market. I found a selection of quality merchandise at true off-price. The theory of Off-Price at one time was sales and promotional goods – bargain basement merchandise. Now with the quality of off-price goods, you can retail and sustain a higher margin. At this show, you have vendors who stand behind their product.”
Jeff Cohen of JefCo in Spartanburg, SC, who’s company has been exhibiting at the Off-Price Show since the beginning, indicated that the February ’08 show was “the best we ever had. The show created great activity for us. We’re doing more department store business and a broader variety of retailers, which helps.”
In addition to more department stores, there was a strong presence of international buyers at the February ’08 Off-Price Show. Buyers representing stores as far away as Ethiopia and New Zealand came looking for established American brands, while European countries including Switzerland and Croatia had buyers shopping for better values based on the American dollar.
Show management was also pleased to report the appearance of some of the biggest names in retail among the buyer delegation, who have not previously attended the Off-Price Show. One buyer from New Jersey who just came “to look around,” was so impressed with the availability of upscale brands that he ended up making significant buys that he was most excited about.
For first timers on both sides of the Off-Price Show aisle, the show was viewed as a great success. Benny Blalock of Bargain Shoes in Gaffney, SC found “excellent buys in mens’ wear. The show is very convenient and everyone has been friendly and helpful.” New exhibitor Marilee Baker of accessories wholesaler Glitz & Glamour indicated that she “will definitely do the May Show, and with a bigger booth.”
The new May Show, the Off-Price Retail Summit & Expo, is scheduled for May 6 & 7 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, preceded by an Industry Day on May 5th. The new Summit format includes the inaugural meeting of the new Off-Price Show Retail Advisory Board, which includes chief merchandising officers from the biggest names in Off-Price Retail. Their members will be accompanied by their buying teams, some of which include 30 or more. Over 3,200 February Show buyers pre-registered onsite for the Off-Price Retail Summit in May.
“We couldn’t be happier with the success of the February ’08 Show,” said Julie Ichiba. “With our onsite buyer tours, our T.O.P.S. trend-spotting program and our new offpriceshowrooms.com (which was launched at the February ’08 Show), we have some exciting vehicles to tell the Off-Price Show story to larger audiences, including current buyers who only come for the 1-2 appointments.”
Notes to Editors
Meetings, interviews and tours can be arranged for media by contacting Don Browne, Marketing Director, at 262.754.6910 or dbrowne@offpriceshow.com.
For additional information and updates on all Off-Price Specialist Center shows, markets and magazines, visit us at www.offpriceshow.com.
Upcoming Off-Price Specialist events with confirmed dates include:
Off-Price Specialist Show – RETAIL SUMMIT & EXPO
May 6&7, 2008
INDUSTRY DAY May 5th
South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
Las Vegas
Off-Price Specialist Show
August 22-26, 2008
Sands Expo & Convention Center
Las Vegas
The Off-Price Specialist Show is organized by Tarsus Group plc, an international media group with interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and the internet. For further information on Tarsus and the
Off-Price Specialist Center, go to www.tarsus-group.com.