Purpose Behind the Process:

Our process as Dress Experts has been tested with thousands of real brides since our 1st bride in 1998, wow!

Let’s be sure you get the Personalized Say Yes Experience using your Appointment Checklist:

Even though we have fun, there is purpose behind every step to put YOU in the drivers seat.

Pre Appointment Options:

Web Page Link:	Purpose of the Service or Feature:
Menu:  www.avasbridalcouture.com/menu	Guest Count, Party Room Gift + Deposit Clarifications
Menu:  www.avasbridalcouture.com/menu	Do you wish to purchase additional time for your appointment? (if availability permits)
Upgrade Your Appointment: /upgradeyourappointment	Upgrade to Ultimate Experience on Tuesdays, Private Events + VIP appointment FAQ’s.
Shop:  www.avasbridalcouture.com/shop	An overview of styles, prices and sizes we offer with full transparency.  Get to know what dresses cost and browse for inspiration photos.  Selection varies daily with sales.
“Hold Service Button”	Guarantee a dress will be in person with paid hold deposit 1-2 weeks prior.  (Click “Hold Button” located on every shop link product page.)
“Loan Sample Locating Service Button”	Is there a dress you want to guarantee in person for your appointment that sold out?  Use our locate service. (Click “Loan Sample Button” located on every shop link product page.)
One Stylist Per Group	Do you wish to purchase additional staffing for your appointment? (if availability permits)  Whether you have 1 guest or 12 guests in the group, every appointment has 1 stylist/dress expert.  The stylist, bride + guests should be together in a guided process.  See DIY indicators below.

Start Here:	Purpose of this Step:
1.   Bridal Style Quiz	To Interview one another to ensure we are a match.
2.  Text Inspiration Photos	To ensure dress style bride is looking for is a match for Ava’s.  Photos can be from Shop Link, Pinterest, etc.
3.  Personalized Group Video with Names	To communicate to bride + her guests the pre-work completed pre-appointment so they understand what to expect from our process + feel welcomed!
4.  Quick Phone Call with Owner	Sue connects the dots, answers questions from the quiz + addresses red flags from experience. To personally meet all brides, pair them with their stylist based on personality + ensure a quality experience for bride, guests + our staff.
5.  Involved Owners	To save brides valuable time off work by having 1 point of contact by text and video who has been a seamstress since 1998 and a bridal shop owner since 2007.  Brides appreciate consistency, personality + someone to keep them organized.   Save clients stress, time and cost overall while having an incredible experience.
6.  Shopping Guide	Sent to confirmed, paid appointments to give ideas and answer questions on video.
7.  Appointment Checklist	To provide the bride with a clear list of options to personalize her memories + appointment type.

Features Be Like:	How Does This Benefit You:
8.  Appointment Day	Arrive on time, take a tour and see what your stylist has completed prior to your arrival with Sue.
9.  Double Room	For groups of 4 or more, stay in the double room to focus on the bride/stylist.  This allows the stylist to hear and see the bride to anticipate her needs.
10.  Stock Room	Your stylist/dress expert will pull dresses from the stock room for brides using our tested process that works effortlessly.  For DIY Brides, see indicators below.
11.  Suggestions Rack	An overview of styles, prices and sizes we offer with full transparency.  Get to know what dresses cost and browse for inspiration photos.  Selection varies daily with sales.
12.  Bride’s Top 5 Rack	Guarantee a dress will be in person with paid hold deposit 1-2 weeks prior.  (Click “Hold Button” located on every shop link product page.)
13.  Try On	Talk to your stylist the way you spoke to Sue on the call – not caring about industry vocabulary or technical dress terms.  Tell us what you love about the dress + what you would change.  This tells your stylist what you want her to pull!
14.  First 3 Dresses Tip	First 1-3 dresses, just enjoy + don’t put pressure on yourself that you must have words.  Most of us need to try on a few before something clicks.  We start to understand what we love very quickly.  By the 4th or 5th dress, you will notice how easy it is to communicate and be decisive!

Cue the Kim K Tears in 5, 4, 3, 2…	What to Notice Closely:
15.  The Order Form	This is a recap of agreements made in the process.  We talk about a LOT of options during the session.  This is when we recap in writing to be clear of what was decided and billed.  Color, style, size + add ons.  Our contracts are short and to the point to keep it simple + relatable!
16.  Professional Fitting	Notice the “Fitting Checklist” in every dressing room.  This visual helps brides to understand:  We guide + educate so you can control the final decision.  Your stylist will give professional advice based on your measurements and what dresses fit well.  However, ultimately brides know their bodies + alterations are the answer to the perfect fit.  It is important to understand your stylist is NOT choosing the size for you at any bridal salon you order with.
17.  Party Room	This is our gift to you to welcome new Ava’s Brides!  Whether you have 1 guest or 12, a bottle of chilled champagne and cupcakes are our gift to you in our beautiful private room.  (Non alcoholic bubbly available in lieu of champagne upon request 1 week prior.)
18.  Welcome Email + Login	Sue creates your very own login to our website to view important next steps in writing + answer questions ie: “What did I order?”  “When will my dress be here?” etc.
19.  Design Meeting	For brides adding sleeves or making custom changes, meet with an alteration expert to order lace/materials.
20.  Bridal Accessories + Sparkle Box	Complete your look with your veil and jewelry at Ava’s.
21.  Dress Arrival Email + Text	Your order is here!  It’s time to start alterations or try on/take home.

22.  Alterations	Complete your dress with an alterations expert at Ava’s to sculpt the fit like a glove.  Save the date as early as you wish to avoid the rush of Spring or Fall brides.  Start alterations 4-6 months before your wedding date (even if losing weight) or as ready (no panic for short timelines).
21.  Steaming	Steaming is the process of ironing wrinkles from the dress.  This can be done on site at Ava’s or can be done on site with videos Sue has on our channel to teach how to steam on location safely and effectively.
22.  Cleaning	Cleaning is the process of removing stains.  (from a bridal portrait or fitting)  We do not allow BYOB, Food or Beverage inside from shoppers to keep our salon clean for clients!  Our brides appreciate how clean our floors are for their fittings in luxury goods.   Thank you for being part of this team effort!

My Bad:

23.  BYOB/Food	We do not allow BYOB, Food or Beverage inside from shoppers to keep our salon floors clean for clients!  Our brides appreciate how clean our floors are for their fittings in luxury goods.   Thank you for being part of this team effort!
24.  No Tolerance Alcohol Policy	We reserve the right to end any appointment immediately (no refunds, no exceptions) if alcohol is brought into the salon (this includes insulated cups + coffee mugs).  There are bridal salons out there that allow BYOB – we are not one of them.  We have a party room + gift each bride.  Therefore, we make a choice on one or the other for liability + mental health for a positive workplace.
25.  Direct Access	I give my direct number so clients have access to me for questions, ideas, feedback + when issues arise.  When problems occur, my philosophy is to lead with compassion, create solutions that solve problems + to maintain healthy client relationships.  I am HONORED you chose us to be your dream team fo life!  Sue Scheele (Text 573-454-1160 or give me a call at the salon)

DIY Process Driven Groups:	Guided Process Driven Groups:
Guests are in the dressing room helping the bride into dresses.	Stylist/Dress expert is in the dressing room helping the bride into dresses.
There are multiple dress experts in the guest count leading the bride during the appointment.  The stylist isn’t able to lead the appointment.	The group views the stylist as part of team bride.  The  stylist is able to focus on the bride’s comments and actions which makes her think of the ideal dress to pull.
The group is not interested in “the suggestion rack” or “the top 5 rack” and DIYing dress selection.	Group sees the value in the suggestions rack and the purpose it serves for the bride’s clarity and experience.
Bride is overwhelmed, tired and frustrated that she’s not seeing dresses she loves or that fit.	Bride is seeing the process leading her to dress options that are beyond what she imagined.  Bride is able to get creative just by being herself and making comments about dress features.
Appointment time is running out, the next group is on their way to use the dressing room.	Allotted appointment time is ample time for bride to not feel rushed or pressured to make a quick decision.
Bride is disappointed she is not getting the experience advertised on our website.	Bride appreciates the thought and care that goes into our guided process with a dress expert at Ava’s that has been tested in DFW since 2007.
Stylist is withdrawn from the group to allow dress experts to rise and take charge.	Stylist is working as a team with the group/bride.  Group is listening to one another, laughing, relaxed & trusting the process.