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When Patrice
Catan told designers in New York City that she was going to
open a full service bridal boutique with brand name nationally
advertised merchandise, and that she wasn't going to take
out factory numbers or cut out designer labels, top designers
told her that she would never stay in business.
Today,
Catan Bridal has been in business for fifteen years and Patrice
Catan takes great pride in offering brides the highest quality
of gowns from top designers, the best customer service in
the industry, and the largest selection of bridal and formal
attire in the Midwest at her Strongsville boutique. Catan's
caters to Petite, Misses and full figure sizes and carries
attire for everyone in the bridal party and all of the accessories
needed for a wedding.
Patrice
Catan became interested in fashion because she has always
been surrounded by crafts. "I was always into fashion
because being a floral designer and crafter by trade it was
an automatic fit," she said. She spent her childhood
in her father's, craft stores, then decided to combine crafts
and fashion in a bridal boutique. "Catan's is a one stop
bridal and special occasions shop under one roof reaching
artistic fashion on the highest level," she said.
In January
2003, that roof will be larger than ever. Catan Bridal will
become one store by combining Catan Bridal and Catan's On
The Town, the sister store located across the street specializing
in mother of the bride and groom attire. This will expand
the store to 54,000 square feet and will make Catan Bridal
the largest full service bridal salon in the United States.
What's
Catan's idea of full service? A bride is escorted to her own
private dressing room with plenty of room for the bridal party
and family members to relax as a bridal consultant (many of
whom are designers themselves) helps the bride select a gown
that suits her taste, style and personality.
The store
also has a team of approximately twenty-five seamstresses
on hand so that after the gown is special ordered in your
size, your gown can be made to fit you, which is included
in the purchase price of the gown. "We're very competitively
priced, dollar for dollar, service for service," said
Catan. "Anybody can give you a low price, you'll get
the most respectable price for the service with us."
Catan's can also custom design headpieces, cake toppers, and
jewelry to personalize your wedding.
Patrice
has several words of advice to offer brides who are in search
of the perfect wedding gown. "When you get a price know
what you're getting. Be careful of a gown that's priced too
low, an unrealistic price; know what you're getting for that.
Make sure that your gown has a high quality fabric and make
sure that you have everything in writing and realize that
you should be given a shipping date within two days of placing
the order." Also, Catan says that the perfect dress plays
an important role in your wedding because it's an indicator
of who you are. "Your dress should be a total reflection
of your personality," she said.
Concerning
bridesmaids' dresses, Catan says that the bridal party should
never walk into a bridal shop expecting a gown to fit everyone
perfectly. "With over six hundred samples in my store,
go in with a realistic attitude that you should try to pick
a style that suits the bridal party to the best of your ability,
and know that they're not going to fit before alterations."
When you
visit Catan Bridal, it's important to remember that, while
you'll receive the best customer service and will be looking
at the best gowns in the industry, people still make mistakes.
"We're reputable, responsible, and we stand by our product.
However, we are human and mistakes can occur. When this does
happen, we will do everything in our power to rectify the
problem and to satisfy our bride," said Catan.
To learn
more about Catan Bridal go to www.catanbridal.com,
or visit the store. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments
are highly recommended for brides and bridal parties.
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