The *Finishing Touches*

You have your dream dress, you have your dream love, while planning your dream wedding. Now is the time to add on all of your finishing touches to complete your dream day! Here are our top 5 tips on choosing your accessories for your wedding day.

1. Silver or Gold?

When first choosing your accessories, we always suggest you start with the simple question. Silver or Gold? We recommend choosing an accent that matches the details on your dress to compliment your uniquely beautiful gown. If you do not have any silver or gold accents, we then recommend choosing which metal fits your skin tone and/or the color of your dress.

2. Jewelry

When choosing jewelry, it is very important to consider your dress's neckline. Let the dress do the talking! Your accessories are there to complete the look, not be the star of the show. If your dress has a sweetheart or strapless neckline, we recommend a shorter necklace or statement earring. With a halter or higher neckline, try a hair piece with jewels, pearls, or vines. A diamond stud earring is a great addition to this look.

3. Let's Talk About Veils!

There are a few things to consider when choosing your veil. The first, and most obvious being, your dress!

With a heavily embellished dress, you can go one of two ways. For the bride who wants to have a total princess moment, you can continue this glam look with a classic, raw edge cathedral with crystals scattered all around to really sparkle when you walk down the aisle. Or, to go the more simple route, we suggest a veil with minimal matching beadwork along the edge.

With a more simple, but equally stunning dress, an angel cut veil trimmed in lace or with simple pearl details is a perfect touch! The spiral of the edge will give you a more dramatic look and feel.

A Dress with a statement back think sheer + chic! We also recommend steering clear of multiple layers of fabric, as it could take away from the beautiful details of your dress. To add a little sparkle, we suggest adding a fun hair piece to the base of the veil. This will give you more glam, as well as adding to your hair when the veil is removed after the ceremony.

4. Be Yourself

The most important rule of thumb when picking your accessories is to remember to just be yourself! When deciding on any aspects of your day, just remember it should be a reflection of you. If heavy jewelry bothers you, skip it! If you have a glamorous dress but still want glamorous details, pick them! These decisions are all about you and what you want.

5. Don't Overthink it + Don't Get Overwhelmed!

If choosing your accessories is starting to feel more overwhelming than finding your dress, take a break and narrow your search! Find one piece you absolutely love, and stick with that. All the other details will fall into place following.

We hope these tips help you when it becomes time to find all of your finishing touches! & don't forget, we have all of these stunning pieces for sale The Dress by Morgan Lynn, so if you ever want hands on help, you know who to call!

xoxo,

Michaela

..Let's Go Girls

A weekend away without traveling far? Count us in! Your Girl's Weekend could be closer than you realize. Here are the BEST things to do to get away with your gal pals for a weekend in NE Iowa.

Best Brunch Spots:

1. Convergence CiderWorks, 302 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101

Crepes, ciders, quiches, OH MY! Convergence CiderWorks is new to Decorah + oh so good. With a cozy, industrial atmosphere, outdoor patio, cider flights, + delicious food (all day long), this is spot you won't want to miss!

2. Magpie Coffeehouse, 202 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101

With home-y vibes + quirky decor, Magpie Coffeehouse in Decorah is a cozy coffee shop to grab brunch! With a menu full of breakfast burritos, sandwiches, + sweets, you and your girls can have a delicious start to your morning adventures.

3. Aztec Parlor, 15 W Main St, Waukon, IA 52172

Want a relaxing, laid back brunch? We have you covered! Located in the heart of Downtown Main Street, Waukon, IA, Aztec Parlor is a walk-in, drive up coffee parlor. Serving freshly brewed specialty coffees, teas, smoothies + food. Check out the boho vibes + delicious pastries at this adorable coffee shop!

Best Places to Stay:

1. Magnolia Cabin, 236 Old Spruce Dr, Decorah, IA 52101

The Magnolia Cabin is a stunning place to stay in Decorah, with gorgeous views of the Driftless Valley! With a fun rustic vibe, fire pit, AND a hot tub, this spot is hard to beat!

2. Hotel Winneshiek, 104 E Water St, Decorah, IA 52101

Hotel Winneshiek is timeless + rich in history! Situated in the heart of Decorah, this hotel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, and beautiful bluff views. Featuring a stunning bar with delicious cocktails and small plates, you can wrap up your night minutes from your door.

3. Lavender Fields Inn, 103 W North St, Calmar, IA 52132

Hello cozy! The Lavender Fields Inn gives us all the warm farmhouse vibes. Featuring a common room with a grand fireplace, adorable wrap around porch, spacious rooms, + beautiful landscaped yard with fire pit, this bed & breakfast is a must stay!

Best Dinner Spots:

1. La Rana, 120 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101

Iowa's hidden gem! La Rana is a fabulous little bistro in the heart of Decorah, Iowa. With intimate bistro vibes, this restaurant is one in a million. Make sure to book reservations for dinner + drinks, this spot books up fast!

2. Mabe's Pizza, 110 E Water St, Decorah, IA 52101

Given all the hype it deserves, Mabe's Pizza is a classic, can't go wrong spot in Decorah. With crusts + sauce made from scratch, Mabe's has been in business for over 70 years, for good reason! Grab some wine and pair with their fabulous pizza!

3. Rubaiyat, 117 West Water Street, Decorah, IA

With a warm ambiance, delicious food, + excellent cocktails, Rubaiyat is a must try! They skillfully prepare every ingredient- driven dishes that reveal their commitment to using the highest quality products, in season, and locally available! Bring your best dress + grab your girls, and book reservations for a table at Rubaiyat.

Best Dive Bars:

1. The Haymarket, 201 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101

Live music, good beer, + friendly locals. The Haymarket is just about as dive-y as dive bars get! End your night with some bar food, good conversation, and lots of music!

2. Pulpit Rock Brewery, 207 College Dr, Decorah, IA 52101

Not exactly a dive bar, but definitely a must end for your night! Built out of an old dairy facility and originally situated next to a laundromat, Pulpit Rock Brewing opened its bay doors during the summer of '15. This modest brewery embraces the opportunity to produce + serve exciting and innovative beers. With a vibrant night life filled with live music, games, + open concept patio, Pulpit Rock is a place not to sleep on.

3. The Zipper, 1225 IA-150, Calmar, IA 52132

When we say The Zipper is a dive bar, we mean it. Hard to find online, The Zipper is truly a hidden gem. A true town-y bar with cold beer, bar food, + a family like atmosphere, The Zipper is a great stop while staying in Decorah!

Best Things To Do Daytime:

1. Seed Savers, 3074 N Winn Rd, Decorah, IA 52101

Talk about stunning views! Seed Savers Exchange conserves biodiversity by maintaining a collection of over 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plant varieties with the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. Cool, right? Not to mention, there are endless paths to hike, beautiful stops to picnic, and a shop to buy your own gardening tools and seeds. You can truly spend hours at this stunning spot!

2. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 520 W Water St, Decorah, IA 52101

Come visit this beautiful museum smack dab in the downtown Decorah! You'll enjoy the spectacular exhibits and extensive programs that highlight American Indian art, culture, history, cuisine, sports, and many other Native American arts and culture aspects. Take a class, or just walk around, either way you will enjoy this gorgeous museum!

3. Gracie's Boutique + Broker Leather, 101 E Water St, Decorah, IA 52101

Gracie’s Boutique + Broker Leather are must visit boutiques in downtown Decorah! They buy in small quantities that are unique from the masses while bringing you the latest styles of dresses, denim, leather goods, + more. Truly a one stop shop! Not to mention, with numerous shops surrounding the store, you will find your day filled with all kinds of shopping.

Best Things To At Night:

1. Toppling Goliath, 1600 Prosperity Rd, Decorah, IA 52101

Toppling Goliath, named 2021 US Beer Open Grand National Champions, was founded in 2009! It has become world-renowned for its award-winning IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. Their spacious, two-story taproom is perfect for large groups and features a large pet-friendly patio! The taproom has a full kitchen serving, pizza, burgers, specialty sandwiches, salads, and more. In addition to their own beer, the taproom serves guest offerings of cider and wine. Perfect for a girls night filled with good beer, + good conversation.

2. Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, 1966 337th St Decorah, IA 52101

With 22 acres of vineyards + two acres of rhubarb for guests to tour as well as a patio for enjoying the scenery, flowers, birds + a glass of wine. Inside the winery is a beautiful wood furnished tasting room, complete with a majestic oak bar! The gift shop is the perfect place to pick up wine accessories for you + your gals!

3. RockFilter Distillery, 113 Maple Drive - Spring Grove, MN 55974

The RockFilter distillery and cocktail room is located in lovely Spring Grove, Minnesota. It's a two-and-a-half hour scenic drive south of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Located in the historic Spring Grove Creamery building. Schedule a whiskey tour for you + your girlfriends, and enjoy all the RockFilter Distillery has to offer!

... have we convinced you yet? (; The options are truly endless for a girls weekend away in NE Iowa. Come brunch, shop, sip, + enjoy the beautiful spots in Decorah this summer! We promise you won't be disappointed.

For more spots to hit, check out https://www.traveliowa.com/regions/northeast/3/.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Mikay

...you asked, we answered!

I've always said there is no such thing as a silly question. If you have met me, you know I am the queen of asking questions! I love asking questions to get to know you and your ideas for your wedding. Over the past year and a half of business, I have been asked a variety of questions from personal, to business, to curiosity-related, and more! That being said, I am super excited to bring you this week's blog post and share some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers!

Q: Do you carry mother dresses?

A: Unfortunately I do not. I specialize in bridal! However, I am always more than happy to talk through ideas for the mother's. I always feel for the mothers and know how challenging it can be to find something that they look and feel confident in. My rule of thumb is just that-- help your mother find something that she looks and feels confident in and that will complement the colors of the bridal party. Also when dressing your mother be sure to consider what other colors the family members will be wearing for family photos

Q: What is your favorite part of owning a bridal store?

A: I could write a whole blog post on this but, to keep it concise, my favorite part is truly working with beautiful women! From brides to mothers to bridesmaids, it's always such a positive and exciting part of a woman's life. I'm beyond honored and humbled to be selected to be a part of it!

Q: If you could pick one dress to get married in which dress would it be?

A: I would pick the dress I got married in any day! I always laugh because women think that I'm going to pick out the newest dress. Don't get me wrong, I love all of the dresses that I have in my store, but the dress that I wore on my wedding is so special to me because it was my dress and I've never regretted my decision!

Q: Which dress in your store is your favorite?

A: I love this question! This question gets me so excited because honestly every dress in my store hold a special place in my heart! I handpick each and every dress in each color and in each size. When I am selecting them, I envision a specific bride in that dress. So when I say I truly have a hand pick my collection with you in mind, I mean it! I truly have a personal connection to each and every one of these dresses. Once a bride has selected her dress, that dress now becomes that bride's dress in my mind. I always think of that bride when I pull the dress, see it on another bride, put it on the mannequin or take a photo of it for social media!

Julie at her seamstress shop, Sew Happy. Robin, another wonderful seamstress in town!

Q: Do you offer in house seamstress work?

A: When I opened in October of 2020, there were already two established seamstresses in the Decorah area with in-home studios! I recommend all of my brides to them. They truly work magic and I whole heartedly trust them for your bridal needs!

Q: Do you try all the dresses on?

A: Yes and no! If and when I do it's to be able to see and feel how that dress looks and fits so when I'm helping brides I know how that dress is gonna lay, where it should hit, and how it feels.

Q: What are the price points of your dresses?

A: Dresses start at $900, and I don't have many dresses over $2,500. Having said that, our average dress is around $1,500. I try really hard to carry a moderate price point to accommodate the modern + midwest bride!

Q: What does the process look like for selecting men's formal wear for our wedding?

A: Okay, again love this question! I haven't covered too much information about tuxedos yet. I am very excited to now offer tuxedo/suit rentals for weddings! I try really hard to make this process seamless and easy for the bride and groom!

1. The first step is to request a tuxedo consult appointment! The couple will come in and we will just simply chat about what desired look they are going for. We will talk through options and we will make selections on what the gentleman will wear.

2. From there we work to collect measurements from all the wedding party. We want these measurements secured at least 6 weeks before the wedding!

3. Lastly, you just have to pick up, and return! The rental pieces come in the week of the wedding, and we ask for them back the week following.

I could answer questions for days and I absolutely love all of the questions that we received when we were working to put this blog together! & if we happened to not get to your questions, as always feel free to reach out via email at thedressmanmorganlynn@gmail.com and/or check out our website and social media pages for any other information in regards to requesting an appointment, selecting your bridal gown, and tips and tricks when preparing for your appointment!

Thanks for reading, see you next week!

xoxo,

Morgan