Finding the right dress for a special event - wedding, prom or awards dinner - can be a difficult process, but those at The Amber Rose Bridal, 123 W. Fourth St., hope to help ease the stress.
Starting the business over 15 years ago in Montoursville, Amy Heckman, owner, said she had the idea when helping a cousin with her wedding. And after some time, a move was made to the downtown area of Williamsport.
"We've been downtown for two years," said Shannon McDermott, manager.
Amber Rose offers a wide variety of styles and designers for its customers.
All parts of a wedding should be able to find something, McDermott said.
"We do (dresses for) bridal, bridesmaids, moms, flower girls, prom (and) tuxedos," she said.
Heckman added that there is no set process for finding the "right" dress since everyone is different.
"Sometimes it's more than a day for some brides," she said. "Brides are so different. Not one bride is the same."
McDermott said that brides-to-be usually begin looking for their dresses about six to nine months before the big day.
Once they come in, some have an idea of what they want and others don't.
An employee will begin pulling dresses from the racks and the process of finding the dress begins.
"I think it's just trial-and-error to find which ones you like and don't like," McDermott said.
Heckman said she has a rule that once brides start trying on dresses, they can only keep three. So once they choose to keep a fourth dress, the bride must choose one to put back on the rack.
Then it comes to the time when the bride must narrow it down to one dress.
"It's a process of elimination," Heckman said.
"They come in. We pull a bunch of (gowns) and we try them all on until they find their dress," McDermott said.
But above all, Heckman said it's important to remember that it's all about the brides.
"You have to make sure the brides feel special," she said.
And being in such a business, both Heckman and McDermott said it's rewarding to be able to help their customers during special events.
"It's fun," McDermott said. "It's an enjoyable business. You get to be part of a bride's special day."
Heckman said it makes her feel part of the wedding.
"I feel like I'm part of their wedding party," she said.
