Monthly Archives: November 2010

THE GENEROUS SPIRIT OF CHICAGOANS ROSE ABOVE THE ASHES TODAY

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Information on How to Donate a Dress

Thousands of Chicagoland Brides have emailed Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn wanting to help by donating a dress for anyone who may have been affected by the fire that swept through Eva’s Bridal yesterday. (Please note that with the exception of brides who have weddings the weekend of November 19th, 20th and 21st, all brides who have ordered gowns will indeed receive their original order. Shipments from manufacturers will be sent to their new location and will not be affected by the fire.) Still if you would like to make a donation, here are the details below and we will be sure to put the gowns to good use by ensuring they get in the hands of the correct brides. And dresses that are donated in the near future, but are not used for their intended purpose will be donated to Brides Against Breast Cancer or Partnership For Cures.

PRESS RELEASE
Eva’s Bridal Oak Lawn, IL www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com
Media Contact: Andrew Hayes, 312-823-4333 | andrewhayespr@gmail.com

THE GENEROUS SPIRIT OF CHICAGOANS ROSE ABOVE THE ASHES TODAY
CHICAGO – Nov. 18, 2010 (615 PM CST) – Throughout the day, while Eva’s Bridal helped brides and bridesmaids find dresses to replace those burned by yesterday’s fire, many Chicagoans spent the day on Facebook©, on the phone and on email telling media and Eva’s Bridal Shop that they want to donate their wedding dress to help out. “I got an email from a woman who was married 40 years ago offering her dress,” explained Ronia Ghusein, owner, Eva’s Bridal.
Fortunately Ghusein and her team were able to get all but two of the wedding dresses replaced today. However, she didn’t want to dissuade anyone who still wants to give and luckily, a bridal industry colleague of Ghusein’s has agreed to step in and facilitate wedding dress donations.
Bill Brennan, CEO & President, Bridal Expo Chicago Luxury Show announced this evening that his company will accept any donated wedding dresses at the Bridal Expo his company is hosting this Sunday, November 21, at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers at 301 N. Water Street in Chicago. Donated dresses can be dropped off anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Sheraton’s ballroom. More information is available at www.bridalshowexpo.com
“The bridal business is a close-knit one,” Brennan said. “Since we first heard the awful news last night, everyone has been pulling together to do whatever they can to help,” he said, adding, “the outpour of interest from folks has been amazing and if they want to donate their dress and know that it will go to someone in need, we’re happy to facilitate that.”

Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn New Store Address

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Temporary Telephone 630-747-1911
Business 708-422-5599
evasofoaklawn@yahoo.com
Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn New Satellite Store
Friday, November 19, 2010
Eva’s Staff will be on location after 11am on Friday
Intersection of 95th & S. Meade Ave
The building use to house Men’s Wearhouse
Across the Street There is a Taco Bell Restaurant
6101 W 95th street.
Oak Lawn, IL

Press Release

Oak Lawn- November 18, 2010 (2pm CST): On behalf of Nancy, Ronia, Sam, and the entire Eva’s Bridals staff – THANK YOU for the outpouring of support from everyone during this very difficult time.
My grandmother, Eva, opened in 1964. Today, as third-generation following in her footsteps, we are so touched by the generous spirit of the Oak Lawn community and all brides and their families who called, emailed and came out today. We began the day by meeting with brides and their families in the backseats of their cars in the parking lot. Our first such meeting was with a bride who is getting married in two days. Face to face with her and on two cell phones at once – we got an identical gown shipped overnight for our receipt tomorrow. After we do some slight alterations, she will be a beautiful bride on Saturday, as planned.
By noon we moved into the warm embrace of Palermo’s party room thanks to our dear friends and neighbors at Palermo’s. We’ve taken care of two brides who are getting married this weekend and are working on replacing the other 40 some dresses ordered for upcoming weddings. We are grateful for all the dress designers and manufacturers for helping us to help our brides.
For the rest of the week our priority is taking care of any brides who have upcoming weddings. Beginning tomorrow November 19th we will be in a temporary space located at 6101 W 95th street. Our website www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com will be updated throughout this transition and into our rebuilding process. Please be sure to visit it regularly to get up-to-date news, specials and information.
Finally we wish to give a very special thank you to the Oak Lawn firefighters and police who responded to our call for help yesterday afternoon. They were so professional and so good at what they do – they helped make this nightmare less painful to go thru, and we are forever grateful.
The family at Eva’s Bridals of Oak Lawn
www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com

Ronia Ghusein, owner of Eva’s Bridal is the granddaughter of the original Eva’s and plans to continues to operate a fully functioning Eva’s Bridal Salon for many more generations in the town she loves, Oak Lawn, IL.

Evas Bridal Oak Lawn Fire 11-17-10 (5 Alarm Fire)

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Evas Bridal Oak Lawn Fire 11-17-10

Dear Chicagoland Brides,

Everyone at Bridal Expo Chicago and Milwaukee Luxury Events is saddened by the news of the 5-Alarm fire that blazed through the bridal salon today at 95th & Cicero. I’ve spoken to the owner Ronia Ghusein this afternoon and her main priority is delivering gowns to brides who have upcoming weddings. I’ve known Ronia personally for 12 years and I know she will move mountains to contact her vast array of national and international designers to ensure Eva’s Oak Lawn will meet the wedding date deliver of gowns ordered by brides with the goal of 110% satisfaction. You can log onto their website to get more information. Please be patient as the fire just occurred today and I know their staff is working extremely quickly to open up another location in the very near future and be able to take calls and inquiries. We are grateful that no one was injured during this tragic event.

Here is a copy of what appears on their website as of 11/17/10:

There are no words to describe how we feel about today’s tragic event; we cannot even imagine how you feel. Our main concern is our brides and their gowns. Over the last 45 years we have built excellent relationships with all of our designers, we are working hand in hand with them to deliver your gowns. We are just as devastated as anyone, as this has been our home for over 30 years. We are grateful for no physical injuries and are saddened by the emotional toll this will have on everyone. We will keep this website updated as we know more information. Sincerely, The family at Eva’s Bridals Oak Lawn evasofoaklawn@yahoo.com.

www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com

Again, they ask us all to be patient and check their website for daily updates.

Bill Brennan, President of Bridal Expo Chicago and Milwaukee

Kate Middleton’s Engagement Ring & The Princess Diana Connection

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Now that photos are popping up all over the Internet of Kate’s engagement ring, the speculation of the tone and feel of the wedding begins with fervor. It is indeed the same ring that Princess Diana wore on her wedding day back in 1981 to Prince Charles. “Kate Middleton, the future Princess Catherine, debuted her engagement ring at St. James’s Palace in London on Tuesday,” says The Huffington Post. Those of us in the bridal business will be buzzing for months as one detail at a time of the 2011 Royal Wedding is planned and revealed. What kind of invitations will the Royals choose? What bridal designer will design Kate Middleton’s wedding gown? Vera Wang? Monique Lhuillier? Or could it be Oscar de la Renta? Or perhaps a designer from the UK like Ian Stuart? Will the entire wedding being a spectacle or a more understated affair? We in the States love a great fairytale and now 2011 brides in America will have something to be inspired by! By the way, Princess Diana’s engagement ring cost about £30,000 or $47,000 in 1981 and is made from 14 diamonds encircling a sapphire.

Royal Wedding Announcement

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Royal Wedding Announcement

After 8 years of dating, Prince William and Kate Middleton will finally tie the knot in Spring/Summer 2011. The William-Kate wedding which will undoubtedly reignite everyone’s memory of Princess Diana’s wedding in 1981 to Prince Charles, is sure to the wedding of the year! The royal announcement came from Buckingham Palace.

The news officially broke very early this morning by Clarence House, but Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton were officially engaged in October during a private holiday in Kenya. Prince William first sought permission of Miss Middleton’s father. The British Royal Family, the Queen, and members of his family were also informed at that time.

Prince William is 28 years old and is currently serving in the Royal Air Force and is second in line to the British throne. Kate Middleton meet Prince William while attending University of St. Andrews is also 28 years old. The couple has had their ups and downs over the 8 years they’ve been dating. In April of 2007, the couple broke up for a period but reunited a few months later. Since then, Kate has attended many high-profile royal events and has been admired for her fashion sense, and has been placed on numerous “best dressed” lists including People Magazine’s 2007 and 2010 best dressed list.

So the news of a 2011 Royal Wedding begs the question many bridal fashionistas are asking. What will Miss Catherine Middleton wear on her wedding day? Stay tuned! The Royal Family will announce more details in due course.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 Royal Wedding