It's all about lace!

Wow, has anyone else notice how lace has exploded in the bridal world recently?  We love it!  We first saw lace emerge onto the bridal scene in wedding gowns themselves, but now we are finding lace in bridesmaids and even mothers' gowns!

Today we are showing you some of our favorite lace wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, and mothers gowns found at J&B!  Let us know what you think!

Lace Wedding Gowns
Nothing compares to the timeless, romantic feel that comes with a lace wedding gown.  It can work great for a vintage wedding, an outdoor wedding, or even a formal, evening wedding.  Lace is also generally lightweight, so it tends to be very comfortable to wear.  It also never seems to go out of style!  Check out these favorites...

We are in LOVE with this new Maggie Sottero gown!  Gorgeous cap sleeves, keyhole back, and beautiful fit and flare silhouette

This amazing Mori Lee gown has a flattering fit and flare shape with removable belt 

The neckline says it all on this dress!  This Mori Lee lace gown combines sexy with classic

This lace a-line is perfect for a more traditional look, but with a touch of modern lace

Straps and a v-neck create a stunning look on this Mori Lee gown! 

This beautiful Maggie Sottero gown has a keyhole back, is extremely lightweight, and is available in white, ivory, or ivory over light gold for an even richer look

Lace Bridesmaid Gowns
Who wouldn't want to wear a cute little lace dress as a bridesmaid?  Especially in black, it could be worn over and over again!  We love these...

Mori Lee lace v-neck, available in black, white, and ivory

Flirty, high neck lace Mori Lee gown, available in black, white, and ivory

This fun little lace gown can double as either a bridesmaid gown or an informal wedding gown

Elegant pencil skirt on a short lace gown

This elegant Jordan bridesmaid gown is available in a huge selection of colors, and also can be ordered floor length, knee length, or short

Lace Mothers Gowns

Mothers gowns are so classy with a touch of lace!  Take a look at these beautiful styles....

Gorgeous chiffon mothers gown with lace sleeves by Caterina, available floor length or tea length.  The perfect gown for a touch of lace for the mother of the bride.

3/4 lace sleeve gown with chiffon skirt 

Young, modern lace dress for the mother of the bride by Jade, available in a large selection of colors

The J&B Team...Meet Jim and Barb!

There is so much history behind J&B Bridals, and how it grew from a tiny, 2 person shop to the bridal industry leader that it is today.  The J&B story all began in 1978 with Jim and Barb Resh.  Growing up in Hagerstown, MD, Jim and Barb were married in 1976, then relocated to Chambersburg, PA in 1978 to begin their own business.  Jim and Barb began J&B Fashions in April of 1978 as a women's ready to wear shop, offering everything from Zena jeans and Bobbie Brooks clothing, to swimwear!  They developed a deep love for their customers, and enjoyed their ongoing relationships with those customers as they came back often to shop.  Many local ladies will tell stories about running down J&B once a week on their lunch breaks to go shopping!  At the time, Jim and Barb worked closely with a buying office in NYC, and from the advice of Ida Anselmo (their mentor from the buying office), they began to expand their business to include bridal.  As the business evolved, it became half ready-to-wear/half bridal, and then eventually moved its way into entirely bridal.

Jim and Barb happily reunited in 2009 with Ida Anselmo, their mentor from the Carl Day buying office

Two things that stand out about Jim and Barb is both their genuine love of people, and also their obvious passion for the bridal business.  Many past and present "J&B brides" say that one thing they love about J&B is that Jim and Barb are always present and easily accessible.  When you meet them, it is clear that they have poured their life and soul into the business, and they are passionate and excited about it!  Another thing that people notice right away is that Jim and Barb always go the "extra mile" to make their customers happy.   They have been known to do things such as travel an hour away to a wedding just to deliver a groomsman's pocket square that was left at the store.  There is nothing they won't do for one of their customers in need! 

Jim and Barb are also outstanding leaders, treating their team members with extreme generosity and fairness.  They truly consider each member of the team a "family member".  Jim and Barb have truly built a "family" business in every sense of the term.  They were thrilled to be joined in the business by their oldest daughter, Jackie, in 2000 and then by their youngest daughter, Jami in 2007.  Although they have seen the good and the bad that comes with owning a business, they have persevered through it all and truly love what they do.  At the end of the day, Jim and Barb are extremely humbled and grateful, and they thank God every day for the opportunity to be the owners of such a wonderful business.  Jim and Barb's love for God, love for people, and love for the bridal industry has propelled their business for the past 35 years.  Jim is often quoted as saying "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!"

When Jim and Barb are not at J&B, some of their favorite activities include: reading, traveling (especially to warm, tropical climates!), spending time with their 2 daughters, sons-in-law, and 2 granddaughters.  Jim and Barb are very family oriented and love nothing more than relaxing with their family.

Jim and Barb, thank you for all that you do!  Your team loves you!  :)

Jim and Barb with designer Madeline Gardner

Jim and Barb vacationing in Florida a few years ago with their daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters

J&B Bridal Show 2013!

This Sunday, January 6th, we will be hosting one of our favorite events of the entire year!  The J&B Bridal Show!  This year will be just as exciting as ever, and if you are a bride-to-be, this is an event you definitely do not want to miss!

We are honored to once again welcome Madeline Gardner, designer of Mori Lee wedding gowns, to the show.  She will be bringing her models straight from New York City to showcase her gowns during the runway show.  It is always so fun to see these gorgeous gowns on display in a live, professional show!  Madeline has been designing gowns for over 17 years for Mori Lee and has won countless awards for her beautiful designs and incredible fit.

JIm and Barb Resh (L) with Madeline Gardner (R) during the J&B  Bridal Show 2012

One of Madeline's gorgeous gowns on display at last year's show

There will also be over 30 professional, wedding-related vendors at the show to help you with every area of your wedding!  Vendors such as caterers, jewelers, florists, DJ's, reception sites, photographers, and more will be ready to talk to you and help you with all of the important details in your wedding planning process!  (See www.jbbridalshow.com for a complete listing of vendors who will be at the show).  

As if that is not exciting enough, one lucky bride will win $1,000 CASH!  There will also be a FREE Mori Lee wedding gown giveaway, compliments of Madeline Gardner!  Many of the vendors will also be giving away great door prizes at the show.  There will be plenty of chances to win something for your wedding!

Staci (Grabill) Hullinger, last year's winner of the FREE Mori Lee wedding gown!

Doors open at 12:00 noon this Sunday, January 6th.  The runway show will begin at 2:00 and door prizes will be drawn after the show.  Tickets are $5 and are available at J&B Bridals during regular business hours. Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 1-800-301-1935.  We look forward to seeing you Sunday at the area's most exciting bridal show!