GLENN & COMPANY
GETTING MARRIED IN STYLE

In the center of all wedding planning is the decision
of what a bride-to-be will wear when she takes thos
important steps down the aisle.
The style of the bride's gown - formal, semiformal,or informal -
helps to set the tone for the type of wedding.

Unless a wedding gown is being handed down
from mother to daughter or made by a favorite aunt,
the lament of many brides-to-be while gown shopping is:
"I thought I would fall in love with a gown right away,
but it hasn't happened."

Ready to assist in professional planning
for first-time brides, mature brides, and second-
or third-time-around brides are wedding planners Jane Gamcsik,
and her sister Kathy Ann Gamcsik, co-owners of
Glenn & Company, a new by-appointment-only
bridal showroom in South Norwalk.

Jane Gamcsik has been successfully preparing brides-to-be
to march down the aisle for 15 years.
Three months ago, she and her sister, a graphic designer,
opened Glenn & Company.
Previously, they were in temporary quarters inn Westport,
while their new, spacious showroom,
featuring silk wedding gowns by exclusive designers,
was being readied in South Norwalk.

Creator and host of the CBS television series,
Getting Married in Style, Jane Gamcsik has been a
National Bridal Director coordinating fashion shows,
wedding planning and etiquette seminars.
She also assisted designer Vera Wang
in opening a boutique in Washington, DC.
Her business relationships with some of the world's
most celebrated designers was the impetus
for the creation of a fashion and wedding planning source
for professional women in a sophisticated Zen-like setting,
which will also be used for runway bridal fashion shows.

AN ARTIST'S TOUCH

A graduate of the Parson's School of Design,
Kathy Gamcsik brings an artist's eye to the business,
creating a bride's individual style,
whether adding a custom touch to mother-of-the-bride
ensembles or custom designing jewelry for the bride
and her wedding party.
Assisting the co-owners as a wedding planner
is Nicole Mitchell of Darien.

According to statistics quoted by Jane Gamcsik,
the average cost of weddings in 2001
is estimated at $20,000.
"From what we are experiencing in planning
this year's weddings, today's formal wedding runs
about $30,000 with a reception
the largest item in the budget," she said.

Working by appointment and available evenings,
Jane Gamcsik said,
"We are able to control the flow of activity in the showroom
and give undivided attention to our clients.
Preparing for a wedding is such an
emotional experience for women
Instead of a clutter of gowns in plastic bags
hung on racks, we offer personal, white glove service
to a bride-to-be and her attendants,
and feature a selection of well-known designers
including Manale, The Diamond Collection, Rivini and
Givenchy, Siri and Dessy.
Headpieces with custom veiling
are made by Malis-Henderson of Toronto.
White gloves are also suggested for the ceremony.

"We display several gowns by
each designer in an attractive setting.
This year's styles are strapless with clean lines,
'slinky' with straight lines, and ballroom-style.
Gowns for 2001 have sparkle and beading to them,"
said Jane holding up an ivory gown with a spray
of small jeweled yellow flowers delicately strewn above the hemline.

"The right accessories are also important to us.
Kathy custom designs jewelry and we have
a marvelous collection of vintage pieces.
We don't want our brides to be half-dressed," she said.




TAKE YOUR TIME

Jane Gamcsik also suggested that brides-to-be
selecting a slinky style gown "be in good shape.
We work with samples, and when ordering a custom gown
it's advisable to order larger than the regular size,
because it's much easier to alter down than open up.
It also takes up to 16 weeks for a custom gown to be ready.
We can do it in a shorter time,
but there is an additional rush fee.
We also suggest bring only one trusted friend
or family member to a dress appointment.
They know you and will be honest in
their opinions of the gowns you try on.

"Give yourself a time frame of two months
to find your gown.
Making a decision in a timely manner will allow you
to focus on the other aspects of your wedding," she suggested.

"After you have tried on several gowns at our salon,
go home and mull over your favorites.
After a few days, one or two dresses should stand out.
Then make an appointment to try on the two 'finalists' again.
This should help you to make a decision without pressure.
We have the largest bridal dressing rooms in Fairfield County
because this is where the final decision is made
for a wedding gown," said Jane.

"We look at height, curves, proportions to show the assets
of a bride in her wedding gown.
A bride-to-be has to feel good here before her final selection.
It's a point of pride with us to find the perfect dress.
Planning for a wedding should start a year ahead,
and during that year, we have a nine-month relationship
with a bride, and it should be a beautiful one,"
Jane Gamcsik said.

Alterations are additional at Glenn & Company,
and vary greatly in price depending on
Generally, two to five fittings are required.

'THE' GOWN

Contrary to popular belief, most brides
don't immediately fall in love with a wedding gown right away.
"It just doesn't happen. As professionals,
we work one-on-one helping to select a gown
to match the personality of the bride in addition
to the veil, jewelry, and shoes.
We are also available as wedding planners,
especially in selecting a place for the reception," said Jane.

A special service of Glenn & Company
is a four-hour "Peace of Mind" package.
Priced at $200, the service by one of the wedding planners
make the wedding relaxed and trouble free.
The planner arrives at the home or designated
preparation site with a wedding day emergency kit,
and steps in to handle the last-minute details,
and deal with common wedding day mishaps.
She will then meet the bride at the ceremony site
to make sure things run smoothly as the
radiant and serene bride walks down the aisle.
Reservations for the Peace of Mind package must be made
at least two months in advance.

Glenn & Company requires a 50% deposit
plus full CT state sales tax to place a special order gown.
The balance is due when the gown arrives.
Because bridal gowns, maid's gowns and most
accessories are special orders,
they cannot be cancelled under any circumstances.
Once you've ordered, the gown in yours.

Glenn & Company is at
2 North Main Street in South Norwalk.
For more information, call 203-838-9696 or e-mail at:
info@glennweddings.com

Excerpts:
Operated by Jane Gamcsik and her sister,
Kathy Gamcsik, Glenn & Company combines the
bridal industry knowledge and 15 years of experience of
Jane Gamcsik with the stylistic design sensibility
of Kathy Gamcsik.

"We are not simply in business to make a sale,"
said Jane. "We are deeply commited to designing
a full complementary, cohesive wedding party that reflects
a very strong sense of personal style."

..."The personal style of the bride is key
at Glenn & Company.
So, whether the bride is a nature lover,
or a dramatic one-of-akind bride,
the staff at Glenn & Company will take the time
to understand what is important to you
and help you select the perfect gown that reflects you.
"Customer service is not a simple catch phrase,
it is our mantra."

..."slinky and sleek for the contemporary bride.
And the colors of gowns include ivory, taupe,
cafe au lait, pale pink and touches of blue," she said.

..."Ms. Gamcsik said full orchestras
or bands at the reception are still popular.
"We're seeing more live music in recent years,
sometimes combined with a disc jockey.
A wedding can also be as simple and lovely
as three strings playing during the processional."

Glenn & Company is Fairfield County's newest bridal resource.
Created by industry professionals Jane and Kathy Gamcsik,
Glenn & Company boasts a staff of fashion and event consulntants.

In today's atmosphere of price-cutting and internet shopping,
brides are often vulnerable.
Glenn & Company believes that professional advice
and attention to detail are more important than ever.

Glenn & Company is pleased to offer the bridal elegance of
Manale, The Diamond Collection, Givenchy and Rivini.
For those seeking the rare and unusual, custom accessories
are available - please call to meet with our design staff.

Too busy to plan the details of your wedding?
Glenn & Company's staff are available to find your
perfect reception site, or to calm jitters with our
Peace of Mind package.

Currently located in Westport at 91 Franklin Street,
Glenn & Company's bridal design studio
will open August 2000
in historic South Norwalk at
52 North Main Street.

Appointments are strongly suggested for personalized service.
203-838-9696 - www.glennweddings.com