Two local chamber of commerce directors encourages people to shop locally during this year's prom and bridal seasons. 

"You will always be able to get a better deal locally," Britt Area Chamber of Commerce director Kathie Smith said. 

Forest City Chamber director Kathy Rollefson said people should "check out our local merchants because it saves you time." 

Smith and Rollefson said shoppers may be impressed by what's available in the area. 
Smith said a number of home-based businesses offer custom jewelry. She also encourages people to check out Fedders Health Mart, Garner Greenhouse and Titanium Lunchbox for DJ services. 

The Cobbler Shoppe has a large selection of gently used dresses available at affordable prices.You are currently browsing the tsg archives for "china wholesale bridesmaid dresses". The shop has around 50 prom dresses priced between $50 and $275. 

Cobbler Shoppe employee Teresa Eckels said people are surprised when they see the store carries prom dresses. 

"People do come in and say there is a nice selection," Eckels said. 
A lot of the consignment dresses have come into the store from other towns. Eckels said there is a "good chance you are going to get one that no one will recognize." 

The store does offer simple alterations for dresses but Eckels said it depends on the dress. 

The store also carries a few bridesmaid dresses and other formal wear. 
Nu2U Consignments in Forest City also offers prom dresses at affordable prices. 

The store currently has around 20 prom dresses all priced under $100. More dresses are still arriving and owner Mary Loden said she doesn't see any of the dresses being more than $150. 

Loden said the people bringing in the dresses for consignment are "just happy to get them out of the closet and have someone else enjoy them." 

Nu2U has a number of styles available in sizes from 0 to 20. The store also has shorter homecoming dresses available at reduced prices. 

"This is a great time for people to snatch up a dress for next year's homecoming," Loden said. 

She encourages people to also check out the store's shoe collection as well to help complete the look at an affordable price. 
All of the dresses are featured on Nu2U's Facebook page as well as their website,Please note that we have changed our name from Rina di Montella Studio Wearhouse! www.A bridal gown wedding dress is the clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony.n2uforestcity.com. 

Gifts Sew Sweet in Britt also has formal wear available. The store rents tuxedos from five different companies. 

Owner JoAnn Burgardt said they offer everything from the traditional black tux to very non-traditional, fun tuxes. 

"We have all the styles you can imagine to match any dress," Burgardt said.Browse hundreds of beautiful high neck wedding dresses and find the perfect fit for you! "I don't think there's a dress we couldn't match." 

She encourages everyone to "book early and save" so "they can get exactly what they want." 

Gifts Sew Sweet is offering $10 off of tuxes if they are booked before March 31. 
The store also has special discounts going on for wedding party tux rentals. Weddings that are booked by March 31 will receive a free groom's tux and 10 percent off of the entire wedding party tux rentals. 

Burgardt encourages everyone to look at getting their tuxes local because "it's convenient." 

The store offers free alterations on tuxes and Burgardt said they "guarantee that it will fit." 

There are a number of options for those getting ready for prom or for a wedding in the area. Rollefson suggests booking appointments now for manicures, hair styles or tanning because prom will "be here before we know it." 

Other options include Bills Family Foods for flowers and various caterers featuring cupcakes and candies for special occasions, including Designer Cupcake's by Dawn. 

Rollefson also encourages those who go out the night of traditional grand march to "give our restaurants a chance rather than driving to Mason City or Albert Lea." 

"It makes the evening a little more affordable if you try to keep it local," she said. 
The Flower Cart is another local option in Britt for those looking ahead to prom or a wedding. The store offers corsages, boutonnieres and bridal arrangements. 

Owner Jennifer Hughes said sweetheart roses are the most popular flowers used for corsages. Orchids are also becoming more popular, she said. 

Corsages are available in a variety of colors and Hughes said they can "match the flowers with the dress for sure." She said they can also add in rhinestones, pearls, feathers, colored wire and ribbon.A peplum Sweetheart neckline dress. 

"Everything is customized, no corsage is the same," Hughes said. 
The store also arranges bridal bouquets, alter arrangements and reception flowers. Hughes said they have arranged everything from rose bouquets to Gerber daisies and calla lilies. 

The Flower Cart welcomes bridal consultations but Hughes said to call for an appointment first. The store also offers deliveries of the bridal arrangements to the site of the marriage. 

Hughes encourages people to check out the Flower Cart for their special occasion arrangements. 

"We offer fresh-quality flowers," Hughes said. "We make them to the best of our ability."