The scenery of a Bridal shop is that of romance, anticipation, and alluring Bridal Wear. Your first visit to a bridal shop is just pure excitement. There’s that childlike gaiety that happens, where you become a bridal princess; you’re the center of attention and you have a trained stylist waiting on your every need. Before you encounter this invigorating experience, We at CTO Bridal would like to give you some tips to use to ensure you’re well prepared, and that you have a great time!

Book Your Appointment

There are plenty of shops that accept and welcome walk-ins, however it is always better to book your appointment. One reason being, is that you’re sure to have a stylist available and even assigned to you. If you walk in without an appointment, there’s no guarantee that a stylist would be available to help you and there’s no telling how soon they’ll be done with their current appointment. This step in booking your appointment is to assure that you’ll be catered to as soon as you arrive. As a bride-to-be, the attention and focus should always be on you. This step is the action that you take to ensure that you’ll be prioritized. Booking your appointment also gives your stylist time to speak with you and look over their inventory to have styles pre-selected before you come in.

Sizing

It’s a common reaction from brides to see that Bridal or “Vanity” sizing is different from that of “street” sizes. For example, if you wear a size 10 in normal clothes, you may fit into some size twelves, fourteens, and even sixteens depending on where the designer originates. Bridal gowns are shipped from all over the world through a plethora of designers in different countries, so the sizing will vary from gown to gown. In addition, some bridal shops only carry certain sizes or will be currently out of stock in your size. To accommodate this, stylists use clips, boards, corsets, and other things to imitate the perfect fit and give you an illusion of how the dress in the perfect size will fit.

Bridal Terms

It may be beneficial to familiarize yourself with bridal terms and silhouettes. Getting accustomed to bridal language will help you to better communicate with your stylist. Knowing bridal language will help you to describe the gown, fit, and neckline that you’re interested in. There are so many different styles out there; Ballgowns, A-lines, Sheaths, and so much more! Do a little research, you’ll be surprised by how many different styles of bridal gowns exist. The possibilities are endless!

Thank you for reading our blog! We at CTO Bridal hope you’ve found this post useful and informative. Be sure to check out our other Blogs for more tips and follow us on all our social media to be notified of new posts!

The “First Dance” is a traditional custom that reiterates the love and bond of a couple just joined together in marriage. This is the part of the Reception that some couples go so far as to take dance classes for. It is a tear-jerking moment for everyone watching, but for the couple, it is a time to showcase their affections through dance. What brings this compassionate event together is the song of choice

What are the characteristics of your love?

What’s often referred to as the “Wedding Song” must be of some importance or influence over the couple’s union. This is where the many characteristics of your relationship has its opportunity to manifest itself through song and dance. My marriage to my best friend is full of craziness, fun, silliness and deep romance. Our first dance would reflect all those things. Is there a song that you’ve bonded over? A song that gives you butterflies or memories of love and laughter are great picks for your first dance.

What kind of dance are you interested in?

If you’re into the waltz or any other form of ballroom dance, then a slow-paced ballad is what you’re looking for. Some couples even opt to perform multiple dances of 2 or even 3, showcasing their love and bond with different songs and forms of dance. We’ve all seen that fun couple start off slow and romantic, and suddenly break into an all-out dance fever exposition. I’ve even seen dance battles take place on the dance floor between the bridal parties on YouTube. Whether you’re shy or flamboyant, your first dance will reflect you both as a duo.

Thought of Something Yet?

If not, let us help. Below we’ll list a couple of awesome first-dance songs and attach a couple lyrics that’ll make your tummy flutter.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog! We at CTO Bridal sincerely hope you've enjoyed this post.Check out our other Blogs for more tips and follow us on all our social media to be notified of new posts!

After you purchase your dream gown, the next step is to schedule an appointment to get it properly fitted. You don’t want your train to get stepped on at your reception, and you most definitely don’t want to trip on your way down the aisle. There are several do’s & don’ts when it comes to alterations. In this blog, we’d like to give you a short list of useful tips to ensure your experience is as tranquil as possible.

Sizing

Once you’ve pictured yourself on that grand day, and said yes to that dress, it’s time to decide on specifics of the gown. We know that many of our beautiful brides find themselves on a fitness journey for their wedding, and they feel that ordering their goal size will motivate them. We caution this for many reasons, one being that it’s just not safe. You’d rather your gown be too big than too small. Gowns can normally only be let out no more than an inch or two, if that much. We strongly suggest you order the size that the Shop recommends for you. If you order a size too small and the gown cannot be let out enough, you’ll be stuck with a gown you cannot wear; and you’ll have to spend additional money to purchase another.

Timing

We at CTO recommend brides to schedule their alterations appointments 2 months prior to their wedding day. The bridal world is an ever-changing season of highs and lows, and peak seasons have seamstresses strained with work. Giving a wide timeline of 2 months provides the seamstress with enough time to focus on your gown with diligence and accuracy. Weight fluctuations, avoiding rush fees, and alterations errors are just more factors that play into the 2-month timeline.

What to Bring

Rather you’ve ordered or purchased your gown off-the-rack, it’s time to hunt for accessories. One of the most important accessories to have prior to your alterations appointment is your shoes. Your shoes determine how high or low the hem on your gown sits. If you’re wearing heels, for instance, your gown will not need as much of a hem as someone wearing flats. It is very important to bring your shoes to your fittings. It is also important to bring the proper undergarments. If you’re wearing a bra, Spanx, or anything under your dress, bring it to your appointment. Your undergarments play a strong role in how your gown fits your body. If you neglect wearing the proper undergarments to your fittings, your dress will fit entirely different on your wedding day.

Cost

It is very easy to rack up costs in Alterations. The design, fabric, and structure of the gown all factor into the total price. It is key to educate yourself on the cost of alterations beforehand, so that you can set a budget for yourself and discuss with your seamstress in detail what you need done, so that they can let you know how much they charge for specific services. Many brides need their gown customized, hemmed, taken in or taken out. It’s even useful to educate yourself on bridal alterations before you pick your gown. On average, Brides spend $300+ on alterations.

Communication

It’s okay to be particular in the way that you want your gown handled and exactly what you want done. If you feel that something doesn’t fit quite right, or if you feel there’s an error, be sure to speak up about it. The seamstress may be able to fix it and make your gown exactly how you want it to be. It’s important to communicate to your seamstress how soon you need your gown and everything you want altered to your liking. For any customization, like adding bead-work or replacing mesh, you must be sure that your seamstress knows how to do so.

Thank you for reading this Blog. We at CTO hope you’ve found this post useful and informative. Check out our other Blogs for more tips and follow us on all our social media to be notified of new posts!

There are women who prefer a close-knit circle of two or three, and some with a plethora of gal-pals. Whomever brides are closest to, rather it be friends, family or both, are often chosen to tag along on an exciting roller coaster of bridal shopping. When inviting lucky attendees, you get to have honest, blatant opinions and memorable laughs attached to the journey leading to your big day. However, it’s important to consider the amount of people you’re bringing and who’s opinion you value the most.

Friends and family often look forward to the bridal festivities surrounding the upcoming wedding, like the bachelorette party and tagging along for dress fittings. CTO Bridal values the unique and special moment that occurs when you’re staring yourself down in the gown you know is the one for you. We notice that the opinions and emotions of your entourage is one of the most important and heartfelt moments in your gown search journey. Therefore, a good tip to remember is to bring a companion or two whom you know wants the best for you and your wedding. Remember that everyone has their own style, and sometimes if their style is different from yours, they may dislike a gown that makes you light up inside.

When choosing your bridal shopping entourage, key characteristics and factors to look for in your candidates would include a style, honesty, open-mindedness, and joyous. You want a fun and memorable shopping experience. Therefore, no matter what, its best to avoid those you know are opinionated, negative, or has a style that’s completely different from your own. Within my years in the bridal industry, I’ve seen plenty of brides halt an appointment out of the frustration from their guests not liking anything they loved. For those that deeply value the opinions of others, please use caution when choosing your bridal Shopping posse to ensure a positive and pleasurable support system during your bridal appointment(s).

You want your party to be relaxed, comfortable and to avoid any disruptions or complaints during your visit. Because of limited seating, it’s important to note how many guests you bring along with you. Often, bridal shops can only accommodate an extended party of 3-5. Rather you’re planning on booking an appointment or stopping in, please be sure to call ahead to see if your party can be comfortably suited.

We love to see brides happy and cheerful. No matter what shop you visit, it’s exciting and fun when you have someone to share those moments with and keep you open-minded and in good spirits. So please use the tips given in this blog to avoid unwanted stress and tension while you jump into one of the most special rides in your engagement. And remember, your wedding is YOUR wedding. When shopping for your gown, remember that it is you that must wear it and look and feel amazing in it. Keep this tip in mind, when taking on pessimistic or opposing opinions on gowns that make you feel ready to head down the aisle.

Stay tuned for more stress-reducing tips from CTO Bridal!

One of my cousins got engaged, and that very night, she started planning her wedding. She hopped on Pinterest and pinned all kinds of color schemes, décor, hairstyles and dresses. She fell in love with the look of cap sleeves and began her search. She familiarized herself with bridal vocabulary and called every bridal shop in the city to see if they carried dresses with cap sleeves.

She printed screenshots of what she’d found online, and put them into a scrapbook to document her dress searching journey. She fantasized about standing at the altar in her dream gown and dancing the night away with her newlywed. For months, all she thought about was a Mermaid gown with cap sleeves, fitted in all the right places, hoping the curve hugging gown would give her the hourglass figure she imagined in her fantasy.

The day finally came when her schedule was clear and she was able to spend an entire weekend in search of her gown. She arrived at a Bridal Salon in Atlanta, scrapbook in hand, undergarments ready. The bridal stylist pulled her 3 gowns similar to what she described and she rushed into the dressing room to put them on. She called for the stylist to come zip her up, and thought about her fantasy mermaid gown with cap sleeves. She closed her eyes, the Stylist opened the curtains and she walked up to the mirror.

She was in complete shock. She dramatically said nothing. The stylist asked if everything was okay but she couldn’t begin to describe how appalled she was. Her fantasy was rattled. She thought the mermaid fit of the gown made her look more like Sponge Bob than a coke-bottle, and the Cap sleeves didn’t make her look graceful, they made her look like a linebacker. She tried on the other two options the stylist pulled for her but they both made her feel the exact same way. The mermaid style just wasn’t giving her the hourglass figure she expected and the cap sleeves were making her look too broad.

She refused to try on anything else and left the shop to pursue her gown again. She experienced the same thoughts at 6 other Salons before the weekend was over and was left in complete and utter disappointment.

She felt that her body couldn’t be flattered. She felt frumpy instead of sexy in every gown she tried. She went back and searched the internet to figure out what would give her the look she was going for and came across a diagram.

The graph, illustrated by professional stylists gave tips to women about finding the right dress for their body shape. She explored similar graphs and came to the conclusion that the dress she fantasized about, just didn’t flatter her shape. When she had time, she went back to the shop, open-minded, to try on gowns suggested by the stylists. She mourned her dream gown, but she wanted to feel sexy.

The stylist brought 4 different styles to her. They were beautiful dresses but just not what she had in mind. She shrugged and tried the first one on. It was beaded, strapless, and big. The stylist assured her that though big, the ball gown was definitely what she was looking for. She opened the curtain and stepped up to the mirror. She was in awe. Her emotions were in frenzy. She teared up and danced around. The ball gown gave her the hourglass look she was going for. She didn’t feel frumpy anymore. The strapless feature allowed her to show off her shoulders without feeling masculine.

She finally felt beautiful in a gown. She didn’t even want to try the others on. She’d found what she was looking for.

When looking for your perfect gown, remember to be open-minded. There are purposes for every silhouette. There’s a gown out there for every woman, for every personality. Don’t be afraid to let a professional stylist help you find that perfect gown to flatter your silhouette. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to compliment your body shape!

We understand that wedding planning can be stressful, even down to the simplest part at hand, such as choosing the right floral arrangement or the right shoes to wear with your gown. However, the staff at CTO Bridals are here to help, by reminding and encouraging you to pace yourself, so that you "Don't Become a bridezilla".

Don't be alarmed! A bridezilla is just a humorous term used to describe a bride's obsessive and intolerable behavior during the process of planning for her special day. Friendly advice? You should keep in mind that if you're feeling overwhelmed, over worked, and stressed, that everyone one else in your bridal party will feed off of the negative energy.

Don't know what to do?

1. Play only Wedding/Love" Songs. Music is therapy for the soul, heart, and mind. Let it inspire you and keep you in the spirit of love.

2. Exercise. It's important to exercise your mind, as well as your body for at least 10 mins everyday. Yoga is one of the many great ways used to balance, uplift, energize, and renew.

3. Go Out. Have a girls night out for some additional fun. Laughter and catching up with some best friends would be sure to clear your mind.

4. Assign a "Go-To-Person". Appoint someone you trust to hold your phone, to stand in as a "go-to-person". Now, any and everyone who needs a question answered or assistance, won't add to your already hectic schedule.

5. Show and Tell. Invite a group of married friends over and have show & tell. Don't be afraid to share wedding stories and disasters. Knowledge is power, so learn from their mistakes to perfect yours.

6. Catch Phrase. There's always that one person you know who secretly despise and no matter what they'll always seem to do or say something annoying. Come up with a secret word or phrase for that person and share it with your spouse. Great escape plan, right?

7. Reminisce. Revisit old photos, messages, clothes, and past memories of you and your spouse. Here's the perfect time fall in love for the second time.

8. Eat Healthy. Relax, plan, and eat healthy. Whether it be fruits, grains, or light protein, your body and your mind needs to be clear for your planning process.

9. Check In. The night before the wedding check into a hotel. Get away from the madness and focus on your finding your happy place.

10. Wedding Day! Yes, you've made it. Take a long hot bath after your wedding day. The mental frustration should be long gone. Say goodbye to your stress and say hello to your honeymoon. :)

For more interesting tips, visit: http://bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-planning-basics/beat-wedding-stress

Are you having a tough time deciding if a veil is the right look for your bridal gown? Or you love the idea of wearing a veil for your special day, but you're not sure which veil to choose? Well, you came to the right place.

The history of wedding attire constantly changes like the weather, but one thing that remains a traditional accessory is bridal veils. Even at CTO Bridals, many ask, "what is the purpose of wearing a veil"? Well, since the 13th century, the bridal garment has been worn as a religious symbol of modesty, loyalty, respect, and for a covering between husband and wife. But, did you know that sheer veils were also worn during that time period for funerals and mourning?

Not ready to dive head first with a traditional spirit? Not to worry, there's plenty of options of headpieces and veils to choose from. For starters, there's many styles of veils that we keep in stock like the chapel, cathedral, bird cage, feathers, mid length, short flyaway, lace-trimmed, jeweled trimmed, and etc... The differences of all just ranges from preferred length, detail and style.

Remember to keep your options open when it comes down to wearing a veil. You'll never know how it would flatter you, unless you try it on. And who knows, it may just be the right "tradition" for you and coordinate with your gown perfectly!

For additional interesting tips visit: http://www.richmond.com/life/celebrations/article_1d042232-e3f9-11e2-af1e-0019bb30f31a.html & http://apaperproposal.com/2011-2-10/Brides_Guide_to_Veils_and_Veil_Alternatives

Did you hear? CTO Bridals does not only offer bridal dresses in all sizes, bridesmaids dresses, event planning services, bridal accessories, and flower girl dresses, but we also have tuxedo rentals! Whether the occasion be for weddings, proms, birthday celebrations, funerals, and etc, remember we're here to help with some tips.

1. Plan Ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to get properly sized for your rental during your fittings.This will help to alleviate additional stress and more importantly, to have accurate measurements. For additional measurement inquires, feel free to contact us, walk-in, or schedule an appointment today with CTO.

2. Coordinate Tuxedo Ideas With Your Spouse. It's better to discuss any "surprise" elements, so that you both will be on the same page, have clear direction, and complement one another.

3. Research. Here's where you can feel free to be creative. Don't afraid to put together a collage, create a scrapbook, have a collection of photos/magazine clippings, or write a list of your favorite tuxedo styles. The more you know what you want, the easier it is for your consultant to direct you in finding the perfect suit for you.

4.Create A Budget. Understanding your budget is a very important step, so that you can use it as a guide in choosing the right tuxedo rental package for you.

5. Get Tailored. Now that all of your research is completed, your last step is to get tailored. You know what looks great on you, so you're ready for your fitting. Here is where you must listen to your body. Ask yourself, "Does this feel right"? "Am I comfortable"? Knowing what works for you will ease your mind and ours.

For more interesting reads be sure to visit: https://www.theknot.com/content/tuxedo-rental-dos-and-donts & http://www.theblacktux.com

Choosing the perfect flower girl dress can be a bit stressful. But no worries! Here are the best 5 tips to make your dress hunt a stress-free and successful one.

1. Prepare to measure: You'll need tools such as a tape measure, pen or pencil, and paper for proper recordings.

2. Measure her chest: Be sure to have your flower girl in her undergarments or form fitting garments for best measurement results.

3. Measure her waist: Your flower girl must be standing with good posture, as you measure the widest part of her abdomen.

4. Measure the length of her dress: To determine the length of her dress, hold the tape measure starting from her shoulder and allow it to hang to the floor.

5. Select the correct dress size: First, refer back to your recorded measurements from steps 1-4. Second, be confident in watching your flower girl have nothing but fun down the aisle!

For more interesting tips, please visit:

https://www.blacknbianco.com/how-to-measure-a-flower-girl-…/

On November 1, 2015 CTO Weddings and Events had the pleasure of being the day-of coordinator of the beautiful couple Justin and Tonette Price. The love birds had the ceremony and reception at the Wimbish House. The celebration started in the midafternoon and lasted until 9pm.

Almost two hundred people gathered to witness and celebrate their union in marriage. The suite upstairs had just enough room to house both the bride and groom without them seeing each other. The bridesmaids wore blush pink empire waist dresses, while the groomsmen wore the ever so classic black tuxedos. Tonette wore a beautiful Sottero and Midgely gown.

After exchanging vows, Judge Hatchett ordained Justin and Tonette husband and wife. Preceding the ceremony the guest enjoyed a cocktail hour where they were able to view pictures of the lovely couple of their past years on the dating scene. During the cocktail hour the ballroom was being transformed into a beautiful reception hall decorated with candles and white and pink rose petals. The Wimbish House was the perfect venue because the space didn’t need a lot of decorations; the ballroom has intricate detailing along the ceiling and the walls, but the Wimbish house wasn’t always just known for its beauty but also for its rich history.

The Wimbish house is a historic structure; in the 1920’s it acted as the headquarters of the Atlanta Women’s Club. The Atlanta Woman’s Club engages in diverse ranges of projects, from their work to establish the Atlanta public kindergarten system, mobile libraries, the Sweet Auburn Farmers Market, and the establishment of Hartsfield International Airport. With their hard work acknowledged by former president Jimmy Carter and the first lady Roslyn Carter the women were really influential to the community.

Being built in the 1895 the house was lovingly restored and is designated a national, state and city landmark. Still designed in the eclectic French Renaissance Revival, or Chateuesque style the Wimbish House is the perfect venue for events ranging from extravagant birthday celebrations to whimsical wedding ceremonies.

Venue: The Wimbish house

Planner: CTO Weddings & Events

Photographer: Forever Kareart

Entertainment: Quinn and the Jukebox

Catering: Low Country Catering

Cake: Peche Petite

Florist: Flowers by Holland

Beauty: JC Designs Plus

Last weekend CTO Bridal had the pleasure of working with the magnificent staff of the Wimbish house. The Wimbish house is an antique miniature Victorian-era- styled castle located in midtown. If you are looking for a venue for a special occasion that you want to exudes southern charm, then this is the place for you . The house was built by W.T. Downing; a famous architect in Atlanta built in the late 1800’s. It has spacious, high-ceilinged rooms with historic architectural details, period furnishings and hardwood floors throughout the establishment; The Wimbish House provides a rich visual backdrop for all your matrimonial festivities.http://www.thewimbishhouse.com/index.php

DO set an appointment

Walk-ins are always welcome but if you set an appointment and talk to your consultant he/she can prepare dresses that would interest you and save you a lot of time.

DON’T bring your entire entourage

While this is a very exciting moment in your life and you may want to share it with everyone it’s definitely not the best idea. The conflicting opinions could get quite overwhelming for the you and sway your judgment what dress you truly want.

DO take pictures and take notes

Make sure the dress not only flatters the front of your body but every angle. Take notes so after the appointment you can compare the features of each dress and narrow down the gowns so you can pick the perfect dress without pressure.

DON’T feel self-conscious about your dress size

All wedding dresses are two to three sizes larger than your actual size. Your number one goal is to find a dress that fits appropriately and comfortably because you will be in the gown for quite some time so make sure you can breathe.

DON’T try-on to many dresses

Try-on as many dresses as you feel you need but no more than that. After a while you will get confused and soon you won’t know what you like. Find the silhouette you like and roll with it.

DO take your time

• If plan early you will have more than enough time to find the perfect dress for you. Picking the perfect dress takes time and you don’t want to rush something as important as the wedding gown.