Store of the Week: CC's Bridal Boutique

Store of the Week: CC’s Bridal Boutique in St. Petersburg, FL

Open for over 35 years, CC’s Bridal Boutique has grown from a small ready-to-wear shop to a business of three bridal boutiques serving the brides of Florida with a commitment to quality and excellent service.

Store of the Week: CC's Bridal

We asked the staff of CC’s Bridal Boutique all about their St. Petersburg bridal shop and what’s currently trending in the Florida bridal market:

What wedding dress trends are hot right now in your area?
Florida brides don’t follow the norm, for them it is all about individuality. They want a gown that hugs their body in all the right places and while traditional details such as lace are very popular our brides do not want their gown to look like everyone else’s. So, when we go to market we try to hone in on details that will provide our brides the fit that they want but with the elements that are important to them. We offer many gowns that have delicate and unique patterns of lace, different versions of low back gowns, as well as strapless.

But in the end we typically spend time with our brides customizing their gown to be truly unique.

What’s the number one thing your brides are asking for?
We are very fortunate to work with thousands of brides each year and while we cannot always find the perfect dress for every bride, our stylists are professionally trained to help the bride pin point the details that are important to her. Many times brides come to us with a vision of what they want in their gown but when they put it on, they find it is not right for them. It is then that our stylists begin their magic. Using their knowledge of our inventory and listening to the bride’s likes and dislikes, they are able to select other choices for the bride to try on. Typically the brides still want lace as the dominant detail of their gown, we just have to find the right pattern of lace, the right fit, and the right feel for each bride. Using our creativity usually adds that extra little touch to make the gown perfect, whether we order extra lace to make a cap sleeve or strap, lower the back, add an illusion neckline we can usually fulfill her dream.

How do you make the bride’s experience memorable?
At CC’s Bridal Boutique, we provide an intimate and private setting for each bride and their families. We pride ourselves on providing a magical and memorable experience. From the moment the bride schedules her appointment we begin to create the “experience”. There are lots of little pieces that we use to create the experience, but that’s a home-grown secret 🙂

We can share, however, offering a one-on-one experience where we focus solely on the bride allows her to feel like she is only bride on the planet.

What’s the most surprising request you’ve ever gotten from a bride?
Since CC’s Bridal Boutique has been around for over 35 years, nothing comes as a surprise anymore. We just listen and try our best to accommodate her vision (within reason of course).

What’s your favorite wedding story from one of your brides?
Our favorite story is one where a bride had been shopping at several places, each time with Dad in tow. By the time they came to our boutique, Dad had become quite familiar with all of the bridal terminology. He was so sweet and just enjoying every minute of the experience with his baby girl. Once we had narrowed it down to “the one” our stylist put on a matching veil. Dad claimed that there was still something missing! He gently rose from his seat, walked over to his beautiful daughter and interlocked his arm with hers….and proudly exclaimed….”there we go!” He began to walk her around the showroom and everyone lost it! There wasn’t a dry eye in the room!

Each and every day we are blessed with so many beautiful stories, and emotions. There aren’t many professions that allow you to witness pure love and happiness daily. So glad we are part of these magical moments.

What is the best advice you would give a bride as she is shopping for her wedding gown?
Remember that ultimately you are the one that needs to “love” the dress. Bringing your family and friends is of course important, but be selective, bring the ones that “get you”. Surround yourself with the ones that understand what you want, can sit back and just watch “you” find the right dress. They should know when to gently offer opinions, or when to hold their opinion in. If they really know you they should be able to read your body language and facial expressions, just as our Stylists do. When you find “the dress”, everyone will know it! Your posture gets better, your smile is bigger and you may even twirl and cry. True friends will love it because you do! (even if it isn’t their favorite)

For more information you can visit CC’s Bridal Boutique at 770 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, call them at (727) 823-1761 or visit them online at tampabridalshops.com.