At BT, we serve the gentlemen as well as the ladies who come into our boutique and we're happy to help the guy who knows what he's looking for as well as the one who doesn't have a clue. Both want to look their best and impress their dates - be it at prom or on his wedding day. ​

What if I Just Want to Rent?
We do sell tuxedos for those who want to buy, but most people want to rent and rentals are the majority of our tuxedo business. We don't carry tuxes in-stock at BT. We're a boutique that orders them for delivery, so you'll come in and select your style and get measured first. 

Where Does My Tux Come From?
We order tuxes through Jim's Formal Wear - a national and reputable tux distributor - that works with independent boutiques like ours to outfit the guys who have a one-time need. Coordinating with JFW allows our customers to have a much larger selection to choose from, because they stock thousands of tuxes. Imagine coats spanning from a boy's 3T all the way to a men's 66, combined with 4 different jacket length sizes, in a variety of styles and, well, you need a warehouse or two. At BT, we have a small try-on section where guys can get a sense of fit and style.

What Happens When I Go to BT to Rent?
When you come into BT, the first thing we do is discuss what you need and what you're looking for. Is there a color that you like or that has been dictated by the event. We sit down with you and let you go through our JFW books to see all the styles and colors and check out prices. Our prices range from $65 to about $145 and that includes coat, pants, standard shirt, vest and tie. 

Can I Wear Some "Flair?"
Yes. Along with your tuxedo kit (coat, pants, standard shirt, vest and tie), you can also add shoes, an upgraded shirt, pocket square, and socks. Those are extra little add-ons, but some guys like to coordinate their groomsmen or for prom. 

We focus on the ladies, but the gentlemen who make the effort to look sharp are just as memorable at these big events, so get organized and come in to check out the many options you have.

We're approaching the year 2020 and that got us thinking about the 1920s - the so-called ROARING 20s of nearly a century ago. The industrial age changed everything and farms, lovely estates, royal elites and quiet working classes were replaced with the newly-minted noise of machinery, "motorcars," rowdy rebels who wanted fair wages and suffragettes who wanted to vote. And of course the quiet of the Victorian era was replaced with the horns of the gilded jazz age that led couples to speak easies to drink and do the Charleston. If you've read The Great Gatsby, you know that the characters were smack in the middle of that era. They were posh and had little to do, but drink gin and change clothes and move from one intrigue to the next.

Naturally, wedding gowns followed suit during this new age and stuck to the styles of the day. From the flowing lace, straight sheath style, creative bejeweled head pieces and veils, any dress from this era can easily be picked out of a line up of dresses from other decades. 

Art Deco was a design that took over every type of art and industry, from textiles to furniture, visual arts to architecture. If you've seen the Chrysler building, you've seen art deco. It's a style that you can spot immediately - like the fashions - once you know what to look for. Tiffany lamps, towering inlays, gold and black in combination and lots of abundant repetition of patterns. Art deco looks architectural even when it's mimicked in fabric or on a poster for cocktails.

Maybe like many of us, you were swept up in the tidal wave that was Downton Abbey, The gowns of the Crawley sisters, all Ladies and the daughters of the fictional Earl of Grantham - were in keeping with this style and they were elegant to say the least. While they were all fashionable in their own way, Lady Mary "carried the day," as it were. Glance at the slideshow above and you'll spot details that can be found in her dresses.

Lace was a big deal not only for wedding gowns but for evening dresses for the upper classes. Cut outs, beadwork, crystals and architectural details in all colors were sewn into gowns. Any transparent spot on a woman's evening gown made it provocative without being overtly naughty. 

These wedding gowns are slightly more demure versions of their bright jazz-age counterparts worn for going out. It's her wedding day, after all. The structure of wedding gowns remained fairly simple and like a column - with no big poofy skirts with hoops underneath. Where brides were able to really shine and show some elegance, personality and imagination, were in the head pieces and veils.

Veils were made into caps, covered with lace, beads, sequins, pearls, tulle and sometimes diamonds. Some brides chose head bands with jewels or flowers and skipped the veil and these pieces made amazing statements as well. 
We're in a new century with new views and some new values, but brides will be brides and whether the gown is a throwback to another time or completely new, flashing back to see what came before is a great way to get inspiration.

We pay bills on our phones while in waiting rooms, or downtown traffic.
We swipe our cards and our tanks fill with gas.
I want this song. Bought it.
I'm sending you this video. Got it? Hilarious, I know!
Several clicks and you've joined the group, bought the plane ticket or registered for the class.
"I love this shirt." and BAM!! Amazon sends it and you're wearing it 24 hours later.
Took the photo. Posted the photo and now the world - or MY world - knows.

​Weddings? Brace yourselves: Those are different.

​{harp music to create the scene} 
In a perfect world, you would decide to get married, think about where to get married, when to get married and what you want to wear and then you'd immediately find a gown. You'd stroll into a shop like ours and pull something off the rack. You love it! It fits! Done.
Then you find the venue - HEY! they have an opening on the very day I want! Catering? Photography? DJ or 4 piece quartet? Accommodations for my guests? Magically - think: "what did i do to deserve this!?" - it's all right there for you.
{AND........ SCENE!}

Ladies: this rarely happens.

We're not trying to kill your joy, but there are factors beyond your control that come into play. If you're getting married: you need to plan, because your timeline intersects with the timeline of everyone you want to work with or have help you. Every vendor is trying to make a living with multiple clients, so while you want to believe you're the only bride in the world, you aren't to wedding industry vendors. 

Erica Minton and Walker Trexler were married in September of last year in a traditional ceremony at East Elkin Baptist Church. The day was beautiful and they made it theirs with rustic themes, gorgeous flowers and coordinated colors. This Registered Nurse and Police Officer began dating in 2016, became engaged almost exactly a year later (at sunrise on a cruise ship, no less) and were married a year after that. They both work long hours, so when they were ready to start their happily ever after, they got on with it!

The "Day of" contains one pre-ceremony story that's pretty funny. Erica was pulled over for speeding on her way to the church. Yup. The officer knew her husband and while this sounds like a cheeky way for Walker to set up his bride, it was not at all planned. She was simply speeding and got busted!!

The rustic details and color palette for Erica and Walker's wedding are not only indicative of their personal styles, but a perfect fit for a celebration taking place as summer finally turns to autumn. Brides often let what Mother Nature is doing take center stage for their weddings and this allows the bride to shine in more earthy and elegant ways. 

Erica shared that the most memorable moment for her was walking down the aisle. "The only thing that kept me from crying as I was making my way to the front of the church was our two little attendants - the flower girl and card holder." As she was walking to the front, these two two year olds were walking back down the aisle and cracking everyone up on their way. What was to be a processional was a slooooooooooooow processional. 

Erica: "When I went to look for a dress I really didn’t have anything in particular in mind. I had
seen a few that I liked on Bridal Tradition’s Facebook page; however, I ended up
choosing a dress that Kelly had suggested I try on. The dress I chose was PERFECT.
My strapless dress hugged my figure. Beautiful lace and beading covered most of the
gown while the tulle bottom flowed out, almost like a mermaid style dress. The back of
the dress laced up, which was a beautiful detail in itself."

Erica is a tall, slim girl, so she made the strapless dress with mermaid bottom detail absolutely shine. She wore cowboy boots with her gown and their stitching mimicked the lace from her dress. The result was perfection. And just look at her. Yes, this is her wedding day, but with the sunshine and autumn bouquet - she glows.

Erica wore a veil despite not thinking she wanted or needed one. Kelly again made the suggestion and it worked. Her bridesmaids also bought their gowns from BT and the deep wine color was a nice touch with the flowers and season. 

At BT, we love helping brides, bridesmaids, grooms and others find exactly what they need for one of life's biggest days - a wedding. We wish these newlyweds nothing but adventures (within the speed limit) and lots of love ahead.