Frequently Asked Questions | Wedding Dress Shopping

Should I schedule an appointment at your bridal shop?

We would always recommend an appointment at our boutique. We work with you one on one for an hour and a half, so that you have the perfect opportunity to find your wedding gown. Walk ins are always welcomed, but due to scheduling of appointments, you more than likely will not be able to try on any gowns. We want you to have a great experience, so just give us a ring, and we will get you on the books!

when should I order my wedding dress?

When should I order my wedding dress? You can never order your dress too early, only too late!

Bridal gowns are almost always made to order, meaning the designer starts making your gown, once you order it! Please allow 4-6 months for the designer to make your gown. You should order your wedding dress about 10-12 months out from your wedding date. That allows time for the dress to arrive and any alterations to be completed.

Don't have this much time? Don't stress! We will try our best to get you a gown as soon as possible! The designers often have dresses that are already in progress to help facilitate close wedding dates. There is also always the option to buy off the rack. When you buy off the rack, you get a great deal, and you get your gown that day!

how long does my bridal appointment last?

Your bridal appointment will be scheduled for an hour and a half, so be prepared to try on some bridal gowns! It is sometimes helpful to have somewhat of an idea of what style bridal gown you are looking for. You will also have the opportunity to shop through our racks yourself! You can decide all of the gowns you want to try on, with suggestions from our staff as well.

Please try to arrive on time for your appointment. We likely have brides before and after you, and we want to give everyone the appropriate amount of time and attention.

You might want to bring any undergarments you plan on wearing for your wedding day. It helps to get the whole feel of how you will look in your gown.

how many guests can I bring with me to my bridal appointment?

We are a cozy boutique, so it is hard for us to accommodate large parties of more than 5 guests. If you have a large party, and can come on a weeknight that is the best option.

Also always remember, the decision of choosing a bridal gown is all yours, with a large group sometimes it is very hard to formulate your own opinion on a very important choice. 

what is the price range of your wedding dresses?

The wedding dresses in our store range from about $900 to $2500. We have some bridal gowns above and below that price range. Our average price is around $1500. We hand select our designer gowns to be both gorgeous and affordable. 

Cleo Bridal also has “The Attic” which is an all off-the-rack section! These wedding dresses are ready to take home with you the day of shopping, and they are discounted with most bridal gowns priced at $799!

If you have specific pricing questions please do not hesitate to give us a shout!

what is the process for purchasing my wedding dress?

So you have found the perfect gown, and now it's time to order...very exciting! 

We will measure you in our store, and order your wedding dress as close to those measurements as we possibly can. Keep in mind most gowns need alterations after they arrive in our store. These alterations are to customize the fit to your body perfectly, and are not included in the cost of the dress.

A 50% deposit is required at the time of ordering your gown, and the other 50% is due when the gown arrives in our store. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash, and personal checks with proper identification.

Since bridal gowns are special order, we unfortunately cannot return any goods at our store. Please make sure you are 100% on your purchase.

Waiting for your dress to arrive is like waiting for Christmas! Since it takes a few months for the dress to arrive, it's the perfect time to think about finalizing any wedding accessories you may want, such as shoes, veils, and hair accessories. 

We will give you a call just as soon as your beautiful wedding gown arrives in our store!

do you offer in store alterations?

We do not offer in store tailoring. We have a list of preferred seamstresses around St Charles and St Louis, and we think that you will love them. They all have many years of bridal alteration experience, and can't wait to help you with your gown. We like to refer to them as our own personal magicians!

Cleo Bridal or white traditions bridal house?

Which store should I shop at? It is a question we answer often, so here is the lowdown! The stores have completely different bridal gown designers, the styles are not duplicated at both locations. The main difference is mainly the price point of the gowns. White Traditions Bridal House averages $1700 where Cleo Bridal averages $1200. Cleo Bridal also offers more of our off-the-rack gowns also. Both locations require appointments and have excellent service, just a different little twist at each location!