PROM SEASON 2016

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Prom season 2016 is here and it isn't always all about the dress.

 

Guys want to look suave, sophistocated, and sexy. A tuxedo from Mr. Burch will help you do just that.

 

 

We offer seemingly endless possibilities with hundreds of different colors and styles of suits and tuxedos in stock. 

Use this coupon you will receive $50 off your tux rental. As an added bonus, if you rent a tux from our Platinum Collection you will also receive a free pair of sunglasses!

 

 

We can't wait to help you make this prom unforgettable. And as always we appreciate you supporting your local businesses!

A VISIT AT THE HISTORIC TUTWILER

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

TIPS FOR ATTENDING A BRIDAL SHOW

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

You're engaged and have decided to attend some of the upcoming bridal shows.  Now what?  How do you get the most out of the show?  Just like the wedding, the bridal shows will go much smoother with a little planning.  Be prepared before you attend to get the most out of each and every minute.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top 10 tips for attending a bridal show:
 
 
THREE IS NOT A CROWD:  Bring your fiance, parents, bridesmaids, friends and long lost relatives.  They can help you cover twice the ground and offer opinions about the choices of wedding merchants. (Note: About 30% of fiancés attend, in spite of what yours may say! Last time I checked, men liked cake samples too.)
GET TIME ON YOUR SIDE:  Plan to spend at least 2 hours so you can visit all the wedding vendors and see at least one fashion preview. You will regret it if you don't.  No where else will you accomplish so much in so little time. 
STICK IT TO WIN:  Bring pre-printed address labels for prizes and giveaways.  Many vendors hold drawings for trips, prizes, and discounts.  Your labels save you from repeatedly writing your name and address.  This saves time and ink.  You can even print some of your own and include your email address.
DON'T FORGET YOUR WALLET:  Bring your checkbook in case you might want to book services or hold dates with a deposit. The top photographers, caterers, florists, and DJs book up quickly.
BRING YOUR CALENDAR:  With so much talent in one location, you are sure to find vendors you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with.  
HAVE A PLAN:  Know what you are looking for and have questions in mind. You will save time and see everything that’s important to you.
COMFORT MATTERS:  Wear comfortable shoes.  You will be doing a lot of walking and it's hard to concentrate on what you're doing with aching feet. 
HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN:  If you're out of town, send a substiute to to collect information on services you need and register you for prizes.  
HAVE NO FEAR:  Ask questions!  The vendors are there to help you. You are under no pressure to buy from them, so find out everything you need to know.  Most of the vendors have years of experience and can give you great and practical information.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS:  There are lots of shows scheduled from January - April each year.  Know what's available.  Some vendors and venues even host their own private shows.  Check it out and make a schedule.  That way you won't miss a thing.
 
 
 
 
 
Want to meet and greet with Mr. Burch Formal Wear?  Check out the shows where we will be this season.
 
January 4, 2015 from 1pm-4pm Bridal Market by PWG at SOHO in Homewood
January 11, 2015 from 12pm-5pm Southern Bridal Show with Elite Events at the BJCC 

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND BRIDAL SHOWS

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Congratulations!  You got engaged over the Christmas holiday and are offically planning your wedding.  Now what?
 
 
Planning your wedding can be one of the most challenging and overwhelming projects that you tackle.  There are so many details to take care of.  You have to pick a venue, entertainment, lighting, caterer, dress and that’s only the beginning.  How are you supposed to even know everything you need?  Where can you go for help?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bridal shows play an important role for engaged couples.  They give you the opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends, see gorgeous venues and network with professional vendors who know their stuff.  There are many reasons to attend but let’s look at the top three.
 
 
 
 
Great Ideas
You can network with other couples and professional vendors.  This is a great way to gather information and get some fresh ideas.  You might find an excellent referral from another bride.  You can tour some amazing venues like the Southern Bridal Show at the BJCC January 11, 2015.  A bridal showcase gives you the opportunity to surround yourself with people who are looking for the same answers you are.  Don't forget to catch all the shows (especially the fashion shows)!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meet Vendors
 
Most bridal shows have vendor sponsors with multiple industries represented.  Not sure about your location?  Attend the venue’s bridal show.  Need help deciding what kind of entertainment to offer?  Speak to one the  experienced professional entertainment experts.  Most bridal showcase  vendors have been in the business for years, and are willing to share their knowledge with you.  They have seen the good, the bad and the ugly.  Bridal shows are an excellent way to benefit from the professional’s years of experience.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freebies!
 
Bridal shows are notorious for having AMAZING give-aways.  You can win all kinds of interesting and wedding related things just by going to the shows and learning more about your upcoming event.  Like the upcoming Southern Bridal Show, registered brides will be eligible to  receive all kinds of prizes.  Make sure you stop at each booth to register for the individual prizes as well checking out the big giveaway.  You can’t take advantage of the give-away opportunities if you don’t go to the shows.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brides have enough to do without trying to do it all alone.  Come to a bridal show and see what you’re missing. You can always stop by our booth and speak to our experienced staff.  We can't wait to see you.
 
Stay tuned for a complete bridal show schedule.

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY STRESS

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The holiday season is here.  You can hear Christmas carols on the radio and get eggnog from the store.  With all this holiday cheer, how can you avoid the stress of the season?  Let's face it. Some holiday-related stress is to be expected. Cookies will be burned. Flights will be canceled. How you react to it determines how the holiday will be remembered. And the pressure hits some people harder than others.
 
 
So how can you become one of those people who chuckles at adversity—silly snowstorm!—instead of crying into pumpkin pie? Here are six suggestions to to prevent the meltdown and stop the implosion before it happens.
 
 
1.  Create realistic expectations. If your holidays are more “Christmas with the Griswolds” than a Norman Rockwell painting, that’s alright.  Embrace your situation (and your family) and go with it.
 
2.  Just say “no” to extra obligations. Plan ahead, set priorities of how you will and won’t spend your time this season, and be sure to commit time for things you really want to do during the holidays.  Don't let your son's music teacher make you feel bad if you can't bake six dozen Silent Night cupcakes for the Open House at school tomorrow.
 
3.  Ignore media pressures to overexert and overspend. Remind yourself that these are marketing ploys and don’t give in to pressure to spend and do more.  Do you really need gifts for every person on your street?
 
 
 
 
4.  Set a budget and stick to it. Money problems do not disappear with the glow of holiday lights. Stay the course and give gifts that reflect your personal style, not a high price tag.  Keep the two page credit card bill out of your mailbox in January.
 
5.  Maintain healthy limits.  Eat and drink sensibly, get enough sleep and try to get a little exercise. You’ll be less cranky if you’re taking good care of yourself.  It's more difficult to have a tantrum on a full night's sleep.
 
 
6.  Embrace new holiday traditions.  Create new traditions that fit in better with your family and friends. Review your various holiday activities and let go of those traditions that drain your time, money or energy.
 
 
 
 
There’s no need to let the frantic pace of December turn you into a Grinch. Let these tips increase
your enjoyment of the holiday season. Remember – lower stress levels lead to a happier you.  

HOLIDAY STYLE TIPS FOR MEN 2014

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The Holiday Season is here.  How many parties and holiday functions have you been invited to this year? Will you be attending a neighborhood open house?  Office party? Charitable Fundraiser? Festive family gathering?  Do you already have New Year's Eve plans?  What are the trends for men's fashion this holiday season?
 
 
Neighborhood: Neutral colors are best here. He can't go wrong in his best dark work suit as the key is to blend in with the crowd at this party. Let someone else get chided for their goofy snowman sweater tomorrow.
 
 
 
 
Office: If he dresses in layers, he can start the day out more formal and as he gets more comfortable, he can shed a layer or two for a more casual look. A chunky cardigan over a button-down and tie, topped off with a blazer will do the trick.
 
 
 
 
Fundraiser/New Year's Eve: He likes the bowtie, but can never wear one to work? This is the perfect time to break it out. It's cool to play mix-and-match: no need to stick to strictly black and white when anything goes. Try brown and black for the modern spin on a classic tux.
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Mr. Burch (205) 252-3600 for your formal wear needs during the holidays this year.  Our experienced and professional staff would love to help you look your best.  Happy Holidays!

THE DEBUTANTE BALL IN BIRMINGHAM

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The Debutante ball is a high society event that allows families to introduce and present their daughters to their own community. They are very formal rite of passage in high society circles.  Most debutante balls will have a specific name and serves the same purpose for the high society people organizing them.  It is the formal presentation of their unmarried daughters to their society peers. The debutante ball may have different looks depending upon location, season and tradition.  However, they all traditionally have unvaried components including, formal dress, escorts, introduction and presentation of the debutante.
 
 
 
 
 
Debutante Balls are formal affairs and therefore require formal attire.  Please dress accordingly.  The traditional interpretation of "formal" is floor length for women and tuxedo for men. That being said, your invitation might include specifics and should be consulted. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The tradition of the debutante ball has been around for a long time and is more prevalent in the south. While most people have little exposure to the debutante ball, many are aware that they exist. And while many may know of their existence, few are able to partake in the events.  The debutante ball is an exclusive, invitation-only event. In some cases, invitations are limited to specific numbers.
 
 
 
 
Greg at Mr. Burch in Mountain Brook has tremendous experience working with and guiding debutante ball attendees.  Please contact Greg for assistance (205) 871-3589.
 
 
Heritage Ball - November 29, 2014
Colonial Debutante Ball - December 5, 2014
Redstone Ball - December 20, 2014
Imperial Ball - December 22, 2014
Poinsettia Ball - December 27, 2014
Service Guild Gala - TBA, usually March
Heart Ball - TBA, usually March
Ball of Roses - TBA, usually May

MOUNTAIN BROOK OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

 
We are so excited to be able to invite future brides and grooms to our newly renovated Mountain Brook store. New floors, paint, furniture and a flat screen TV make the renting or buying a tuxedo or suit even more pleasurable. 
 
 
The Open House is from 9am to 5 pm on November 1, 2014 at our Mountain Brook store located at 2829 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook AL 35223.
 
We will have light refreshments provided by Olexa’s and pizza from Davenport’s Pizza Palace. We will also be having a class on how to tie a bow tie because we all know bow ties are cool.  This will be the ONLY day to receive the best deals of the year! Come see what we have to offer and how we can make your day the best day.
 
Join us on Sunday November 2, 2014 for the PWG Bridal Show at the BJCC!

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

 
 
 
 
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.
 
 
 
Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand.
 
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win"). 
The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.
 
The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.
 
Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.
 

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

 

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win"). The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.

 

  The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.

HOW TO BE A GOOD WEDDING GUEST

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Congratulations!  You've just been invited to a wedding.  You're probably familiar with the fact that the best man and maid of honor have certain duties to the bride and groom.  You should also be aware that as a guest, so do you.  The couple have selected you to attend and share their special day.  You should be prepared to be on your best behavior.  Here are a few things to consider.

 

RSVP...we beg you!

You will probably recieve an RSVP card with your invitation.  USE IT.  You normally get it about 4 weeks before the deadline.  Don't file it away thinking "I have plenty of time."  This is a great way to forget or misplace it.  Go ahead and take a few minutes to let the couple know your intentions.  The vendors need a headcount weeks before so there will be enough food, drink and wedding favors to accomodate you.  Sneak your RSVP in past the deadline and you'll make a lot of people scramble and not very happy.

 

 

Are you on the guestlist?

Don't add a plus one.  If your name is the only one on the envelope, you're the only one invited. You might also consider this while deciding if you should bring your children.  If the invitation is made out to the Smith Family or the kids are listed on the inside envelope, consider bringing your rug rats.  Otherwise, please invest in a babysitter.  Besides, it's nice to have an adult night out now and then.

 

 

 

It's not about you

Seriously?  How difficult is it to arrive on time? The bride and grown didn't save and plan for a year so you can walk down the aisle in front of the maid of honor.  Plan on arriving 30 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled.  If there is some unforseen circumstance that prevents you arriving on time (like a tornado or alien space ship) wait until the ceremony is over and join the guests at the reception.  

 

Also, consider the focus of the wedding when selecting what to wear.  Be respectful of the dress code and dress appropriately.  Try not to wear anything that will draw unnecassry attention to yourself, like a long white dress.

 

Do not play paparazzi

There is no reason for you to take pictures during a wedding ceremony.  NONE.  At best your flash is ruining the professional photos being made by the professional photographer and blinding the wedding party.  At worst, you iPhone or iPad is blocking the aisle and preventing the paid team of photographers and videographers from getting the moments they were paid to capture.  The couple wants to look out and see your smiling face, not the back of your phone.

You might also consider not plastering every moment you capture on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Many candid shots including first look, have been ruined by well meaning guests who are updating their status.

 

 

Because I said so that's why

Be a team player. Go prepared to play along.  Is everyone expected to dance?  Boogie down.  Is everyone lined up at the photobooth?  Say cheese.  By accepting the couple's invitation you are agreeing that you are up for whatever they throw your way. Your accomodating attitude will be remebered for years to come.

 

 

Step away from the bar

Open bar does not equal "please drink as much as you can hold and dance on the table."  Drinking too much can be embarrassing (for you and the couple) as well as dangerous.  Unless you planned on blacking out earlier, you probably don't have a ride home.  Also, consider the photographer and videographer haven't been drinking and are there to record every cringe inducing move you make.  Pace yourself so you can toast with the couple until the reception is over.

 

 

 

Go postal

To prevent friend/family of the couple or the wedding planner from having to load her car and deliver 200 pounds worth of gifts, please mail your present.  All registries will have a shipping address.  This will allow the couple to open gifts at their convenience and make sure the purchase is insured until arrival.  Even if you're giving cash, you can still mail a check or money order.  This will insure it doesn't get lost in the commotion or even taken.  

 

These are a few suggestions for your consideration before attending your next wedding. Be sure to contact Mr Burch about your wedding attire.  We're here to help you look good.