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Lucky enough to be invited to go with your bride-to-be friend on her gown shopping ventures? Then you should keep a few of these bits of info in mind. You'll be so glad you did, and so will she. Gown shopping is an event, but friendship is for life! The Bride is the StarDespite the fact that she is going to be the center of attention on her day, she is still nervous. She is still making 90 decisions - or amendments to her wedding plan - every day. Your job is to let her shine. We always like to say "look beyond the dress to the person." Be that friend who may not like every style she tries on but is interested in whether or not she likes it. When she has emerged from the dressing room, read her energy and respond with friendship and support. When a bride's companions shout out "NO!" before she's even had a chance to turn around and smile and tell you "I LOVE IT," you've killed her momentum and perhaps swayed her decision. Remember that it IS her decision. Watch your WordsIt sounds obvious, but remember that she is not the dress. If the cut or fit isn't flattering, don't say, "you look awful in that." Consider trying something like, "that has some great elements, but it's not allowing you to shine," or "it's hiding your best features." She's a person, not a mannequin, and if she's sensitive, she deserves support. We sometimes notice that the bride's companions treat this event as if they were watching a show on Bravo or E! where you can sit comfortably on a couch and criticize. This is not that! Avoid comments about her weight, about her fiancee's biases, or what isn't to your taste. If you are paying for the gown, and think you should get a vote, remember the bride's feelings and put them over your budget. Be present, be encouraging! Be Guided by the BrideWhat brides think they want and what they actually end up getting are not always the same. In fact, they often are not. Our consultants can sense this. If she thinks she wants a ball gown, but tries on several and doesn't like them, it's time to widen the style scope and maybe try another style. If she has expressed that she doesn't want a mermaid shape, or doesn't care for belts or a cathedral veil, listen to her. Making suggestions based on what she has expressed is helpful, but let the bride and consultant guide the appointment. This isn't a play date; she's shopping for an important day, so respect her preferences as she mines the collections for the right gown. Size is and is not ImportantLadies, listen up: wedding gowns are not sized the way regular dresses are. If a bride finds that dresses in the 12 and 16 range fit her, do not go pull dresses you like for her in a size 6 and hang them for her to try. You may have shopped with her for ages and think you know her body type, but the consultant will find the range and then work with her on style in those ranges. We have clips to pull in the back and ways of allowing the bride to see how she'll look without making her body conscious. Let her say YES!We might also call this section: DON'T RUIN IT. When a bride has found her gown and is ready to have her TV moment, the last thing she needs is Debbie Downer telling her that she can still shop around for other options or "sleep on it." If she is ready for the celebratory YES moment, zip it and cheer for her. Brides make so many decisions about their wedding, so making her second-guess everything, is not only rude, it's not friendship. She found the gown, she's ready to say yes - let her do it, get her photo taken, get her hugs and celebrate. She could conceivably sleep on it and still come back to buy it, but that moment is gone forever. And by the way, the New York Post wrote a story about how being a downer can take years off of your own life. So consider being supportive and take the win. Helpful Bridal Shopping Tips for CompanionsThese last tips will honestly just allow you and your bride-to-be pal enjoy the shopping experience more.
We love this business and take pride in knowing what works. So if you are invited to participate, find your highest self, your most gracious attitude and wear those to her shopping appointment. Humility and support look great on everyone!
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Could we just start with the widely-known truth that the "horrible" can also be the "hilarious?" And mishaps often create the best memories? Everyone either has a story, or knows a story, of something happening at a wedding that was unexpected, unplanned and memorable. We've all fallen down the rabbit hole of wedding fail videos. A little light Googling, and suddenly you've lost a half hour belly laughing and wondering what you would do in the same situation. That said, no one wants to have the wedding that everyone is talking about for the wrong reasons. Think of this blog as reminder to: 1) plan the "special moments" of your day carefully, 2) choose who you want to include in your ceremony and reception carefully, and 3) remember to go with the flow. RingbearersThey're usually too young and too cute to lecture about how to perform, so choosing for this role is a leap of faith. If it's your dog, and you've practiced - fun! Our fur babies love us and why not include them? Just watch for squirrels,... or the smell of beef tips. If it's a small child who's been tempted with a new toy or extra slice of cake, just make sure they don't need a nap before, and that they understand the assignment. Speech slip upsWhat can we say? Or more importantly, what shouldn't THEY say? Toasts can be touching and funny without opening a Pandora's box of awkward moments. Discuss in advance what you do and do not want included in a speech about you in front of your relatives, coworkers, and parents' friends. Let's be discreet, shall we? Over-indulgingMore dresses, cakes and precious moments have been ruined because someone started celebrating too early, lost track of their beverage count, didn't eat enough, or just decided to let loose. Pace yourself if you're serving adult beverages at your wedding. If you are in the wedding, go back and read that one again. Wait until your functional duties are done. Or better yet, skip the drinking until the day after. Unreliable DJsWe've heard stories, and so have you, about a DJ that wants to incorporate their own tastes into the evening, or even peddle their own tunes. "CDs are available near the wedding cake!!" Nope. Have clear instructions for your musicians and DJ, so that there is room for dancing and partying, but with music that YOU and your guests want to hear. Doing your own DJ'ing? Good luck and God Bless. The Big Dance MoveWe love the choreographed newlywed, father-daughter, mother-son dances. Everyone does. So if you can plan for it, practice, and pull it off, you should absolutely go for it. It's the impromptu moves that may get you into trouble. Don't dip the bride if you haven't practiced. You will likely drop her or rip something valuable. Don't jump into a split on the dance floor (see Over-indulging section above). Listen: If Ryan Gosling cannot lift Emma Stone (Crazy, Stupid, Love) the same way that Patrick Swayze lifted Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing), then maybe that is something you should skip. Happily Ever AfterWhen planning a wedding, you have plenty to worry about, but there is one true thing to keep in mind: it's going to be great and you're going to have fun. So go with the flow and if the unexpected happens, let it. You'll be talking about it years later with fondness.
From time to time, we consider it our duty to educate our prom goers and brides about our particular industry, and this is one of those times. We aren't just sharing what is happening in our shop, but rather what is trending industry-wide and nationwide in the bridal world. If you want to be an informed and respectful shopper, heads-up! This will give you some needed wisdom and insight. What is Showrooming?You probably know what this is, even if you didn't know the term for it. Showrooming is when you visit a small business or store and make it your own personal place to explore and try on items with zero intention of buying. We're not talking about browsing televisions at a big box store, or doing a first-blush look at options where you walk through, gaze and then make an appointment. Often, under the guise of "doing research" or "figuring out what looks good on me," showrooming shoppers believe they are being discerning consumers, when in fact they are often knowingly taking advantage of brick and mortar shops that provide a custom selection, attractive space, and knowledgeable staff. Some truly believe they are being savvy, while we know others are hoping to get away with coming in, trying on items endlessly and then scooting out the door to place their orders online. The BRidal "Experience" GameCurrently in the bridal / prom industries, there is an epidemic of women trying on gowns and dresses just for the experience of it. Some visitors attempt to treat our showrooms like personal dressing studios, where they can ask for endless assistance from our staff, take up time and space, while more intentional and sincere clients may not be getting the attention they deserve. More often than you would imagine, items are damaged during this trying on process and the loss goes to the shop. Others aren't shoppers at all. They've made a visit to our shop as a play date where they spend hours getting a feel for what's out there, have fun dreaming of their wedding or prom, and then leave. Please know that if you are doing this, we know it. Everyone knows it, and it is now become an industry-wide problem. What You Get when you Shop & Buy in PersonTrying on dresses is fun and it should be, but we are the business of providing not just goods, but our services.
We understand that we won't have THE dress or gown for every shopper, but we do want people to respect the services we provide to our shoppers. Those who use us as a way to survey the market, or spend an afternoon, are not shoppers. They are taking advantage of our time, our expertise, and our good will. If you want to be an online shopper, be one. We get it! It's convenient. But to use a community business to do your homework is bad consumerism and poor shopping etiquette. What you can Expect if Showrooming ContinuesThe trend now, and we've seen it happen with our regional and national peers, is to implement "try-on fees," so that only intentional buyers will spend time in our boutiques. If you are sincere about finding something that will work for you and making a purchase with us, then you'll be ready to pay a small fee in order to get the right garment. If you're not, that's certainly ok, but we hope that you will respect that we would like for sincere shoppers only to have access to our knowledgeable team, our selection, our counsel about details to make everything work, and our boutique space.
Bridal Traditions has already implemented appointment fees for certain types of bridal appointments. We are trying to avoid it, but if this behavior persists, we may be forced to implement try-on fees for prom as well as bridesmaid customers. As an industry, we want to protect ourselves and our staffs while still providing exceptional service for those who understand and appreciate what we do. We love and respect our customers and we want to continue to bring them the stellar service that they expect from BT. In case you missed it, Bridal Traditions celebrated 20 years of business in 2020. We know! We're nearly 25! But even since that time, we've continued to make changes and upgrades to our boutique, some of our services, and worked to make the whole experience of shopping with us easy and fun. If you haven't been to the boutique lately, or if you're about to start your gown shopping or prom shopping journey, here's a little tour. Bridal Shop at 21 Sparta Road, North WilkesboroPlenty of Places To ExploreSome of our clients come in and make a B-line to the section they know has the selections they want to explore. Others like to roam and take in all the various offerings and products. We love both types and our team is here to help you no matter what kind of exploratory mission you're on! Wedding and Prom gowns for all!Bridal Traditions Outfits the GuysMen: if you're looking for suits to buy or tuxes to rent, along with all of the various accessories - ties, suspenders, shirts, shoes, socks, all of it - we have you covered. For weddings, proms or personal events, the guys leave ready to go. We'll walk you through the process, show you what we have and help you get exactly what you need! Bridal Traditions has AccessoriesBridal Traditions Dressing SpacesNot only do we have places for you to try on your gown or dress or special items, we also have suites for parties up to seven. We want every person who steps through the door to feel seen, heard, and well-cared for. We look forward to seeing loads of new faces this year at our dreamy little spot, so come see us!
There is a tendency to shop online these days. It's more than a tendency, we've developed a dependency on it, and believe us when we say that we get it! The ease of scrolling through online options while wearing your comfiest clothes feels like a no brainer, but we beg to differ when it comes to purchasing bridesmaids gowns. Ladies, you need to have the in person, in store experience when it comes to this purchase, and these occasions. You'll always be glad you did, and following are a few reasons why. Shopping In Store means you see the colors clearlyIs it sage? Is it parakeet, or moss, or teal, or fern or basil? We all now know that pink is never just pink and blue is never just blue. You have options, and at Bridal Traditions, so do we! We have bridesmaids gowns that will allow you to choose a palette and a variety of styles, and your attendants can mix and/or match from there. But if you aren't sure what the color is, how will you know what will work? You need to see the gowns in person. Eucalyptus and Agave (both actual shades of green), are not the same thing. Come see for yourself. You need to try on your Bridesmaid's DressWe have real dresses. Imagine that! But seriously gang, how will you know the dress works until the dress is actually on your body? You won't. You'll wait for the box to arrive from some digitally native online business, and when it arrives and is absolutely not what you want, you will have to box it up, ship it back, and start over. Who do you call? Good luck with that, and the internet has horror stories galore about this. Online only businesses are getting better, but the pretenders are still out there ready to take your money and provide you with poorly made garments, because they know you want ease and perhaps to save money, so they've got you. Instead, come see us with your bridesmaids! Make an appointment and let us discuss your theme, your location and seasonal details with you. We can attend to the needs of those terrific women who'll be by your side throughout the wedding season. Actual Human Beings can help you get the Right Bridesmaid Gown FitGuess what real people in boutique wedding stores have. Ding, ding, DING! That's correct! They have tape measures and years of wisdom about fabrics, styles and how to pull a color scheme together that feels bespoke and well executed. At BT, we've got you. We Measure, Inspect, and Press every Dress on arrivalOr in other words, you're not going it alone with a purchase like this. Bridesmaids gowns are prettier, more inventive, better suited to women's bodies and style wishes, but even then, you want everything to work together, arrive on time, fit the person who is going to wear it and be ready to go on the day. We inspect each bridesmaid dress that crosses the threshold of our boutique, and our team knows what to do to have items ready for the woman wearing it.
The bottom line: this is not an item you're buying and stuffing into a suitcase with other incidentals. If you are a bridesmaid, make sure that you coordinate with your bride and make it a priority to actually have the in store experience of finding exactly what you need. And brides: do yourselves a favor and start this process as soon as you have a sense of your theme, palette and day. Your bridal party will thank you more than once. Minimalist Brides think Less is MoreOr maybe first you want to know WHAT makes a minimalist bride. These are brides who want simplicity; they're seeking a gown and wedding atmosphere that is clean, elegant and understated. If you've not seen the celebrity wedding photos from 1980s, please do a little light googling and get back to us. The headpieces alone are the size of Mini Coopers. Those were decidedly NOT minimalist brides. Meanwhile, minimalism is about getting rid of clutter and focusing on the elements that matter most. Think less is more. We have options for this bride and this sensibility at Bridal Traditions. Below are just a few that fit this description, so if you're willing to peruse our selection, take notes and come see us! The Olive Wedding GownThere are no frou frou elements, although the back of The Olive is has some flair, this gown features a minimal silhouette, a criss cross fabric detail at the bodice, simple off the shoulder straps and a row of buttons that say "style." The cut-outs on the back of the gown are modern and add interest. We added a veil with floral details for those brides who still want a bit of romance in their ensemble. The Vera Wedding GownOne look at the bodice of this gown and you might think Empire State Building. The structure at the bodice make it architectural and mid-century modern. Like the Olive, the silhouette is lean, shapely and cool, but the buttons down the back are epic. The Diana Wedding GownWhat makes the Diana gown so perfect for the minimalist bride is that it makes room for a single design element that is carried throughout the gown's look and vibe. Ruching and pleating make this dress magical on the front and back, leading to a skirt that gently extends. We love - capital L LOVE - the back of this gown. Who needs a bustle with a drape like that? This gown with the right veil says everything you need it to say about your style. The Luna Wedding GownMuch like the Diana gown, the Luna gown is simplicity and elegance and a strong sense of minimalism. Less is more, but when it counts, the details are there. The Odette Wedding GownOdette means "wealthy" if you are interested in French and German translations. (Kind of fun to know, right?) For the purposes of this blog topic though, the Odette gown is minimal and its richness comes from the details. See the floral details above. The bodice is simple and mid-section has perfectly placed ruching. There is no lace, no tulle and no fussiness. Despite the name and implied "richness", what is bankable are the details on the decorative sleeves, and the flowing skirt. Not everyone is a Disney Bride.If you want to veer more to the minimalist, we hope you'll bring your notes and thoughts to us so that we can help you find the gown you dreamed of.
We like to say that being a gentleman never goes out of style. And we could add that having a bit of style is always attractive. Either way, we've got you covered at Bridal Traditions. If you are engaged and need to outfit yourself and your groomsmen, we've got you. If you're heading to prom, there's no problem getting you set for the evening. Bridal Traditions has been in business for almost 25 years, and one of the vendors we love, respect and rely on is Jim's Formal Wear. We've found the quality, the consistency of service and the styling of the suits - both modern, athletic, and traditional - to be on point year after year after year. This company keeps up with what men want these days, and they have a variety of cuts, colors and fabrics to suit not just your own style but the style of your event. Based on your plans or event, you may be renting or buying, but our team is here to help with recommendations, when to order, when to return, what cuts work for your style and body, and all the rest of it. Start here and then come see us, fellas!
Shades of Pink Prom PerfectionValentines Day is just now in the rearview mirror and we are gearing up for prom season at Bridal Traditions! If pink is your signature color, or if you're looking for a particular style that just happens to be a shade of lavender, pink, or rose, we have incredible options for you. Prom Gowns with Sparkle and ShineThe styles we chose for this year's prom season have tons of sparkle and shine, as well as gorgeous details like embroidery, tulle, side slits, full skirts, corset bodices and lots of elegance. These gowns are statements, ladies! Time to Plan for Prom 2024These are just a sampling from the many choices we made for our 2024 prom goers. We also have tuxes for the guys, and all the accessories that will make your prom look unforgettable. If you're ready to see what we've picked out especially for you, drop by our boutique and let's get started!
From necklines to hemlines, jewel tones to winks of color, we've rounded up some pretty gorgeous bridesmaids gowns for you to consider. Here is just a sneak peek to get you thinking, and get you excited. Jewel Tones in Bridesmaids GownsJewel toned fabrics, ... boy do we love them. They are anchors of the color wheel, they are the crayons that excite us as kids, and those colors that we're drawn to in bridesmaids' gowns here at Bridal Traditions. These gowns in emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red are exceptionally well-designed and in statement colors for the bride who wants to be surrounded by true elements of style. Ladies: you can start with a color or with a style, but once you decide on your wedding vision and your bridal party: don't underestimate the jewel tones. Softer, Muted Hues in Bridesmaids GownsThe word "dusty" gets thrown around a lot, but our guess is, you "get it." Sometimes, you are attracted to a color, just as you're attracted to a person. They aren't big and bold, but instead they are nuanced and subtle, more mysterious. Consider these more muted colors as you make a different kind of statement: one that is muted and understated, but flattering as well. These colors don't shout, but they do speak up. Soft greens, dusty roses and gauzy blues all say "we're here to support the bride and shine on the day." When we select bridesmaids gowns, we look for styles that suit lots of body types and those that provide comfort and ease as you move from prep to ceremony duties to the party and into a late night. Sleeves, Skirts & Details, Oh My! Regardless of season, we love to offer our brides and bridesmaids the ability to have covered buttons that may match the bride's gown, sleeves or no sleeves, skirts that flow and allow for dancing, and above all comfort and the ability to make easy alterations. These are gowns with a future. These are not a "one and done" purchase. Add jewelry, bouquets and smiles, and you're done.
Want to see more? Book an appointment! The Great Tipping DebatePicture this: You race into a family restaurant to pick up your "grab-and-go" dinner. You opened the app, you placed the order, you entered your payment info, jumped into your car, drove to the restaurant, and brought everything home for your family to eat. Did you tip the person who handed you the bags of dinner? Should you tip when no one served you? If you haven't had this conversation with friends recently, you've probably seen news stories about it. We find ourselves in a tipping culture, where economics and perceived service blend into a moment that can be confusing and quickly add up. Tipping is about serviceAt Bridal Traditions, we're never too eager to jump into public debate, especially one that is more complicated than it appears. But this topic comes up and we do have our own thoughts about it. So as part of the ongoing "educational" aspect to this blog, here are our two cents worth. For us at Bridal Traditions, tipping is about service. In fact, we've had brides and clients ask us if it was okay to tip, so we began providing that option based on those we serve. We love that this is the case, by the way. When customers see what you do goes beyond providing a fitting room and taking measurements, then we're doing our jobs well. The long and short of it is: if we provided service to you while you were shopping with us, we hope you'll feel like tipping your consultant. We never set an expectation and we NEVER make anyone feel guilty or shamed into tipping. If you're inclined, we hope you'll consider it. Often, our consultants work with brides (usually welcoming parties of 4 or more) for at least an hour and a half. These consultants provide wisdom and insight, but they are also listening to your story, your dream gown details, learning about your theme, what you envision. They then go into our gown selections and pulling dresses that meet those expectations. Our consultants are also listening for what isn't being said, and they are choosing gowns that you might not think would work, but that you'll end up LOVING. This happens all the time! In other words, we provide service, attention, and care and plan to meet, if not exceed, every bride's expectations. And after the bride is gone, we put everything back in order and take care of every item that wasn't chosen, so that our next brides have the same experience filled with possibility. Tipping is never automaticIf you're unsure about tipping consider these two points.
1) Was your experience more "help yourself" than heavy on customer service? Running in to get measured for an order or a quick accessory purchase - absolutely there's no need to tip! 2) Our tipping is not the usual. We don't start with an automatic assumption that 15 or 18% should be considered. Wedding gowns are not cheap and this is a big and important expense. For this reason, we start by giving our customers the option of tipping as low as 3%, because we know the item you're purchasing is way more than a meal with a large drink. When all else fails, follow your gut. We don't judge you based on what you spent or the amount that's tipped. What we care about most is that every single bride and customer feels seen, heard and well cared for. Come see us if you're ready to start your shopping adventure! And if you want to tip, please know that our amazing team is grateful. |
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