Bridal Traditions Wedding & Prom Attire - Bridal Traditions Blog

Featured Bride - Sarah Lutz

2/2/2023

When Bridal Traditions brides send us images, we love to see the day and to share. Sarah Lutz is today's bridal feature.

The Wedding

The Dress

Sarah's gown is fitted through the bodice and down passed the waist, has lace details, spaghetti straps and is absolutely incredible. And SHE looked amazing in it. There is a deep swooping back with delicate lace details, and the skirt opens from the mid-thigh and pools in a slight train in the back. Talk about the right dress for the right figure.

This was a gown for dancing, lifting babies, being hugged, saying I Do and starting a new life.

Congratulations

If you're ready to find your perfect dress at BT! 👇

Styled Shoot for Wilkes County Wedding Vendors

1/26/2023

In August of 2022, Bridal Traditions had the pleasure of providing the attire for a styled photoshoot to introduce WCWV - Wilkes County Wedding Vendors. We are so happy with the results and know you'll want to check the listing at the end of this blog for all the vendors, and social media details.

Wilkes County Wedding Vendors (WCWV) is a nonprofit group created to help serve those getting married in this region of the High Country. It is also an awesome opportunity for local vendors to get connected. We are so excited about this long-awaited launch! Well over 20 people worked tirelessly to create an incredible styled shoot to showcase what WCWV can do! This shoot was centered around elegance, refinement, and tasteful luxury. An abundance of florals, intricate table-scapes, and carefully crafted details brought everything together.

The "Ceremony"

A Slideshow of special Details

The Wedding attire

The Vendors

Venue: The Lodge on Brier Creek @lodgeonbriercreek
Photographer: Ashley Foreman Productions @ashleyforemanproductions
Wedding Attire: Bridal Traditions @bridaltraditions
Hair: Kaylee Davis - HW Salon Therapy @styledby.kaylee
Makeup: Andrea Watson - Studio 22 and Wellness Spa @andrea.nicole.watson
Florals: April Flowers @aprilflowersnc
Linens, Tables, Chairs, Modern Dishware and Decor: A&J Rentals
Antique Dishware & Decor: The Chapman Farmstead @thechapmanfarmstead
Stationery & Calligraphy: Morgan Harris Design @morganharrisdesign
Cake: Lauren Queen @krazy4cake91
Harpist: Jo Hanna Johnson
Models: Emma Grace Ivester, Jake Rapp @emmagrace4274 and @jake_rapp60!
Jewelry: Michael’s Jewelry @michaelsjewelry_nc
DJ: Uptunes DJ Service @uptunesllc
S’mores Bar: The Pearl and The Petal @thepearlandpetalevents
Additional Participating Photographers: Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios and Area 13 Photography @area13photography
Officiant: Jody Brown
Follow Us: @wilkescountyweddings

Bride Feature - Emily Deal

1/19/2023

Emily married Brandon in September of 2022 at River Creek Lodge after 6 years of dating. While they got engaged in 2020, they made it official two years later. They live on a lake, love to hike and watch the sunsets. If you look at the floral arrangements and color palette, you can see the influence of a sunset for sure.

The Wedding Day

It was raining the morning of their outdoor wedding, but stopped just as the ceremony was about to begin. There were tears of joy, tons of laughter and plenty of dancing according to Emily.

The Dress

Emily loved her dress and we get it: it's gorgeous. She came to Bridal Traditions looking for something with lace and long sleeves, but she left with a gown for Queen. The fabric, the layers of lace and the neckline and sleeves were all perfect for her, for the day and for the season.

Emily's is a gown that is timeless, traditional and meant to be kept for generations. We love that she chose us to make her wedding statement and so happy to see these photos of the day. Congratulations Emily and Brandon!!

Ready to find your perfect yes?

New Wedding Gown Designs From Cailyn Lea

1/12/2023

Mia

Think classic, clean, elegance and you have the Mia gown. Off the shoulder and yet covered with lace sleeves, this gown says polished in every way. The smooth full skirt and covered buttons down the back are absolute perfection.

Lilliana

Can we tell you about the "WOWS" we heard when steaming and hanging this gown in the shop! The woman who chooses the Lilliana gown won't need to be overly confident, because this dress does all of the talking. The flowing, tiered, floral skirt is a stunner and the chic, minimalist white bodice with a deep V come together to make the coolest gown for any bride. This is for the bride who wants the hush as she walks down the aisle to turn to gasps of praise. Add a veil and a smile and you'll long live in everyone's memory.

Annaliese

Like the Lilliana just above, this gown is a showstopper, and not for the obvious reasons. No, it is not white, cream, blush, or the latest trend - black. Did you lovely readers know that until Queen Victoria, wedding gowns were any fancy gown of choice? This meant colors, patterns, and textures of all sorts. It was only when the diminutive young Queen decided to wear all white and use the lace of London (they needed the work) that brides everywhere began to follow suit... or gown as it were.

Now, back to this gown. The folds in the bodice, the draping shortish sleeves, and the matching front and back of this gown make it not only unique, but incredibly pretty, feminine and right for all shapes and heights. The full skirt brings its own train of sorts, so the walk down the aisle will have drama.

Raya

Finally, from Cailyn Lea is the Raya gown and if you love lace, you may want to start with this one. It is head to toe lace, overlaying a nude sheath. The front has a swooping open bodice and the sleeves are incredible. They land just at the elbow, a detail that looks wonderful on every bride. The back showcases a deep V, a long line of buttons and the fitted skirt leads to a pool of lace. The Raya is a knock-out of a gown.

Book a fitting room at Bridal Traditions to see these designs and more from designer Cailyn Lea Couture!

New Bride - Victoria Jennings

1/5/2023

We welcome the new year with a selection of shots from new bride - Victoria Jennings. While the details from her big day are private, we LOVED getting images of her in her gown from Bridal Traditions. Let's hope that this year is as fresh and lovely as this bride.

The Day

The Dress

The Best Of 2022 at Bridal Traditions

12/29/2022

We've completed another year and 2022 was a bright one. As a boutique, we served and sold well, but we also were teachers and neighbors, celebrators and sales pros. Cheers to 2023 as we share some favorite bits from 2022, in tips, tricks and profiles.

A bRidal Guide + One for the Groom

We started the year with a bridal guide review and suggestions about what to do and what to avoid. This is worth a look if you missed it before.
We also produced a Guide for Grooms, and it is helpful and comprehensive.

We also provided as much wise counsel as we could about gowns and setting expectations, and there was plenty for the guys as well.

Spring & Summer Wedding prep + a Styled shoot

This past year, we prepped for spring and summer weddings and we provided inspiration for those getting married or thinking about the seasons ahead.

Bridal Features

We love doing these bride features or mini-profiles so much. It gives us a chance to celebrate with the brides, see them in their gowns on the big day, and show them off to the community!

Goodbyes, Hellos & Recollections at BT

This year, we said goodbye to our beloved Stacie, as she took off to pursue new ventures. She is a neice, a hard worker, a friend, a dose of comic relief and we miss her every day! But man, are we proud of her!

And we celebrated our story, reintroducing ourselves to those who know us and those who may not.
If you haven't been a follower of our blog, we hope that you'll become one next year! It's not just where we give advice and celebrate our brides, it is of course where we showcase our selection of gowns, suits, accessories and prom wear. Happy New Year to you all!

Stop Second Guessing! Some pro Tips

12/22/2022

One of services at Bridal Traditions is counsel. And honestly, it is our best, seriously. We sell gowns, dresses, suits and accessories, but our greatest gift may well be the gift of wisdom and reason. We can give you sound advice with candor and love and that is what this blog is about. We're going to lay down some truth about the second-guessing that brides sometimes do AFTER they've said yes to a dress. In short - DON'T DO IT. It causes more headaches, heartaches and needless worry than clarity.

Stop Looking at Dresses Once you've said yes.

Once you have found your gown, it's time to move on to other aspects of planning the wedding. If you continue to look at dresses, you're going to drive yourself nuts. Stop the shopping process.

You.
Are.
Done.

You're complete. When you hear The Love Theme, it's time to think about flowers, catering, your band, your cake, the guest reservations and gifts for your attendants, and your other vendors for the big day.

Do not dissect pictures of your gown.

And especially, do not scrutinize pictures of you in your dress. At BT, we allow you to take images of you trying on your gown for reference, and after a "YES" and purchase, we've found that brides want to zoom in and spend too much time dissecting themselves from every angle based on simple photos. We want you to think about how many selfies you take before you find "the one" to post on social media. It's the same with your wedding gown. You've tried on a bunch of dresses, and now have the one you want. Stop picking apart your decision by worrying about details from a bad camera angle.

refrain from trying it on at home.

Once you have your dress, do NOT put it on every 5 seconds. For starters, you can damage it. No one thinks they will, but a spill, a pull on the fabric or lace, random dirt - and now you've got a "used" gown. Secondly, trying it on again and again will make it begin to feel old. And finally, it will lose its magic. You bought this gown for a very important moment in life - once in a lifetime - so make sure it feels like ONCE in a lifetime, not like a favorite pair of jeans.

Stop listening to what others say.

Even when they are people we love, we all have naysayers in our lives. Grandma Suzie may hope to convince you that your dress doesn't go with the setting... or the season .... or your theme. The fact is, if you love it, you will feel beautiful and look beautiful. BT Owner Kelly Shumate likes to say that any dress is right for any venue or season, if the bride who has chosen it knows that it is right for her. Grandma Suzie is wonderful, but opinions are just that. Don't be swayed by those with something random to say. Hug them, and know that you've chosen well.

Believe in your instincts

And by believe in your instincts, we mean: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Trust yourself. The same way that you knew that your spouse was the one, you know the same about your gown. Trust that. At Bridal Traditions, we want each bride to feel seen and heard. Give yourself that same gift of respect, and once you've chosen THE ONE, get excited about all the other details of your day. You'll wear your dress with more pride if you've chosen it with faith in yourself.

Wedding Trends for 2023

12/15/2022

Trends or New traditions?

Traditions hold fast in certain sectors of our life, and that is certainly true in the wedding world. We love being a part of the traditions of our ancestors; we seek a union with the person we hope to spend the rest of our lives with, and on same level we want to join the family of "married folks." But we are also eager to shed those aspects and dried up conventions that no longer suit us, and embrace new traditions. Do we call these trends or new traditions? You decide! Here's what you can expect to see more of at 2023 weddings.

Creative Photo Booths

Masks are great; theatre curtains are fun; a themed back-drop can pull people into your vibe, but everyone loves a photo booth and they will be popular probably forever. In 2023, couples may consider setting up a fun and beautiful space where your guests can celebrate you with funny signs, gather in friend clusters, or even just capture a lovely shot of themselves that will always remind them of your day. People love a selfie in front of a mural on vacation. Give them that chance at your party.

Sit Outside

... whenever possible. Be it during the wedding, a cocktail hour before the reception, a gathering before the ceremony even where people get to know each other, or the reception itself, get your guests outside, and set up ways and places for people to gather. Often decor presents itself during the season, but with chairs, tables, lanterns and music, OUTSIDE is the place to be.

Packaged Weddings

We buy packages when we travel for personal or professional reasons, and now wedding venues have jumped on board and are doing more than just the catering and event set up. Couples who want something gorgeous but tidy and inclusive are choosing to go with wedding packages that provide the "soup to nuts" experience for themselves and guests.

Grazing Tables for Guests

We've all done the sit down dinner or brunch, and the ongoing buffet with every type of vegan option, pasta option and animal protein option. People tend to love all of it because they came to celebrate you, party and eat. In a more casual vein, grazing tables with charcuterie and "build your own" food opportunities are going to be hip in 2023. Don't overlook this as an idea when planning your reception. You can feed the guests who need sustenance and have traveled 1000 miles, as well as those who need fuel to keep dancing the night away.

Remembering Those not Present

This trend became more of a staple a decade or so ago, and it is not going anywhere. We at Bridal Traditions love it too. Whether they are serving out of country or have passed away, including those dearly departed is a sweet and meaningful addition to any 2023 wedding.

Superb Views

Weddings in North and South Carolina have no shortage of these. Create your ceremony or reception, if not both, around a lovely vista or landscape. A backdrop in an urban or natural setting grounds the moment and, of course, makes for incredible photography.

Whatever your theme, consider incorporating some of these new or trusted trends in your 2023 ceremony!

Wedding trends 2023 - Menswear

12/8/2022

Guys, we know that you think there's very little room for you to show who you are at your wedding beyond colorful socks (which are fun by the way), because there is a theme or a palette or a plan in place, and the bride is almost always breathtaking. But you do have options and your new wife will appreciate that you've thought through what YOU will wear before and on the big day.

For 2023, here are some trends to consider.

Simplicity

Some grooms are going to skip the heavy suit or tux, the monochromatic traditional wear for something well-put-together, lighter and more simple. Many of our grooms in Wilkes County want to wear jeans or boots, or a blue suit instead of a tux. Do it. You can still pair these with a great jacket and tie.

More Hipster, Yep on your Wedding Day

Don't walk away from the suspenders, pocket squares, cuffed pants, and even rolled sleeved looks that grooms have been enjoying since the twenty-tens. These looks are still cool and totally stylish. They are also less formal.

TAn, Camel and natural tones

Tan isn't just for linen suits and summer. There are winter weights, gorgeous fabrics and smart cuts for athletic physiques, and again these work for more casual wedding days. Don't over look colors, guys.

And speaking of colors for Wedding Suits

Blue - and of course navy, taupe or grey - are all perfect options for grooms and groomsmen in 2023. If the black suit or tux is a non-starter for you, think color and think patterns too. Accessories are a way to shake a suit to life.

Don't forget accessories & Ties

Vests in patterns or complementary colors or textures, bow ties, patterned ties and the aforementioned socks, dress up a man's entire ensemble. Don't be bashful about cuff links, pocket watches, suspenders, and other elements that will show that you thought about your look for the day too.

Oversized, fitted and athletic cuts

Bridal Traditions carries more than just tuxes to rent. We sell suits in styles and cuts that are more flattering to all body shapes and styles. Shorter trousers, tapered legs, jackets that fit the body, are all available if you come prepared and know what you want. Come see us and we can see which styles, colors and cut work well for you.

It's YOUR wedding day, too! We know that the bride may have been considered the star in centuries past (and who are we kidding, she still is for the most part), but you should look amazing too. 2023 is going to be a great year for grooms as well. Do your research, think about your day and plan, and come to Bridal Traditions. We've got you guys!

Featured Bride: Julia Wycoff

12/1/2022

The Wedding Setting

Broken Arrow Farm in Claremont, NC hosted the August wedding of Julia Wycoff and Garrett Coble. It's a lovely spot and for their late summer affair, they had a perfect landscape and gorgeous weather. Big vibrant trees, a barn with a low-country porch, and an enormous tent for the ceremony set the stage. Photographer Courtney Cooke captured incredible photos of this occasion.

The Wedding

Julia and Garrett are both in the textile business - with Julia working in her family's fabric business and Garrett working as part of an upholstery and sewing business. The ceremony took place under the tent and the reception in the barn. The pair incorporated sewing machines as part of decor at the reception, which was not only appropriate, but very cool.
This couple has known each other nearly all of their lives, through family and church and once they realized they were a pair, it was a done deal. They are about faith and each other, their hobbies and building a life together.

The Dress

"I didn’t have anything specific in mind, but was looking for something that was flattering. I loved the look of a flowy A-line or a fitted dress, and I love lace and a little bit of sparkle. When I discovered Bridal Traditions on Facebook, I saw several dresses that looked perfect for me so I booked an appointment asap! After trying on a few dresses I knew I found the one."

"I loved the train and the appliqued lace detailing was so beautiful! I also love that my dress is both fitted and flowy. It truly was a blend of everything I wanted."

Julia's attire was form fitting underneath and flowing on top with lace - the best of both worlds for her. Once she added the veil and understated jewelry, the look was complete.

Bridal Traditions was thrilled to be able to outfit this bride and to share the wedding images where she looks so incredible. Congratulations to this sweet couple!