 The CoupleAmber and Christian were married in November of 2019, just before Thanksgiving at German Farms in Ferguson, NC. The couple met, as happens more and more in the digital age, over Facebook. Casual conversations turned to mutual affection and after six years of becoming better friends through courtship, they were married. Amber shared that the two continue to deepen in their love and respect, friendship and support of each other. We are not expecting a seven year itch after a year of marriage for these two. They seem to have it figured out.  The CeremonyThe grounds of German Farms are truly charming, especially for an outdoor ceremony. Amber: "Our ceremony took place outdoors on the front steps of a small chapel located on the farm. There was a hand built wooden archway provided for us that we decorated with ivy and fabric. The colors we chose were blush, forest green and brown, we wanted to stick with more earth tones since we were outside. The weather was expected to be cold that day, but to our surprise the sun graced us with its presence and kept us warm during the ceremony. We purchased 80 blankets and multiple Hot Hands so our guests would stay warm." The couple chose to make a lot of the decorations themselves, allowing them to create memories with their friends and family. And they kept the reception casual with pizza, pasta and hot wings, to the delight of their guests. Isn't that really what people want more than chicken cordon bleu? The GownAmber came to us knowing that she didn't want a ballgown or anything strapless. She was thinking more along the lines of vintage inspired or bohemian. She picked out three, two of which were her style match and one just because she thought it might fit. As fate would have it, the third, "extra option" turned out to be the one when it fit her absolutely perfectly.  The gown is fitted and has a lovely, gauzy skirt with an overlay of beautiful lace from bodice to just beyond the waist. The back has a lace "cross" style that is gorgeous and her veil and comb completed the look. Amber: "BT played such a huge part in the selection of my dress because of the feedback I received when trying dresses on. It’s a huge help to have an honest opinion on how a dress looks rather than just telling you it looks nice to have it sold. BT makes relationships with all their girls and are able to help you choose something they know better suits your personality and style. I would be lost without the guidance BT provides each time I shop with them." We couldn't be more happy to have played a role in Amber and Christian's wedding day. We love that brides and grooms, attendants, moms and grandmas all trust us with decisions like these. Amber asked that we mention two of her other vendors by name: Amalfis - who catered the reception and Sunshine Barker (@sunshinebarker), their photographer. Congratulations to you both! Here's to many years of happiness together. 
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 The CoupleThat gorgeous red head is Emily Wyatt and she married her ONE in December of 2019 in a lovely and Winter-y wedding ceremony. She didn't want something strictly Christmas related and they achieved it. She and Tyler LaPrad tied the knot at Flint Hill Baptist Church and then held their reception at Mt. Zion Baptist Church's Fellowship Hall. After meeting at Wilkes Community College while working on the Fall Festival, they became Facebook friends and started dating just 2 days after Christmas in 2014. The Christmas holiday is THEIR time. The Ceremony  Emily: "We had a traditional church wedding. There were probably 100-125 people there, so it was not too big. Even though it took place in December, I didn’t want it to be Christmas themed. I went with a winter theme instead. We used ice blue, silver, and white as our colors. Our wedding day went by so quickly! For the ceremony we exchanged traditional vows and had a unity candle for our unity ceremony."   Here is a fun note that you won't see in any of the images in this blog: this sweet couple had to take their get-away truck to a cash wash because it was destroyed by their nearest and dearest. Baby powder, yellow glitter, dog food in the floor boards, vaseline wiped everywhere, they couldn't possibly leave for a honeymoon. Emily said that she was standing at the car wash IN HER GOWN holding up the train and laughing while Tyler was trying to vacuum out and wipe off all of that "love" from their friends. The GownEmily's was a case of gown finds girl. She knew that she didn't want a strapless gown and that, with a church wedding, the sleeve question was not going to be a big deal. She wanted beads and lace and ended up with a bit of both. Her gown looked absolutely amazing on her. The fitted elements accentuated her figure and looked both demure and modern.   Emily: "As soon as I put on my dress, I knew it was the one for me. I loved how it made me look and especially how it made me feel. I instantly knew it was the one that I wanted Tyler to see me in when I came down the aisle. I couldn’t stop smiling while I had it on. It also had all of the details that I had always wanted."  "The lace was beautiful, I loved the beading all over the dress, especially the belt. I also loved how the lace came down in the back into a deep 'v'. BT was absolutely wonderful when I came in to buy my gown. I didn’t feel any pressure to go with a certain dress or to buy before I was ready. It was a very laid back and relaxed atmosphere which made it a pleasant shopping experience."  Emily and Tyler's tribe also worked with BT. The ladies and maid of honor bought their gowns and Emily let them pick out the style within the palette that they wanted. The fellas rented their suits from us and everyone was happy and looked crisp and handsome.  Congratulations to Emily and Tyler on pulling off a winter wedding that has all the brightness and flair of any season. Cheers to you both!
The VirusCovid-19 has affected us as individuals, as families, as communities and in our respective industries. At BT, we're holding you all close in our thoughts, prayers and hearts and that is sincere. It's a scary time, but we are not scared. We feel that if we are all smart, vigilant and optimistic, we will not only get through this, but we will come out on the other side stronger than ever. We wanted to share a short update with you all, so here is our current status so that you have what you need to keep interacting with us! Our Current Policies and PlansUpdated 3/25/20 While we at BT know that we play a significant role in certain life events for you, we do actually fall into that non-essential business category in times like these. So we are closing the store until further notice per the Governor's directive. Your Items from Bridal TraditionsOur manufacturers are still in production and shipping is running on time. All of the items we sell and rent are still available. If you have items on lay-away or special orders, they are safe and will continue to be held for you. We will continue to accept payments online, by phone (336-667-5423) and you can certainly reach out to us via our social media channels, Instagram and Facebook if you have questions. You may also email owner Kelly at kelly@bridaltraditionsnc.com. If there are ANY changes with regard to special orders, we will reach out to you individually with details and in a timely fashion. Stay TunedGang: we love you. While you're busy washing your hands, try not to wring them with worrying. Count your blessings, show small kindnesses, check on those most vulnerable in your area, play a game, learn a new skill, catch up on books, movies, projects and know that iron sharpens iron. We will prevail, but right now, we have to be careful. Hang in there and we look forward to serving you as always.
Some of the best wedding trends and ideas we've come across lately emphasize spring (and it's licking at our heels), but there are purposes for many no matter the season or theme. At BT, we're already in love with some of these trends. Oh to get married more than once... wait...... that's not what we meant... Just do it well the first time. Edible Florals Put 'em on the salads, on the wedding cake or cupcakes, freeze them in ice cubes or sprinkle them everywhere, but gorgeous edible flowers are not only a trend, they are easy on the eyes. Get the Details Just Right Lanterns, lighting, wreaths, a weird little corner for people to gather for cigars or horseshoes, the details around your wedding can be a way of making your day memorable and a way of getting to orbit around your guests. Barrettes and Combs Are InThis little update makes us so very happy, because Bridal Traditions loves hair accessories. While veils are not going anywhere, there is room for more hair jewelry, more dazzle and more retro gorgeousness.  Instead of Goodie Bags … CharityBrides and grooms often give little goodie bags to their guests, but some have decided that instead of more commercial treats, they would prefer to make a donation to a charity or cause they love on behalf of their guests. It's way to avoid the obvious consumerism and still show love and gratitude for those closest to them.  Interesting and Interactive FoodThe donut wall is all the rage these days, but so are "lazy susans" on tables with cheese boards, bowls of nuts and sweet treats. Interactive food gives strangers seated together something to talk about and engage over, plus they are fun!  Heard of a wedding trend that you'd like to know more about? Let us know and we'll look into it!
Bridal Traditions loved contributing to a styled photo shoot at the beginning of the winter in late 2019. This particular shoot took place at The Emerald Hill, and BT provided the bridal gowns and accessories. You will find the entire vendor list is at the end of the blog.  The SettingThe setting this day was foggy and cool, but the team took advantage of the mysterious winter light and fog, the beautiful property at The Emerald Hill and all of the indoor and outdoor locations available and in keeping with the winter theme. The Bride and GownModel bride Amber had a variety of gown styles to choose from including off the shoulder, lots of lace, trendy black thread, tulle and ballgown shapes. BT's Kelly also provided veils and head pieces to accent the bride's wardrobe. The VenueThe Emerald Hill is located in the foothills of NC and has lots to recommend it including gorgeous suites for the bride and groom to use while getting ready, lots of rolling hills and a rustic but chic reception area with wood panelling that seats plenty and still allows room to dance. The DetailsFrom the desserts, to the rings, to the vows, candles and invitations, the set up was elegant and spot on. The Vendor ListBridal Gowns and Accessories - Bridal Traditions (Kelly)
Model Bride - Amber Cake- SugarRush Bakery (Jolie) Calligraphy and stationary - Calligraphy by Carrie Coordination - Embellished Events for You (Kelli) Hair and Make Up- Adore & Co. (Meredith) Florist- Wildflowers (Darlene) Photography/Videography- Weathered Lace (Grace) Venue, furniture, and all the details- The Emerald Hill (Ashley) These never happen, so you should be fine. Said no mother or wedding planner or bridal boutique EVER. We are not in the business of scaring or scarring, we want to be helpful. So heads up darlings! These are the mistakes that can get you in trouble on the day you want to be happiest. Mistake 1: You Don't Put Yourself FirstWe're taught humility, and that is a good thing. But this is not the day to put everyone else's wishes above your own. Check out BT Owner, Kelly Shumate's thoughts on this from the perspective of buying a gown. There are lots of voices, but there is only one you. If food is your bag, talk to foodies. If you love the outdoors, choose a place that is gorgeous and meaningful. If you want to wear a ball gown and not your grandma's veil, use your voice. Prioritize! You'll be glad you did, but more importantly, respectfully as for what you need and from whom and make it your day. Mistake 2: You Don't Take Care of Your GuestsIf you've invited an enormous set of folks in various groups - friends, family, coworkers, etc. - to come to your wedding, then you need to make sure that you show them that you SEE them and care. They marked off the day, got a sitter, bought a dress or new shoes, drove, flew, whatever. But they did it because they love you and want to see you get married. Treat them with love and if there is a budget, show that love with little goodies at the hotel or reception or in your Thank You notes. Mistake 3: You Decide you can do it all YourselfNo one is doubting that you are formidable. But wedding planning is a professional undertaking, especially if you are doing more than an intimate affair. Consider hiring a planner to guide you through all the stages, even if you can pull off the execution yourself with the help of your maid or matron of honor. We'll continue this instructive lesson in another blog! In the meantime, get organized and lean on those you trust.
You've heard the phrase "stuck between a rock and a hard place," right? Well, this situation is not that dire. Call off the dogs. It's cold. It's dreary and currently we're stuck between post-Valentine's Day and Spring, and that is merely a place of musing and limbo. It DOES mean however that it's time to think about wedding prep for spring and summer weddings. So let's do that, shall we?  In the late fall, we posted a blog titled April Flowers and it showcased some ideas for spring and summer weddings in the arenas of decorations and floral arrangements. There are so many ways to accent your overall theme or complement your dress - or even emphasize the season. Think about plates and plating, table-scapes and the flowers that go with those. A bride who walks into her reception and appears to be the crowning jewel of a well decorated space is a thoughtful winner that day. And you DON'T have to overdo it.  Gowns for SpringWe have so many vintage inspired gowns at Bridal Traditions, as well as designs that feel entirely new and fresh. Below are a few examples, but to see even more, revisit this blog about our New Collections.   Indoor vs Outdoor WeddingsWeather is a factor during transitional months, and April, May and June can be incredibly dodgy in terms of precipitation worries and vendor choices. Do you go indoor for the ceremony and reception? Do you choose outdoors for spring with a backup plan? There are pros on either side with regard to setting, dress, photographer and guests. We discuss a bit of this in our blog about the Indoor vs Outdoor Wedding agenda. Read more to get informed! Consider a Micro-vibeIn the South, we don't call this a micro-wedding, we call it "small with family and friends." To keep costs down though, couples have chosen to have intimate gatherings to say their vows and these don't include every school teacher you loved, plus your pastor's family, your camp bunk mates and best friends since 10th grade. Choose those you love who will show up, and then treat them well. You'll save money and the intimacy and memories created won't feel exclusive; they will feel special. You can always have a cook-out or casual party later and invite the rest of the world. Clink beers vs. serving scallops, if you know what we mean.  Are you getting ready for a Spring or Summer wedding? Stop by Bridal Traditions to see what we have and stay tuned for another blog about the trends for seasonal weddings. We have more to share beyond dresses.
Thalia Villarosa is a traveling photographer who loves celebrating beauty, and most especially the beauty found in love matches, playfulness, marriage in all of its eccentric variations, and especially watching love unfold in nature. Bridal Traditions was happy to add our expertise and attire to outfit models for a styled photo shoot with Thalia.  The look for this shoot was contemporary chic, hipster, and mountain vibe rolled into one. The model wore a gown we selected especially for the occasion and it is stunning and oh-so-cool. From the Metropolitan collection - part of Demetrios Bridal - this dress is covered in lace, has ruffled sleeves, and a gauzy, flowing effect. It is both demure and other-worldly.  The braided and flowing hair, fresh flowers, white roses with wild notes of color, and a bucolic surrounding made this a dreamy photo shoot.  The setting could be Colorado, Georgia, Vancouver or the Blue Ridge Mountains. We love the green pasture, the barn, the cows and the old world feeling of a couple saying their vows in the middle of the earth God gave us. Gritty and bohemian and deep cool and this couple fit in perfectly.   If you would like to see more of the Metropolitan Collection of Demetrios Bridal, start here and then give us a call. Photographer: @thaliavillarosaphoto
Place settings: @missmatchrentals Chair and Table rentals: @abushelandapeckvintagerental Hair and Make up: @devinxhair Salon: @mainehabitsalon Bolo tie: @semplicedesigns Bouquet and flowers: @boozeandbouquets Plant:@themustardseedmarketnc Dress: Bridal Traditions  The Day - Forgotten Items and TearsCharity and Aaron had a pretty wonderful wedding day thanks to a venue committed to getting their place ready in time, friends who adore the bride, a father ready to make a run "for it," and pretty gorgeous weather.  These two were married in a June wedding last year at Big R Orchards, a new venue and the place turned out to be perfect for a summer event.   "Our wedding day was truly the most beautiful day we could have ever asked for! God truly blessed us and it was so evident that his hands were on us and our venue the entire day. We got married at a brand new venue, Big R Orchards, which sits on an apple orchard on Brushy Mountain. The venue consists of a barn that overlooks a pond and has incredible mountain scenery. The construction for Big R started in August of 2018 and the owner Scott Robinson and his entire team worked tirelessly to make sure that venue was finished and ready for us on our big day. We could not be more grateful."  Special MomentsCharity has some pretty special people in her life. Her mom and mom's friends made sure that a wedding day breakfast was ready for the bride and her bridesmaids. The girls enjoyed relaxing, getting their dresses laid out and chatting. It was during this time that Charity realized that - even though she'd arrived at the orchard well in advance, she'd actually forgotten her wedding gown. "I could not believe I forgot one of the most important items for the biggest day of my life, BUT anyone who knows me knows that this is SO typical of me. Luckily my dad was able to quickly bring my dress to me, so all was well."  Another particularly sweet moment came from the bridesmaids, who created a keepsake book with images of Charity with each of them and other special moments provided by Charity's family and friends. "It was the most thoughtful, gorgeous scrapbook that not only had pictures of me with all of my bridesmaids but also my parents, sisters, my in-laws, and my fiancé. On top of that, each one of them had hand-written a heartfelt note. It was easily one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received and such a special moment from our day"  The Couple and Back StoryCharity and Aaron have been an "us" for a while. They are actually high school sweethearts and she told us that after they said their vows, they had a moment to walk back to the lake before the reception and make sure that it was all actually real. They met in high school chorus and after she marshaled the courage to ask him out with some other friends, they started dating. She was a sophomore and he was a senior and he has proclaimed it was the "worst first date" (not because of Charity, though). Magically, eight years evaporated as they made the long distance thing work, and suddenly they were standing next to a lake together as husband and wife.  The DressCharity wanted a ballgown and wasn't interested in any gown that was fitted. She felt that the gowns were wearing her as she started trying them on. We switched it up and she left with a fitted, sparkly gown that was not only perfect for her figure and the month of her wedding, but it had details that she did not anticipate. The corseted back, lace and beading added some magic and focus. Charity's ensemble is a great example of how a veil and an eye to your personality, an outdoor wedding and being open to something unexpected can all come together. Everything about her wedding day attire was complimentary. "I chose my gown because it was the first one I truly felt bridal in. In others, I felt beautiful, but I didn’t feel like a bride. My whole demeanor changed as soon as I put on my dress and I knew it was the one. I absolutely loved the delicate beading and lace on my dress. It was so unique to other dresses I had seen before, which is another reason I fell in love with it. I also loved my belt and veil. They didn’t come with the dress but matched perfectly, as if they were meant to go together."  The face of a happy bride is hard to top!  "BT was so kind and patient with me when I tried on what felt like 20 different dresses. With each dress they gave great feedback and when they could tell I wasn’t loving the style of dress I thought I wanted, they suggested other styles which brought me to the dress of my dreams."
We loved working with Charity and Aaron -- the gentlemen rented their tuxes from us too! -- and we hope that they are happy! Anniversary number 1 will be here before they know it! Well, let us help!  Prom-going Ladies: WELCOME TO FEBRUARY. Yes, it's a bit coolish, but we have found that if you hold your hands next to any of these dresses, the heat is undeniable. In the last couple of weeks, we've been warming up to some of the most gorgeous, sparkly, WHOA-inducing prom gowns we've seen in years. You may recall that we travelled to the big prom market last year to see what was coming and were blown away. We found amazing options for the BeYOUtiful Prom girl, so here's a little sampling of what has come into the boutique and some key info to get you ready to shop when the time comes.  Some Key Prom Info from BT. . .  Gowns, gowns, gowns and Glammmmm!The colors range from muted to jewel tone. The beading and sparkle is over the top on some gowns, and artfully placed on others, but Bridal Traditions and BeYOUtiful Prom has a selection we are so very proud of.       Tuxedo Teaser for the Guys - New for 2020For the prom-going gentlemen who are looking to buy their prom looks, we have some new additions available to order in velvets, colors, patterns and textures, plus great accessories too. For the prom-going man who is planning to rent his tux or suit, we have the goods for you too! If you aren't following us on social media, please start! We update our accounts with images, and videos daily. And as the gowns come in, if you want to get your hands on one you've been eyeing, you'll want to strike while the iron is hot! What posts today may be gone tomorrow! These accounts are dedicated solely to prom!
Snapchat: beyoutiful.-prom Instagram: beyoutiful.prom |
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