Sarah LIncolmfelt married Taylor Brunson in September of last year at Marler Road Baptist Church in Hamptonville, NC. These two met at a summer Christian camp in Brevard called The Wilds. She waitressed and scooped ice cream and he was a counselor. One afternoon, he brought his campers to get ice cream, but ended up flirting with her more than anything. Flirting led to more ice cream and friendship, and the rest is history. BT had the fun of dressing this beauty for her wedding day!

Theirs was a very tender and teary affair, but included a song sung and played for Sarah by Taylor and a secret handshake. While camp counselors, these two weren't allowed to show affection, so they created a handshake that was incorporated into their ceremony and vows. It was a really sweet and special touch.

Sarah came into BT with a knowledge of our shop and a lot of ideas in mind for her gown . She had options! On the day of her appointment, she asked us for a specific gown she'd seen and we had it. She pretty much knew it was the one. Her gown had long sleeves, something that was on her list, beautiful lace around the neckline, and a swooping open back detail. She looked gorgeous in it. We love seeing traditional gowns on modern brides. 

Congratulations to Sarah and Taylor and here's many, many decades of happiness!

Photo Credit: Olivia Shay Photography

When things don't go right for our brides or clients, we are heartbroken. That isn't marketing speak: that is the truth. If you know us at all, in the 20+ years we've been serving this community, thank goodness we can count on a few fingers the number of times when something hasn't worked out for a bride. Our vendors are sharp and great at what they do. Our processes at BT come from years of experience and best practices, and we are devoted to the girls and ladies who come in looking for inspiration, something gorgeous to wear, timeliness and quality. But we all know ....

​We live in an age where complete transparency is applauded because people are human, life has its challenges and businesses fumble the ball. People want the truth and then how to fix the problem. We also live in an era of "well, that's good enough." This leaves our team at Bridal Traditions trying to (A) provide clarity and honesty with regard to the wedding dress industry and how long it takes to get your gown into your hands, and (B) our professional desire to be the best at everything we do. "Just good enough" is NOT good enough for us. That's why we've been around for more than two decades. 

Recently, a wonderful BT bride was disappointed when her dress arrived and the factory made a mistake with the sizing. We normally (if not always) ask that brides provide us with a minimum of 6 months to get the dress delivered to us and then to the bride. If you need alterations, those will add more time. When this bride's dress arrived and there was only a week before the wedding - and the factory got the sizing wrong - we were stuck. Her seamstress was left with no wiggle room and we felt rotten. Honestly, everyone felt rotten. As we've said before: cases like this one are rare, but that doesn't mean that they aren't shattering for the bride. Please know: it was shattering for us too. We aren't here for retail experiences, we care about EVERY SINGLE BRIDE. To that end, we are here to provide a little counsel and clarity.

Ladies, take note, because more than anything our mission is to make you feel spectacular, ridiculously happy and absolutely thrilled that you came to BT.

• If we recommend that you order your gown, dress, tux or suit by a certain date, it's because we do not want to cut it close. And neither do you. This is an important day in your life. Why add the stress of a tight schedule and human error to everything else you're juggling.
• Plan as if there will be a mistake, even if there's a 99.9% chance that all the stars will align and you will have no issues. The factory will do everything that they can to fix a mistake, but without time, we will have to scramble to find a Plan B. Make room in Plan A for hiccups and then trust that whatever comes up, you're covered.

This story ultimately had a happy ending. We were able to provide a replacement gown out of our inventory (not her original design, but one we think she loved more), and the bride enjoyed her dress and her day. 

​Our Goal: make sure that you have a wonderful experience with us, find the garment you need and have a wonderful wedding. 
Your Goal: get married in a dress that makes you blissfully happy on the day and wistful every time you think about it. If those things can happen and all that is needed is a little planning and forethought - WE'VE GOT THIS.

Tamara and Jason were married in September of 2021 in Boone at a friend's house overlooking Grandfather Mountain. They had tons of helps from friends and family, gorgeous wedding on the day and a beautiful, intimate ceremony. Tamara said this was her first "and only" wedding and that she felt so blessed to have her four grandchildren with her on the day.

Theirs was a colorful wedding with amazing bouquets of gemstone florals and bridesmaids in the same jewel tones. The weather, the flowers and palette were perfection.

Like most brides, Tamara came to Bridal Traditions with an idea and a few concerns. She knew that she wanted to look like a princess and she wanted to make sure that her dress fit her short frame. The second gown turned out to be The One. With her daughter Amber to help, Tamara also chose her train and petticoat. She loved the way everything came together for her. And so are we!!

Congratulations Tamara and Jason! Here's to many happy years ahead!

Everyone at Bridal Traditions (the crazies featured in the pics below) and all who support us at home wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. As we wrap up the last of 2021, our hope is that 2022 brings us all more joy, more laughter, more collaboration at work and in our community, and more peace and love overall. Every single one of you who shops with us, buys and rents from us, and dreams big with us for their wedding or event is valued deeply. You make us love what we do. Thanks, as always, for your support!
Happy New Year!

BT Bride Casey Teague married Bobby Adams in September of this year at Huntington State Park Beach. They had perfect weather and just the right number of guests - immediate family - and each other. It was, as Casey described it, her fairy tale wedding day!

These two met through a mutual friend in 2017, but their connection was immediate and they began dating in June of that year. Two short years later, they got engaged at The Biltmore Estate. Since that time they have only grown together and as a family, adopting and fostered their fair share of fur babies. 

Casey came to us knowing that she'd always been in love with the classic ball gown shape, with full skirt, and studded with gems and lace. "I knew as soon as I tried on my dress it was the one.  I thought at first that [sequins] would be too much, but it was what sold me on the dress. Once I tried it on all I could think of how beautiful it would be sparkling with every turn on a sunny beach."

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Congratulations to Casey and Bobby and here's to many glorious sunrises and sunsets together on your journey!

So let's do the math, shall we? 
2020 took us off the rails before Easter. 
2021 reminded us that we are resilient, if not impatient to get back to the business of living and going and earning and CELEBRATING. By summer of this year, the "wedding make-up season" was in full swing, and it is just now beginning to wane.

Bridal Traditions - like other pros in our industry - experienced one of the busiest late summer and fall wedding seasons in history. It was busy, it was filled with frenzy and smart scheduling, flexible vendors and eager couples. And it has been wonderful. THANK YOU BRIDES AND BRIDAL PARTIES for the robust 2021 season. 
Time for 2022, and this year in weddings will focus on fun new pivots to the past, classic looks, some of the same modern favorites, more color and texture - and yes, accessories.

We're not saying that you have to start your dress journey here, but colorful wedding gowns were the standard from medieval times. It was Queen Victoria, who chose to wear white on her wedding day in 1840, who started the virginal, pure white wedding gown trend that we've seen the last 180 years. Before her, brides wore their prettiest gown or dress they could find, and these were usually colorful patterns that were readily available.
Are you bold enough? Think about adding color! More than a few brides have left Bridal Traditions with a black gown, blue gown or non-white wedding dress. 

They were the bane of every woman alive for more than a century, but somehow we've come to embrace them once more. Unlike those that didn't let you breathe, corsets are now suggestive without being "too much." Ladies love to show off a corset and while some are less demure and more provocative, corsets are popular and here for another year.

So you may be asking: "Aren't all wedding gowns sort of ballet-inspired?" I mean, you've got gossamer skirts, layers of tulle, corsets and cinched in waists. The answer is an easy yes. Add color, add a body suit and ruffled skirt and you have a newer version of the classic ball gown. 

Florals are not going away either, ladies. Whether on the bodice, throughout the lace, or all over a gown, flowers and natural patterns are glorious all year. English garden weddings are finding their footing in North Carolina and worldwide. Cottage core meets nostalgia. Even if you don't think you "prefer flowers," we urge you to consider trying on at least one dress with blooms.

With some gowns, the dress is plenty. Add a veil and maybe a belt and then let the bride shine. But in 2022, accessories are being worn with gusto and earrings are the big winner in 2022. Statement earrings - statement jewelry altogether - is a way to show your unique personality or give a nod to your childhood, your travels or just your taste in baubles. GO FOR IT.

Photo credit for group image below right goes to Ashley Swofford Photography.

More and more of our grooms are deciding to buy their wedding attire, and we are happy to facilitate from our JFW Collections. Guys still prefer navy, black and grey, but others are veering into fun realms with the addition of coordinating ties, socks, and handkerchiefs.

Whatever your season, theme or personal style, as you plan your wedding, Bridal Traditions is here to help. For over 20 years, we've been guiding brides and grooms as they prepare for their big day. 2022 will only be bigger. Come see us!

Morgan Blackburn and Justin Thompson were married in September of this year at River Creek Lodge, and theirs was a whirlwind courtship. It started when they found each other on social media and soon discovered that they had tons of mutual friends. After a dinner one evening to get to know each other more, they REALLY knew there was something between them. Within months they were best friends, then madly in love, then expecting their first child, and finally engaged. A little over a year from that first dinner date, they married, are now parents and own their first home together. Morgan said it aptly, "it's true that when you know, you know."

The weather was gorgeous for their 4pm wedding at River Creek. Morgan told us that the wedding would never have happened had it not been for her amazing parents who pulled everything together for them and added special touches. Morgan's vendors were amazing too and made sure that the music, catering, cake and other details were perfect for the newlyweds.

Morgan's theme was rustic, but her palette was classic. The dusty blue, navy, and white worked perfectly in the green outdoor setting. The couple and their bridal party cut beautiful silhouettes all day for the photographer from Waterhouse Studios.

The low V back, lace bodice and flowing skirt made this gown absolutely spectacular on Morgan. She wore her mother's wedding day earrings (another special touch) and told us how put together and comfortable she felt all day.

"The BT team (Kelly in particular) was so patient and helpful. She talks to you like a friend, and genuinely tries to lead you in the right direction, while helping to create your dream wedding!! Our experience with BT could not have been better, everything went perfectly thanks to Kelly and her team."

These two purchased all of their attire from BT and we could not have been happier to help them pull together the bridesmaids, menswear and even accessories. 

Congratulations to Morgan and Justin (and their new son, Weston). We at Bridal Traditions wish you nothing but happiness in the decades ahead!

Bridal Traditions took part in a fun photo shoot with a Christmas theme over the summer, supplying the groom's attire. The images from the shoot are in and we're happy to share them with you all. 

We can get our hands on hundreds of styles of gowns (affordable gowns, we might add), and view even more throughout the year. We make choices based on trends, on which designers we love. those who are tried and true - and most importantly - we make selections based on our target consumers in this area. We have options for all sorts of brides. 

The pale silver fabric and beading on this dress evoke The Great Gatsby and the roaring 1920s, but there is an element of the Met Gala and with the intricate sewing work, three quarter sleeves and fitted skirt, it's a stunner. 

If you want to see this gown or others, come by Bridal Traditions and we'll help you make the perfect choice.

"One of my favorite moments was when I had my parents on either side of me at the end of the aisle while our officiant prayed at the beginning of the ceremony. When our officiant began our ceremony, after I had moved to the side, he began with “Mawage” like the clergyman from The Princess Bride. We wholeheartedly believe in the sanctity of marriage, and would never want to take away from that, but we knew we wanted to bring that element to our ceremony too because God made us silly and we wanted to share that moment with our loved ones."​

"I knew I didn’t want to spend over $1200 on my dress. I knew that I wasn’t a ballgown girl so when I pictured my dress, I instinctively saw it as something rather fitted. I was open to sleeves or strapless and, in my own way, I got the best of both worlds with the thin off-the-shoulder lace sleeves. I also knew I didn’t want to wear a stark white because it would most likely wash me out because of my complexion. The original inspiration I had for my gown was unique bohemian or vintage styles."​

Congratulations Alexandra and Tyler! All the best in your new life together.

​Photo Credit: Tolman Media North Carolina