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Where we Hope to Inform and Inspire
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.
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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. We embrace the cottagecore style and vibe at Bridal Traditions, even as we provide traditional, modern/minimalist, and even more avant-garde style wedding gowns as well. (Yes, you can get a black wedding gown from us.) But brides who come to BT looking for this idyllic style and what it represents - a simple life, more ease, less structure and absolute romance - can also find some pretty dreamy options and ideas at our boutique shop. CottageCore is a vibeCottagecore Wedding Gown QualitiesInspired by the rustic, bucolic life, a cottagecore wedding gown features probably what you imagine already: off the shoulder sleeves, no tight strictures or architectural column silhouettes, no minimalist "satin only" design. This style is out of a fairytale, and and inspired by country life. Think tiers of fabric, think florals and lace, think flowing skirts with layers and layers of tulle, and think nature, floral prints, leaves, forests and, ... you get the idea. You may see boning around the bodice and waist, or corsets, which are throwbacks to the middle ages, and those details provide whimsy and romance as well. Are you in love yet? Special touches for Cottagecore BridesAt BT, we can help you choose not only a gown in this style, but the accessories that go with it. If you perhaps only want a hint of cottagecore, then these pieces will work too. Bridal Traditions Pulls CottagecoreAnd those are just a few that could go in the cottagecore gallery!
Interested in more cottage core ideas? See spring ideas, a styled photo shoot in the forest from a few years back, spring wedding themes that might stimulate ideas, and most importantly, make an appointment to stop by. If you read this blog often, you'll know that we recently posted about winter weddings and now we have one featuring a Bridal Traditions bride! Amanda Perry and Scott Miller were married in November of 2023 at the Barn at Premier Farm in Jonesville NC. Their beautiful outdoor ceremony was captured by Wendy Scott of Shew Ridge Photography. An Outdoor Winter "We do!"These two met in 2016 and Amanda shared that after many, many lunches and lots of fun, Scott proposed on July 4th. The two decided that they wanted to get married on the anniversary of their first date. So on November 12th, 100 friends and family convened on the beautiful property at Premier Farm, complete with auburn light and lovely temperatures, to celebrate and make it official. Deep reds and burgundies completed the simple classic setting. Amanda: "I kept telling everyone if he didn’t cry when I came down to him I would stomp his toe when I got there. But he teared up so his foot was safe. Our photographer caught the moment perfectly." The DressAmanda originally wanted a classic satin fit and flair gown, but decided that they were a bit on the heavy side for her taste. Our consultant worked with her and soon she was trying on the same shape but with other details. Once she tried on her gown, she knew. She loved all the lace and the open back. It looked romantic and she said seeing her companions in tears sealed the deal. Amanda: "The consultant was so easy to get along with. I was all nerves and had no clue what direction I really wanted to go in. She offered to just pull gowns and took all that pressure off me. She was amazing." We're so happy for these newlyweds and wish them all the luck and love in the world.
Ready to be a BT bride? We would love to hear about your vision and help you make the perfect choice. At Bridal Traditions, we sell gowns, veils, and accessories, etc. - as well as the dream of being a bride - directly to our clients, and we've been doing it for more than two decades. It's what we do best, and we love it. But more than anything, we serve brides, which means we're a little obsessed with the pre-wedding bridal experience. We love the smart, strong, excited women who come to us preparing for one of life's big events, so our eyes, ears and minds are trained on every aspect of making your time with us special and helpful. This means that we think like you, we anticipate your needs, and we imagine the experience you want to have. Then we do our best to cater to that vision. Hence, the bridal experience and our new in-house bridal suite. Yes, We have a special Bridal Suite at BTOur Bridal Suite is BRAND NEW and is a deluxe fitting room with seating for seven of your nearest and dearest. Tucked away from the other fitting rooms and busyness of our boutique, brides can try on gowns, confer with their accompanying friends, twirl and make some decisions, and do so in privacy. BT is a bustling place (pardon the pun), so if you want a bit more space and solitude, consider the suite and everything that comes with it. Big mirror views, a large leather sofa, matching loveseat and 2 adorable tufted velvet chairs allow your squad of up to 7 people to be comfortable and attuned to you. And ladies: you do not have to invite that many people! If you would like the time and space that our suite provides, book it and just bring a couple of your favorite committed helpers. Other Benefits to the BRidal SuiteOur regular appointments are 1.5 hours and we ask that brides stick to this, so that all of our guests and clients can have their time as well. For the bridal suite, you get an extra half hour, so you can take a little more time during your 2 hours in order to explore, try on, and discuss options. The bottom line with this bridal suite: more time, more space, and more privacy for you. While there is a fee to secure your spot in this dreamy suite, we think you'll find it worth every penny, especially because this is a time of celebrating the event to come while trying on dream gowns. Make sure to check out our booking page that will have all the pricing details. Invite your most helpful friends and family members, book the suite, and let's get you married in style!
In October of 2023, Brianna Giannotto tied the knot with James (Jimmy) Mahon at Chetola Resort. We're proud that this beauty is a BT Bride, and boy was she a knockout. We are kicking off 2024 by sharing a few great photos from her special day. Brianna Marries JimmyThis handsome pair met on OK Cupid over their fandom of the hockey team, the NY Islanders. While Brianna and Jimmy live in Mooresville, NC, they grew up in New Jersey and New York respectively. They each LOVE to take cruises, love to watch hockey and were thrilled to say "I Do" in front of friends and family in a gorgeous autumn ceremony. Photographer Maryana Tenenika captured some incredible shots of the day, and we especially love the colorful elements in the bride's bouquet and groom's apparel and boutonniere. Brianna made sure to have special moments with her parents and husband to be. The couple had a first look and Jimmy teared up seeing her. She also incorporated her mother's veil into her ensemble - which went perfectly with her gown - and shared a special first dance with her father. She noted later that watching her dad and uncles have "a dance off" was hilarious. The occasion was joyful to say the least. We love all weddings, but there's something beautiful about fall colors mixed with the classic black and white. Burgundy, teal, burnt orange were used and made everything else pop. Brianna: "My favorite part was as we were walking down the aisle after our first kiss, our friends from our hockey meet-up did a “YES” chant. It’s a thing fans of the Islanders do after they score a goal. It was a nice surprise that I loved." The Perfect Fall Wedding GownWe define "perfect" as anything that makes a bride look and feel beautiful. For Brianna, the capped sleeved, flowy and lace dress she chose was as elegant as it was dreamy for her outdoor wedding. Cinched in at the waist, with lace at the bodice and layers of tulle, it looked stunning on her. Our bride didn't come to Bridal Traditions with a lot of "musts," but she knew she liked the A-line silhouette, and she wanted to be able to move easily, eat what she wanted and dance all night. We knew exactly what she wanted! Brianna: "Once I had the veil tried on with my dress I saw myself as a bride and I started crying. Right then I knew it was THE dress." Congratulations to these two and all the best to them in 2024. If you are a bride ready to find your gown and start planning, please set up an appointment with us. We'd love to help you find your dream gown, too.
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