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.

Inspired 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? 

At 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. 

And those are just a few that could go in the cottagecore gallery!
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​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.

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. 
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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."

Amanda 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.
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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.

Our 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. 

Our 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. 

This 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.
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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."

We 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!

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.