Let's jump right in with the big (and obvious truth), shall we?

No matter what your relationship with your mom, if she is still with us and is attending your wedding, helping to pay for it, guiding and comforting you through the details, ups and downs, she is important. At Bridal Traditions we care about our moms!! We want all you moms out there to feel as important and beautiful as you are. So here are some basic, and we believe, helpful tips.

Waiting feels like a good idea, because the bride is the star and as details come together, moms may feel like they'll know more about what to buy. Just because you have time to choose does not mean that you should wait. Begin thinking about the day and theme, for sure, but also about what YOU FEEL GOOD IN. The longer you wait, the fewer options you may find out there for yourself. You will also feel less stress.
Let us repeat that: During a time when stress seems to be baked into the whole experience at times, don't add more stress by waiting until the last second. 

... Unless you are in the role of matron of honor, and even then you can have your own color. Choose a color that complements you, Mom. It should (1) look good with your skin tone and 
(2) coordinate with the colors in the wedding party. You do not need to match, just complement, so navy, grey, taupe, champagne, burgundies, purples, plums and teal all make great choices for the mother of the bride or groom. Regardless, stick with rules (1) and (2) and you're good!

You have options, and our team at BT will work with you to make sure what you choose not only coordinates in terms of palette, but conveys the style you want to project. You may think you want a dress and end up with a pant suit instead. Just as with brides, there can be lovely surprises when you shop, so be open to those. 

Finally, don't forget to ask questions and enjoy the fun of doing your homework. Research what is out there. Yes it is your daughter or son's big day, but you have a right to look amazing in all of those pictures that will be taken. We'd rather you have happy tears on the day than frustrated ones one month before. Plan your purchase and remember that we are always here to help.

In January of this year, Bridal Traditions was pleased to provide our style, expertise - and yes - a gorgeous black wedding gown for a styled photo shoot at The Emerald Hill, in the North Carolina foothills. This place was a perfect spot to combine a more radical gown with an elegant setting. The duo of place and dress is striking and beautiful. 

Not everything black is necessarily "goth," but it isn't difficult to imagine an autumn or winter wedding that features a black-clad bride. Whether inside or out of doors, you cannot take your eyes of this bride. The details on the dress, the tulle overlay and lace details made this particular gown a favorite at BT since its arrival. 

Regardless of the season, a black wedding dress is showstopper. Bridal Traditions is loving this trend and our customers are too. Stop by our boutique if you think this might be the wedding look for you. ​

So the cat's out of the bag: We are in the bridal business. This mean that we're accustomed to seeing brides-to-be come into the boutique to shop and have the "Say Yes" experience. We love those moments as much as brides do, promise! 

What we've also noticed these last 2 decades is that brides-to-be often come in to BT and play out some typical, but avoidable, shopping myths. What are shopping myths, you ask? These are little lies we've been told and keep telling ourselves (THANKS, MEDIA!!) or they are misplaced expectations about buying a wedding gown that cause a variety of symptoms.

Symptoms include:
- anxiety
- immediate disappointment, when there should be hopeful anticipation
- lack of patience with oneself
- exhaustion with the process
- extreme disillusionment 
- feeling the need to justify yourself in front of others, .... when it's about YOUR day
- tears and confusion
- loss of joy.

Fret not, ladies. We can help, and to do this we've identified the 4 most common myths. Overcome these and you'll be a happier shopper, happier bride and you'll avoid those symptoms during what should be an exciting chapter of your life. 

Answer those questions in the affirmative and we've likely found your gown, whether you showed emotion or not.

It's especially frustrating when a member of the bride's entourage makes a point of saying, "you haven't found the dress yet, 'cause you're not crying." People: let the bride decide and if there are tears, we have tissues. If there are no tears, but the bride is over the moon in her way, hush. 

Bridal Traditions has been in business for 20 years. We have volumes and volumes of knowledge and we know when to counsel and when to encourage and when to let the bride just be. Trust us and we won't steer you wrong. 

Next week's blog: 2 more BIG bridal shopping myths. Tune in!