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.