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Writer Anne Lamott tells a story about her brother who had a term paper on birds he had to write and he had all term to get it done. The day before it was due, he was overwhelmed because he hadn't written a single word. Their father, a writer himself, put his arm around his son and said, "just take it bird by bird, buddy." And that is what he did until the paper was finished. Essentially, that is what we do at Bridal Traditions. We take it day by day, customer by customer, bride by bride, with the idea that each person and event matters, and that everything will all come together as it should. We rely on our experience and wisdom to be sure, but absolutely we rely on each other. Our ability to help bride after bride is due to the fact that we have each other. While we're assisting our clients, we are doing life together and it is a mix that works for us.  We recently held our annual Christmas party and talked about the year we had, memorable brides and grooms, dizzy promgoers, and excited families. And we planned a bit for the year to come. It's the season of giving and of gratitude, and for us, these are core values. We plan to carry these values and this approach into 2025. Our hope for BT in the new year is much the same as in previous years: to give our best, to be grateful for our community and each other and to take it day by day, and bride by bride. We want to thank you all for continuing to patronize our special boutique for the last 2 decades. Cheers and love to you all. See you in 2025!
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At BT, we are not here to judge. We're here to help you find a gown that makes you 1) swoon, 2) look and feel amazing, and 3) say "Yes" to the dress. So we offer this blog about weird - or shall we say - offbeat weddings as a diversion from gorgeous gowns, bridesmaids' dress, suits and tuxes. If any of these ideas spark joy, make your move! We salute your individuality and zeal for the non-conforming act. If these make you cringe or laugh: you're welcome!  Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Full house twin and mini star Mary-Kate Olsen married French banker Olivier Sarkozy in 2015, and at their reception, they featured "bowls and bowls filled with nothing but unlit cigarettes" as centerpieces. At least, they didn't have to worry about giving the typical centerpiece flowers away. All of their table decorations went up in smoke, as it were.  Multi-hyphenate Olivia Wilde (actor-director-writer-producer) and filmmaker Tao Ruspoli got engaged at Burning Man (yup) and then held their wedding ceremony in an abandoned school bus. Ruspoli is the Italian Prince of Cerveteri, by the way. While romantic for them, it's wildly non-traditional, wouldn't you say?  Solange Knowles, actress and sister to Queen Bea, married Alan Ferguson in 2014, and rode to her ceremony on a bicycle in a cream pantsuit with a cape. The wedding took place at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, LA. While unconventional, the look was pretty fabulous, and she probably worked off the calories she consumed in cake and champagne. Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky married in 1991 at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in a $2M wedding. Today, celebrities spend upwards of $10 million to proclaim their love and tax bracket. In the early '90s however, this was the height of extravagance. Guests enjoyed carnival rides after the ceremony, and at least one paparazzo parachuted down toward the ranch in an effort to grab images of the famous bride and her celebrity attendees. This was her eighth wedding. Maybe she was just out of ideas.   Actor, writer and #metoo advocate Amber Tamblyn kayaked to the aisle before meeting comedian David Cross at the altar. Barefoot and in a marigold dress, Tamblyn and her idiosyncratic partner said their I Dos. The entire ceremony was documented by The Roots' own drummer Questlove (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon), who was also their DJ. Not bad, and certainly not traditional.   And finally, tech billionaire Sean Parker and singer Alexandra Lenas had an over-the-top Lord of the Rings-themed wedding under the redwoods of Big Sur. Movie and TV themed weddings are not uncommon, but these two paid $10 million for their big event. They also had to pay $2.5 million in fines because of the near danger they caused to the ancient redwoods that inhabit that gorgeous forest. Oops. We trust your judgement, your creativity, your commitment to being yourselves - whether you're more traditional or totally irreverent. Regardless, we hope to see you enter our boutique for the gown that makes your wedding day memorable and divine!
We often fall in love with wedding gowns because the overall effect is stunning. You see it on the hanger, then on the girl, and the result is an undeniable "YES!" But just as often, a gown has a specific detail that makes you pause in awe or delight, so we asked our team at BT "what are some gowns we carry that do just that: wow us with the details?" Today's blog shares a small sampling of gowns that feature details that make them rise above the more obvious headlines of ballroom, fit and flair, strapless, and other popular wedding fare. The 3D Wedding Gown This first one - the 3D gown - is a minimalist masterpiece upon first look, but the lace details at the shoulder and on the train make it truly impressive to behold. It's delicate and on a bride, the effect is lovely. She's not covered in beads and sparkle, but there's a nod to romance and restraint.    the Gwyneth Wedding GownThe Basque waist, pleated skirt and fitted bodice make the Gwyneth wedding gown retro in the coolest way. The Basque region, which borders Spain and France, featured this style of deep V and fitted bodice, and was popular during the Victorian period (roughly early 1830 until 1900). Today, it just says that the bride notices the details.   The pleated skirt, ruching along the bustline, and long row of buttons also add flair to this gown, which is otherwise more simple than some other gowns we carry.  The Blakely Wedding Gown The Blakely gown makes an impact as a whole, ... just look at it! But the details that cause us to swoon are the ruffles in the skirt, the beading, pearls and see-through bodice, and side slit that creates a flowing effect when walking. This gown is pure magic!  The Jacquard Wedding Gown For those not in the mood to do a little light Googling, jacquard is when a design is woven into fabric. This gown features organza in a floral pattern as an overlay, has removeable sleeves, as well as trendy cat eye points at the top of the bodice. While it sounds like there is a lot going on, this gown is cohesive in design and absolutely gorgeous on brides!    The Rapunzel Wedding Gown We have loved the Rapunzel gown since first laying eyes on her. This gown is enchanting and right out of a fairytale. The colorful floral lace throughout is a showstopper; there are also removeable sleeves, and a long train. Anyone who attends your wedding and sees this gown will be talking about it rapturously long after the wedding has passed.   As you put together your Pinterest boards, ladies, consider not just the overall effect of how your gown will look on you, but the details that catch your eye and make YOU swoon. We here to help when you're ready!
Not all brides have an unlimited budget for their wedding day and not all brides can hire a wedding planner. When you can hire a planner, make sure they understand your the red line of your budget (how much "cha-ching" can you sustain!), and where there is wiggle room. Make sure she or he knows what your priorities are. If YOU are the wedding planner of your big day, and you're watching every dime that has been set aside, then consider keeping these rules in mind as you focus on the day and what you want the MOST! Focus on People Over Wedding Perfection A small group of adoring friends and family brings plenty love & joy. Keep the guest list intimate. Your guest list doesn't need to be a cast of thousands. A smaller guest list allows for more quality time with loved ones and lowers costs for catering, seating, and favors. Invest in a skilled photographer or videographer. Long after the day is over, these are the memories you'll treasure most. And consider assigning a close friend or two the task of orbiting around during the reception grabbing photos. They aren't responsible for capturing the posed shots, of course, just the fun editorial images that will make for a great and memorable slideshow years later. Focus on Meaningful Moments on Your Wedding Day Grab your closest friends for a private moment and toast! Create a heartfelt ceremony, since this is the most important part of the wedding day. Personalize vows or include meaningful traditions that may have been part of past family weddings. Allow music to work for you. Choose a playlist or live musician who can set the mood during key moments like the ceremony, first dance, and reception. We are all moved by music, and the right piece of music or the right song can bring tears or a sense of occasion that words sometimes cannot. One Standout Element Consider all white or all one color. These large round balloon lanterns make a statement.  If not a wall of flowers, consider a signature arch or inventive backdrop. Pick one area to splurge on that reflects your personality or values.
Guests will often remember one or two standout details more than an overabundance of decor. Consider DIY Where It Counts in Your WEdding BudgetHand-craft you invitations and favors, because items like these are affordable and can be personalized. Create simple yet elegant decor. DIY decorations like candles, greenery, or fairy lights can transform a space without a hefty price tag. Consider a buffet, potluck, or DIY dessert bar for a personal touch and cost savings. Guests love knowing that you've shared your great-grandmothers chocolate pie recipe. You could even share a handwritten recipe card as a favor.  Keep your wedding cake small, & combine it with homemade cakes, pies & other treats. Delegate and Simplify if You Have a Wedding Budget CapAsk for help from talented friends or family members who can bake, decorate, or perform music. If this is their profession, be mindful that they are paid for this work. This IS their work. If, however, they are amateurs willing to pitch in, then it might be worth the ask. Just remember to be respectful. Simplify the timeline or combine events. Consider hosting the ceremony and reception at the same venue, and if you have a relative or friend with a gorgeous home, barn, beach house or backyard garden, see if they'll consider hosting for you. Focus on the Experience, Not the Material Details Prioritize what will create a joyful, relaxed atmosphere — good food, a fun playlist, and time to connect with guests.
A great attitude goes a long way; your happiness will be what everyone remembers most. |
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