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As writer John Berger wrote in his book, Ways of Seeing: “Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.” We trust our eyes instinctively—but our eyes are constantly being influenced.  If there’s one thing we see every prom season—and wedding season, too—it’s this: someone walks in with a photo on their phone and asks, “What color is this?” It seems like a simple question. But color, as it turns out, is anything but simple.  Why Photos Lie (Even When No One Means for Them To)The color you see in a photo is influenced by dozens of variables long before it ever reaches your eyes. Below are just a few variables to remember when you're looking at colors and hope to find your dress in that specific shade. Lighting – whether it's natural light, fluorescent light, LED light, or golden-hour light… each changes how color appears. Cameras – Phone cameras automatically adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance. You can trust your eyes, but often, those photos just do NOT convey. Filters & editing – Even subtle edits can shift undertones dramatically. Screens – Every screen displays color differently depending on brightness, calibration, and technology. Context – Colors change depending on what’s next to them (skin tone, surrounding fabrics, florals, even walls). A dusty rose in a styled shoot might lean mauve on one screen, blush on another, and pull peach in person. The gown hasn’t changed—but your perception of it has. The Difference Between Digital Color and Real Fabric Fabric adds another layer to the color recognition and representation equation.
 Photography can capture beauty, mood, and movement—but it can’t fully translate texture, depth, or true color. Legendary photographer Ansel Adams once said: “A photograph is usually looked at—seldom looked into.” In other words: photos give us an impression, not the full truth. Prom Season & the Myth of “The Exact Color”Prom season tends to magnify this challenge. Students often arrive with a single image and expect a definitive answer: “Tell me what color this is.” or "I want this color gown." But here’s the reality: There often isn’t one answer. Is it periwinkle? Lavender? Ice blue? Depends on the light, the fabric, and the moment the photo was taken. And while that can feel frustrating, it’s actually an opportunity—to slow down, look closely, and make intentional choices instead of chasing a moving target. Best Practices for Getting Color RightIf a “perfect” color match matters to you (and yes--perfect is always relative), here’s what works best: Bring a physical swatch with you, whether it's paint chips, fabric samples, ribbon, florals—anything tangible beats a photo every time. Use photos as inspiration, not instruction. Images are great for vibe, tone, and direction. They’re not reliable color formulas. View dresses in person, in natural light when possible, because color reveals itself differently once it’s off the screen and in your hands. Stay flexible. Often the dress that looks right feels better than the one that matches a photo exactly. Trust the experience. This is important you guys. At Bridal Traditions, we see these colors daily—across designers, fabrics, and lighting conditions. That perspective matters. Ask us! Fashion photographer Irving Penn summed it up beautifully: “A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.”  That’s what photos are meant to do--inspire, not dictate.
So bring your photos. Bring your ideas. Bring your swatches if you have them. And let’s play the color game the right way—together, in real life, with real fabric, and real expectations.
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Addison and Zachary Funk’s love story began simply with a FaceTime introduction from Zach’s brother. These are modern love stories, ya'll! What followed was an easy first dinner date, a sense of familiarity that surprised them both, and a relationship built steadily over time. Two years later, Zach proposed at the same place they attended their first prom together, bringing their story beautifully full circle.  Married in August 2025 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Addison describes their journey as one shaped by “surprises, grief, loss, and love,” but always grounded in prayer and deep commitment.  One of Addison’s favorite memories from the wedding day perfectly captures her spirit. During bridal portraits, her heels sank into wet grass and were quickly ruined—making them impossible to wear down the aisle. Without missing a beat, she slipped on Birkenstocks and carried on. After the ceremony, when she told Zach what had happened, his response said it all: he loved her ability to make the best of any situation—and reminded her he would’ve married her in a potato sack. Well played, Zach.   Addison found her gown at Bridal Traditions and stayed true to her original vision, making just a few thoughtful enhancements. She added a beaded belt for a touch of extra sparkle and adjusted the straps for the perfect fit, but otherwise felt the dress was exactly what she wanted. Her favorite details were the gown’s romantic bodice and shimmering straps, which added just the right amount of glow without overpowering the look.  To complete her ensemble, Addison also chose jewelry from Bridal Traditions, tying everything together with effortless elegance. Photographed by Abby Degroat of Abigail Rose Photography and Sherry Clodfelter of Wandering Pilgram Photography, her wedding day reflected what mattered most—love, grace, and the beauty of embracing every moment exactly as it comes.    Floral designs in bridalwear are getting more sculptural and dimensional than ever and we're here for it in 2026 at Bridal Traditions. Rather than just printed or flat lace, designers are leaning into 3D floral appliqués, hand-placed petals, and raised embroidery. These elements create texture and volume — blooms almost seem to bloom off the fabric. Alongside that, there’s a move toward botanical motifs across more than just the bodice: sleeves, skirts, and even veils carry tiny vines and blossoms. There's also a growing appetite for non-traditional color in floral bridal gowns. Soft pastels like blush, lavender, and champagne are appearing in painterly floral patterns, especially in spring-2026 collections. These colorful gowns bring a fresh, romantic twist — especially appealing for garden weddings or brides looking to make a bold, expressive statement. Among the most dominant floral styles are lacy illusion gowns with raised floral embroidery — think illusion necklines and sleeves where lace “blooms” climb the arms or bodice. Corsetry is also holding strong and our BT brides are fans of the corseted look: structured bodices with boning or exposed seams, softened by floral lace overlays, strike that balance between support and romance.   For the silhouette, designers are playing with soft volume and versatility: layered tulle or organza skirts, removable trains, and detachable elements give brides the drama of a full gown with the option to strip down for dancing or a reception. And because texture is such a priority, "maximal" details like oversized bows, pearl accents, and large sculpted petals are gaining momentum. Brides are increasingly looking for gowns that feel personal and artistic, not just “a wedding dress.” This trend toward sculptural florals and texture allows gowns to feel like wearable art — romantic, but with substance. The evolution also reflects how bridal fashion is embracing versatility and self-expression: detaching sleeves, removable skirts, color options — these gowns can shift throughout the day or reflect a bride’s personality more fully.
We want to see you in one of these gowns! Make an appointment to visit Bridal Traditions and let us help you find your YES dress.  Some wedding days unfold in a whirlwind of meaningful moments—quiet pauses, joyful reunions, and the instant when everything finally falls into place. For Lani Wright, who married her sweetheart Jacob in September 2025, that moment arrived the second she saw him waiting for her at the altar. It was the moment she told us was the best part of her late summer wedding day at Red Cedar Farm. Lani found her gown at Bridal Traditions, where she was drawn to a look that blended romance with a modern touch. The corset-style bodice immediately caught her eye, offering the structure, shape, and detail she wanted. It framed her silhouette beautifully while adding just enough drama in the full skirt for the occasion. And while the gown itself was already close to perfect, it was the addition of the veil—simple, soft, and timeless—that completed the look.  Her bridal vision fit seamlessly into the natural, pastoral charm of Red Cedar Farm. The venue’s expansive grounds, rustic textures, and warm September light created the ideal backdrop for a day that was elegant without losing its sense of ease. Lani’s bridesmaids contributed to that classic feel by wearing black—a choice that balanced both sophistication and simplicity.  Lani really did look like a princess on her day and we wish her and Jacob decades and decades of wedded happiness!
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