The future holds good things for these two. Kimber goes to graduate school in January of 2019 to begin working toward more education and so that she can become a Family Nurse Practitioner. We wish them nothing but a life of happily ever after as they go from adventure to adventure, continue remodeling their home and enjoying the little and big moments of life.

Thanks to Cheyenne Kidd photography for use of Kimber and Garrett's wedding day images. 

Last week, we posted a blog about a perfectly collaborative photo shoot - well-styled and including a fantastic couple, multiple vendors and wedding experts. It was a success and BT loved being a part of it. 
​For those of you keeping score at home: here's part II!

Emerald Hill was the ideal spot for this vendor showcase and styled wedding shoot. We had gorgeous weather and the set-ups on location made for perfectly lovely backdrops and vignettes. 

We've said this before, but details help make a wedding memorable. Nickel Pickles Sweet Treats, Sugar Rush, Exquisite Additions, Kirk's Catering, Wildflowers Florals, and A Bushel and a Peck all added their expertise to the shoot and each brought their A game!

Collaborations like these allow each vendor and participant to bring their best! For information on those involved - see below! 

Theirs was a late summer wedding with mostly tradition, some non-conformist elements and only a couple of minor snafus. Sarah and Daniel tied the knot on August 25th at Calvary Baptist Church surrounded by friends and family.

While the ceremony and vows themselves were traditional, this couple did make some departures from the norm. Their bridesmaids and groomsmen were seated during the ceremony, the ring-bearer was in his 40s, with the flower-girl in her 50s and the processional music was contemporary, versus the customary wedding march and other hymns. The groomsmen skipped the jackets and boutonnieres and decorations in the massive church were kept simple and minimal. 

​And while the pair did not see each other before saying their I Dos, they were together. Sarah and Daniel were led into a room blindfolded where they prayed together over their wedding and about the life, longevity and health of their marriage. 

Sarah did not want the long gown and train or the big flurry marangue we often associate with brides, nor did she want a modern sheath or strapless number. Sarah loved Audrey Hepburn's wedding dress from the movie Funny Face. It had a nipped in waist and was tea length. She also loved the lace detail and bodice of Princess Kate Middleton's dress from 2011. ​

Sarah came to BT and found both!!
"I actually got everything I wanted in a dress. I bought a dress that had lace detail and buttons that covered a zipper. It was under 1,000 dollars and it was tea length!  Since we got married in august I didn’t want to be in a heavy gown or a gown that had long sleeves or was hard to be in for a long period of time because it was August. We were getting married at 10 am (I had to be in my dress at 8 am) and I was in my dress until almost 3 pm. I wanted something easy to wear that was really pretty."

It was an honor and a privilege to work with Daniel and Sarah on their wedding, since I have know Daniel and his family for many years now. We were even part of his sister's wedding a few years ago. My fondest memory is them telling me all about their different plans and how excited they were to be getting married and having their dream wedding. As we were choosing the groomsmen and bridesmaid attire we (Sarah and I) did have to reign Daniel in a couple of times from getting too far out there, it was great fun and we shared so much laughter (mostly at Daniel's expense, but he's a good sport).

Prom Season in November? It is if you're looking for savings on beautiful gowns now. Take notes, sweet young ladies, because here are the details.

ALL in-stock prom dresses are marked down to $100! Every. Single. One.
Forget the original price. If you loved it before and we still have it, it's simply 100 smackers. Actually, we prefer US currency. $100 for each gown..

This blowout sale is for THREE DAYS ONLY - November 15, 16, and 17th.

​Make your plans, grab your clothing advisers and besties and join us. No holds or layaways - Cash Only.

Is green your school color? Are you Irish? Do you just look great in the color? Green and gold, green and black, luscious fabrics, flowy skirts and plenty of flair. 

And if blushes, creams, beading and lovely cut-outs are your thing, we understand and you have options at Bridal Traditions.
Pretty in Pink wasn't just a movie - it's a lifestyle. Coco Chanel was using creams and blushes with tulle (combined with sultry black eyeliner) long before you were born. But we've got 'em. Interested?

Below says "Runway." The cuts and colors show a sense of New York or Paris Fashion Week. They have elegance, fun florals, fantastic necklines and no wedding poofiness.
Want something that is both understated and a stand out? We have it.

​Yes, red. It never gets old. It says fun. It whispers about Old Hollywood and the girl wearing it has confidence on a Tuesday. Red is always a head-turner and gowns like this one, with the cut-outs in the back, detailing and draping skirt as you walk are memorable. $100. 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for this sale: November 15th, 16th and 17th (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) when all of our 2018 gowns will be $100. We're gearing up for 2019, but still have gorgeous options in stock.

In May of this year, Evie and Shane were married at Fussel Farm in Millers Creek, NC.

BT was thrilled that we were chosen as the place for Evie to buy her gorgeous gown and for Shane and his groomsmen to be outfitted for the ceremony. 

Evie purchased her dress during our NBSE (National Bridal Sales Event) and her only change to to swap belt for another at our boutique. She looked gorgeous. The fellas were dapper and elegant as well, and honestly the the proof is in the pudding.
Let's let the photos from Cheyenne Kidd do the talking!

THE TOP FIVE REASONS TO BUY LOCAL

​You will receive better customer service than you would at big box stores. Local retailers go the extra mile because they depend on your satisfaction.

Local retailers give back to your community through donations and advertising dollars. We pride ourselves at BT on being heavily involved in our community and in promoting community events.

Tax dollars spent in your community support local schools, police departments and firefighters.

You help create and sustain local jobs. Small businesses are the largest employers nationally.

Go green and reduce your environmental footprint through shorter trips to a local store.

We agree whole-heartedly. We not only give back in our community, have hired people who are BT regulars or collaborators, but we keep up with many of our clients long after the purchase is just a memory. ​

The team at JFW does it again with their dandy tips about men's formal wear. We're calling this TUX 101. Sounds like a primer, but it may very well be all you need to know.

"Let’s face it. Most men may only wear a tuxedo a handful of times in their lives. So it really is no wonder that we get questions about how to wear a tuxedo on almost a weekly basis as bridal experts. Black tie attire is fairly simple to achieve. However, there are some rules that should not be broken and some that are free to be broken, in good taste of course.
This is by no means a comprehensive listing of formal wear etiquette. However, it should be sufficient to get any gentleman off to a good start. Here are The Commandments to properly donning a tuxedo at your next formal event thanks to JFW.

​"1. When wearing a single-breasted tuxedo, thou shall always wear a cummerbund or vest. The primary concern is to conceal the bit of white shirt fabric that will show between your bottom coat button and your waistband."

"2. Thou shall never button all the buttons on your tuxedo coat. The only exception to the rule is when wearing a one button tuxedo. On two, three or four button tuxedo styles, the bottom button should always remain unbuttoned."
"3. Thou shall not wear a belt with your formal tuxedo trousers. In fact, tuxedo pants should not have belt loops… ever."
"4. Pleated front shirts are not necessary. Although they are more formal and traditional, oftentimes a man looks best in a microfiber, plain front shirt with a laydown collar."

"7. When wearing a cummerbund with your tuxedo, the pleats should face upwards."
"8. Thou shall wear a pocket square. They are a must to complete any formal ensemble. Choose a white satin pocket square with a black bow tie for a classic look, or choose a colorful tie and pocket square to liven up your look."

"9. Don’t be afraid to add color to your ensemble with the use of formal accessories. Unless you’re attending a White Tie function where pique accessories are required, colored accessories are fair game. It’s not necessary to match, but you shall try to at least coordinate with your date’s attire."
"10. Thou shall wear suspenders with a tuxedo. However, in the event that your pants stay up without suspenders, they are not necessary."
"11. Thou shall not wear pants with cuffs. Traditionally, formal trousers should have a satin stripe down the side of the pant, and they should feature a straight leg hem."
"12. Thou shall wear white and ivory dinner jackets only during the warmer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day) unless you are visiting or live in a warm weather climate."

"13. Know your dress code definitions: White Tie Invited, Black Tie Invited, Black Tie Preferred. If you think the organizers of an event meant something else, do not be embarrassed to inquire, since it would be far more embarrassing to show up in the wrong attire."
"14. Smile; you’re going to look great in your tuxedo!"

Fellas, this one is for you! BT has been an Authorized Jim's Formal Wear Elite Retailer for some time now and we're always interested in their insights and tips that will help you guys look smart for whatever special event you have on the horizon.

Recently, they featured info about what to put under your jacket to make a statement. The Sunday jacket, blue or white shirt for church or brunch is great, but if you want to mix it up and really elevate you style, here are some new ideas!

The gang at JFW call the grey suit, the big brother of the classic black suit and it's currently having a kind of comeback. If grey is the suit color you've chosen for a formal occasion, JFW suggests pairing it with a colorful and unexpected dress shirt. Consider eggplant purple or emerald green for cool fall weather, pastel pink or muted yellow for warm weather events.  Or you can keep it conservative if the occasion calls for it with white, cream or black.

then you've gone with a classic. Patterns, stripes, and solids all work and if it's something more in line with "red carpet" you can also wear a black dress shirt under your black jacket. Another option is to choose a color that plays off your date's ensemble so that you're both coordinated. 

We're fans of these in the South. "Light colored suits instantly evoke summer vibes. This season, Hawaiian shirts with floral and aquatic life (sharks, octopus, and starfish) are perfect for a more informal gathering like a milestone birthday or graduation party. For a more sophisticated look, we love soft colors with white and cream suits. Browse muted greens, blues, pinks and yellows."