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If you haven't been to Bridal Traditions in a while, we have some new opportunities for brides-to-be. We call these our Bridal Experiences and there are several categories, depending on your wishes and needs. We have a little something for everyone, no matter which stage of the process, your style or your timeline. Check out the details below and then make an appointment. We live to help brides find the right gown and have the best experience doing so. **NEW** BRIDAL SUITEThis luxurious fitting room boasts seating for up to 7 of your nearest and dearest, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of our other fitting rooms. Your guests will love the more comfortable seating, and we also provide complimentary sparkling juice and snacks to ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. And, who doesn't love more time to shop for the perfect bridal gown? When you book the Bridal Suite, you get an extra 30 minutes to say "yes" to the dress of your dreams! If you're planning an even bigger bash, check out our exclusive after-hours appointment, perfect for up to 10 guests! Seating Breakdown: (how we come up with seating for 7 in the bridal suite)
Classic ExperienceOur “Classic Experience” is completely free of charge and while we know that not every bride will discover her perfect dress at our store, it is reserved for those who are genuinely interested in finding the one. Therefore, we ask that you come prepared to find your dream dress. If your wedding is still far away or you're just exploring options, we're excited to help you too! Check out our "Find My Style" experience to get started. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth bridal fitting adventure with us:
Find my StyleYou've got a shiny ring on your finger, your wedding is ages away, and you're itching to try on some dresses. But hold on, you're not ready to commit to a dress and want to explore all your options, even online (which we don't recommend!). Don't fret, we've got a special treat! For a tiny $49 fee, we'll give you the full dress-up treatment, and to sweeten the deal, we'll credit the full fee back if you snag your dream dress with us within a year. Plus, we'll give you your measurements so you can keep them handy. Can't beat that!
Private Bridal AppointmentEnjoy a VIP Experience While Shopping for Your Wedding Dress! This exclusive appointment is designed solely for the bride and her squad, with room for up to 10 guests. It's time to get the party started and find your dream dress! Get ready to celebrate in style with this ultimate party package:
Seating Breakdown: (how we come up with seating for 10 in the bridal suite)
Deluxe Private Experience + Celebration PackageEnhance your dress shopping experience by adding our exclusive celebration package to your after-hours appointment. This unique offer not only includes all the elements of our standard after-hours package but will also spoil you with:
Please note:
Questions? We're here. Give us a call or book your appointment online. This adventure should be fun, and we get that. See you soon! Ready For your own experience?
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Never underestimate the power of the little black dress. It has been iconic for more than 4 decades. Check the hashtag on Instagram. In the wedding business, however, the black wedding gown holds its own power in the modern era, and there is a decided following. Brides who want a themed wedding, a departure from the expected, or to simply break with tradition, are all considering black gowns or dresses with black accents. And they are purchasing them as well. The latest selections at Bridal Traditions are represented below, but we hope you will make an appointment to stop by and see more. FrancineThe Francine is so incredibly elegant. The front and back Vs, the lean straps, fitted body and beautiful skirt/train make this gown a winner for lots of body types. It's a great dress for showcasing jewelry and looks amazing with a veil. EnolaIt's off the shoulder, with a deep V bodice and full, circle skirt. This gown has a long row of buttons down the back and small train as part of the skirt, and it says, "bride with style." We can picture the bride walking in this dress, kicking the front of the skirt as she moves, and looking like something out of a Southern gothic novel. Ladies, don't underestimate the "WOW" of a full skirt. AftonThe Afton harks back to the forest, to the earth, and with a sense of the exotic. Consider it for a boho wedding where flowers and landscape will play minor roles. But, the Afton also remembers Coco Chanel's love of the combination of cream/nude with jet black. This gown says "Paris," and is perfect for the bride who wants to project a mood, appreciates history and nature and wants to take a few steps away from the expected. This gown is elegance personified. We love a dress with range! BriarThe Briar is for the bride who wants the traditional framework of a lovely, lace-covered gown, but in a darker model! The lace overlay for the skirt, the front bodice V, the demure sleeves... all of these recommend this gown to brides who refuse to wear white. GretaVery much like the Briar gown (just above), the Greta has a deep V bodice, but it is simplified. The fabric of the Greta is textured with a roses, and feels lush. It has a full skirt and attractive straps for the bride who wants to go sleeveless. Come try on this gown. You will feel as if you're floating. LolaThe Lola is a frothy, sequined and beaded gown with tones of eggplant and lots of black lace and details. This gown is killer. It says Tim Burton, with all of the frivolity, style and whimsical nods. UrsalaUrsala shines. The beading along the hemline, skirt and bodice make this dress into "A Gown." It's gorgeous in person. With the open back and low key hole detail, slim Hollywood straps and graceful front lace bodice, it's a party dress and a gown to say YES to.
The garter tradition is one that we love at BT and as members of the wedding profession. It is still being incorporated into most reception antics, but we forget that it has an origin story worth revisiting. Over time, a lovely tradition can morph into something entirely different. We want our brides to have knowledge, because we knowledge comes power. The ritual of the garter started during the Dark Ages (900 - 1400 A.D.) and in its early years, it was a way to include the community in the wedding's (often overly-celebratory) post ceremony evening. That's the nice way of saying it. Basically, once a couple said their vows and the reception feast had concluded, wedding guests would escort (read: chase and often carry) the new husband and wife to their bed chambers. At this point, the bride would have some of her clothing torn from her as a sign of good luck and prosperity. It didn't take long for the tradition to turn from ripping at the bride's garments to the bride giving some garment away. And it turns out that that garment was the humble garter. Of course, garters were used practically, if not fashionably, to hold up a woman's stockings - and a man's socks as well. Throwing the garter in later years was a way to keep the guests at the party and let the couple leave on their own. It symbolized a gift to the next community bride, becoming a wife, and hopefully later - a mother. MOdern Garters at WeddingsAt BT, we've seen a decrease in the number of brides who want to wear a garter. Some buy one as a keepsake, but don't toss it. Other brides and grooms have turned the removal and tossing of the garter into something a little less, ahem, dignified. We hope that brides will consider not only buying a garter as part of her attire, but as a keepsake, if not a part of the reception celebrations. Come see us and let us show you our selection at Bridal Traditions.
Our Biggest Sale of the Year with the Lowest Prices of the Year is coming up in about a month, ladies. Grab your most helpful friends and make a plan! From July 15 - 29, 2023, every wedding dress in the store is ON SALE. See the breakdown below for details, so you make the best plan possible with your goals in mind. This sale includes wedding gowns, prom dresses, stuff for moms and more! Wedding Dresses on saleReservations are highly recommended! If the online booking form shows no availability call us at 336-667-5423 to see if we have had a cancellation.
This is the only time of year we discount special orders!! PROM & MOMS
Take an additional 50% off already reduced prices for a savings of up to 90% off! (regular price and/or special order maids/mom/prom dresses are NOT included in the sale) Important DetailsAll Sales are Final. - No Holds or Layaways - No Checks. Some items are CASH ONLY. Some restrictions & exclusions apply, so see store associate for details and visit the National Bridal Sales Event page: www.bridaltraditionsnc.com/nbse.html Fitting rooms fill up fast so ...There are plenty of dos and don'ts to consider when planning your wedding, but it's also fun to think about the trends that are IN this year. Here is just a sampling! Choose a themeStar Wars, Harry Potter, bohemian, garden, modern, something from a novel like The Great Gatsby or even a poem, couples are choosing to set a theme and invite guests to engage and be there for it. Give them suggestions, create excitement and be inclusive. Midday CeremoniesUnlike the more traditional evening ceremony, a midday ceremony allows for more evening activities, like afterparties, games, and even movie viewing with friends and family. Change your clothes, meet out, and plan an evening of informal play AFTER the ceremony and reception. The most formal weddings, those of royalty and heads of state, usually take place mid-morning. Consider noon or 1pm and then let the afternoon and evening take you wherever! Ceiling installationsWhether it's with over-the-top florals, lighting installations, balloon or some combination of elements, raising the roof by creating a unique space on the ceiling is a beautiful way to enclose your guests in your theme. Extravagent CakesCakes continue to be adorned with loads of flowers and multiple tiers. Whether height is your goal or an over-the-top cake topper, incredible wedding cakes are still a statement-maker. Serpentine AislesThese are more trendy than ever, especially at outdoor weddings, where petals, stones, hurricane lanterns or pavers can be placed to represent a journey to each other - not always a straight line. For now, we are going to skip the "what's out" in wedding trends ... but we might revisit later, ladies and gents. For now: YOU DO YOU with your wedding. Make it your own. And, as always we are here to help you with your wedding day look no matter what trends you are or are not following. :)
At Bridal Traditions, we follow wedding trends, of course, but one has cropped up that is frustrating to everyone, most especially brides. Any guesses? It's the epidemic of second-guessing when it comes to purchasing a wedding gown and the need to see every available option on the planet. There are too many options and when brides won't stop looking and shopping in search of the holy grail gown, it complicates the process and the experience. Some brides fall into the trap of going to too many shops. Yes, it is possible and we see it all the time. It's Bridal FOMO! The Wedding Gown Options & PressureOur team at BT has noticed that brides are simply overwhelmed. Yes, you should look and feel amazing and like yourself in your gown, but the gown purchase is being inhibited by too much noise, too much social media input, too many vendors, too many options, too much information... or all of the above. Brides, hear us when we tell you: you don't have to see every gown on the market. Know thyself. Think about your style and what you will feel good wearing. When you feel that you have to try on every gown or follow the advice of friends or influencers, searching for your gown will become a job. Read that again. Shopping for your wedding gown should be a fun experience, not one filled with anxiety. Too much time in too many boutiques will take the fun out of this decision. Most brides end up trying on the same basic style over and over again. There are infinite amount of variations and combinations, but you are trying on the same thing basically again and again. When you see this happening, it's time to say YES and commit. Or! It's time to ask for some guidance from someone on our team. Chewing through TimeWe have found that brides who visit multiple shops and continue to research end up more confused and stressed. They also end up eating up their timeline to prepare for their big day. If you start planning one year from your ceremony and you spend 6 months of it unsure and continuing The Big Gown Search, you are also burning through your order time, delivery, alterations, fittings, etc. Once you've run out of time, you're now limited to what fits you off the rack. The Solution to Gown overwhelmWe tell our brides this all the time: when you've Said Yes to your Dress, STOP SHOPPING. Stop going to boutiques, stop looking at gowns online, stop asking for affirmation from your well-meaning friends and family. Stay excited about your choice, and work on other aspects of your wedding ceremony. Make an appointment to come in and chat with us if you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We are here to help!
If you aren't aware of this coalition of wedding vendors in Wilkes County, we hope that you will begin by following us on social media @wilkescountyweddings, and see the list at the bottom of this blog for more. If you want to see more about this styled wedding photo shoot, see our earlier post from this month, and check out the amazing work by the team at Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios below. Bridal Traditions loved providing the attire for this lovely day of envisioning at The Chapman Farmstead. The GownThe Beautiful BrideThe DetailsThe CelebrationVENDOR LIST:
Host: Wilkes County Wedding Vendors @wilkescountyweddings Venue: The Chapman Farmstead @thechapmanfarmstead Lead Photographer: Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios Stationery: Morgan Harris Design @morganharrisdesign Florist: The Pearl and The Petal @thepearlandthepetalevents Hair: Kaylee Davis @styledby.kaylee Attire: Bridal Traditions @bridaltraditions Rings: Michael’s Jewelry @michaelsjewelry_nc Music: Summit Strings @summitstringsquartet @shelby_violincase Makeup: Hope Wyatt @hairxhopewyatt Rentals: A & J Rental Drinks: @stardustcellars Models: @brewer_logan & @katiejlogan227 AnnetteThe Annette gown is so princess-like, so pretty and dreamy, it sort of speaks for itself. The pale pink underlayers barely show through and there is lace only around the bodice, so this gown doesn't look over-trimmed. With the off-the-shoulder mini-sleeves, it's perfection. We added a necklace, and with a veil and simple jewelry, any bride on a budget will look stunning. DonnaThe Donna gown has lace and off-the-shoulder strap sleeves, but unlike the Annette gown, there is more lace, especially on the skirt. The Donna looks and feels like an heirloom and is gorgeous and dreamy. MeeganThe front of the Meegan gown is stunning, but its stand-out feature is the keyhole back detail. With long lace sleeves and full skirt, this gown is traditional, but the back has a late 20th century vibe that is very pretty and very cool. GillianFrom the lace of the Meegan and Donna gowns, we now move to the simplicity of satin, spaghetti straps and a Met-Gala-worthy back bow. The Gillian gown is a New York fashion week type KNOCK-OUT. We love this gown, because it is chic, seriously elegant and let's the bride shine. It says, "I know style... I'm wearing it ........ and with ease and a wink." Try this one on, ladies. Keep your eyes peeled for a future blog about a few more styles in our Value Collection. None of these gowns say "value." They are living, breathing WOWS! All of these dresses retail for about $550-$850 so that's where the "value" comes into play. They are also sold off-the-rack only so what is shown today may be gone tomorrow, but we will still have a great selection of dresses in amazing price points for you to try and buy. We look forward to seeing you soon! Ready to say YES to your perfect dress?
As a designer, Cailyn Lea works wonders and continues to deliver incredible gowns. Her newest creations are worth sharing with you all, so have a look and stop by the boutique to learn more and check out the latest. AFton, in BlackIf you've been curious about the black wedding gown trend, but would like black details and not an entirely black gown, the Afton gown in black is a stunner. It says Met Gala... it says haute couture. KarleeThe Karlee gown has gorgeous lace details, a deep V bodice and scooped back and beautiful sweeping circle skirt. The floral lace design around the bodice and hemline and it's so ethereal and elegant. Briar, in BlackThe Briar gown is for the bride who wants to make a departure from the traditional but still loves the silhouette and style of a classic. Sleeveless, covered in lace and with details at the waist, it's seriously cool and chic. OpheliaIf you love lace and would prefer sleeves on your gown, sheer details with an open back, then the Ophelia is your gown. Come in and try this one on, ladies. It's exceptionally pretty. CarolineThe Caroline has hints of Kate Middleton's wedding gown in 2011. It is both modest and modern, with lace details and sheer overlay. We hope you'll drop by or make an appointment to come see the newest gowns from the Cailyn Lea collection at Bridal Traditions.
The SettingThe Chapman Farmstead is a gorgeous venue that allows for both rustic and earthy to extremely elegant weddings. These images are the proof in the pudding. For this amazing photo shoot and wedding vendor showcase, the Farmstead played its role well: both as a venue with charm and a backdrop for the other vendors. The Bride & AttireThe wardrobe for our bride models Katie and Logan was supplied by Bridal Tradition and we think we nailed it, if we say so ourselves. Katie's gown had a modest front that led to a synched in waist, but the back was a showstopper. The thin satin straps led to a deep V and gorgeous bow at the waist and a full skirt. Her veil was dotted with a minimal constellation of pearls. All of this complimented her lovely red hair, which was tastefully pulled into a low bun by Stylist Kaylee Davis. The Groom & AttireFor "groom" and model Logan, we chose a black tuxedo with some texture on the jacket, as well as a black shirt, vest and tie. This monochromatic look made him even more statuesque next to his "bride." The DetailsSoooooo many great vendors participated in this shoot and a list is at the end, so please be sure to check out the various players. Every detail was well planned and wrought. The ReveryThe VendorsHosted by: Wilkes County Wedding Vendors @wilkescountyweddings
Venue: The Chapman Farmstead @thechapmanfarmstead Lead Photographer: Times Treasured Studios @times_treasured_studios Image by: Ashley Foreman Productions @ashleyforemanproductions Stationery: Morgan Harris Design @morganharrisdesign Florist: The Pearl and The Petal @thepearlandthepetalevents Hair: Kaylee Davis @styledby.kaylee Attire: Bridal Traditions @bridaltraditions Rings: Michael’s Jewelry @michaelsjewelry_nc Music: Summit Strings @summitstringsquartet @shelby_violincase Makeup: Hope Wyatt @hairxhopewyatt Rentals: A & J Rental Drinks: Stardust Cellars @stardustcellars Models: Brewer & Katie Logan @brewer_logan & @katiejlogan227 |
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