Meet & Greet: Sandy, owner of Cleveland Bella Bridesmaid

From banking to bridesmaids, owner Sandy Palenschat can do it all! Sandy opened the Cleveland location in December of 2010 and hasn’t looked back. A love of the wedding industry combined with her success as a businesswoman has made her a great addition to the Bella Bridesmaid family. We wanted to know a little more about Sandy and her experience being a Bella gal thus far…


BB: What were you doing before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner?
S: I had been in banking and consulting for 11 years, most recently in the Investment Bank for Wells Fargo.

BB: Why did you want to become part of the Bella franchise?

S: I loved my previous career; I learned so much and had a number of amazing opportunities, it even took me to London for a few years! However, I had reached a point where I just wasn’t getting the personal satisfaction any longer. I was ready to be out from behind by computer! In early 2010, I was a customer of the Bella boutique in Charlotte, NC for my own wedding. I was your typical, modern bride with 8 bridesmaids all over the country. Through that process I realized that my only bridesmaid who couldn't go to another Bella boutique was my future sister-in-law here in Northeast Ohio. A few months later, I relocated from Charlotte to the Cleveland area to be with my now husband. With that move, I was ready to try something new. I have always loved the wedding industry and knew that someday I'd love to get involved myself. Bella Bridesmaid seemed like the perfect opportunity! I knew there was a need in this area and I had already seen for myself the value and unique opportunity the boutiques provide. The rest is history!

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in your boutique?

S: One Saturday in February, I had my first fully booked day – after being open only a few months. At 6:00 pm, I finally had a chance to sit down after  back-to-back appointments, I was thoroughly exhausted but also truly excited and proud at what I had accomplished in such a short time.





BB: What are your favorite bridesmaid dresses that are hanging in your personal closet?

S: Thus far, it would be the Simple Silhouettes Celosia in black. It's a great style to dress up or down! But I also just got a TwoBirds short straight dress, in Coral, which I'll be wearing to a wedding in a few weeks, I think that could become my new favorite!



Thanks for being a part of our Bella Bridesmaid family Sandy!

Our Interview with Katherine of LulaKate

Elle, Pearl, Chandler, Zoe.....
What comes to mind when hearing these names? Well for the Bella gals, we think of bright colors, party skirts and absolutely adorable bridesmaid dresses by LulaKate! LulaKate’s founder, Katherine McDonald, started her fabulous bridesmaid collection in 2007 in her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Katherine has perfected her collection with a range of different styles and silhouettes for any body type, and cleverly giving them names of different women. LulaKate offers maids personality to their dresses, making this collection so special!

We were lucky enough to catch up with Katherine, so she could answer a few of our questions we were dying to ask.......


BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?

Katherine (center)

K: I have tried to provide the best customer service possible to all of our clients over the years. It is very important to me that someone has a wonderful experience at LulaKate, therefore customer service is our top priority. I feel it is the key to our success.

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?

K: I believe that the bridesmaids should not outshine the bride. I feel that something classic, yet modern is the best choice for their attire. A bride should look at her pictures in 20 years and still love them as much as she does a year after she gets married. I am inspired by old Hollywood and style icons of the 60's… anything that is timeless.

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?

K: A close friend's sister was getting married and she insisted I do the bridesmaid dresses. At the time I was only doing Ready-to-Wear and I was terrified but I said yes anyway.

BB: If you could give any famous woman (current or historical) a makeover, who would it be and how would you style them?

K: There isn't anyone I necessarily can think of that I would want to makeover but I would love the opportunity to design a dress for Rachel McAdams. She always looks fantastic and dressing her for a red carpet event would be a lot of fun.

BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?

K: I am embarrassed to say that I once wore baggy jeans and flannel shirts.

BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?

K: I have a psychology degree so I could see myself being an art therapist for children or a counselor for troubled teenage girls.


                                                                     Thank you, Katherine....it was great chatting with you!

Meet & Greet: Danielle & Amanda of NYC and NJ Bella Bridesmaid

Ever wonder what it’s like to be the owner of a Bella Bridesmaid boutique?  We caught up with two of our favorite gals, Danielle & Amanda....partners, best friends, and owners of New Jersey and New York Bella Bridesmaid. They took some time from the hustle and bustle of running their boutiques to answer some of our questions.


BB: What were your careers before owning Bella?

D&A: We grew up together in New Jersey but not until about 5 years ago did we really want to start a business venture together. While Amanda was teaching and Danielle was choreographing, we ran the gamut of different business ideas...revival of vintage aprons, real estate, muffins, cupcakes, you name it!

BB: Why did you want to become a part of the Bella franchise?

D&A: We liked the idea of opening a business that was already successful and one-of-a-kind, and would in turn bring us success as business owners. Being a franchisee allowed us to bring our own personalities into the business while gaining support and confidence from the other Bella girls. At the end of the day, we have fun together and that plays a key role in our partnership and friendship.

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in your boutiques?

D&A: Opening the New Jersey store was a huge learning curve since EVERY aspect was new to us. We have a great picture of us signing our franchise agreement and in that moment we had no idea what was to come. We opened in December and sold our first dress to a mother of the groom...not even a bridesmaid! But we were really excited and proud. Each client brought us a new experience and set of desires. We are constantly challenged and meeting each other head-on.  Before we opened the NYC store or had a sample on the floor, brides were calling for appointments. This hype really made opening the NYC store even more exciting. We have since out grown that space and have recently expanded for a second time. Our NYC and NJ brides continue to bring excitement to our business and, in return, we hope we bring happiness to them on their special day.

BB: What are your favorite bridesmaid dresses that are hanging in your personal closets?

D: Ivy & Aster Forget Me Knot in Cerise with the Heirloom belt (left)
A: Thread - Shiloh mini with blossom print
     (right)















Thank you Danielle & Amanda!

Our Interview with Carol Hannah

So many of us have a fascination with Bravo’s show Project Runway. The cast of characters, the drama surrounding the last minute deadlines, Tim Gunn declaring, “make it work”, and of course the endless creativity that brings about some pretty fabulous clothes. With that said we are thrilled to start off our blogging adventures with one of our favorite designers and Project Runway alum, Carol Hannah Whitfield!

Carol Hannah’s young resume already includes being a fan favorite and finalist on Project Runway Season 6, and most recently launching her awe inspiring bridal line in the spring of 2010. In addition to being super fans of Carol Hannah, we are honored to exclusively carry her gorgeous bridesmaid line of frocks. Want to know more about Carol Hannah? Well, we have you covered! CH answered a few questions for us… so enjoy!





BB: What do you think has been the most important factor in the success of your business?
CH: Wow, that's a hard one to answer, mainly because I think it has been a combination of a lot of different factors. Obviously, the huge amount of press and publicity from Project Runway was a fantastic leg up when I started the line. It took a LOT of planning and preparation, long hours, and getting my hands dirty (oh fashion- soooo glamorous!), and it most certainly helps that I have a good bit of experience in bridal and am surrounded by supportive family and knowledgeable employees that I can learn from as well. Partnering with Bella Bridesmaid has really been the icing on the cake! It's always been a personal mantra of mine that if you are going to do something, do it right. Bella is the epitome of that when it comes to the bridesmaids dress process, and I'm so glad to be a part of that!

BB: When designing for women, specifically bridesmaids, what are your inspirations?
CH: I find myself always thinking of my friends when I design new bridesmaids styles. I'm 26, so am in that stage of life where all of my friends are getting married. I try to think about how different all my girlfriends are and what I would put them in, which helps me make sure I'm covering a broad range of body types. I also really strive to do something new and different from what's already on the market. I think the bridesmaids' dresses are a great chance to lend more feeling and vision to your wedding.
                                                                                  

BB: Was there a specific event or person in your life that led you to begin designing bridesmaid dresses?
CH: Actually, this is a pretty funny story (well, now, anyway). My first adventure into the world of bridesmaids was actually with my sister. She unfortunately had a bridesmaids dress for her friend's wedding stolen out of the box in her apartment lobby right before the wedding, and so we had to whip something up in a pinch! When her friends started getting married, they started coming to me for their maids, and then things exploded a bit. I spent my college years partly studying and partly as a one person bridesmaids dress factory out of my bedroom!

BB: If you could give any famous woman (current or historical) a makeover, who would it be and how would you style them?
CH: Not that she needs a makeover by any means, but I would LOVE to dress Zooey Deschanel. She's such a happy, whimsical little fairy, with a great personality to boot. I would put her in all of my cocktail dresses, put her on a bicycle, and send her on her way.

BB: What high school trend are you embarrassed to admit you followed?
CH: Hello denim overalls! (Hello South Carolina!)

BB: If you weren't a designer, what career path would you have chosen?
CH:I think I would have pursued architecture or art. It definitely would have to be something creative!







BB: How was your experience on Project Runway? What did you imagine yourself doing after your season on Project Runway?
CH: Project Runway was an amazing experience for me. I have never had so much fun and simultaneously been so stressed out in my life! The encouragement from the fans and the opportunities I've had from the show still drive me each day to push myself more both as a designer and as a person. To be honest, this is exactly what I wanted to do after the show! I am very blessed and very grateful.







Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Carol Hannah!
We loved getting to know you a bit better.