Meet & Greet: Carrie, owner of St. Louis

An ace at crunching numbers, a devoted fan of the Chi hair straightener, and aspirations to be the next winner of The Amazing Race… St. Louis owner, Carrie Lowery always keeps us on our toes! This amazing lady opened up her Bella store in October 2010 after deciding to leave her CPA desk job to embark on brand new adventure…the world of bridesmaids! Since making this career change, Carrie has been keeping busy with her Missouri brides and their lovely maids but was able to sit and chat with us a little more about life since owning Bella…





BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

C: I am a CPA so I worked in public accounting and Ernst & Young for a few years out of college. I then moved to the corporate side of things and worked as a CPA at Ameren – St. Louis’ electric and gas utility company. I heard about the concept of Bella Bridesmaid through a good friend of mine from college who happens to be the sister-in-law of Erin Wolf, the lovely co-owner of the Chicago and Milwaukee Bellas. Right away I knew it was an amazing concept and something that St. Louis desperately needed! I talked to Erin and she suggested that I look into the opportunity of opening my very own Bella boutique in St. Louis. I left the world of cubicles and spreadsheets and have not looked back since. I had no idea what I was in for, but it has been an amazing and rewarding few years!


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

C: My most memorable moment so far is probably my trip to NYC for Bridal Market this past Fall. It was so much fun to meet all the other store owners and put a face with all the store names! It was also my first trip to NYC so that made it even more exciting.

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

C: Perfect night out on the town would be dinner and drinks with my husband and our friends. I would wear my LulaKate Bridget Dress in Navy Faille and pair it with a great pair of gold shoes!

Image by Carolyn Snell via People

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dress?

C: I think I would have to say Renee Zellweger’s Carolina Herrara gown. I know her marriage to Kenny Chesney didn’t last very long, but her dress left a lasting impression on me. It was amazing. It was understated yet elegant and simply stunning!







BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

C: I would describe my own personal style as classic or simple with a twist! I love pairing simple dresses or tops with a killer necklace or scarf to give my look some pizazz!

BB: Favorite guilty pleasure?

C: A night at home on the couch watching TV and completely zoning out.

BB: Fave reality show? 

C: The Amazing Race – I would die to be on that show.

BB: Must have beauty item? 

C: My Chi flat iron…I have extremely thick hair and could not live without my hair straightener!

Image via HawaiiW

BB: Dream vacation spot? 

C: Maui, Hawaii…my husband and I honeymooned there 4 ½ years ago and I have been dying to go back ever since.

BB: Fave daily blog read? 

C: The Bella Bridesmaid blog, of course!

Now... For This & That!

Image via AOLTV

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills? OC all the way!

Facebook or Twitter? – Neither, I know I would waste way too much time if I joined either.

Green tea or skinny latte? – Neither…I know, I’m boring.

Brangelina or Justifer? – Justifer

Lady Gaga or Adele? – Adele…I am such a sucker for her accent.

       
                   Thank you Carrie!

Meet & Greet: Maribeth & Madison, owners of Westport

Maribeth & Madison

Talk about a fun loving mother- daughter duo! Maribeth and Madison of Bella Bridesmaid Westport decided to open their charming boutique in December of 2011 after meeting with the Richmond Bella owners. With an opportunity to open in Westport and a desire to be part of the wedding world, this hilarious twosome set out to help brides have a fun and enjoyable experience picking dresses for their maids! We were lucky enough to catch up with these ladies to hear more about their life in Connecticut and why they are Caesar Milan enthusiasts…







BB: What were your careers before becoming Bella Bridesmaid owners, and what attracted you to the franchise?

Madison: I was an Event Coordinator at Octagon Marketing, and I worked part-time for J.Jill.

Maribeth: My husband and I own physical therapy clinics, and I own a salon & spa.

Madison: We fell in love with Bella Bridesmaid when we visited the Richmond, VA location. I’m getting married in June, and the girls in Richmond were so nice and helpful. Their store was adorable, and when we went online to look at the website, we saw that there were franchises available. It just so happened that the Westport franchise was for sale, and since we live in the next town over, it seemed like our destiny!

Westport boutique

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

Madison: We had one Saturday that was so busy from the get-go! It really was our first day that we were in back-to-back appointments, and we had people walking in off the street all day. Most of the brides that came that day found dresses, so we were very proud of ourselves!

Maribeth: My most memorable - let's see, the most recent "are you two sisters?" question that was asked… gotta love those girls!


BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

LulaKate

Mamie + James

Madison: I love getting to sitting outside at my favorite restaurant for dinner and drinks in the summer. I am in love with my LulaKate Angela dress in Petunia and White. I love dressing it down with a cropped blazer, casual wedges and chunky pearl jewelry.

Maribeth: The perfect night on the town - my girlfriends and I, with our husbands in tow, eating and drinking as if nothing matters! Right now I'm in love with the Mamie + James collection and I'm working on a body that will allow me to rock all of her dresses! Check in with me in a few months, I'll let you know how that's going. : )

Kayte Walsh via Peter Langner

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

Maribeth: Kayte Walsh! She wore the same Peter Langner gown that Madison chose for her wedding.

Madison: Maribeth is pretty sure Kayte copied me.

BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story/wedding.

M&M: We have a bride who is marrying a man who has two young daughters that are absolutely in love with her. The bride is having just the two girls as her wedding party, and it was so sweet to have them all here together. They are going to be a very happy family!

Madison trying on Mamie + James

BB: How would you each describe your own personal style?

Madison: I have a pretty simple style. I'm a big fan of solid colors dressed up with jewelry and shoes. I'm really into the mixing of bold colors this season - so much fun!

Maribeth: Ever evolving!

BB: Favorite guilty pleasures?

Madison: Does Don Draper from Mad Men count as a guilty pleasure? He is so handsome and mysterious… my fiancé even loves him, so I can be totally open about my crush.

Maribeth: Is this a family blog?

BB: Fave reality show?

Madison: I love Cesar Milan, the "Dog Whisperer". Between Mom and I, we have six dogs (don't judge), so we can really use his expertise.

Maribeth: The one that goes on in my house every day!

BB: Must have beauty item?

Madison: Anything by Jane Iredale… her makeup is amazing!

Maribeth: My plastic surgeon's phone number.

Poseidon Undersea Resort
Image by WENN Photos via MSNBC

BB: Dream vacation spot?

Madison: Poseidon Undersea Resort in Fiji. The suites are literally underwater, and all the walls and ceilings are glass.

Maribeth: Our summer house in Mystic, CT… such a relaxing spot for us!







BB: Fave daily blog read?

Madison: I'm a sucker for Perez Hilton.

Maribeth: I don't do blogs… except this one, obviously.


Now... For This & That!

RHNJ, Image by Tommy Garcia via TODAY

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills?

Madison: Neither, I love the gals from New Jersey.

Maribeth: Real what?

Facebook or Twitter?

Madison: Facebook.

Maribeth: Facebook, although I can't seem to keep up with it!

Green tea or skinny latte?

Madison: Skinny Latte, but it has to be vanilla.

Maribeth: Just a regular latte for me!

Jennifer Aniston, Image via People

Brangelina or Justifer?

Madison: Justifer for sure. Jen is the cutest ever!

Maribeth: Jen all the way - that girl has class and dignity!

Lady Gaga or Adele?

Madison: Adele, I am so jealous of her voice.

Maribeth: Lady Gaga - love her confidence.


                                               Thank you both!

Wear it Again...

Being huge fans of twobirds bridesmaid we had to ask Ariane Goldman, creator of these marvelous dresses, how she would re-wear one of her designs outside the bridal party duties…

twobirds Bridesmaid was designed so that girls could kill two birds with one dress and wear it again after the wedding in any style they wish! The mint twobirds dress, shown in the ball gown length, is a great color this season - perfect for an early night out in the city or a cocktail party by the beach. I would pair it with a great light coat, from my spring HATCH collection, a nude wedge + a simple tote bag… easy for day to night in the spring and summer!

Dress: twobirds ball gown/ Shoes: Chloe/ Bracelet: Carolina Bucci / Sunglasses: Vuarnet V004/
Tote: BAGGU / Lip Gloss: Rodin / Jacket: Hatch

Our Interview with Jenny Yoo

From strikingly beautiful bridal gowns to a fresh modern take on bridesmaid dresses, Jenny Yoo’s designs are adored by brides and their maids. Jenny’s amazing ability to create dresses that flawlessly combine traditional elegance with modern appeal has made the Jenny Yoo Collection wonderfully unique. In her new 2012 Collection, Jenny brought us two new innovative styles, Keira and Aidan. These two fabulous dresses have convertible panels that allow you to alter the dress, giving you multiple neckline and skirt options… absolute perfection for the bride trying to accommodate all her maids! These are just some of the many reasons we are smitten by Jenny’s lovely creations. Jenny was able to chat with us more about her inspirations for her collection and how she has been able to keep up with the growing success of her company…

Jenny and her team

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

JY: Hands down, my amazing team here at Jenny Yoo Collection. We are the successful company we are today because of their hard work, loyalty and commitment to our brand and to our clients. I’ve also been fortunate to have my own sister and brother as a part of my company. My brother, David literally spends countless hours making sure that production runs smoothly and my sister Ellen, who runs our LA Showroom has been the wonderful support system that I can always count on. I can truly say that this is a family affair.






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

JY: Lots of things inspire me…latest runway looks, people, colors, images, emotions…once my creative juices start flowing, I can stay up all night designing and expanding on the small idea that sparked that inspiration. It’s really important for me to create and design something that will flatter the woman’s body.









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

JY: I happened to be designing for Ann Taylor when I was also asked to be a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding. I recall going from one bridesmaids shop to another and finding myself being disappointed with the selection that was out there. We ended up ordering dresses for her wedding but it was such a horrible experience from the colors, silhouettes to the customer service. I knew that there was a huge need for stylish bridesmaid’s dresses-and that is how Jenny Yoo Collection was born. I left my designer job at Ann Taylor and took a huge gamble starting my own business working in my tiny 400 square foot apartment in New York. After 10 years, I’ve been so blessed and fortunate to have the success I have today.

Image via Jillian Michaels

BB: If you could give any famous woman a makeover, who would she be and how would you style her?

JY: This is a tough one but I would have to say Jillian Michaels from "The Biggest Loser.” She has an athletic build and is always shown in athletic wear. I would love to see her in a softer, more feminine look. When she's not wearing athletic gear, she's usually seen in very tight fitted dress styles. I would love to see her soften her look by wearing more looser, flowy chiffon styles in bold colors like yellow, corals, and emerald green paired with fun and fabulous accessories that make a statement.

Images via ValCityGal / Like Totally 80s

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

JY: Oh goodness! If you can imagine…Belted oversized pastel colored 'Au Coton" Sweat Shirt ensemble and bright white scrunched socks…finished off with my perfectly teased hair and big hoop earrings. Oh and there was also the acid washed fringed jean jacket, Z Cavarichi's, and Frosted zinc pink lipstick. I hope that these trends never return, how embarrassing!







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

JY: I’m not sure if I could pursue any other career path. I love designing and have a passion for creating pretty dresses. However, I also love the business side of my job. So, if I were to choose another career path, it will definitely be starting another entrepreneurial business. I’m not quite sure what area of interest it would be, but I can certainly say I love taking a simple idea whether it be a product or service and branding it with it’s special niche. I love being involved in all aspects of my business from sketching, development, pr/marketing, sales, accounting, to production. I find that the challenges in owning my business make my job really interesting and enjoyable.

BB: What is your favorite dress in your collection?

JY: I would have to say that our Aidan and Keira convertible dresses are definitely my favorite styles. I love how versatile and flattering they are on ANY body type. I’m all about providing options for our clients and I absolutely LOVE the fact that the dresses are beautiful on its own as a strapless dress but then can be transformed over 10 new necklines. This is one bridesmaid’s dress that I truly believe can be worn again and again.

Aidan dress

BB: Any advice for certain styles for different body shapes?

JY: Sweetheart strapless gowns are definitely the trend these days. They create a soft feminine neckline for girls, but for many busty girls they tend to shy away from them. But I find it amazing how just the right tack placement can make all the difference in the world. A-line silhouettes are also the go to cut for most bridal parties if you are trying to accommodate different body types. If one prefers a more fitted silhouette, one can always have a tailor take in the side seams to create a more flattering fit. You can’t do the same the other way around.







BB: What are you carrying in your purse?

JY: I have to say that I am rarely seen carrying around a purse. With 2 young children, 1 & 4, you’re more likely to see me carrying around an oversized tote. Today I have my iPad, random magazine tears for inspiration, pencils & sketch pad, cellphone, hair ties of all colors, chewing gum…oh and of course a stash of diapers and wipes. What a glamorous life!

                                                                                                        Thank you Jenny!

Meet & Greet: Cecily, owner of Charlotte

What do you do when you’re working in software sales but are infatuated by the wedding world and anticipate reading the latest Style Me Pretty posts each morning? Look to Bella Bridesmaid of course! This is exactly what Charlotte Bella Bridesmaid owner Cecily did 5 years ago. With some previous experience working as a bridal consultant and seemingly stuck in a job, Cecily happily explored franchise opportunities with Bella. Just her luck, the Charlotte location was open as a franchise opportunity, so Cecily excitedly jumped at the chance and opened the doors to her very own Bella in August of 2007. With several years of assisting brides to be and their lovely maids, Cecily revealed some her most memorable moments in her boutique and what Bella dresses she will be sporting this summer…





BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

C: Before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, I was working in Software Sales. My first job out of college, I worked as a bridal consultant for 2 years and was completely hooked. Although I had moved on with my career, I never shook my love for weddings and all things bridal. I had an entrepreneurial bug and was constantly in search of ‘the perfect business’ concept. When I visited the Atlanta boutique with my sister in 2007, a light bulb went off and I realized this was it!

Cecily pictured with her husband

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

C: So many to count… one of the moments that stands out to me is the first customer I ever worked with. She was dying to get in for an appointment, and the store construction was not yet complete. She knew what designer she was interested in seeing, and her wedding was fast approaching. I offered to meet with her and her bridesmaid, so I loaded my car with dresses, and we ran the appointment in her living room. I still remember running up and down the stairs and tying bows for them! They chose their dresses that day and I was so excited!

Mamie + James Silk Polka Dot

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

C: This is such a tough question, because I love all of our dresses… A perfect night out on the town would definitely be small plates and wine with my husband at our fave local restaurant, followed by dessert of course! I am currently obsessed with Mamie & James Silk Polka dot, and love the Bonne Chance dress. I would wear it with a pair of fun pumps.

With summer around the corner, the Jenny Yoo Aiden is going to be a staple in my wardrobe as well. Tie it as a haltar, and pair it with some wedges and chunky turquoise jewelry, and you are ready to go.





BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

C: Dylan Lauren – how amazing to have your own father design your bridal gown!

Cecily's wedding day with her maids in Jenny Yoo

BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story/wedding.

C: I have a bride that purchased both her bridal gown (the fabulous Joanna August ‘Virginia’ gown) and her bridesmaid dresses from us (Lela Rose), and she is getting married in Charleston, SC. During one of our many appointments, she was telling me that she was having trouble finding an officiant for her ceremony that would fit both she and her fiancee’s religious needs. I suggested that she contact the officiant that I used for my wedding in 2009, and she wrote me afterward to let me know that they had met with him, and felt that he was going to be a perfect fit for them. This was a very important component for her, and it was so rewarding to make a contribution to her special day, beyond the bridal attire.


BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

C: I am a bit of a chameleon, because my style tends to follow my mood. I would say classic style with a touch of boho chic influence.

BB: Favorite guilty pleasure?

C: Peanut M&M’s!

BB: Fave reality show?

C: The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Every season, I say I’m not going to watch it Ever. Again. Then, suddenly, I have been sucked in!

BB: Must have beauty item?

C: Mascara

French Riviera via Best Beaches

BB: Dream vacation spot?

C: Easy...French Riviera. Looks gorgeous!


BB: Fave daily blog read?

C: Design Sponge, Style Me Pretty







Now... For This & That!

Real Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills?

Image by X17/MCT via AOL Music

NEITHER!  I’d be more likely to be found reading Vogue or People.

Facebook or Twitter?       Facebook

Green tea or skinny latte?

Skinny latte… green tea if I am being ‘good’.

Brangelina or Justifer?      Brangelina

Lady Gaga or Adele?

Adele’s voice, and Lady Gaga’s ‘Try anything’ approach.  The woman can wear anything!



                                                                         Thanks Cecily!

Meet & Greet: Sheri and Kristin, owners of Scottsdale

Kristin and Sheri in their Scottsdale boutique

Bella Bridesmaid ladies are like family, and for some, actually are family! Sheri and Kristin Cartwright, are the fabulous mother/daughter duo who opened the Scottsdale boutique in January of 2011. The recent college graduate and the savvy business woman sought to bring modern and wearable designer lines to brides and bridesmaids alike in the Scottsdale area. With the encouragement from fellow Bella owners and old friends, Kathleen and Erin of Chicago, Sheri and Kristin have had great success! The duo sat down with us to share a little more of how they came to be Bella gals...



BB: What did both of you do before owning Bella?

S: We lived in Chicago for the past 12 years. I was a real estate agent for four years before my husband and I purchased an existing business CartwrightDownes, where we do background verification services.

K: Before opening the shop I was a college student. I graduated from Northwestern University in 2009. In between graduation and opening day, I waitressed and catered at our family restaurant.

Opening day in Scottsdale

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

S&K: The idea started after talking with good family friends of ours, Kathleen Casey and her daughter Erin, owners of the Chicago boutique. Through the years we have heard about her and Erin's exciting experiences running the Chicago store. The more we learned about the franchise the more interested we became in being a part of the Bella family. We were both fascinated with the wedding industry and eager to be a part of a crucial calling for brides.


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

K: Our first sale, which actually happened before we even opened our doors. About two months before the store was complete, a bride contacted us looking for Saja wedding gowns. Luckily, Saja was one of the first designers to have sent their dresses to our home. Not wanting to make the bride wait an extra two months, we packed up the dresses and brought Saja's beautiful line to her. We were able to set up a mini showroom in her living room where she found the dress of her dreams!

S: For me it was seeing the end product of our shop and having our first appointment come in. The interior of our shop turned out looking better than we could have ever imagined and it was fantastic to have someone finally experience it. I will probably always remember that first bridal group that came in. They ended up choosing multiple styles from LulaKate that looked fabulous on the girls.

Sherri pictured with her daughter in law,
 wearing the "Reade" 

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


S: 57 Grand's “Reade”. This is actually the dress that I wore to my son's wedding in September.


K: My choice for favorite changes periodically. As of right now, my favorite Bella dress is Joanna August “Dara”. I love all of Joanna August's dresses, but this one in particular is the ultimate flattering, chic, and comfortable dress.







BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story.

S&K: We have had so many wonderful brides come into our store with incredible backgrounds and stories. Our favorite recent bride's story is our daughter in law/sister in law's, Syreeta Burnett. Being from Illinois, she was able to make a trip to Scottsdale where she made a visit to the shop. It was a magical time to be able to help her in creating her perfect wedding.

Image de Manio Photography
via Style News

Image via People

BB: What is your fave celebrity wedding dress?

S: I love Chelsea Clinton's Vera Wang wedding gown. It is a true fairy tale wedding dress without being over the top. The crystal waistband she wore made the dress even more glamorous.

K: Carrie Underwood's wedding gown AND wedding reception dress! Both so unique and so stunning!







BB: So what are dress/s are Arizona's brides flocking to?

S&K: Our Arizona brides love Amsale's crinkle chiffon dresses. Light and airy enough to keep them cool during a hot Arizona day or evening and stylish enough to evoke elegance.

BB: What is the best wedding trend you've seen recently?

S&K: We know you're hearing this a lot, but we love brides giving their maids options! Designers such as LulaKate, Lynn Lugo, Two Birds and Amsale make it so easy for bridal parties to pick multiple dress styles that both unify the wedding party and compliment each unique bridesmaid's body type. We also have some brides who are choosing a variety of bolder, brighter colors. They are choosing colors that help express their particular personalities. We love that!


Thank you Sheri & Kristin!