Our Bella Bridesmaids!

Bella Bridesmaid: Houston  Bride: Anne  Designer: Amsale

Styles: Varied  Fabric: Silk Crinkle Chiffon 

Color(s): Blush, Sky, Dove, Champagne & Vanilla 

Photographer: Serendipity

Bella Bridesmaid: Dallas Bride: Kelly Dresser Mullman Designer: Amsale

Style: G590C Fabric: Silk Crinkle Chiffon  Color: Grass

Photographer: Chris Humphrey

Bella Bridesmaid: Charleston  Bride: Kristin Bland Richardson  

Designer: Monique Lhuillier

Style: 450021  Fabric: Chiffon  Color: Plum

Photographer: The Connelly's

Bella Bridesmaid: Atlanta Bride: Gina Gallo Pearlman Designer:  Love Lane

Styles: Blake,Grey & Tori Long  Fabric: Crinkle Chiffon   Color: Shamrock

Photographer: Dean Sanderson Weddings

Bella Bridesmaid: Houston  Bride: Kelli Burroughs-Broussard  Designer: twobirds

Styles: Ballgown  Fabric: Jersey Blend  Color: Aubergine

Photographer: Richard Ellis Photography

Real Wedding Q&A

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.

Michael and I met our sophomore year of college at Marquette University at our favorite bar, The Corner Bar in Milwaukee, WI.  It just so happens his best guy friends from high school were my close group of friends from freshman year in college. Michael and I were best friends all through sophomore year until we started dating in our junior year of college.  Upon graduation, I moved to Chicago where all my girlfriends were moving, and coincidentally where Michael was from.  We dated for several more years and had the best time settling into city living with all our friends.

Describe the proposal.

I was planning his surprise 25th birthday party with all of our friends to be held at his parents house in the suburbs. I was working closely with his mom on a guest list and party planning but little did I know, she was behind it all.  Michael knows I am not easily surprised and I pick up on anything suspicious.  Knowing this, he enlisted his mom to put the bug in my ear about planning a party for his own birthday. I was immediately on board knowing he loves anything social with all of our friends.  Michael continued to play along until the day of the "surprise" birthday party. Michael and I drove up to his parents house in Wilmette for "casual" Saturday night dinner. When we were getting out of the car to go to his parents house he pulled me aside the car, grabbed the ring box from the glove compartment and got down on one knee and proposed.  Little did I know, his dad proposed to his mom the same way- in the driveway of his parents house some 30 years ago.  I immediately burst into tears with pure happiness but was still thinking in the back of my mind that we were going into his surprise birthday party.  After we gathered ourselves and our excitement we started walking into his house when Michael said, "Jokes on you Laura, you just planned our engagement party!"  As he opened the front door, my entire family and his greeted us with champagne toasts! Later that evening all of our friends showed up for the "surprise birthday party" which turned to engagement party. We celebrated the rest of the night with good friends and family, good food, and good wine.  It was a night I'll never forget!

How did you choose the location for your wedding? What type of venue were you looking for?

Choosing the location for our wedding was easy. It was always my dream to get married in the cathedral church on Marquette's campus, Church of the Gesu.  I knew that was the most important part of the wedding day so that was my first call to the church to find an available date.  Once I secured a wedding date, I looked at two venues and knew immediately what I wanted. I wanted a very traditional and classic wedding, which I found at the Pfister Hotel grand ballroom.

Tell us about your bridesmaid’s dresses!

My bridesmaid dresses were navy blue long Monique Lhuillier dresses with 3 different style tops. I let my 10 bridesmaids choose their style tops because everyone has styles they prefer to wear and feel pretty in.  My bridesmaids are all gorgeous inside and out so I knew it wouldn't be hard to find dresses that would flatter them all.  I found my bridesmaid dresses at Bella Bridesmaids in Chicago. I worked with Maureen, who was WONDERFUL! My experience with Bella was amazing from our first appointment all the way to the delivery of the dresses and recommendations on alterations. 

Tell us about your bridal gown. :) Where did you purchase it?

I found my gown at Weddings 826 in Lincoln Park. It is by Justin Alexander and was an all lace trumpet style dress.  I saw the dress in the window at the shop and knew I had to have it!  My favorite part of the dress was the low lace back.  My veil was cathedral length, which was fitting for the long aisle at the church.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day?

My most memorable moment of the wedding day was walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing Michael at the end of the aisle with a huge smile on his face.  I was so calm and the most happy I've ever been in my life at that moment.                 

      

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding?

My advice for brides would be to enjoy every step of the planning and don't stress over the little things.  I also recommend asking for help when you need it.  My mom and mother-in-law were such great helpers; I couldn't have planned my wedding without them!

Click here to see more photos from Laura and Michael's special day!

Ceremony: Gesu

Reception: Pfister – Grand Ballroom

Beauty: Joan of Arc Chapel – Marquette Campus & Murphy’s

Bride’s Gown: Justin Alexander via Weddings 826 in Chicago

Bridesmaids Dresses: Monique Lhuillier via Bella Bridesmaid in Chicago

Entertainment: Entourage

Cake: Cake Lady

Florist: La Tulipe

Videographer: One Fine Day

Photographer: Front Room Photography

LWD.

We'd like to consider ourselves rule-breakers, but we haven't been fully ready to rock a LWD until NOW!! Add a bit of pre-summer glow and these little white dresses become the perfect go to for any wedding related shindig or a casual night out on the town. Pair these white hot numbers with a bright necklace, neon clutch, or crisp blazer and you're ready to be the bride you/we always dreamed of!

(From left to right, Donna Morgan, Jim Hjlem Occasions, LulaKate, Encore by Watters, Kirribilla, and Joanna August-at Bella Bridesmaid)

Wear it Again!

We are channeling our '70s swag with the super cute Holly dress by Joanna August.

Inspired by recent trends on the runway, ‘70s style is back in a big way, with a slightly modern take on some vintage styles. Reminiscent from the days of disco, this wrap dress paired with the perfect platform shoes, oversized shades and vintage bag is sure to keep you feelin’ groovy all summer long!

1. Joanna August Holly dress, Bella Bridesmaid

2. Carly Sunglasses in Brown, Vera Bradley

3. Vanetta Basketweave Platform Sandal, Tory Burch

4. Fringe Earrings, Old Navy

5. Bayswater Belt Bag Oak Natural Veg Tan, Mulberry.com

Our Bella Bridesmaids!

Bella beauties from Greenville, Shreveport, Raleigh, Alabama and Houston....

Bella Bridesmaid: Greenville  Bride: Betsy Britt  Designer: Jenny Yoo

Style: Aiden  Fabric: Chiffon  Color: Ceil Blue

Photographer: Sposa Bella Photography

Bella Bridesmaid: Shreveport  Bride: Catie Lynn Plaxco  Designer: LulaKate

Style: Zoe  Fabric: Poly Shantung  Color: Sand

Photographer: Brandi Smyth

Bella Bridesmaid: Raleigh  Bride: Kelsey McPherson  Designer: Amsale

Style(s): Varied  Fabric: Silk Crinkle Chiffon  Color: Charcoal

Photographer: Kellie Kano

Bella Bridesmaid: Alabama   Bride: Anna Coreno  Designer: LulaKate

Style: Rae Fabric: Silk Dupioni  Color: Emerald

Photographer: Natalie McVey Photography

Bella Bridesmaid: Houston Bride: Tracy Herbert Designer: Monique Lhuillier

Style: 450127  Fabric: Chiffon  Color: Blush
Photographer: Alexander Cross

Meet & Greet: Bridget, owner of Pittsburgh.

We caught up with Bridget, owner of our lovely new Pittsburgh boutique about her decision to open a Bella Bridesmaid! Here is what she had to say...

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

Prior to joining Bella I worked in marketing for Heinz North America.  I enjoyed my job, but I always wanted to own a business.  I shopped at Bella Bridesmaid in Nashville for my wedding, and I always thought it was such a great business model – and looked like fun!  Last year I had a baby and that put my career into a whole new perspective!  Once I started researching the Pittsburgh bridal market it quickly became obvious to me that the city desperately needed a Bella Bridesmaid.   I’ve only been open for a few months and I’ve already seen many brides who are so excited that they can finally find all of these great designers in their hometown. 

BB: What are you most looking forward to with owning your own boutique?

I love the feeling of true ownership.  It really makes your job fun!  I also love working with the brides and seeing how their faces light up when they find that perfect dress.  I am looking forward to seeing their wedding pictures!

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?

My husband and I are foodies, especially after both working at Heinz.  We love to try out new restaurants and luckily Pittsburgh has a good culinary scene.  I am completely obsessed with Ceremony by Joanna August, so I’d wear the Dani Long dress in I Want Candy and accessorize with Kendra Scott’s Danielle earrings.  Perfect for spring and summer!

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

I loved Jessica Simpson’s Vera Wang lace gown, so much so that I wore a similar one for my own wedding (Vera’s “Stephanie”).  I also love Ivanka Trump’s gown - so elegant and timeless.  Clearly, I’m a lace gal!

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

Classic and colorful!  I love bright, bold colors!  I try to be hip and cool but I always end up reverting back to J.Crew.  I like to wear classic pieces with trendy accessories. 

BB: Favorite place traveled?

Las Ventanas in Cabo San Lucas.  We went there for our honeymoon, and every day I think to myself, when can we go back?

BB: Beauty product you can’t live without?

Good skin makes for an easy palette, so I splurged on La Mer face products a few months ago and I will never use any other brand.  It’s pricey, but it’s 100% worth it!

BB: Favorite real housewife?

There are too many to choose from!  I watch all of the shows (major guilty pleasure).  It’s like trying to pick a favorite child.  If I must choose, I do love Lisa Vanderpump.  Her one-liners are impeccably timed, dahhling.

BB: Everyday wear item? ie: pair of earrings, fave cardigan, scarf?

I love arm candy, and I don’t leave home without my J. Crew pave link bracelet.  I also have a collection of Bar III boyfriend blazers from Macy’s.  Perfect to wear over many of my Bella dresses!

BB: Favorite quote or expression?

"Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win." -- Bob Knight