Bella Rosa Bridal |
Richmond's Leading Bridal Boutique 3979 Deep Rock Road Richmond, VA 23233 804.855.1000 Visit us at BellaRosaBridal.com |
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Notes Bella Bride: Megan!It was such a joy to work with our wonderful bride Megan! We loved her in “Rachel” by WToo. Megan and Mark were married October 6, 2012 at Megan’s childhood church at Woodland Union Church in Bath Country, with reception at the bride’s parent’s backyard.Gorgeous Photography by Inspiration & Design Photography.
How would you describe your wedding style?Country Vintage Chic.
What were the three most important things to you while planning your wedding?The most important thing to me was that Mark and I’s love for one another and our love for God be shown in our wedding ceremony, specifically through our wedding vows.
Second, was that all of our most special friends and family were able to make it to share in this time with us. It’s important to coordinate dates and travel arrangements.
Third, I would said that my dress was a very specifically important part for a woman to feel beautiful. I also have always been a really sentimental picture person. It was very important to me that our special moments be captured for years to come.
How did you find your dress/ know it was “the one?”It was one of those “say yes to the dress moments”. We had been searching all day, and Bella Rosa was our last and best stop. When I came out of the dressing room, my mom, sister, and best friends were crying and giving me the “you better get it nod”. What made it the most special for me was that I could instantly picture myself in the dress. I had this vision of looking at Mark and walking down the aisle toward him. That’s when I really knew it was THE dress
What other vendors did you use? Were there any that stood out whom you would recommend to future brides?
Mountain Laurel Creations - Flower Shop through Debi Lowry in Warm Springs, VA
Inspiration and Design Photography - Debrah
Bubble Cake Bake Shop - Roanoke, VA
Virginia Tent Rental - Charlottesville, VAWas there anything about your wedding that made it special or unique?Marrying the love of my life and being in a place that meant so much to me. I honestly feel like the entire wedding was full of special details. I wore my grandmother’s necklace and carried her handkerchief down the aisle.
Congratulations Megan and Mark! Y’all are like a fairy tale come true :)If you would like to be a Featured Bella Bride please email us. -
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Notes Bella Bride: Amanda!Photography by Black Fin Photos
When and where was your wedding?
We got married on September 28, 2012 at Celebrations, which is on the swift creek reservoir.
What were the three most important things to you while planning your wedding?1. Making sure my family was involved
2. Getting closer with my new in laws
3. Taking time to enjoy this time in my life because I knew it was my one time to be the bride.
What other vendors did you use? Were there any that stood out whom you would recommend to future brides?I LOVED my food people: White House Catering, they used local food for a great price.
My DJ was fun and helped me with my planning Jim McGrady, and the photographer was wonderful: Blackfin Photography.
How did you find your dress/ know it was “the one?”
I knew this dress was the one because (first my grandmother picked it and she has excellent taste) when I came out with it on no one spoke. When I said liked it, my sister, mother and grandmother all cried (they were hoping for that). It was the only one that made me feel like the bride I wanted to be.
How would you describe your wedding style?
Simple and timeless. I wanted to go with things that were elegant and organic but not trendy. I did not want too many details because I knew it would be overwhelming. A garden my the water was a perfect setting.
Was there anything about your wedding that made it special or unique?
My whole wedding and reception was in a garden outside. 20 min, before the wedding it was hailing, lighting and pouring. Once we got across the bridge on the other side of the reservoir the site was bone dry. Guest and vendors did have trouble because of fallen trees getting across but we started only 15 min late. After the reception Matt and I got in the limo just as it started to drizzle. The weather and temperature at the site was wonderful, one could not feel anything but blessed on that day.
Congratulations Amanda and Matt!!If you would like to be a featured Bella Bride please email us. -
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Notes Pretty in PeplumFrom ready to wear to bridal, peplums are in! Fashion designers Badgley Mischka and Jason Wu have clearly stated (shown below) the peplum is back. A Peplum is the perfect way to accentuate a small waist and give volume in a fun and flirty way.
Check out some of our peplum favorites!
1. Jim Hjelm style #5250
2. Watters style #8629
3. WToo style #268
4. Alfred Sung style #D556
5. Lela Rose style #LR176 -
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Notes Bella Bride of the Week: Rebecca!Photography by Emmy Wynn PhotographyWhen and Where was your wedding?“Our wedding was on June 30, 2012 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, VA.”
How did you and fiancé meet? How did he propose?“We met in high school! He proposed on a weekend vacation at the Greenbrier Resort last November.”
How would you describe your style and how did you incorporate it into your wedding?“Our style is preppy, classic, and southern. We had a buffet of southern food, including a grits bar, crab cakes, and mini chicken and waffles at the cocktail hour. Our favors were mini mason jars with monogrammed tea packets and sugar cubes inside. The bridesmaids wore Jack Rogers wedges and I changed into monogrammed Jack Rogers (with my new monogram) for the reception.”“Our cake was a traditional white fondant cake with a lace pattern and our monogram Of course, pearls were incorporated into my ensemble and the girls’! I wore pearl earrings and bracelet and added a pearl brooch to the bow on the back of my dress. Also, one of the gifts I gave the bridesmaids was their jewelry for the wedding day: pearl earrings and a necklace. I wanted the whole evening to have an easy, relaxed feeling where all family and friends could have fun and enjoy the party!”
How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”“After giving Camberly a few pictures and ideas, she pulled a few dresses for me. The dress I ended up choosing was the first one she showed me! It was classic and beautiful, yet slightly different and unexpected with the brocade fabric. I added a sash and big bow to the back, with a pearl brooch. The dress was comfortable but made me feel like a bride….I love it still!”
What was your favorite moment at your wedding?“My favorite moment was probably seeing all of my close family right after the ceremony. We have been together for a long time and everyone was so happy for us. Even though it was so hot outside and we knew that people were uncomfortable, the entire place was filled with love and happiness.”
Was there anything special about your wedding that made it unique?“We added a couple unique elements to the reception. Outside of the tent on the lawn, we had games set up such as cornhole, croquet, and bocce ball. We had a custom monogrammed cornhole set made with our wedding date also printed on it. As a surprise for Will, who was raised in Texas, I had individual mini Blue Bell Ice Creams (his favorite) shipped here from Texas as a late night snack for the reception. Blue Bell isn’t something that can be bought in Virginia, so for all of the family who attended from Texas, it was a fun surprise.”
What advice would you give future brides?“It will all come together! Get things done ahead of time so you don’t have to finish a lot last minute. Even if you get it all done, you can’t plan for weather. We had a tornado warning in the middle of our outdoor reception and had to rush inside to escape the severe thunderstorm approaching. The band came inside with us, people brought the drinks inside, and the party started back up. Despite the rain pouring down outside, it all turned out great. Even though we had a different plan, we worked with what we had given to us and people had a great time!”
Congratulations Rebecca and Will!If you would like to be a Bella Bride please email us. -
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Notes Bella Bride of the Week: Dara!Close your eyes and step into a dream with our Bella Bride of the Week Dara. Dara had the most magical wedding which every girl dreams of. Congratulations Dara and Daniel!Amazing photography by Captured by Jenny
When and where was the your wedding?May 26, 2012 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic at the Paradisus Punta Cana Resort
How did you and your fiance meet/ how did he propose?Daniel and I met through a mutual friend, Frank, who happens to be a childhood friend of mine and ended up being Daniel’s fraternity brother. Frank also served as the best man at our wedding.
Daniel proposed on a hot air balloon overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Initially he told me we were going to an air show and later that morning told me we were in the air show riding in a hot air balloon (I still suspected nothing). As it turned out, we did not go to the air show at all, he’d used the air show as decoy to get me out of town and to suspect nothing. I was completely surprised and never suspected a proposal was coming on a hot air balloon! This is why we adopted the theme for our wedding, Love is in the Air.
How would you describe your style, and how did you incorporate it into your wedding?I would describe my style as girly and detail oriented. Since our wedding was about the two of us and not just me, my “girly-ness” was reserved for my dress which was EXACTLY what I wanted in terms of fabric, style, and details (thanks Phyllis! You ROCK!), my shoes, and jewelry. As for the details, they were captured in everything from our welcome bags which featured our name, theme, and a hot air balloon and included a custom acrylic tumbler (perfect for beach drinks), lip balm with SPF, sunscreen, snacks, hand sanitizer, lotion, body wash, and a custom magazine designed by husband to the fire dancers we planned as a reception surprise for our guests! We really wanted to make sure our guests felt special and appreciated. Other special touches included my custom dress monogram that my mother made, carrying my great grandmother’s handkerchief down the aisle, and incorporating the D&D candy dishes my sister gave me for Christmas into our candy table. We literally traveled with 8 suitcases in order to transport everything for the wedding to the Dominican Republic!
How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”I went shopping for dresses 4 times and felt like a lot of bridal consultants didn’t really listen to what I wanted or didn’t have a lot to match my description. I described my dress to Phyllis and she walked me around the salon picking out choices while being careful not to overwhelm me. My dress was actually the first one I tried on and it was exactly what I wanted but a little over my price range, I ended up between two dresses and took laps around the bridal salon in both. To help with the decision, we ended up putting on accessories and although we thought a sash would be too much, when we put on my sash with it’s subtle shimmer, I was sold…it was PERFECT and I felt like a bride and myself!
What was your favorite moment at your wedding?The first look…I hadn’t seen Daniel since the night before and I got to walk up to him with his back turned to me. Just the anticipation in that moment, seeing one another for the first time after a year of planning. It was just the two of us, our photographers and videographers, a very intimate moment during a day filled with hustle and bustle. I tapped him on his shoulder and he turned around, gasped, and burst into tears. We hugged and it was such a special moment. I felt such relief in seeing him, it immediately calmed me and I knew everything was going to be perfect.
What did you enjoy most/least about the planning process?I enjoyed planning out all of the details the most. Working with our stationary designer on the invitations and custom signage, brainstorming useful items for our guests’ welcome bags, ordering our custom cocktail napkins and striped straws. Putting so much thought into every detail of our wedding made it all the more rewarding to see it all come together on our wedding day and truly be a reflection of us. The thing I enjoyed the least was choosing the music for the ceremony; it was so hard! There are so many options out there and we literally had to listen to every word…we’d think a song was okay and then a particular lyric or word would come up and I’d say, “That doesn’t describe us” or “I don’t want to say that at our wedding!” It was also probably my least enjoyable part because you don’t really think about it until a month out…all the major decisions are made and this is still a major part of your wedding day that has to be decided upon but hasn’t been really discussed in detail.
What advice would you give future brides?Make sure your wedding is a reflection of you and your fiancé. Don’t worry about what you see on Pinterest or what someone else tells you you should have. Do/pick/have what represents you two because that’s what will make you truly happy and will make your wedding memorable and exclusive.
Congratulations Dara and Daniel! You guys are too cute, we are so happy for you!If you would like to be a Bella Bride please email us. -
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Notes Tea TimeAs labor day approaches, we say goodbye to summer and get ready for the fall season. Lets celebrate these last days with a little tea time fun!
1. “Chloe” by Tara Keeley. Style #2109
2. Style #5258 by Jim Hjelm Occassions
3. Seahorse by Watters, style #4437
4. Stephen Geoffrey Alfresco suit
The styles shown above are available at Bella Rosa, give us a call at 805.855.1000 or email us for more information.
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Bride of the Week: Carrie!
Our bride of the week is Carrie! Carrie is one of our sweetest brides, we love her just as much as we loved her gorgeous wedding!
Photography by E.Leise Photo Design
When and where was your wedding?
Wyndham Virginia Crossing Resort in Glen Allen, VA on April 30,2011
How did you and your fiancé meet/ how did he propose?
We actually met at work and he was a supervisor in my department! For the first 6 months or so we had to keep our relationship a secret because of company policies, but once I got a promotion and moved to a different part of the company we got to tell everyone… it was a HUGE shock to everyone! He proposed when we were in Charlotte at an amazing restaurant on the 27th floor of the Wachovia building for New Year’s Eve, which was previously our anniversary. It was an amazing night and I was totally surprised.
What were the three most important things to you while planning your wedding?
1) We were already in our 30’s when we got married and so we know it will get harder and harder to get everyone together. It was really important to us to make it fun for EVERYONE! We spent a lot of time planning the seating arrangements so that people would have things in common and be able to talk all night! We even purposely chose the music and the timing of music style changes that would encourage people from all generations to dance (and it WORKED!).
2) My dad died when I was only six years old but I wanted to ensure that he was represented at my wedding. One of my favorite touches was that I had his wedding band tied to my bouquet and a “memory table” that had pictures of him, and of us together. It was a really special touch.
3) Photography was SUPER important! I wanted a photographer that I had fun with, I mean, think about the time you spend with them!!!! I went with Erik Leise and he was WONDERFUL! Not only did I get the most amazing pictures, but I was able to get the most amazing moments and when I first saw the pictures it was like living the day all over again.
How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”
I went to 4 different bridal stores in Richmond and found a few that I really liked, but none that I loved. And those dresses were so different than what I thought I wanted, it made me nervous. When I went to Bella Rosa, not only was the experience amazing, but Phyllis really LISTENED to me. I told her about the dress that was closest, but not “the one” that I had tried on. She immediately identified my style, and together we pulled several dresses that I really liked. At the end of those dresses, I looked at her and just said “I would like to put my dress back on now”, and she knew exactly which dress I meant!
What was your favorite part of your wedding?
Hands down, I LOVED my favors. I love to cook and really wanted to tie that into the wedding. So instead of numbering the tables, I named them after spices and herbs. Then for each table, they got an olive oil that I infused with that spice or herb. So, the Basil table got basil infused olive oil. It took forever to make them all, but it was 100% worth it! Each one came with a recipe for how to use it, and I had the DJ make an announcement that we wanted everyone to get up and trade with other tables to get a variety. It was like I started some kind of black market at my wedding with people bartering to get different flavor olive oils. It was amazing and it was a great way to get people talking!
Did you ever have a “bridezilla” moment?
Not really! I was oddly calm the entire time! Even when things went wrong, I just shrugged it off. (My mother was amazed!) I will say though, don’t be afraid to prioritize what you want, and stick to it. Doing this does not make you a bridezilla!!! We felt strongly about not having kids at the reception and while it wasn’t a popular decision, it was right for us.
7. If you could pass on one piece of wisdom to future brides, what would it be?
Remember that only YOU know the exact details of what you planned! So when your flowers aren’t exactly how you meant for them to be (this happened to me), just shrug it off…. after all… if you are looking at the flowers all night you will be missing all the fun!
Congratulations Carrie! We are so proud to have you as a Bella Bride :)
If you would like to be a Bella Bride of the week, please email us.
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Notes Bella Bride of the Week: Colleen!Colleen is our Bella Bride of the Week! Colleen was married last August in Kilmarnock, VA. We loved the simplicity and elegance of her big day. Congratulations Colleen!Photography by RC Bell PhotographyJewelry by Laurel Denise
When and where was your wedding?8/6/11 in Kilmarnock, VA at Grace Episcopal Church. The reception was held at Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club.
How did you and your fiance meet/ how did he propose?We met on Jan. 2, 2010 at a camp reunion for St. George’s Camp through the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. He proposed on Christmas Day 2010 on the beach at my parent’s house in White Stone, VA. My grandfather had died a week earlier and he made sure that my grandmother was there that morning to share in the excitement!
How would you describe your style, and how did you incorporate it into your wedding?Simple with a kind of rustic elegance. We had signs made by my cousin all over that had words on them that evoke the feeling of love… Believe, sing, dance, hope, love. My bridesmaids wore necklaces with these words on them by Laurel Denise Jewelry. We also had mason jars with these signs on them that lined the aisle. We got married outside under a beautiful crape myrtle tree and then had lemonade on the lawn after the ceremony.
How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”It was the first time that I’d been to Bella Rosa for my own wedding dress shopping and I actually went alone! I thought it would be fun to just try some dresses on during your sample sale. Much to my surprise, the first dress I tried on was perfect! I called one of my bridesmaids that live in Richmond and told her she needed to come see this dress! She confirmed that she thought it was “the one”. The next day, I got my mom and my mother-in-law to come take a look and my mother-in-law brought her veil that I was planning to wear and it was all just too perfect together! We laughed, we cried and we were sold on the dress. :)
What was your favorite moment at your wedding?My favorite moment of the wedding was right before the ceremony when I was able to laugh and talk with my dad. All day long, every time anyone mentioned his name or I saw him, I would start to cry and I had finally composed myself! Then we got to walk down the aisle together and seeing Haden for the first time that day was just an amazing and overwhelming feeling of happiness that this day was finally here! I guess that’s 2 moments wrapped into one, but those 5-10 minutes of the day were just wonderful to me!
Was there anything special or unique about your wedding that made it different?1. We kept things simple and I think the mason jars with the sayings was different and “us”.2. We also had the ring bearers hold little adirondack chairs with gerber daisies that held our rings and guests signed adirondack chairs. Adirondack chairs are special to us because they are on all the porches at the place where we went to camp!3. We also had a fun rice crispy treat sandcastle at the reception to go along with our wedding venue being near the river and the Bay and beaches!
If you could pass on one piece of wisdom to future brides, what would it be?Stay calm and don’t sweat the small stuff! I know it’s easier said than done. :)
Congratulations Colleen and happy one year! We are so glad to have you as a Bella Bride :)If you would like to be a Bella Bride of the Week please email us. -
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Notes Bella Bride of the Week: LaurenLauren and Vladimir were married Oct 22, 2011 in the mountains of Lexington, Virginia wearing our dress “Cameron” by Wtoo. We loved everything about Lauren’s wedding from the fall leaves to the rustic details.
When and where was your wedding?
“Our wedding was October 22, 2011 in the mountains of Lexington,Virginia. The venue was the Irvine Estate at House Mountain. We were worried that it might be too cold, since we were holding the ceremony outdoors. Luckily, it was sunny and gorgeous that day! The mountains were beautiful, all covered in fall leaves… It really couldn’t have been more perfect!”
How did you and your fiancé meet/ how did he propose?
“My fiance and I met in July 2008. We are both avid pool players and that night we were playing pool on tables next to each other. We locked eyes and fell for each other right away! He proposed on Christmas morning at my parent’s house with my whole family there. He hid the ring in the Christmas tree. It was great to have my whole family there to celebrate right after :)”
How would you describe your style, and how did you incorporate it into your wedding?
“I’ve always been in love with the rustic style, Vladimir and I are very outdoorsy. We knew we wanted to incorporate natural themes. My mom found a bunch of burlap decor and mason jars. Our flowers were all bright and colorful. The inside of the venue really fit our style with the open wood beams, it was just perfect!”
“How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”I had tried on dresses at several different stores and didn’t even remotely like a single dress I tried on. I was really beginning to feel hopeless. I remember when we first came to visit Bella Rosa, my consultant Phyllis was such a great help! The whole experience was so much better than any other store I’d been to, I really felt special! We picked out four dresses to try on and I loved all of them! When I left that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the third dress I tried on. I loved the look, it was so comfortable, and it had pockets! We decided to go back a week later and try it on again. The second try on, I knew it was the one. I pranced around the dressing area with my hands in my pockets :) It just felt right.
What was your favorite moment at your wedding?
“My favorite moment was walking down the aisle with my father and seeing Vladimir see me for the first time in my dress. I was so nervous! I could barely walk without crying, I could feel every one’s eyes on me! I just looked ahead at Vladimir and saw the look in his eyes. I immediately felt calm. It was really special.”
Did you ever have a “bridezilla” moment?
“I didn’t think I would have a bridezilla moment, but I definitely did! When the flowers arrived, one of the main flowers I picked had been changed. I had a serious meltdown… I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed; luckily my mom was on top of things, went looking outside, and picked some pretty purple flowers to replace them :) “
What advice would you give future brides?
“The advice I would give for future brides is to really enjoy their big day and don’t sweat the small stuff. Just try to remember that the details that aren’t going as planned will not matter in the long run!”
Congratulations Lauren and Vladimir! Happy 9 months :)If you would like to be a bride of the week please email us.Don’t forget to vote for Bella Rosa in Richmond Magazine’s “Aisle-A-List!” -
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Notes Bride of the Week: Ameesha!We are so ecstatic to have Ameesha as our Bella Bride of the Week! Ameesha is one of Bella Rosa’s favorite brides, and we couldn’t have been more happy to have been part of her special day. Ameesha wore one of our most beautiful gowns to match her beautiful personality.
Ameesha and her newly husband were married June 9, 2012 with ceremony at Cathedral of Faith (Chesapeake, VA) and reception at Chesapeake Conference Center (Chesapeake, VA)
Photography by Angie and Jenn
Lighting by Blue Steel Lighting
How would you describe your style, and how did you incorporate it into your wedding?
Royal elegance with a modern twist would best describe my style. I kept our color scheme pretty simple because when it comes to modern elegance, less is always more. I used variations of purple, accented the decor with diamonds and used modern flowers like: calla lilies and orchids.
What were the three most important things to you when planning your wedding?
Lighting, my dress and reception decor.
How did you pick your dress/ know it was “the one?”
I actually was clueless when I came into the salon. I had an idea of what I “thought” would look great on me and it didn’t. My consultant Camberly saved the day. She brought out a dress that wasn’t anything I suggested but it looked amazing. When I put the dress on I was grinning ear-to-ear. I couldn’t stop smiling and that’s how I knew it was “the one.”
What was your favorite moment at your wedding?
Our first dance. We hired Blue Steel Lighting and used a spotlight during our dance, which really set the mood. I felt like I was dreaming.
If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
I would pick a location that has an all-in-one package (reception, ceremony, food, decor, etc.). Initially I steered away from it because it seemed rather expensive. However, once I added the expenses for my individual vendors I ended up spending more.
What advice would you give future brides?
Take advantage of Pinterest!! In my opinion it’s the best thing since Facebook when it comes to planning!!
Congradulations Ameesha, we are so happy for you :)If you would like to be a Bella Bride of the Week please email us.
Don’t forget to VOTE for Bella Rosa in Richmond Magazine’s “Aisle-A-List.”
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If I ever get married again, there will be no shoes allowed at the (hopefully outdoor) wedding, I’m wearing green, and someone’s going to braid...
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Love the white seersucker and white dress combination. Super summery and stunning.
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So I was thinking about the wedding shoes I want, and they have to be silver to match my dress; these are my options!!
What do you guys think?
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Tiffany blue paper lanterns with white orchids.
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“I do” Cupcakes
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