Free Wedding Resource Guides now available

Did you get engaged over the holidays?  You can pick up your complimentary copy of The Wedding Resource Guide at Bella Sera!  This guide features the best wedding vendors in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana.  From classic car rentals to gorgeous venues, the Wedding Resource Guide will help you to plan your big day.  See our ad on page 44 or stop in and grab your copy!

Our 2014 copies will be arriving soon:  stay tuned for details!

 

Check out our new website!

Bella Sera is pleased to announce the debut of their new website.  The new, user-friendly site is still located at wenatcheeweddings.com and is much easier to update with events, photos, and upcoming sales.  The new layout also makes it much easier for clients to locate information.  Additionally, links to Bella Sera's featured designers and local wedding resources make a better experience for web users.  Another feature, coming soon, will be the addition of Bella Sera's online store. 

Bella Sera is happy with the new site, but they would like to know if there is anything else they can add that would be of great use.  You can let them know via the new email site, in the "Ask Us" message box under the Wedding Resources tab.

See the newly re-designed site at wenatcheeweddings.com

Holiday Fun at Bella Sera

As I type this, snow is falling outside.  Winter is on our doorstep and the holidays are a few short steps behind it.  When I think of the holidays, I think of coming out of the cold into a warm, well-lit room with lots of laughter from friends and family; the room filled with sparkle, texture, and of course, some decadent treats to share!  We at Bella Sera invite you to bring your family and friends out of the cold and into our warm, welcoming store to enjoy a holiday kick-off with our neighbors Downtown!

The Holiday Wine Walk is the perfect place to get out and have some fun while you peruse the shops Downtown.  The Wine Walk gives you an opportunity to meander from store to store, where you can sample wines and browse the beautiful holiday displays, finding treasures for those on your list (or even yourself).  We will be hosting Horan Estates Winery today, and offering some chocolates, cheese, and crackers to compliment the wines.  When you are done tasting, we welcome you to check out the sparkle and texture of the rest of the store!

We have just received another shipment of beautiful necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more for the holidays.  We also have some beautiful hand-crafted blown glass Christmas ornaments featuring a wedding gown, groom, cake, and champagne bottle.  What a perfect gift to for a couple to mark their first Christmas together!  Or, if you are planning on popping the question around the holidays, these beautiful heirloom-quality ornaments might be just the thing for your special plan. 

There are a number of holiday parties coming up, and we want you to sparkle and shine!  We have a gorgeous selection of the latest styles of short gowns for all ages, sizes, and shapes.  The Little Black Dress Party at the PAC is next weekend, and we have a number of beautiful pieces ready for you right off the rack!  Also, check out our selection of shoes that will help to complete your ensemble.

Last, but not least, are our latest bridal gown arrivals.  We have just received a few more gowns from our Casablanca for Bella Sera collection, and continue to receive our gorgeous Maggie Sottero gowns.  We are currently featuring one of the hottest styles in the window.  Once you see these gowns, you will understand why brides around the world love them so much.

We hope that you get a chance to come in out of the cold!  Need more info on the Wine Walk?  Go to wendowntown.org for more information and see all the participating downtown stores.  See you Downtown!  ;-)

Your Top 5 Bridal Questions Answered!

Bella Sera knows that planning a wedding is a lot of work.  Bella Sera is here to help you select your dream gown, and help you out with all the details of your wedding, from A to Z (aisle runners to zebra-striped garters)!  When it comes to selecting the dress, there are a number of questions routinely asked by brides who are shopping for gowns.   Bella Sera shares their top 5 Bridal Questions below:

How long does it take to order a gown?

The time required varies by manufacturer, but as a general rule, you should order your gown 6 to 9 months before your wear date.  Yup, all the bridal planning guides weren’t joking.  This seems like a long time, but keep in mind, that the manufacturers do not make your gown until they receive the order.  Designers receive orders from retailers during the fall for spring fashions, and in late spring or early summer for fall lines.  Once retailers receive product, designers begin working on individual customer orders.  The gowns are manufactured in the order in which they were received.  Keep in mind that the holidays put the manufacturers behind, and the fall and spring rushes to meet retailer obligations also contribute to their workload.  If you are a summer bride, you need to be shopping now and placing an order no later than early January. 

Some companies offer rush ordering for wear dates within 4 months, but there are extra fees associated with the rush order.  Please check with your bridal consultant for details.

Don’t have 6 to 9 months?  While this certainly does limit your selection somewhat, there are a number of gorgeous off-the-rack options available at Bella Sera, and many of them can save you some money!    Some new sample gowns are available for purchase off-the-rack; some of these gowns are even available at a 10% discount.  For the bargain hunters, THE DRESS for Less section offers one-of-a-kind discontinued styles from well-known designers for a fraction of the price of ordering from new lines.   All gowns in THE DRESS for Less section retail for $999 and below; many of them retail below $799.

I like the gown, except for a few details…can I change the color, beading, cut, or fabric?

Bella Sera is fortunate to be the exclusive retailer in Central Washington for Maggie Sottero, CB Couture, Casablanca, and our own label Casablanca for Bella Sera, all of which have a wide variety of customizable options for your gown.  You can add or remove beading, mix and match skirt and bodice styles, or even change the fabric of the gown you love!  With so many options available, you can virtually create your own bridal gown, with the proven quality and expertise of labels cherished by brides around the globe.

Do you have a layaway program?

The ladies at Bella Sera understand how hard it is to pay for a wedding, and today’s tough economy has many brides wondering how they are going to have their cake and eat it, too.  Fortunately, Bella Sera does offer a convenient in-store layaway program.  Please inquire with your bridal consultant in-store at 3 N. Wenatchee Ave for more details.

 Do you sell used dresses or rent gowns?

Bella Sera is privileged to be the exclusive retailer in Central Washington for a number of designer lines such as Maggie Sottero, CB Couture, Casablanca, and more.  As such, Bella Sera has to adhere to strict requirements set forth by the designer manufacturers in terms of our retail presence.  Bella Sera does not rent or sell used gowns; although limited styles of sample gowns are available off-the-rack for purchase, often at a discounted price.  Please inquire with your bridal consultant in-store for more details.

I am on a super-tight budget!  Do you have sales or do you have any specials so that we have something left over for our honeymoon?! 

Bella Sera has a wide variety of bridal gowns, bridesmaids, flower girl, and accessories available for the budget-conscious bride!   Their own exclusive label Casablanca for Bella Sera has numerous highly customizable gowns available for less than $999.  These high-quality gorgeous gowns are handmade with beautiful beading and luxurious fabrics.  THE DRESS for Less section always offers steep discounts on designer bridal gowns, and even includes close-outs on flower girl and bridesmaids gowns.  Bella Sera will be having bridal specials in January and February; stay tuned to the Facebook page for more details.

Didn’t get your question answered?  Stop by and ask the ladies at Bella Sera in person at 3 N. Wenatchee Ave in beautiful downtown Wenatchee.  You can also reach them by phone at 509.663.0121.

Maggie Sottero coming to Bella Sera!

Ask and you shall receive!  Bella Sera is proud to announce the upcoming arrival of Maggie Sottero bridal collections.  Scheduled to arrive around the holiday season, Maggie Sottero bridal gowns will include a wide variety of styles across three different collections, from budget-conscious choices to the couture line. 

All three lines are equally fabulous, as Maggie Sottero gowns are known worldwide for their “signature Maggie fit, the highest quality fabrics, superior construction, hand-sewn embellishments, Swarovski crystals, and figure flattering stylization at affordable prices.”  Maggie Sottero bridal gowns are highly sought after by brides. 

However, you already know that!  Pick out your favorites at www.maggiesottero.com and then stop by Bella Sera at 3 N. Wenatchee Ave in beautiful downtown Wenatchee for more details on the upcoming arrival of the fabulous gowns from Maggie Sottero. 

Our latest Maggie Sottero collections will be joining our other gorgeous and affordable bridal collections:  Wtoo from Watters bridal, CB Couture from Casablanca, Casablanca Bridal, our custom line Casablanca for Bella Sera, and our THE DRESS for Less selection of gorgeous designer close-outs available only in-store at Bella Sera.

New Label Debut!

Bella Sera is thrilled to announce the arrival of our own custom collection of bridal gowns!  Casablanca for Bella Sera is made exclusively for Bella Sera and is only available in-store.  This beautiful collection offers a wide variety of modern and traditional styles with luxurious fabrics for the fashion-conscious bride on a budget.  These gowns had their in-store debut a few weeks ago, and they have already been a huge hit! 

Retailing at $999 and below, Casablanca for Bella Sera is highly customizable, too.  For example, if you like the top of one dress and the skirt of another, you can combine the two to make YOUR own gown.  Don’t like the beading?  Change it!  That’s right…you can design YOUR own gown right here in the shop! 

Casablanca for Bella Sera offers the quality and custom details of couture, without the couture price!

Casablanca for Bella Sera is only available in-store at Bella Sera, 3 N. Wenatchee Ave in Wenatchee, WA.  Call us today to schedule your bridal appointment.  509.663.0121

Just arrived in-store! 

 

Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget? You got it!

“I Found the Gown” is the latest show on TLC where brides are finding designer label gowns for hundreds, even thousands, less than full retail price.  The show is relatively new, and is sure to bring a flurry of excitement for ladies searching for “THE DRESS.”  Many, unfortunately, will turn to the internet to attempt to find a bargain in their price range.  They will likely run across a plethora of websites where Chinese manufacturers will attempt to re-create designer label gowns.  Generally, these fly-by-night websites either take your money and run, or furnish you with a low-quality counterfeit dress that isn’t even close to a replica of what you ordered (See a Good Morning America report here and a report from Inside Edition).  Many brides even end up having to buy another gown to replace the shoddily made imitation, busting their budgets.  Too often, this is when we meet heartbroken ladies who come to us for last-minute help after they have been stuck without a decent wearable gown for their big day.  Many had paid full price for their counterfeit and will never receive their money back. 

Yes, the majority of designers have their gowns made in China, but designer label factories follow strict quality control measures designated by the label.  Ordering a gown sight unseen from an unknown manufacturer is like randomly picking a mechanic out of a phonebook, and asking him to make you a Lexus from scratch…for the price of a Kia.  Yeah…I know you wouldn’t do that.  So what is a girl to do when you have champagne taste and a beer budget?

Fortunately, Bella Sera is ahead of the curve.  You see, we are expert shoppers, and we love warehouse clearance sales.  We also love to share our good fortune with you, and make sure you look Haute!  Bella Sera has a new section in the store devoted to the fashionista on a budget.  Our THE DRESS for Less section features a wide array of authentic designer labels for bridal, bridesmaids, prom, homecoming, and eveningwear.  These top-quality names are featured at hundreds below their full retail value and are available in NCW exclusively at Bella Sera. 

Authentic designer label gowns in our THE DRESS for Less section feature hand-beaded Swarovski crystals, luxurious fabrics, and a wide variety of styles and sizes to compliment any figure.  The best part?  All bridal gowns in THE DRESS for Less section are $999 and below.  That’s right…we did it…authentic designer labels without the extra $$$.  You know what is even better?  Many of THE DRESS for Less bridal gowns are in the $499 - $699 range, and currently begin at $216.  These are NOT used gowns (we know you deserve better).  These are NEW gowns that are factory overruns or seasonally discontinued styles that are too fabulous to NOT have in our store.  At Bella Sera, we know you deserve a new, gorgeously made gown perfect for you at a price that fits nicely into any budget.

Come and see the big selection of THE DRESS for Less and our other lines of authentic designer label gowns available exclusively at Bella Sera.  Bella Sera is located at 3 N. Wenatchee Ave in beautiful downtown Wenatchee.   Free off-street parking is available for our customers behind the Doneen building off of Palouse Street. 

(Photo is of one of our THE DRESS for Less  gowns).