What is Market?

Twice a year, manufacturers host what is called "Market". There are markets in Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York & Chicago. The Spring Market is hosted in Chicago in the fall, usually October. The Fall Market is hosted in Chicago in the Spring, usually March. Sound confusing? It is. It takes us as long to get our samples as it does for us to special order our merchandise for our customers. That is why the markets are held 6 months ahead of the season. (More on Seasons will follow below.)


The Chicago Market is hosted at the Merchandise Mart. It is 3 or 4 days of fun, stress and sore feet. Hundreds of manufacturers showcase their latest styles in booths, that take up an entire floor of the Merchandise Mart. We spend 3 1/2 days combing the floor for the best suppliers, that offer the best quality product at the most affordable price. From 9-5 we visit our vendors booths and sit through fashion shows. Each manufacturer produces about 20-40 new bridal gowns for each season. We select a minimum number of gowns from each of our suppliers, because we actually purchase all of our samples for full price.

The management of Bella Bridal carefully hand selects each gown we carry. We evaluate each gown for price, fabric, silhouette, and most importantly style. Sometimes, we choose one gown over another, because we may find a better one from another supplier that is very similar. We spend the first couple of days evaluating every line we carry and taking notes on what our initial thoughts are. We then go back on the last day and make final decisions, based on everything we have seen.

This same process is bridesmaid dresses, special occasion gowns, headpieces, veils and jewelry. There are usually fewer suppliers to choose from, so the process isn't quite as complicated.

Once we purchase the minimums from a supplier, we are an authorized dealer of that line. That allows us to order any of the gowns or products from that manufacturer, even if we do not carry a sample of that item in the store.

Additionally, each manufacturer discontinues styles periodically. It varies by manufacturer, how often and when this happens. Once a gown is discontinued, we can no longer order it. This is why we sell samples. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the samples we are selling. It is just time for the manufacturer to change styles again. This is why we have semi-annual sample sales. Not all of the samples being sold are discontinued. Actually, most of them are not. It just allows us to make room for more of the new styles coming in.

We are looking forward to selecting more fabulous styles for our Fall customers.

2010 Bridal Trends

2010 is all about personalizing your wedding. Your wedding should reflect the personality of the bride and the groom. You can carry this personalization throughout your entire wedding. Pick a theme that is important to both of you. It could be eco-friendly, cause driven, family oriented. Whatever is important to the both of you, should be reflected throughout the wedding.

Bridal Gowns:
This year you will see a look reminiscent of the 40s and 50s. A very romantic Camelot look and feel for 2010.

• Soft, flowing fabrics
• Ruffles and tiers
• Simplistically chic and understated
• Asymmetrical silhouettes
• Twists and folds in the fabric
• Decorattive Belt
• Shades of off-white including eggshell colors

Designers are creating their gowns in a much more simplistic manner. The design is created by working with the fabric to create three dimensional flowers and interesting accents. Simplistic, doesn’t mean simple.  The complexity is created with the fabric, not the beading.

When selecting the gown of your dreams, keep several things in mind:

• First and foremost is your personality.
• The gown should be a reflection of who you are.
• Next consider the style of wedding you are planning.
• Personalize your gown in some way. If you are passionate about some kind of a cause, reflect it someway in your gown. Get creative and make your gown something special for you.
• Comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed for Style. As much as you want the perfect gown for your special day, don’t sacrifice comfort.
• No matter what gown you select, go for the “Wow Factor”. It is the one day of your life no one can consider you over dressed.

Bridesmaids dresses:
In 2010 wearability is key in bridesmaid dresses. Many brides are selecting cocktail style gowns that can be worn by bridesmaids again.

• Short and sassy
• Fitted above the knee skirts
• Bridesmaid gowns match what is presented on the ready to wear runway
• One shoulder dresses that can be worn anywhere
• Bubble skirts
• Ruffles and dropped waist
• Pockets in the skirt

For your Something Blue consider your maids dress.  Blue is one of the most popular colors in 2010. Specifically cobalt blue. You will also notice unusual bright vibrant colors.  New colors this year are muted jewel tones with teal and hyacinth leading the pack after cobalt blue. Close behind are the orange and coral colors.

Some things to consider when selecting your bridesmaid dresses:

• You need to consider the size and style of your bridal party.
• If the entire party is young and thin, you can go short and sassy.
• If you have a variety of ages, heights and sizes, consider selecting a designer, a fabric and a color. Let each of your bridesmaids select their own style so they can be comfortable.
• The bottom line is that it is still your wedding. Make it what you dream of. Your bridesmaids will go along with any decision you make. They are just honored to be part of your special day.

In keeping with the personalization of the wedding. It is popular this year to have a theme for the whole wedding and to have everything match. Plan this around the colors you select for your bridal party. Napkins, invitations, etc. can all be customized to create a wow factor for the entire reception and wedding.  A very popular personalization this year is to create a signature cocktail in your bridal party colors. For example we created a signature “Bellatini” that is in our store color of blue.

No wedding is complete without the perfect accessories. Here are the trends in Headpieces for this year.  The overall look is Reminiscent of the 40s.

• Beautifully delicate feather headpieces and soft silk flowers with feather accents
• Fashionable bird Cage veils and English net veiling
• Taditional is always fashionable in the bridal industry

What is a Trunk Show

Everyone asks us what a trunk show is and why we have them.  Well here's the scoop. 

Each manufacturer that a bridal shop carries, comes out with one or two seasons a year.  Each line may have 30+ gowns in their collections each season.  Since we actually purchase our so called, "SAMPLES", it is impossible for us to pick up every dress in the line.  Not only is it cost prohibitive, it is also space prohibitive.  Therefore, we select approximately 12 pieces per line per season.  Our selection represents a variety of styles from that line.

The manufacturers allow us to offer "Trunk Shows" periodically.  The trunk show consists of the majority of the dresses from that seasons line.  We have the show usually for one weekend only, because the show moves from one store to the next throughout the year.  It is a great opportunity for customers to see additional styles, they may not normally be able to see.

In addition to trunk shows, some manufacturers also allow us to borrow samples of gowns we normally do not carry.  For a nominal fee, we can request a sample of a dress for a short period of time, enabling our customers to view the potential dress of their dreams.

The lesson to you as a bride, is that if you do not find the dress of your dreams in our store you still have options.  Allow us to work with you and we will find a way to fulfill your dreams.  Call us to ask about details of upcoming trunk shows, including our plus size Enzoani & Blue by Enzoani "Gorgeous with Curves", January 15-17 or ":Love by Enzoani" January 8-10.

Sharing the holidays with your new family

As two become one, it is important that everyone understands there will be many changes to the holidays. Compromises will need to be made on both sides. You will need to establish parameters as to how you will share the various holidays throughout the year. You are establishing your own family now, so you will need to merge two sets of traditions. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:

• Explain and talk about each of your family traditions with each other.
• Each of you pick one of your favorite traditions and implement that into your new family traditions. (For Example; a favorite holiday meal that you always had while growing up.)
• Determine where the main differences are and come to a mutual agreement about how you will handle it. (For Example, do you take turns opening presents or does everyone open at the same time, or do you wrap Santa presents or not?)
• Take turns compromising and you will find that that two traditions will merge together nicely into new family traditions.
• Remember that you are a family of your own now. Others need to have respect for that.

Some helpful suggestions for keeping peace and harmony during the holidays:

• Alternate holidays at each family's house.
• Spend Christmas Eve with one family and Christmas Day with the other family.
• Host the holidays yourself and invite both sides.
• Spend the actual holiday with one family and the next weekend with the other (alternate each year)
• If you have to travel to see one side or the other, alternate years visiting for Thanksgiving one year and Christmas the next.
• Try to have respect for each family's traditions and appreciate the differences.

The holidays can be stressful enough without adding to it with conflict of how to handle differences. Discuss it ahead of time and start your own traditions. Most of all relax and enjoy each other. Happy Holidays to you and your families.

Visit our website for more details on events happening at Bella Bridal & Formal Wear and see for yourself "The Difference....Is the Experience"

Black Friday at Bella Bridal & Formal Wear

On Friday, November 27th Bella will offer a one time only opportunity to receive 15% off any purchase made that day.  Appointments are required and spaces are filling up fast. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.  This is a terrific opportunity if you have had your eye on a dream gown and just couldn't quite afford it.  Additionally, we have hundreds of beautiful dresses that are perfect for the holidays, rehearsal dinners, and/or honeymoons. 

Small Business of the Year

Bella Bridal wins Small Business of the year from the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.  On Thursday, November 12rh we were chosen as the small business of the year for Business to Consumer. 

We were nominated by one of our fellow chamber members and the award was based on the following criteria:

• Outstanding growth
• New and innovative business approaches
• Special  accomplishments
• Community involvement
• Bonus information that sets them apart from typical standards

We are extremely honored to have been chosen.  Thank you to everyone for your support.

Nouveau November at Bella Bridal & Formal Wear

Bella Bridal pulls out all the stops this month to show you the best of 2010.

Last Thursday, Bella Goes Blue launched with a fabulous cocktail party.  We were joined by many brides and their family and friends.  Guests sipped on our signature Bellatini and enjoyed light appetizers as they viewed the brand new 2010 Blue by Enzoani gowns. 

On Tuesday, November 17th Bella Bridal & Formal Wear will partake in the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Chamber Land.  Join us for specials on holiday attire and accessories at 20% off from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Wild about Watters and Majestic Montage will be featured from November 18th-23rd.  Bridal gowns and maids dresses by Watters and Wtoo. Simplistically beautiful, classically designed.
http://www.watters.com/indexFlash.php
Bring your Mom, Mother-in-law to be or any other special lady in to see this exquisite collection. http://www.moncheribridals.com/CollectionHome.aspx?cname=Montage
Other special in-store savings will also be available for these 5 days only. Visit us and save up to 20% off.

Enzoani Extravaganza   November 25th-30th
Join us as we feature Enzoani and get a sneak peak at the 2010 collection, including Love, the very new Love Evenings and Love shoes. Receive 10% off any Enzoani and/or Love dress.
Cutting edge, couture designs at an affordable price makes this line one you can not resist. Come see for yourself.

On Black Friday, November 27th, enjoy 15% off for one day only.
Appointments are required for all events and available on a first come, first serve basis.

By phone (630) 443-9226

Via Email Sales@bellabridalandformal.com