Technology is our friend…Technology is our friend…

Technology is our friend…Technology is our friend…

For a couple of months, I felt like that was our mantra at Tre Bella. We needed to re-vamp our websites, create a separate Tre Bella page on facebook, set up a twitter account, be better at blogging…in general catching up with the rest of the world and using the computer for more than email.

Becky took on the task of the websites, and not that I am biased, but she did a GREAT job! We have had the good fortune of working with several talented photographers and there was no shortage of images to use on both of the new sites. Check them out: http://www.trebellaflorist.com/ & http://www.trebellabridal.com/.

And don't forget to become our friend on our new facebook page! That will be where you can find out the latest and greatest things going on with us. You’ll also get updates with the newest blog and twitter posts!

(photos by kristine dittmer photography - check out more amazing photos on our websites!!)

Till Next Time,
Kate

Southern Bride and Groom Part 1

If you haven't already picked up your copy of the latest Southern Bride and Groom make sure grab one soon!!

Below is an image of our flower spread. Thanks to Donna from Southern Bride and Groom for sharing the images and to Walters & Walters Photography for making our tablescape look so awesome.

Check back for part 2 - our bridal gown shoot!

THANKS.
Rachael

A Renaissance Wedding

Below is a gorgeous wedding that we did at the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh! It was simple, elegant, and I loved the subtle accent of the purple.

Since the ceremony and reception were in the same ballroom we had to transform the room during their cocktail hour - challenge right :) Not for the staff at the Renaissance Hotel, we couldn't believe how smoothly they had everything orchestrated!

Thank you so much to the very talented Shane Snider for the images - (http://www.shanesnider.com/) - as always they are so incredible! And thanks to the always organized Grace of Grace Leisure Events for her coordination (http://www.graceleisureevents.com/).

Sample Sale Success!

Thanks to all the brides who braved the cold and snow to attend Day 1 of our sample sale!

Many of you found some great deals and there are still some great dresses at great prices left!

Day 2 will start tomorrow at 12:00 until 5pm - don't miss it :)

thanks,
rachael

Sample Sale Saturday the 18th!

We stepped off the plane yesterday to an ice cold winter reception. Luckily for me, I love winter wonderlands! A perfect day to curl up on the couch and plot the weekend ahead. After a quick look at weather.com, I knew the cold weather would continue. Contemplating the Tre Bella Sample Sale this weekend got me thinking, what besides a great deal, would get me out of the house?

Well, what about going somewhere that reminds you of going home for the holidays? You know - a fire roaring in the fireplace, holiday music playing, cookies? Plus the chance to try on wedding gowns and get amazing deals…. A little cold weather won’t keep me away!

The sale will start Saturday December 18th at 10am and will end Sunday December 19th at 5pm. These great deals will only be valid this weekend. (There are no appointments necessary for this sale only. Hours are Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday Noon – 5pm.)

A Washington Duke Inn Wedding

We were so lucky to work with Barbara at An Elegant Affair on this incredible wedding at the Duke Chapel and Washington Duke Inn in the spring. This was one of my ABSOLUTE favorites - 32 tables with beautiful tall, full arrangements and lots of candles. Birds of paradise, peonies, tulips, roses, dendrobium orchids, stock, spray roses, astible, and lisianthus.

A special thank you to Dara Blakeley Photography (www.darablakeley.com) for these beautiful images.

Sample Sale Preview

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

The tre bella girls (plus the tre bella little ones - ella & emily, our parents & neal) have taken a break from cold North Carolina. But just because we're not there, doesn't mean that we can't continue to blog!

Here are three AMAZING gowns that will be on Sample Sale starting on Saturday, December 18th at 10am at our Bridal Location. (And will end Sunday, December 19th at 5pm.)

The first gown we have previewed today is the Silaba Gown from Manuel Mota. This stunning strapless lace gown retails for $2,300. It will be on sample sale for $920 - that's 60% off!!! A savings of $1,380!

Our Second Gown is also from Manuel Mota. This stunning gown with beaded detailing would be perfect for a bride looking for a gown with straps! Also for the bride that does not want to wear a heavy gown on her wedding day, this sheath style with a detachable train is a great option. Normally retailing for $2,300, this gown is on Sample Sale for $690!!! That's 70% off its reatil price - a savings of $1,610!

Our last gown for today is the Sensacion - those of you that love Southern Bride and Groom Magazine as much as we do might recognize it from the Umstead Hotel & Spa Ad on the back cover. This beautiful gown retails for $3,600. It will be on Sample Sale for $720...Yes, that right 80% off the retail price. A savings of $2,880!

If you have any questions about the Sample Sale, just send me an email at info@trebellabridal.com!


Till next time,

Kate

A Treyburn Wedding

As you may have noticed my wonderful sister Kate has taken over as head writer for our blog :) I will still be contributing - adding in a wedding every now in then with my favorite part of blogs - lots of pictures :)
Below is a wedding we did the fall at Treyburn Country Club. I loved working with both the bride and her mom who had FABULOUS taste. They designed a fresh and unique look, really paid attention to all the details, and most importantly they had FUN!

Tis the season for sales

Everyone loves a sale...especially our family. We grew up going to sales – big sales...the ones where you would wait for hours in a line, often in the freezing cold. There was the Boxing Day sale at the Polo outlet where everything was at least 75% off. There was also the Thanksgiving Day sale at the Christmas Mouse were most things were under a dollar. After the sale, the fun wasn't over...in fact, most times the best part was after the sale. We would go home and have “show & tell”. We would each take a turn showing our prizes and the best part, telling everyone how much money was saved. For example, if something was originally $25, and you got it for $5, that was a great deal...it didn't matter what it was or if you needed it but saving $20 on it makes it amazing!! This process could take hours with breaks only for meals. And of course at the end, there was a clear winner of saves.

So in the spirit of these sales, we want our brides to be the winners! On Saturday, December 18th starting at 10am we will be having a huge sample sale. Gowns will be 60% – 80% off there retail prices. We're talking thousands of dollars in savings! These deals will last until Sunday, December 19th at 5pm.

From now until then, I'll be previewing the gowns we'll be having on sale, but remember, these deals start on the 18th!

Today's gown is from Melissa Sweet. This beautiful Cosimma is a silk razmir a-line gown with hand constructed ruffle flowers on the bodice. Normally retailing for $4,200 – its sample sale price is $1,680…a savings of more than $2,500.

Till next time,
Kate

The Bride Wars

I'm betting that most of you have seen the recent Kate Hudson & Anne Hathaway movie The Bride Wars. And after watching most any of the reality bridal shows, you would think that two friends planning a wedding would come to blows over who gets blush and who gets bashful as their wedding colors. But, I am happy to report that I have recently met two pairs of friends that have dispelled this notion!

My first pair of happy friends came in a couple of months ago. One wedding was coming up sometime this year, and other wasn't until the following year. This particular pair couldn't be happier for each other. I met my second pair of happy friends the other day. These brides were not only friends, but they were actually roommates. Both sets of friends were as happy and excited for the other person's wedding as their own. Rather than fighting over ideas, they were coming up with ideas for each other. Each wedding was as unique as the individual. Good friends that they were, they celebrated the differences that made the weddings (& the brides) unique.

In a world of reality TV, it's nice to see at it's not always actually reality.

Till Next Time,

Kate

Families

Becky, Rachael & I recently took a trip to our childhood home in upstate New York. While we were there we decided to have one of our Tre Bella meetings. In this particular meeting, it was decided that I would take over writing the blog. When I started thinking about the blog, weddings and what in the world I would write about, my mind kept going back to family. So I decided to go back to the beginning and start there.

For those of you that know us, you know that we, Becky, Rachael and I, are sisters. As I mentioned before we grew in upstate New York and we like to jokingly refer to our home as a museum to our childhood. Our wonderful parents (who I'll get to later) have kept most of the house the same as when we were younger, so you can imagine why it's easy to get lost in memories. Now before you get the idea that we were a modern version of the Brady Brunch, the three of us had our share of fights, bickering and groundings. Rachael always said we each went through the terrible years - she claims my was the longest, but of course I have to disagree. Like any siblings, we had the moments were we couldn't stand each other (I think at some meetings, we sometimes still have those moments!) but my parents always reminded us that you can always count on your family to be there for you. And after we calmed down a little bit later - well sometime a bit longer - we would be able to remember that as we made up.

Often I get asked why we got into this particular field and I think a large part of it was about wanting to be in an industry that values family. Weddings are all about families...the creation of new, the bringing together of old and the blending of two separate. Each day, we are lucky enough to experience this both within our own family and with the brides we meet each day. Who wouldn't want our jobs?

Till next time,
Kate

A Carolina Inn Wedding

Check out this slideshow from a recent wedding at the Carolina Inn!

www.docuvitae.com/slideshow/KimandButch (white you are on the site don't miss checking our the rest of the photographer's work!).

Thinking of Summer

We are so lucky to have had an incredible season! We have so many great images to share with everyone - we can't wait!

Below is a wedding from the Washington Duke Chapel and Marbles in Raleigh. I loved the green bridesmaids dresses that the bride chose they looked great with the ivories, pinks and peaches.
She chose simple but elegant centerpieces for the reception - 3 cylinders of varied heights w/ tropical leaves, floating candles and rose petals.

For the cocktail tables we used small cylinder vases with bear grass wrapped inside and a floating gerber. I also think flowers on cocktail tables are a nice touch and they don't have to be large just a detail to coordinate with the overall look.

Tre Bella Bridal Sample Sale

Attention all brides!! Are you looking for a designer gown, but don't want to pay designer prices? We have the solution for you!

Tre Bella Bridal is having a HUGE sample sale with gowns up to 60% off!

Join us at the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill in their newly remodeled ballroom on September 18th from 1:00pm to 5:30pm and get your dream gown for a fraction of the cost! Members of the Siena Hotel will be on hand to give tours and talk about the new renovations as well.

There is no fee to get into the sample sale, and you don't need to make an appointment. Just show up! The sizing of the gowns will range from sizes 8 to 14, and the designers include Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, Lela Rose, Angel Sanchez, Manuel Mota and Junko Yoshioka. We will also have some Jim Hjelm and Siri bridesmaid dresses on sale! You definitely don't want to miss this event.

If you have questions about the event, email or call us at info@trebellabridal.com or 919.323.7167.

We will be accepting credit cards, cash and checks!

An Angus Barn Wedding

We recently had the pleasure of working on a wedding at the Angus Barn! I always love when a bride and I have similar tastes and sense of style! For this outdoor wedding I got to use some unique textures and an awesome color pallete. The bouquets included berries, rosemary, dusty miller, fern leaves, parsley (yes, parsley) and that was just the filler :)



Enjoy the images below!

It's been awhile . . .

Oh our poor blog it has been so long so we have posted anything - SORRY!

Life has been in crazy with wedding season. We have been lucky this year with some really incredible weddings and events!

I can't wait to start posting new pictures from our work this spring and summer (I promise to get back on track!).

Below are two awesome images from a Bay 7 wedding we did a couple of months ago - LOVED IT. Thanks to Dave at Get it Lighting and Photography who gave us the images. And if you need lighting for your event you definitely need to talk with him!

Win a Wedding Dress - WHAT?!

WIN THIS DRESS AT ALTAR EGO (this Thursday night)!


Tre Bella Bridal will be raffling off the Manuel Mota Salisbury Gown. A stunning and amazing dress that is made of crystal beaded re-embroidered lace. The gown features a pleated tulle underskirt and a built in corset. The scalloped edging at the neckline really completes this dress. The skirt is fit to flair and has a semi cathedral train. The gown is a size 8 and retails for $2,300. Tickets for this are $5 and must be purchased before the event!

New Raffle Details!!

AMAZING new Raffle Items!!

If the night's stay package at the O'Henry Hotel in Greensboro isn't enticing enough I have the

details on the other 2 raffle prizes :)

Dinner Around the Triangle (includes gift certificates for the following restaurants):

Fairview Restaurant at the Washington Duke Inn, Durham

Herons Restaurant at the Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary

Il Palio at the Siena Hotel, Chapel Hill

Theater and Drinks!

Two Tickets to the Color Purple at DPAC and enjoy a night cap at Downtown Durham's swanky restaurant Revolution!

We are so excited about all of our incredible raffle items . . . remember all of the proceeds from the raffle goes to the Triangle Chapter of Dress for Success. If you would like to find out more information on Dress for Success you will be able to during the reception portion of Altar Ego! Also, DFS founder, Pat Nathan, will be our MC again this year. She did an amazing job last year and we can't wait to see her up on stage again this year!

AND don't forget to get your additional raffle tickets to win the Manuel Mota wedding gown! The additional raffle tickets are only $5.00/ticket - available when you buy your tickets to the show!!!!

Meet Carol Hannah (of Project Runway) at Altar Ego

We are SO excited to announce that we are not only going to start carrying Carol Hannah's newest bridal collection at our boutique but we will be featuring the collection at Altar Ego AND she will be attending Altar Ego (May 6th). Check out the press release below for more details :)

Carol Hannah Whitfield of Project Runway fame is coming to the Triangle – May 6^th – 8^th! Carol Hannah has recently launched her fabulous new bridal line and Tre Bella, Inc will be carrying the collection. To launch her line in North Carolina, she will be attending Altar Ego…an event all about you at the North Carolina Museum of Art on May 6^th, www.trebellabridal.com/altarego. This will be your chance to meet Carol Hannah during the reception and her amazing collection will be included in the fashion show portion of the night! If you’re getting married soon, book an appointment either Friday (May 7^th) or Saturday (May 8^th) to try on the Carol Hannah Collection during our featured trunk show. Her website is http://carol-hannah.com/.

Martha Steward, Daily Candy & The Knot have all recently featured her new wedding collection!! Plus, we met her at bridal week while we were in NYC and she is the sweetest - you all are going to LOVE her!

We can't wait! This year's Altar Ego is going to be the best yet!!!
Don't forget to get your tickets http://www.trebellabridal.com/fashionshowindex.htm.

We were fortunate to organize a photo shoot at the North Carolina Museum of Art in promotion of our upcoming event - Altar Ego (May 6th)! Follow our fictitious couple from their engagement to the reception.

At this years event we are introducing several new exciting elements including five featured design tables. These tablescapes will be inspired by the new building, art, an exhibits at the museum. You don't want to miss them!

*******

Let our story begin!

Once upon a time a girl who loved art went on a date with a boy who had a secret. The stopped in front of her favorite El Anatsui piece . . .

he got on one knee . . . she said yes . . . the romance began . . .

engagement photos were taken in the gorgeous Rodin Garden to announce the news . . .
and Kristine captured the perfect image for their save the date . . .

the bride enjoyed a magical bridal portrait session . . .

the happy day finally arrived . . .

The story continues May 6th at the North Carolina Museum of Art . . .

visit http://trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm to purchase your tickets.

We would like to thank Hadley Emerson Boutique for allowing us to use the blue cocktail gown and Magpie Boutique for the pink dress. Both boutiques will be featuring their ready to wear collections during the fashion show portion of the event - don't miss it.

We would also like to thank Bernard's Formal Wear for the stunning Tuxedo.