Welcome to
Bellissima
At Bellissima every appointment is private and personalized. Once you and your guests arrive, the door is locked and the entire boutique is yours. We’ve created a beautiful, relaxed and intimate space for you and your friends to enjoy. Your dedicated bridal consultant will guide you through the boutique and remains by your side from the moment you say yes, through alterations, to the day you pickup your gown.
We love introducing our brides to our designers, perusing fabrics, explaining fit and any customizations that are needed. This type of product and fit knowledge makes finding your wedding gown a truly lovely experience. We learn as much as we can about your wedding and gown wishes so that we can offer suggestions, share laughs and be your biggest advocate. We make it more than just purchasing a gown, we make lovely, lifelong memories!
“Since both my niece and my nephew’s wife had found their dresses at Bellissima, it was the first bridal salon we contacted when my daughter became engaged. Monica (the owner) is careful both before and during the appointment to learn more about the bride’s vision and wedding plans. Her selection is deep, and she encouraged my daughter to try on a range of possibilities, listening carefully to her feedback. Our appointment was private and relaxed in Bellissima’s light-filled space, and Monica called the designer during our appointment to check the possibilities of combining a skirt from one dress with the bodice from another as well as widening straps and ordering a dress in a different fabric. We felt zero pressure to make a purchase that day, but after visits to two other salons, it was clear that Bellissima is head and shoulders above the rest. We are thrilled our daughter will become the third Bellissima bride in the family!”
Events
Our special events are the kind you don’t want to miss. We pride ourselves on making relationships with top notch designers and bringing their gowns to you. Not sure what a Trunk Show is? In a nutshell, a bridal trunk show is a traveling collection of wedding gowns. The group of dresses will go from one salon to the next, eventually traveling the entire country. The trunk show is usually in a particular salon for one weekend, which means that if you want to see it, it is important to book your appointment early. Trunk shows are very exciting events for several reasons. First of all, the gowns included will be the newest styles from the designer. This means that you may have the chance to try on dresses that are not otherwise available in stores yet. Oftentimes, the sample in the trunk show is the only one in existence of its kind.
Trunk Shows
Lea-Ann Belter Trunk Show – May 19th – 28th
Be the first to try the newest collection by Lea-Ann Belter.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Why appointment only?
Bellissima is a luxury boutique experience with private appointment rooms and, therefore, smaller seating areas. We want to ensure that all of our guests receive the same opportunities and service, so we are limited to the number of appointments each day. We know it is completely different than the “big box” or larger stores in the area but we strive for quality over quantity. We will sacrifice sales in order to serve our brides in a beautiful, private setting.
Why don’t you answer the phone during an appointment?
Our focus is on the bride with as little distraction as possible. We cannot focus on the bride’s needs if we are running for the phone. So, we hope that our future brides will understand and leave us a message so that we may return their call after we are finished with our appointments. After all, we want YOU to have the same experience!
What should I bring to my appointment?
If you have a great strapless bra and a favorite pair of heels feel free to bring those along. If you know that you’re going to wear your mother’s veil, we’d love to see it. We are well prepared for your appointment so just come with an open mind and we’ll have all the rest!
Why does the consultant assist the bride in the dressing room?
Wedding gowns are intricate garments with built in bras, buttons and layers of fabric and crinoline, therefore tricky to get on and off. The salon pays for each and every gown in the salon and tries to keep them in the best possible condition for our brides. Many times brides that do not have time to order a gown will buy one off the rack, so we want these gowns to be in the best possible shape. So, please keep in mind that “the sample” gown you try on will be someone’s actual wedding gown!
Why do you ask my price range and limit my selections based on this?
Well, you’ve seen it a hundred times on TV. The bride will try on a gown out of her price range, fall in love with it and then can’t have it because of the price. No other dress seems to compare to the one out of her price range. It is not Bellissima’s goal to sell you the most expensive dress; it is our goal to sell you the right dress. The ladies on “Say Yes to the Dress” ask your budget and so do we! It’s all in your best interest!
What is the price range of your gown collection?
Our designer gowns range from $2000 to $6,000. The majority of the gowns in the boutique range from $2,500 to $3,500. We hand select each gown during our shopping trips to New York. We build strong relationship with our designers and choose them based on their quality of fabrics, designs and customizations. Most of our designers are “exclusive to Bellissima.” This means you will not find these designers anywhere else in North Carolina.
How many guests should I bring?
We encourage you to bring 1 to 3 individuals whose opinion you value and trust.
When should I order my dress?
We suggest ordering your gown 9 months to one year prior to your wedding. This allows ample time for alterations and bridal portraits. Typically designer gowns take 16 to 24 weeks from order to delivery. These gowns are made for you, They are not “in stock.” However, Bellissima can accommodate tighter deadlines (rush delivery as soon as 4-6 weeks) depending on the designer. We always have a great selection of samples gowns available for off-the-rack purchase that can fit most budgets and time constraints!
Are there payment options?
A 60% deposit is required to order your gown. You will be contacted once your gown arrives and the balance is due within 7 days. At this time your bridal consultant will schedule your styling appointment.
Do you offer discounts?
No. Bellissima offers the best price possible to our brides. Once or twice a year we host Sample Sales and Designer Trunk Shows. During these times trunk show incentives maybe available. This is why Trunk Shows book up quickly!
Do you offer alterations?
Yes, we have an amazing seamstress that has been with us since our doors first opened. Once your gown arrives you will be contacted by your bridal consultant. You will come for your final styling appointment with your consultant. At this appointment your consultant will offer styling advice. This is an excellent time to select your accessories. Your consultant will then book your first fitting with Bellissima’s seamstress. You will need to bring your shoes and undergarments to your first fitting. Depending on the amount of alterations needed and your special requests, alterations can range from $200 – $650.
What is a Sample Sale?
We normally have Sample Sales twice a year! This is great for brides who want a fantastic price on a designer gown. You’ll find gowns marked as low as $500! All Sample Sale gowns sales are final, to be paid in full and taken with you the day of the sale.
What sizes to you carry at Bellissima?
The majority of our samples are sample sizes, 10 and 12. Keep in mind that bridal sizes run 2 to 4 sizes smaller than traditional sizing. We work with brides sized 0 to 30. If you need a larger sample size gown, let us know prior to your appointment and we will request larger sample size gowns from our designers.