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.
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!
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!
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!
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, but has to exclude it because of the price. No dress after that 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!
Our designer gowns range from $3,000 to $7,500. The majority of the gowns in the boutique range from $3,500 to $4,500. We hand select each gown during our trips to New York's bridal market. We build strong relationships 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.
We encourage you to bring 1 to 3 individuals whose opinion you value and trust.
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 when the order is placed to delivery. These gowns are custom made for you, they are not “in stock.” However, Bellissima can accommodate tighter deadlines (such as 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!
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.
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!
Yes, we have amazing seamstresses that have been with us for years. 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 a 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 – $800.
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.
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.