Bella Vista Bridal and Wedding Boutique

Getting Ready for Vista Lights 2011

2011-10-28T17:02:00.001-04:00

ANNOUNCING THE BELLA VISTA BRIDAL & WEDDING BOUTIQUE

6TH ANNUAL VISTA LIGHTS

BRIDAL FASHION SHOW

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

We are busy making preparations for this years Vista Lights Bridal Fashion Show. For the last five years, Bella Vista Bridal has put on Columbia's hottest fashion show featuring its incredible bridal designs. This year's show promises to be just as awesome as past years. We typically run the show two times, once at 7:15 and again at 8:15. So do not miss this one of a kind fashion show under the fabulous night sky with Columbia's skyline and the South Carolina Capitol Building as backdrops.

Here are some links to past shows for you to enjoy.

2010 Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show (photos by John Wrigtenberry, Dave Gilbert & Gregg Martin)

2008 Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show

(photos by Travis Bell)

Enjoy the slideshows - if you're at work hit mute before you hit play, if you're not then crank up the music and enjoy the experience. Then come out on November 17, 2011 for the Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show at Vista Lights.

Congratulations Ashley!!!!

2011-10-28T15:29:00.001-04:00

One of our very own Bella Beauties got married herself just a couple of months ago. After helping so many brides find their wedding dresses, Ashley got the chance to be the bride. We had such a great time helping her find her gown and she was just stunning. In addition to being a beautiful bride, Ashley also has modeled in the Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show which is held each year under the stars during Vista Lights.

Congratulations Ashley!!!

Bella Vista Bride's Sullivan's Island Wedding

2011-10-07T20:09:00.000-04:00

We recently received an email from photographer Michel Berda giving us a look at the Sullivan's Island wedding of one of our beautiful brides. Brittany worked with our ladies in Charleston to find her stunning wedding dress and then to outfit her bridesmaids, and her mother and the grooms mother. We had such a great time working with Brittany and wanted to share a couple of the wedding photos right here.

We'd also like to thank photographer Michel Berda for letting us use some of the photos. You can see more on his blog.


Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique

2011 Sales Tax Holiday Sale - August 5-7 - Columbia & Charleston

2011-07-30T16:59:00.001-04:00

The South Carolina Department of Revenue has announced that the 2011 Sales Tax Holiday for South Carolina is going to be from Friday, August 5, 2011 through Sunday, August 7, 2011. Wedding Dress, Veils, Mother's Dresses, Bridesmaids' Dresses, Shoes, and other clothing items are listed as items that are tax free during the Sales Tax Holiday.

SPECIAL SUNDAY HOURS, AUGUST 7th - 1:00 pm to 5 pm

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique will be participating in the Sales Tax Holiday offering all of the above items for sale without sales tax. In addition, we will have all wedding dresses on sale, with many at up to 50% off. With the savings Bella Vista Bridal is offering and the tax free weekend, you could save many hundreds of dollars on your wedding dress.

In addition to the great sales, we've also just received new shipments from many of our top designers so Bella Vista Bridal's selection is still the best in the southeast.

Each year we get asked, "Why are wedding dresses tax free?" The answer is that although the tax holiday is scheduled to help families with the return to school, it is not restricted to solely school items. The law creating the Sales Tax Holiday makes "Clothing" exempt from sales tax, and in addition to Wedding Dresses, you'll also find items like ice skates and wet suits on the list of tax free items. While it may seem odd to include these items, the Sales Tax Holiday creates a great boost to the economy of South Carolina, including bringing many out of state shoppers into South Carolina.

Don't miss this great opportunity to buy the wedding dress you deserve and save hundreds at the same time.

Bella Vista Bridal - Columbia / 1003 Gervais Street / In the Vista / 803.251.3336

Bella Vista Bridal - Charleston / 60 Calhoun Street / Neat the Aquarium / 843.884.7191

Congratulations to Alexandra and Karl, Vienna, Austria

2011-07-30T16:34:00.000-04:00

While looking through links to our website, we discovered a blog post from a photographer who shot one of our Bella Vista Bridal Charleston bride's weddings. The wedding took place in Vienna, Austria and just had some incredibly beautiful locations and details. You can see more about the wedding and Alexandra's gorgeous dress on the blog of Claire Morgan Photography. Scroll down to the July 20, 2011 post.

Bella Vista Bridal has a long history of helping brides getting married all over the world. We'll try to add some pics when we hear back from Claire.

Sale Ends July 9, 2011! Half-Off or More Sample Sale

2011-07-08T16:18:00.003-04:00

The Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique Half-Off or More Sample Sale is in its final days but we still have hundreds of sample dresses to choose from. You'll be sure to find just the right dress as scores of brides have done during our sample sales. And, because we're fanatical about keeping our samples in good condition, our samples are in incredible condition. The sale ends July 9, 2011.

Come in to Bella Vista Bridal by the 9th to see all the great samples that we have to offer. This is your chance to save hundreds on the dress of your dreams. For example:
A $1,500.00 dress is now $750.00, that's $750.00 in savings. A $1,860 dress for $930, that's almost $1000.00 in savings. A $1,200.00 dress would be $600.00, an incredible price for a Bella Vista Gown.

It's been a great experience working with all the brides who have come in during this sale. Our staff has loved helping them find that dream dress and seeing them walk out the door with a smile on their faces.

Sample Sale Held Over until July 9th due to popular demand!

2011-06-29T13:36:00.005-04:00

Our Half-Off or More Sample Sale has been such a great success! We have gotten so many requests from Brides who are out of town this week, that we were considering holding the sale over to give them a chance to find the dress of their dreams. Some of those brides let us know that they were in Omaha for the College World Series, supporting the Gamecocks.

So, when the Gamecocks made their historic win of back-to-back championships final last night (we never had any doubts), we decided that to celebrate their championship and give those traveling brides a chance, we would hold the sale over. So here it is:

The BELLA VISTA BRIDAL & WEDDING BOUTIQUE Half-Off or More Sample Sale is being held over through July 9, 2011. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to buy the dress of your dreams from Bella Vista Bridal at incredible savings.

At Bella Vista Bridal, we are fanatical about taking great care of our samples, because we know that one day that dress will belong to a bride. We hope you take this exciting opportunity to find the dress of your dreams. A $2500.00 gown for $1250.00.

We will not be taking appointments for the sale, so it will be first come first served. We will keep our regular hours for the sale which are:
Columbia: Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Charleston: Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Thursday 12 noon to 6 pm.

All dresses are sold on a first come first served basis. All dresses must be paid in full and are sold as is. All sales are Final, we cannot accept returns or exchanges.

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique
1003 Gervais Street, In The Vista
Columbia SC 29201
803-251-3336

60 Calhoun Street, By The Aquarium
Charleston SC 29401
843-884-7191

And Don't forget the Vista Lights Fashion Show coming up in November!
Click Here to Check out the 2010 Show

Congratulations to USC Baseball - National Champions

2011-06-29T11:37:00.003-04:00

All of us at Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Ray Tanner, all the Gamecocks Baseball players and staff for a well-deserved National Championship in the NCAA College World Series. Back to back Championships is a an incredible feat, but we never doubted for a second that our Gamecocks would come home victorious. Thank you all for playing your hearts out and especially for playing with honor, great sportsmanship, and true poise. You have all made us very proud!

Half-Off or More Sample Sale - June 25-30 - 5 Days Only

2011-06-23T12:30:00.005-04:00

HUGE BLOW-OUT SAMPLE SALE!
5 DAYS ONLY!
JUNE 25-30
HALF-OFF OR MORE ALL MAIN GALLERY DRESSES!

We are having our Biggest Sale of the Year, for 5 days only, starting Saturday, June 25 and going through June 30, 2011. (We will be closed on Sunday.) This is an exciting opportunity to own the wedding dress of your dreams at half or more off its original price. All of the dresses in the main galleries of both our Columbia and Charleston stores are included in the sale. A $1500.00 dress for $750.00, OMG!

At Bella Vista Bridal, we are fanatical about taking great care of our samples, because we know that one day that dress will belong to a bride. We hope you take this exciting opportunity to find the dress of your dreams. A $2500.00 gown for $1250.00.

We will not be taking appointments for the sale, so it will be first come first served. We will keep our regular hours for the sale which are Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Monday through Thursday (the last day of the sale) from 10 am to 6 pm. All dresses are sold on a first come first served basis. All dresses must be paid in full and are sold as is. All sales are Final, we cannot accept returns or exchanges.

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique
1003 Gervais Street, In The Vista
Columbia SC 29201
803-251-3336

60 Calhoun Street, By The Aquarium
Charleston SC 29401
843-884-7191

And Don't forget the Vista Lights Fashion Show coming up in November!
Click Here to Check out the 2010 Show

Charleston Bridge Run - April 2, 2011

2011-03-25T20:15:00.004-04:00

So we just got some news about the Bridge Run in Charleston. With around 50,000 (yes, that's fifty-thousand) people either running or volunteering this is one of the biggest events of the year in the Southeast. Last year, our new store location at 60 Calhoun Street, served as the race HQ. And this year, after the race, we'll have lots of people catching the bus back over to Mt. Pleasant, right in front of our store. So it seems that all the excitement will continue.

Carolina Diamond Dash, March 26 2011

2011-03-25T20:04:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is the big day for the Diamond Dash and we're getting excited over here at Bella Vista Bridal. And why not, this event is right in our front yard. We won't give away any details but there will be a great turnout for tomorrows event if the sign-ups are any indication and we'll make sure that they all have a great time.

In addition to the Diamond Dash, which you can see in front of Bella Vista Bridal, and around downtown, we have a full day of brides who are going to find their wedding gown. Nothing makes us feel so good as when a Bride finds that dress that makes her look perfect and is sure to take the Groom's breath away. Of course that's our job at Bella Vista Bridal - finding our Brides the perfect dress. And it all comes together on the day they pick up their dress and fall in love with it all over again. So if you're a bride to be, give us a call at 803-251-3336 in Columbia or 843-884-7191 in Charleston to make an appointment.

You can get more info on the Diamond Dash by clicking here!

Click this link for more info about Bella Vista Bridal.

Carolina Diamond Dash

2011-03-12T10:45:00.001-05:00

On March 26th, we’ll be sponsoring the Carolina Diamond Dash – a one-day, real world treasure hunt through Columbia in search of a $15,000 RITANI Diamond Ring! Sign-up today for free at www.CarolinaDiamondDash.com
Use the promo code BELLA15 to increase your chances of being selected.

Royal Wedding Fever

2011-03-12T10:11:00.003-05:00

The big news in weddings this year has been without a doubt the upcoming Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Experts say that many brides getting married this fall and next spring will be glued to the coverage of the wedding, just waiting to see what Kate's dress looks like. We're sure that bridal designers will be looking too. Big events like the royal wedding can have a big impact on bridal fashions.

Nicole Miller Trunk Show

2011-02-23T10:31:00.001-05:00

Nicole Miller 2011 Bridal Trunk Show at Bella Vista Bridal, now through February 26 at our Columbia Boutique. We just got in a special selection of Nicole Miller bridal gowns for a special trunk show. Nicole Miller's unique bridal styling is perfect for southern weddings. Don't miss your chance to see these gowns along with our gowns from other hot designers like Lazaro, Augusta Jones, and Enzoani.

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique
1003 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
803-251-3336

CLICK HERE FOR OUR WEBSITE

We love pictures!

2011-01-05T11:55:00.005-05:00

Earlier today we had one of our brides who got married in October stop in to give us some pictures from her wedding. She brought us some stunning photos from her portrait shoot at Furman University by photographer Matt Daniel. She also took the time to write us a thank you for the girls that weren't in the store at the time.

"Bella Vista!
Thank y'all so much for everything. You guys made me feel so welcomed and comfortable that I turned down shopping in my home town to come make my dress purchase here. You guys are awesome!"

You're welcome. Thank you so much for the pictures and the note.

Pics are Copyright 2010. Matt Daniel Photography

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T16:23:00.005-05:00

Just a quick note from all of us at Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique wishing you all a Happy New Year. We hope that all of you have a prosperous 2011. Thank you to our brides who made 2010 such a great year. To all of our employees, we want to say thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to helping our brides find the perfect dress and to making their experiences at Bella Vista Bridal good ones.

As we look forward into the new year, we look forward to seeing all of those ladies who just received their engagement rings this Holiday Season. And if that ring didn't come yet, there's still Valentine's day to come. Or perhaps your man wants to be unpredictable and he'll propose on President's Day. Whenever that ring hits your finger, don't let planning your wedding take away from the fun and exciting time of being engaged. And give us a call. Our boutiques in Charleston and Columbia are widely acclaimed for having the best selection of wedding dresses in classic and modern styles.

So we look forward to seeing you all in the new year. We'll be closed on New Year's Day, but we are opening for special hours on Sunday, January 2, 2011 (Noon to 3:00 p.m.).

Take a look at our Events calendar on our website - which we are in the process of updating so keep checking for more details.

www.BellaVistaBridal.com

Happy New Year!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011

2010-12-30T11:47:00.002-05:00

So as promised, and although the cat's already out of the bag . . .

Bella Vista Bridal and Wedding Boutique has been selected by the The Knot as a Best of Weddings for 2011. Our commitment to helping our brides find the best wedding dress and provide them with the highest level of service has paid off for our happy brides and we are thankful to them for passing on the word. It seems like this time of year we get lots of cards and thank yous from brides which mean so much to us. And we appreciate everyone who helped us become a Best of Weddings for 2011.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011, and a Thank You!

2010-12-28T13:19:00.004-05:00

We were going to write about being selected for The Knot's 2011 Best of Weddings this year, but we received this great Thank You in the mail today, with some pictures of the lovely bride on her wedding day. And she said the nicest things about her experience:

"To all the ladies at Bella Vista Bridal-
Thanks to all of you for helping me pick out the wedding gown of my dreams & for all of the help during the ordering/altering process. The gown was gorgeous!! You guys are the best bridal salon in the Southeast! The Columbia location is my favorite! I have included pictures for you all."

You're so very welcome Candice, and thank you for the beautiful pictures.

We'll write about The Best of Weddings award from The Knot tomorrow.

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-27T11:35:00.005-05:00

This time of year we receive so many cards from our brides, our friends, and our designers. It always adds a little extra warmth to the season. This is one of our favorites from this year . . . for obvious reasons. This is one of our brides from earlier this year. We think she and her groom look absolutely fabulous. And her sentiments inside the card are so sweet.

"Thank you Bella Vista for helping me find the perfect dress for my absolutely perfect day!"

Your so very welcome, Michelle, and Merry Christmas to you too.

After Thanksgiving Sale

2010-11-23T14:06:00.002-05:00

JUST ANNOUNCED! Bella Vista Bridal will be having an special sale on wedding gowns after Thanksgiving. A huge selection of in-stock wedding gowns will be priced at 10% to 60% off. Plus for Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27, our friends can save an additional $50.00 by printing the attached picture and bringing it in on those days.

2010 Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show

2010-11-23T12:11:00.007-05:00

The Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique 2010 Vista Lights Bridal Fashion Show was a huge success, as guests walked the red carpet to see the gorgeous Bella Vista Bella Beauties model the best in bridal fashions. The crowd swelled to fill Gervais Street for each of the two shows right in the middle of Gervais Street. After you read all the thank yous below, click on the link to see the slideshow Dave Gilbert put together from his , John Wrightenberry's and Gregg Martin's awesome photography.

We'd like to give huge thanks to all of those who helped out with this year's show. Thanks to . . .

Cameron Glover and BigTime DJs for the music,
Dave Gilbert (PartyTime DJs & Studio 1202) for photography and editing slideshow,
John Wrightenberry Photography for photography,
Gregg Martin Photography for photography,
Celebrations Rental for the stage,
Haley Hendrix (Artistry Cosmetics) for makeup,
Michelle Harper (ImageMakers) for airbrush makeup,
Virginia Harpine for live violin music inside Bella Vista,
Maranatha and the team of 6 stylists from the Paul Mitchell School in the Vista for hair, and

Black Tie for our youngest models tuxedo.

Of course we cannot thank all of our models enough for making our dresses look great. We had many returning models and several new ones this year. Thank you all again.

>>>>>>>>>CLICK HERE FOR THE FASHION SHOW<<<<<<<<<<<

Vista Lights this Thursday

2010-11-15T12:57:00.003-05:00

We're all busy getting ready for Columbia's Vista Lights this Thursday, November 18, 2010 on Gervais Street. If you haven't been before, we shut down Gervais Street to traffic from 6:00 to 10:00 pm and Bella Vista Bridal sets up a fashion runway right in the middle of the street. From there we put on one of the best bridal fashion shows of the year. With great music provided by Cameron Glover and Big Time Entertainment. We'll have tons of great dresses and the very beautiful Bella Beauties modeling our looks.

So right now we are busy setting up the Christmas window and getting Bella Vista - Columbia all decked out. Next week we'll be busy doing the decorations in Charleston at our new 60 Calhoun Street location.

Don't miss Vista Lights!

Website is BACK!!!

2010-11-15T12:51:00.001-05:00

Our website is now working again. Thanks for your patience.

Click HERE to go to our website!

Website is Down!!!

2010-11-13T08:50:00.003-05:00

So our website is down at the moment so I wanted to make sure to give everyone some contact information for the store until we can get the technical issues resolved. Unfortunately this happened on the weekend so we may be down until Monday.

Bella Vista Bridal - Columbia
1003 Gervais Street
Columbia SC 29201
---One Block from the Capitol between Assembly and Park Streets
803-251-3336

Bella Vista Bridal - Charleston
60 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
---On Block from East Bay, near the Aquarium, on the corner of Calhoun and Alexander.
843-884-7191

Come see us today for your wedding dress!

Biggest Tax Free Sale Ever!

2010-07-31T16:54:00.003-04:00

South Carolina has announced that this Friday through Sunday (August 6,7, and 8, 2010) will be the days for its annual Sales Tax Holiday. The Sales Tax Holiday covers all clothing, among other things, sold in South Carolina on those days. This is why Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids and Mothers Dresses, veils and shoes are included in the sale. (Wetsuits, ice skates, lingerie, and ski boots make the list too! :) There is also talk that this will be the last year for the Sales Tax Holiday, so this could be your last chance to take advantage.

For Bella Vista Brides this means extra savings this weekend only. In addition to not having to pay any sales tax (we’re paying the County Sales Tax for you too), we’ll match your tax savings by taking that same amount off the price you pay for any wedding gown. That’s hundreds of dollars in savings.

Plus at the same time, Bella Vista Bridal is having its Sidewalk Sale, where you can save even more on In-Stock Wedding Gowns, as low as $500.00, Bridesmaids samples, as low as $50.00, and In-Stock shoes as low as $25.00 (Shoes and Bridesmaids in Columbia only). These savings are 40%-70% off the original prices and of course the Sales Tax Holiday applies to these as well so you save even more.

Come see Bella Vista Bridal in both Columbia and Charleston for unmatched savings. This is truly the best time of the year to purchase your wedding gown. Call Columbia at 803.251.3336 or Charleston at 803.884.7191 to set up your consultation appointment. Walk-ins will be welcome but appointments receive priority for dressing rooms and consultants.

~SALE SALE SALE~

2010-07-15T15:05:00.007-04:00

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique is having a sale! We have many gowns on sale in both our Columbia and Charleston locations. You are sure to find the perfect gown just for you!
'09s for $999 or less

$ 799
$ 899
$ 999

Blue Angels in Charleston

2010-04-17T14:22:00.004-04:00

The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's fighter jet performance team, is performing this weekend in Charleston over the harbor. It makes for a different feeling here in Charleston with the familiar clip-clop of the horse-drawn carriages being replace with the roar of the jets. We could catch a glimpse of them flying in formation looking down Market Street toward east bay. We're going to try to get to the roof to see if we can get a better look.

2010-04-09T11:41:00.003-04:00

Just finished our appearance on Lowcountry Live in Charleston on ABC Channel 4. We kicked off the show with a great segment on the latest trends in wedding dresses and telling all about the new Bella Vista Bridal Charleston. We had a lot of fun working with our models. Special thanks to Covergirl Brides for the hair... and makeup, and for all the support from Charleston Place Hotel and Melissa Bigner at Charleston Weddings.

This was the last day of Channel 4's Lowcountry Live Wedding Week that featured great businesse s from all over Cha rleston relate d to w eddings. O f course we may be a little biased but we think that we had the best segment. The video should be up on Monday, so we'll be sure to link back to that then.

We had a great time seeing everyone in the other segments which included Covergirl Brides, the Spa at Charleston Place Hotel, Bevins Photography, and Melissa Bigner, editor at Charleston Weddings magazine. Melissa was talking about all the great stuff for green weddings, reminding us of our line of Green Wedding Dresses (not the color green, but good for the environment Green). We're really excited for all of our brides whose weddings are coming up and for allk the

Charleston Fashion Week

2010-03-19T16:22:00.004-04:00

We are very excited about tomorrow's Bridal Couture Show at Charleston Fashion Week. Bella Vista Bridal is presenting its Something Blue show that is going to feature new designs from many of our world-class designers as well as gowns from our talented design staff. The Bridal Couture Show is the final show of Charleston Fashion Week before the big Emerging Designer's Competition. No doubt this year's show will be fantastic and memorable. All of the music this year is being performed by the Charleston Philharmonic, but with a twist that they will be playing some of the best rock songs ever made. To prepare for this we had to listen to hundreds of songs, trying the find (or imagine) what an orchestral arrangement of those songs would sound like.

If you are attending Charleston Fashion Week, stop by Bella Vista Bridal after the morning show to see what we are all about. Bella Vista Bridal is located directly behind Saks Fifth Avenue at the corner of King and Market Streets.

Here is video slideshow from last year's show: Click HERE
Thanks to the guys at King Street Studios for putting that together.

Valentine's Day Sale - Wedding Dress Sale

2010-02-16T11:20:00.003-05:00

Bella Vista Bridal - Charleston Is Now Open!

To celebrate the Grand Opening of Bella Vista Bridal - Charleston, we will be offering a Valentine's Day Sale February 11-20!

Beginning Thursday, February 11, 2010, Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique in both the Columbia and Charleston locations will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Charleston location and Valentine's Day with a SALE!

Every In-Stock Wedding Gown will be on Sale UP TO 60% OFF!

Plus, up to HUNDREDS OFF any Ordered Bridal Gown!

Bella Vista Bridal is known all over the southeast for its huge selection of wedding gowns. Appointments are suggested for Friday and Saturday, although walk-ins will be taken as space allows.

Please call 803.251.3336 for the Columbia Store or 843.884.7191 for the Charleston Store to make your appointment for this Great Event!

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. All "in-stock" gowns are priced for sale of that dress only, and all sales must be paid in full the day of the sale and the dress taken that day.

2. Bella Vista does its best to maintain the condition of its dresses but some wear may occur when dresses are tried on. Please check any in-stock dresses carefully as all sales are as-is. Once you pay for the dress you have accepted it in its current condition and Bella Vista Bridal is not liable for any defects whether visible or hidden.

3. All sales are AS-IS.

4. All sales are final. No returns or exchanges will be allowed.

5. Brides who wish to order their dress may do so at regular price although there will be certain discounts and incentives which vary by dress and will be explained before purchase.

Bella Vista Bride on the cover of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine

2010-01-26T14:24:00.004-05:00

We are so proud to be featured on the cover of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine's Bridal Issue Cover (for the third year). This year's photograph was shot on location near Lake Murray. Our own design staff styled the whole photoshoot which took advantage of this lovely field of sunflowers. At Bella Vista Bridal we always make sure that our Brides look fabulous whatever they are doing.

The Knot Best of Weddings - 2010

2010-01-21T18:16:00.005-05:00

We just received word that we have been voted a Best of Weddings pick by the brides of The Knot. It is always a pleasant gift to be recognized for your work. Earlier today we received flowers from a Happy Bride. It really makes us feel good to know that brides recognize the high level of service that we constantly give. While we're at it, we should mention that we were also voted Best Bridal Shop by Columbia Metropolitan Magazine for the third year in a row. For what it's worth though, we think the flowers are just as great a reward as the bigger accolades.

Our Brides Love Us! A Happy Bride Brought us Flowers

2010-01-21T11:45:00.007-05:00

We love it when our brides tell us how much they appreciate all the time and effort we put into making their wedding day special. This morning we received another one of those special Thank-yous when one of our Bella Beauties (that's what our Brides are) brought us flowers and a wonderful note telling us how much she appreciated our help in guiding her to not only the right wedding gown, but also her Mom's dress, her bridesmaids' dresses, and invitations. We'd like to tell her "Your Welcome" and also "Thank You" for being a great client.

We also make every effort to make sure that the brides who come to Bella Vista Bridal have the opportunity to have the best shopping experience of their lives. We really do see every bride who walks in as a client and not just a customer. It's special to be a part of their wedding day and we help them through every step of the way. We care where they are getting married, what time of day the ceremony is, what style they want -- because all of those and many other questions we ask are important in making sure they get the perfect wedding gown. We listen and we help.

Best Selection of Wedding Gowns Ever

2010-01-14T11:57:00.005-05:00

If you have looked at our blog or facebook page recently you know that we are opening a new bridal boutique in Charleston, South Carolina. Well, until Charleston is ready to go (only a couple of weeks now) we have over 600 wedding gown styles in Columbia, all of which are available to our brides who come to Columbia. In addition to having so many styles, Bella Vista Bridal's Bridal Design Staff can design just what you are looking for and then have one of our designers custom make that dress just for you in their sewing rooms. So whatever your taste or style Bella Vista Bridal is going to have it here. Plus, we have dresses that are perfectly priced for every bride, with wedding gowns starting at $900.00 and going up to $7000.00. Give us a call to book an appointment with one of our professional bridal consultants or come on in. We do welcome walk-ins although appointments are taken first for dressing rooms and consultants. We strongly suggest an appointment for Saturdays. Come see why thousands of Bella Vista Brides are happy brides.

Charleston Weddings Magazine Photoshoot

2010-01-13T12:03:00.004-05:00

We received a call from Ayoka Lucas, the Style Editor for Charleston Magazine, that she needed some dresses for a photoshoot they are doing in Charleston today. Always willing to help out we selected some great styles that fit the theme they are going for and sent the dresses down to Charleston for a few days. So when the next issue of Charleston Weddings hits the stands you'll be able to see some of our gorgeous dresses.

If you haven't seen Charleston Weddings Magazine yet, stop by a local bookstore because they do an awesome job of putting together a first rate magazine. Their detail shots always give you some great ideas.

Happy New Year South Carolina Brides - 2010 Weddings

2010-01-02T15:45:00.004-05:00

Well here it is 2010. We are excited about this coming year and looking forward to meeting so many new brides this year. The first part of the year is a busy and exciting time here at Bella Vista Bridal since so many get engaged over Christmas or at New Years.

We want to invite you all to come to Bella Vista Bridal and begin your wedding experience in the right way. Bella Vista Bridal has hundreds and hundreds of wedding gowns from world-class wedding designers who work with us to make sure that we have dresses custom designed just for our showroom. With so many dresses, we have something for every bride and perfectly priced for every bride. Plus, if you cannot find just the right dress, Bella Vista Bridal can have a gown custom made for you with what you want.

We are also excited that work is continuing at a fever pace in Charleston on our second location at 211 King Street, adjacent to Saks Fifth Avenue at the Market Street Suites. Check back here for more updates.

Bella Vista Bridal After-Thanksgiving $799 Bridal Sale

2009-11-24T12:00:00.014-05:00

Thanks & Giving...In the spirit of Thanks, Bella Vista has a lot to be thankful for: Four great years in Columbia and now the opening of our Charleston Boutique on King Street. Now for the Giving part: we are giving the brides of South Carolina our $799 Bridal Sale. So Happy ThanksGiving.

Bella Vista Bridal After Thanksgiving $799 Sale

Beginning Friday, November 27, 2009, Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique kicks off the holiday season with several great offers for brides. Most of our huge selection of in-stock wedding gowns in the Main Gallery will be priced at $799.00 with great deals on the rest. Bella Vista Bridal is known all over the southeast for its huge selection of wedding gowns. We will also be offering great discounts and incentives for all special order wedding gowns. Finally, if you order a Couture Wedding Gown during the sale, Bella Vista Bridal will add in hundreds in free accessories to help complete your look. Appointments are suggested for Friday and Saturday,although walk-ins will be taken as space allows.

Also, this weekend only, Bella Vista Bridal has brought in a wide selection of designer gowns for an even better selection.

Bella Vista Bridal will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, and reopen for its regular hours Friday & Saturday at 10:00 am. See www.BellaVistaBridal.com for additional information and details, or call 803-251-3336.

Opening New Location in Charleston, on King Street

2009-11-07T14:39:00.003-05:00

The newest addition to the stellar shopping in downtown Charleston’s King Street corridor is a couture bridal boutique offering bridal and wedding apparel. Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique has begun renovations to the Market Street Suites of Majestic Square, located at 211 King Street. This will be the newest location for Bella Vista Bridal, which has changed the wedding landscape in Columbia over the last few years it has been open. With the new Charleston location, adjacent to Saks Fifth Avenue, Bella Vista Bridal will be offering Charleston Brides an unparalleled selection of wedding gowns, in a refined downtown store. Bella Vista has one of the largest selections of gowns in the Southeast, while also maintaining a wide variety of price points.

Bella Vista Bridal opened its doors in Columbia in early 2006 and ever since has been a driving influence in Bridal Fashion for South Carolina. Attracting many brides from surrounding cities such as Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, and even Atlanta, Bella Vista Bridal has created a successful formula that brides quickly come to admire and respect. The secret to Bella Vista Bridal’s success with brides is having the best designs from multiple designers. In addition, Bella Vista Bridal’s design staff synthesize the best dresses of the season into its own private label lines. Finally, Bella Vista Bridal is all about fitting the dress to the bride, both body and soul. “We want our brides to feel as beautiful as they look, so the dress has to fit their body and their personality.” Pair this with attention to details like making sure the dress matches the theme, location, season, and time or the wedding and Bella Vista Bridal has all the bases covered.

Bella Vista Bridal is no stranger in Charleston. Over the past few years, hundreds of brides from Charleston have traveled to Bella Vista Bridal in Columbia for their wedding needs. Since opening its doors, Bella Vista Bridal has always seen itself as a place for Charleston’s brides to find their dream dress. “We’ve always made it a point to embrace Charleston, we love the city, we love the people, and everyone we’ve talked to has been excited that we’re coming to Charleston.” Bella Vista Bridal also turned heads in Charleston Fashion Week’s Couture Bridal Show earlier this year, and will be appearing again this year.

Over the past several years, Charleston’s King Street corridor has become a fashion center for the southeastern United States, so it was a natural draw for Bella Vista Bridal. With its location in Majestic Square, Bella Vista Bridal will be at the center of that corridor yet easily accessible, and with plenty of nearby parking (always a luxury in Charleston). Commanding close to 4000 square feet, Bella Vista Bridal’s Charleston Boutique will have plenty of room for wedding gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses, wedding invitations, and wedding accessories. Bella Vista Bridal takes “full-service” to a new level with everything a bride needs for her wedding day except the groom.

In addition, brides from outside Charleston who are getting married in Charleston will have the added convenience of being able to use the services of Bella Vista Bridal in Columbia as well as Charleston. This will benefit brides who have family living in other parts of the state, and make their lives easier as the wedding day approaches.

Bella Vista Bridal’s Charleston Boutique is scheduled to be open by January 2010. They are currently taking appointments for dates beginning in January 2010. You can reach them at 843-884-7191.

Vista Lights Fashion Show, Thursday November 19, 2009

2009-11-05T12:57:00.005-05:00

We are really getting excited about this years Vista Lights, Bella Vista Bridal Fashion Show. We are going to be showing off some awesome dresses this year. Our models have been coming in to get fitted over the last week. This show has become so popular with the crowds and models that we even have attracted out-of-state models for this years show. We are so happy to have the chance to show off the talents of our Dress Designers and stylists. We are partnering again with local businesses including Celebrations Rentals and Big Time DJs. If you were there last year, this year will be even better. If you missed last year, don't miss this year.

See the link below for pictures of the show from last year.

Bella Vista Bridal Vista Lights Fashion Show (Photos by Travis Bell)

Vista LIghts is Coming Up

2009-10-02T17:50:00.003-04:00

It's almost that time of year again. Vista Lights is less than two months away so we are in full planning mode for this years Bella Vista Bridal Vista Lights Fashion Show. Every year this event has gotten to be a bigger part of the Vista Lights celebration. We're hoping for great weather like last year, but no matter what the show will go on.

Here is a link to Travis Bell's incredible slide show from that night.

http://www.travisbellphotography.com/slideshows/bellavista/

We will keep you all posted with more details.

Bride's Love Bella Vista Bridal

2009-08-25T12:35:00.005-04:00

Thank you notes from our brides are a way of life at Bella Vista Bridal and we treasure every one of them that we receive. We even get Baby Announcements now. But Lauren G. made all of our days when she sent us a beautiful flower arrangement full of roses and mini-daisies. She also put "thank you" into some of the most wonderful words every. She wrote, "Walking into Bella Vista is one of the best decisions I have ever made! Thank you so much for making my wedding fashion perfect." Your welcome, Lauren G. We loved working with you too!

Augusta Jones Trunk Show, August 14-15, 2009

2009-08-12T12:33:00.005-04:00

Bridal Gown designer Augusta Jones is sending Bella Vista a huge trunk full of her best designs from this season so Brides can see an unmatched collection of her wedding gowns. Bella Vista Bridal is the exclusive authorized source for Augusta Jones bridal gowns in this area. So if you love this designer and are looking for your dream wedding gown, don't miss this event. Call us at Bella Vista to book a personal appointment with one of our consultants. Keep checking back for more pictures of Augusta Jones' gowns.

Sales Tax Holiday - Tax Free Wedding Dresses

2009-07-27T23:20:00.008-04:00

Matchmaker Tax Free Sale
August 7, 8 & 9
Tax Free Plus We'll MATCH the Savings

South Carolina will hold its annual Sales Tax Holiday on August 7, 8, 9. Yes, wedding gowns (and other dresses), shoes, and veils are included in the items that qualify. These items are included in the definition of clothing (as are many, many other items), which is one of the categories of items included in the Sales Tax Holiday. Commonly referred to as the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, this is an opportunity for many brides to stretch their dollars a little further on the dress of their dreams. After all, a wedding (and marriage) is an incredible learning experience for young couples.

We will have dresses up to 50% off and we will at least match your 7% savings on any dress that is not already on sale.

Bella Vista Bridal is an authorized retailer for many designer lines including Alvina Valenta, Lazaro, Melissa Sweet Reverie, Augusta Jones, and many others. (Bella Vista is the only authorized source for these designers in the Midlands.) Bella Vista Bridal also has dresses in every price range starting at $999.00 in our Main Gallery and $2499 in our Couture Gown Gallery.

One of our brides remarked the other day, "Why would I go to Atlanta or New York when [Bella Vista] is here. It's Kleinfeld's right here in Columbia."

Special Sale Hours:
Friday, August 7th 10:00am untly 6:00pm
Saturday, August 8th 10:00am until 5:00pm
Sunday, August 9th 1:00pm until 5:00pm

"Tax Free" applies to only items defined by the South Carolina Department of Revenue as qualifying for the Sales Tax Holiday. In accordance with law all sales must be paid in full during the Sales Tax Holiday. Bella Vista Bridal will discount any dresses not already discounted by 7% to match the sales tax savings. 7% Discount cannot be combined with any other offers, incentives, or discounts.
All Sales Are Final. Cash and Credit Cards only, please.

Carolina Bride Magazine

2009-07-08T16:20:00.006-04:00

BREAKING NEWS: The new issue of Carolina Bride was dropped off at the store today, and we're excited to see that ALL three of the featured brides got their dresses at Bella Vista Bridal, including Jennifer (Fairfax) Spurrier who appears on the cover. We enjoyed working with all of them and they all looked wonderful on their wedding day. We'll put some pictures up as soon as we can get our hands on them. Watch for updates. As of yet they have not updated their website to the new issue, although that could change at any second. But all three brides featured in the last issue (which is currently up) were Bella Vista Brides too!

You can always find Bella Vista Bridal at our website: www.bellavistabridal.com

Alvina Valenta on Today Show Throws a Wedding

2009-07-07T18:34:00.003-04:00

This year's Today Show Throws a Wedding recently featured four wedding dresses for their bride. One of these was a gorgeous gown by Alvina Valenta. Bella Vista Bridal has featured Alvina Valenta wedding dresses and bridesmaid's dresses for years. Because of this we have a large selection of their gowns as well as designer gowns for all brides.

Call us for more information at 803-251-3336.

Cover of Brides Magazine - Melissa Sweet Reverie at Bella Vista Bridal, Columbia SC

2009-06-13T14:40:00.003-04:00

If you've seen this cover of Brides Magazine, you'll recognize this dress from Bella Vista Bridal's window and our runway show at Charleston Fashion Week this Spring. The short dress is one of this years newest trends and this dress is a stunner complete with oh so hip pockets, and a great sassy style. This dress is perfect for those outdoor weddings. Especially here in SC where the summer goes all the way to November.

Congratulation to Megan

2009-06-01T17:40:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Megan. She recently was married in the upstate and has a number of wonderful pictures from before and during the wedding. Megan says that she received many compliments on her dress and we'd like to add ours (even if we are a bit biased). Many thanks to Megan for letting everyone know that her dress came from Bella Vista Bridal.

Anna & Ben's Wedding

2009-04-25T17:32:00.009-04:00

Some months back, Anna was in Columbia for a visit and came into Bella Vista Bridal to look around. Well, even though she was not living in Columbia, and her wedding was going to be in Florida, Anna decided to work with Bella Vista to get her dress, bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dress, and other wedding needs. Anna is just one of our many brides who chose Bella Vista Bridal as their wedding boutique even though they lived out of state. We loved working with Anna, and judging by the pictures, everyone was just beautiful on her and Ben's wedding day. Special thanks to her photographer Susan Stripling for the pictures.

"Thanks again for all of your help, our wedding could not have been more perfect." -Anna

Bella Vista Rocks Charleston Fashion Week

2009-03-31T11:58:00.010-04:00

We're fresh back from Charleston Fashion Week, and Bella Vista's runway show was the talk of the tents on Saturday. Bella Vista's show carried off its theme of Eastern Echoes superbly giving all in attendance a treat for the eyes and ears. The show opened to the rolling thunder of drums, then launched into a fierce mix of music from The Ting Tings. At the end of the show there was no doubt that Bella Vista Bridal was one of the Southeast's most fashionable bridal boutiques.

Bella Vista's designers mixed dresses from many designers, including Melissa Sweet's, Alvina Valenta, and Lazaro, with elements from the far east for a show that kept the audience on their toes waiting for the next dress to be shown. Each new model brought her own attitude and sophistication to the runway, and worked her magic on the crowd. Several dresses brought huge cheers from the crowd as did the whole crew when it came time for the finale.

Take a look at the pictures below that are just a small sample of what went on at Charleston Fashion Week. Keep checking back for more pictures and video coming soon.

2009-03-07T12:19:00.003-05:00

BELLA VISTA BRIDAL is in Charleston Fashion Week!
March 28th, 2009.

Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique is proud to be a part of Charleston Fashion Week's Couture Bridal Show on Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at Marion Square in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Fashion Week has quickly gained recognition as one of the nation's top fashion events, attracting national and international attention.

Bella Vista's Fashion Week team has been busy preparing the great looks we are going to be presenting in Charleston representing the future of Bridal. This week we had fittings with various models both here in Columbia and in Charleston. It has been a treat to work with a number of models who are sure to be seen this year on the runways of New York and Paris, as well as at Charleston Fashion Week. Creating looks for the runway is an exciting mix of what we do every day for our brides and being able to get outside the box and make something new and inspiring. Working with the team of fashion show stylists is translating to even more inspiration for us when it comes to helping our brides create a memorable and stunning look. But even more fun is seeing them take cues from us and our experience in creating great looks for our own brides and our own fashion shows.

If you've seen Bella Vista Bridal's Vista Lights fashion show, you already know that Bella Vista knows how to rock the runway. If you're interested in going to Charleston Fashion Week, we still have a few tickets for the Couture Bridal Show on sale here at Bella Vista Bridal.

Novia D'Art Trunk Show

2009-02-20T21:01:00.004-05:00

This Saturday (February 21, 2009) Bella Vista is featuring designs by Novia D'Art with a one time trunk show. We have received special permission from the designer to bring this new line to South Carolina.

Don't miss this opportunity to view and try these spectacular designs.

Bella Vista Bridal 3rd Annual Vista Lights Fashion Show

2008-11-26T13:58:00.010-05:00

Close to a thousand visitors to the Vista's annual Vista Lights Festival were treated to the most fantastic fashion shows south of New York City. Bella Vista Bridal has put on this show every year since the opened and every year it gets better. Within minutes of Gervais Street being closed for traffic, Bella Vista's staff set up a full stage in the middle of the street for the Bella Beauties to strut their stuff.

This year's show featured some of the newest designs from Melissa Sweet's Reverie collection, plus favorite new designs from top designers including Nicole Miller and Enzoani. Huge crowds gathered for both shows and the show itself was the talk of the Vista for the rest of the evening.

Our good friend and photographer Travis Bell was on hand to capture the action and has put together an awesome slide show that you can see by clicking on this paragraph. (Music Warning, so turn down the volume if you could get in trouble.)

We would also like to thank Cameron Glover and Big Time DJs for providing the incredible music for the fashion show; Unbound Dance Troupe for providing extra entertainment between the shows; Celebrations Rentals for the stage; and all of our Bella Beauties who are without a doubt the best models around.

Congratulations to Bella Vista Brides

2008-09-13T15:11:00.002-04:00

We wanted to congratulate all of our Bella Vista Brides. Three of them were featured in the Summer/Fall 2008 issue of Carolina Bride magazine. Congratulations to Emily, Monika, and Beth who were the three brides featured in this issue and ALL are Bella Vista Brides. (Cover Photo by Tracy Turpen Photography)

Above is Beth (and her bridesmaids - who by the way also got their dresses at Bella Vista), who got married at the Millstone at Adam's Pond. Beth is sure to be in for a lot of good luck as a torrential rainstorm came upon her reception. But Beth was unfazed, and had fun the whole time despite the rain.

Finally we have Monika, whose wedding at the Columbia Convention Center, featured beautiful lighting effects and decor that fit her theme of "A Starlit Dance."

You can read more about all these bride's weddings in the Summer/Fall 2008 issue of Carolina Bride.

Thank you Bella Vista

2008-09-13T11:21:00.004-04:00

Here is a Thank You we got from one of our Brides:

Dear Marcell and all of the wonderful ladies at Bella Vista:

Thank you for helping me find the perfect dress for my wedding day!! When I got engaged WAY back in 2006, I had no idea what I wanted for a dress. But the moment I walked into your shop, I knew I was in the right place. It didn't take us very long to figure out my style and Marcell, you picked out just the right dress for me.

We are now celebrating our first month of marriage and as we are looking at some of our first professional pictures, I just had to say thank you again for working with me. The dress really fit perfectly.

Thanks again and may God continue to bless you and your business (I still can't believe how much the shop has grown since I got my dress--I want to go dress shopping all over again!)

Best,
Monika

Monika Alston-Miller, PhD
Asst. Professor of Communication
College of Charleston

Your Welcome Monika! And thank you for your kind words.

Bella Vista Bridal's Blog

2008-09-08T15:26:00.013-04:00

Welcome to Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique's Official Blog. Come here to find out all about what is going on with Bella Vista from sales and special events to the latest about Bella Vista and its brides. We'll also be giving out advice and tips from time to time so be sure to check back regularly for information.

We'd also like to send a huge Thank You out to all of our friends in the Bridal & Wedding Business who have been instrumental in helping Bella Vista become such a success. So here it is:

THANK YOU

Ok, so apparently that's the largest Thank You we can put on here, but in real life it is much bigger.

If you got here through our website, then be sure to check out our galleries and calendar for more info about Bella Vista. If you just found our blog then be sure to check out our website at:

www.BellaVistaBridal.com

Enjoy.