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We have a few styles that already incorporate a ruffled look: the Christy Dress, the Bridget Dress, the Alex Dress and the Meredith Dress, but the list doesn’t stop there. There are so many great ways to incorporate ruffle styles into dresses that we have to limit ourselves- but that doesn’t mean you have to!

You would be surprised what a little ruffle can do for a simple style. In fact; there are so many options that it would be impossible for us to produce them all for our collection. So, if you are a ruffle fan at heart, get creative with our styles, our Bella Bridesmaid stores sure do!

For instance take the Alex ruffle and add it onto the Pearl Dress, it’s super cute (pictured right).Or take the Christy ruffle and add it to the Elle Dress (in fact we will be adding this to our collection in a short time!). Or even the Pam Dress with a Christy ruffle (pictured left). Throw a ruffle on a sash, or insert an exposed waist seam ruffle to the waist of one of our styles for a little extra spice.

We are  more than happy to mix and match ruffles and dress patterns for YOUR wedding party! Just let us know if there is something you’d like to do and we’ll be happy to tell you if it’s possible- and chances are it is. We love seeing you get creative and add your own flair to our designs- who knows you could come up with a fabulous frock we haven’t seen before!

If you have any questions about any of our styles, or want to ask us if a dress idea is possible call us or email us at info@lulakate.com!

It’s wedding season, and boy do I know it! I am a bridesmaid in three weddings this summer! And thankfully, all the dresses are gorgeous. Phew!

I’ve noticed more and more designers are offering styles that can be worn after the wedding–yet are still chic enough for that special occasion. Gotta love a 2-for-1!

I’m definitely going to make sure that the dress I choose for my bridesmaids are double-duty as well. I was recently inspired by the dress choice by my friend Daisy (see below–mine will be in a solid Sea blue), who is getting married at the end of this month in the Dominican Republic. The dresses are made by LulaKate–and I’m already fantasizing about the places I can wear the dress after the wedding.

To Work: add a wide belt and cardigan

To Dinner/Night-Out: add a pair of high strappy pumps and layer on some bold necklaces

To Brunch: add ballet flats and a jean jacket or lightweight blazer

LulaKate strikes the perfect balance between elegance and functionality. The line is based in Charleston, South Carolina and was created in 2003 by Katherine McDonald. The made-to-order dresses are inspired by the graceful charm of the South—yet, the classic styles will look amazing in any location. They are reasonably priced for bridesmaid dresses as well (especially ones you can wear again): about $285-$350. The ruffles, cinched waists, vibrant colors and whimsical beauty are just a few of the amazing details found in these dresses.

Wedding Row editor, Della, takes the reader through an intricate tour of each bridal boutique in Charleston, complete with pictures and details on each stores offering. Our collection, Kate McDonald Bridal is featured here, and photographs of each of the dresses are posted, as they debuted in Charleston Fashion Week March 2010.

For more information about our dresses or to book an appointment to view the full collection email info@lulakate.com or call us at 843-805-7193!

We have all heard of {and love} the fun, flirty, and fabulous LulaKate, a quite sought after line of gorgeous bridesmaid attire. And now  Katherine, the designer, has launched a couture wedding gown collection. The Kate McDonald Bridal Collection made its debut at Charleston Fashion Week 2010 this past March. Each gown was designed by Katherine McDonald, founder and owner of LulaKate, LLC. She was inspired by the women in her life, both past and present, famous and family.

The gowns utilize timeless silhouettes with modern European fabrics and details. The bridal gowns range from full, tulle ball gown skirts to elegant straight skirts, sweeping trains, and hand beaded collars. The collections is quite diverse, each fabric hand picked for the silhouette, from Italian silks, chiffons, and fancy French lace- with one show stopping ostrich feather skirt thrown in the mix! These gowns are designed in Charleston, SC and sewn in the USA.

The Kate McDonald Bridal Collection is available exclusively at the LulaKate flagship store in Charleston, South Carolina. To make an appointment to view the full collection call 843.805.7193.

Approaching Bella Bridesmaid, a boutique in Bethesda, Md., I expected the walls to be lined with tacky, unflattering monstrosities à la 27 Dresses. However, immediately after entering the store, one of 25 Bella Bridesmaid boutiques nationwide, I realized I could not have been more wrong. Adorned with powder blue walls and a crystal chandelier hanging above several plush, white couches, Bella Bridesmaid creates a serene and comfortable environment for shoppers. Antique silver full-length mirrors coupled with warm lighting help to showcase the array of dress styles lining the walls, and billowy drapes frame the doors to the spacious and inviting dressing rooms. With a vast variety of cuts and colors, Bella Bridesmaid offers a stylish and affordable selection of dresses that are appropriate for a wedding, but versatile enough to be worn to any cocktail or dinner party. After coveting the collection of dresses, not to mention trying on a few, we sat down with owner Lacey Campbell, a business owner at the age of only 25, and asked her a few questions about what makes Bella Bridesmaid so appealing to the modern bridesmaid.

WL:  Do you think Bella Bridesmaid’s concentration on offering appropriate, yet versatile, dresses is the reason for its popularity?

LC: That’s definitely the reason the niche market developed…because until now, the entire bridal market has focused on wedding dresses…The whole idea is to make the bridesmaids’ experience more enjoyable. It’s a good time for the bride to relax and her bridesmaids can come out and model, and she can just sit and relax.

WL:  Do you find that Bella Bridesmaid’s choice to carry only designer dresses more appealing to the modern bridesmaid?

LC: Yes. I think, speaking as a bridesmaid, I’d rather pay more for something I’d wear again, than pay less for something that I’m going to throw out.

WL:  Is Bella Bridesmaid’s cozy environment appealing to shoppers?

LC: I think it’s absolutely important, you have to create a warm environment for buying a dress. Weddings are stressful, and you want to make it as relaxing as possible so it can be as enjoyable as possible.

WL:  Is there a specific accessory or finishing touch that you find crucial to polishing off the bridesmaid look?

LC: I think the broaches are really popular, the brides can buy them as gifts and the bridesmaids can also wear them on their dresses.

WL:  Which dresses are your best sellers?

LC: The Lula Kate is very popular, because she is exclusive to the Bella Bridesmaid franchise, which means her dresses cannot be found anywhere else…the look is very preppy. The Two Birds brand is also really popular because of all of the different styles.

WL: Bella Bridesmaid had its grand opening in June, how has the reception to the store been so far?

LC: The first opening was June 1^st…I haven’t done much marketing yet, but I’ve been so excited because people have started to find us on blogs.

WL:  At the age of 25, you have already established yourself as a young business owner. What do you consider to be integral to your success?

LC: I’ve always wanted to own my own business, that’s a lot of it…I’ve learned more than I ever thought opening a bridesmaid’s store…I guess just having the drive…it’s a very interesting franchise, I did my research, and I talked to the other owners, and they were really excited and loved what they were doing. I guess just having the courage to jump in head first.

WL:  Have you ever been a bridesmaid yourself? What was the best and worst part?

LC: I was in my best friend’s wedding, it was great. It was good to be a part of something that I sell, I was put in their [the customer’s] shoes. The most difficult part was I had to respect the bride’s opinions, she did not listen to everything I said…Every girl has a very strong opinion about what a wedding should be, it’s something women are very vocal about.

WL:  With over 25 Bella Bridesmaid stores nationwide, what makes your store stand out?

LC: Well, we’re very new, and I love ours because it has a lot of light…I expect it’ll have lots of company because DC is such a big market.

WL:  What were your hesitations in becoming a store owner and what helped you make your decision?

LC: I definitely wanted to do my research, financially and day to day work…was this something I would want to do day to day? And we are open on the weekends and at night so I was going to be giving up my weekends. But it’s worth it because you can make your own schedule…I mean this is my baby.

Bridget Brown, founder of the famed Bella Bridesmaid, opened her doors in May 2000 after realizing there wasn’t a single store in the US dedicated to chic, modern and wearable bridesmaid dresses.

Now that Bella Bridesmaid is a franchise, they have some incredible exclusive lines available. Meaning, you can only get these designers at Bella Bridesmaid boutiques nationwide.

• Swoon: based out of LA. Flowy, etherial, destination-inspired dresses in slinky silks and romantic colors.
• LulaKate: whimsical and fun silk shantung shapes in vibrant hues.
• Joanna August: former Hollywood film executive turned bridesmaid dress designer, creates silk chiffon gowns that are Oscar-worthy yet versatile.
• Carol Hannah: Coming this Fall, the Season 6 Project Runway finalist debuts with her new bridesmaid dress collection of flirty jersey frocks and informal bridal gowns .
• And Saja: based out of NYC, came out of a gap in the market for well-made, silk bridal gowns that don’t break the bank more appropriate for low-key brides or low-key weddings.

Oh hi, lovely Sara, so nice to see you on the blog today!  Continuing with our theme of something new and different on Tuesdays and Thursdays, today we bring you Sara’s bridal portraits, shot by Richard Ellis of Ellis Photography.  Sara chose her quaint hometown in South Carolina as the backdrop for these images, and I must say, she made a fine Southern choice.  Spanish moss?  Check.  Tree-lined avenues?  Check.  A glorious old home and a bayou straight out of The Notebook?  Check and check.  Read on for more details about Sara’s gorgeous Lula Kate dress!

P.S. I know so many of you are over the stranglehold strapless dresses appear to have on the bridal fashion market.  What do you think of Sara’s skinny straps?  I’m digging them!

Allow us to introduce you to a charming little line named LulaKate. Be prepared to be totally smitten with elegant style and flirty looks… these dresses caught our eye with their feminine ruffles and their gorgeous silhouettes and there’s definitely no going back. We’re in love and now we’re also proud to add say that can peruse through the lovely LulaKate collection right here in our Fashion Look Book. And just to give you a taste of the adorableness, here are just a few of the many darling numbers LulaKate has in store…

For many of you, choosing your wedding gown was one of the first items you checked off the to-do list, but the search for the perfect dress for your girls remains a big and not-so-easily accomplished task. Different friends/family, different bodies, different styles… it’s no surprise bridesmaid dresses get a bad reputation. Thanks goodness those days are long behind us and your girls can stand by your side looking charming, graceful, and totally chic. LulaKate is completely dedicated to art of the bridesmaid dress and they are masters at what they do. So head on over to the Look Book to check even more of these fabulous frocks. They don’t disappoint.

Check out the full article here!

Bella Bridesmaid DC
8001 Wisconsin Ave Ste 201
Bethesda, MD 20814