Rachel Esposito, owner of  Bel Fiore Bridal announces release of her new book 101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire written by Rachel Espostio and some of the greatest bridal shop owners in North
America.
This book is a collection of hundreds of years of experience in wedding know how with the people that are on the front lines of the wedding industry. This group of authors knows what it takes to make a wedding work. You will learn the inside
tips and tricks that will make your wedding experience what you want it to be without the hassles and with the highest level of quality, while saving you money.

Stressed out about buying wedding attire? You need 101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire.

This book makes an excellent gift for the engaged bride, click here to purchase your copy!

Steve Lang CEO of Mon Cheri Bridal and 20 of the leading bridal lines in the world, including Kathy Ireland, Sophia Tolli, Martin Thornburg – designer extrordianaire, Joan Calabrese, America’s foremost designer of children’s formal
wear and the incomparable Tony Bowls has endorsed 101 Secrets Every Bride Needs to Know About Buying Wedding Attire and has agreed to write a forward to the book.

“I have included a few pictures of me on my wedding day in my BEAUTIFUL dress from Bel Fiore Bridal.  I got so many compliments on the dress and felt like a beautiful bride wearing it!!  Thank you for all your help in finding my dream wedding dress!!  Also the bridesmaid dresses are from y’all as well and I’ve included a picture with the wedding party!”

Check out what Atlanta and Bel Fiore Bride, Kim Fitzgerald, had to say about her experience at Bel Fiore.

Kim Fitz (as she’s also known as) is a local DJ for Kicks 101.5 and has been a wonderful bride.

While awaiting the arrival of the wedding group, the guests should be served beverages and appetizers. Music should be playing when the guests arrive. Be sure that a coat check is available, that the gift table is in plain sight with a person assigned to manage the table. Do have someone available to help with seating plans.

Once the bridal entourage arrives at the reception site, the bandleader or maitre d’ or reception host should ask the seated guests to stand while he/she introduces the party. Since the bride and groom are the evening’s stars, they should be introduced last. Introductions and entrances flow in this order: first the parents of the bride, then the parents of the groom, followed by the “little people” (depending on their ages), bridesmaids and groomsmen, and the maid of honor and best man. Once the bridal party is in place, then the bride and groom are introduced and make their grand entrance.
Make sure that the names are double checked for pronunciation and that information is passed on to the person in charge or reception host.

Class of 2012

Writer: Stan Jackson, 706-542-8157, ugastan@uga.edu

Contact: Meredith Carr, 404-814-8820, mcarr@uga.edu

January 24, 2012

Athens, Ga. – Bel Fiore Bridal, based in Marietta, was honored on January 21, when the UGA Alumni Association announced the rankings of the 2012 Bulldog 100: Fastest Growing Bulldog Businesses at a celebration in Atlanta.

Bel Fiore Bridal, helmed by 2001 UGA graduates Rachel and Tom Esposito, ranks as this year’s 50th fastest growing Bulldog business.  The firm specializes in bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedo rentals and other formal accessories and attire.

“We are so proud of our accomplishments and being a member of the Bulldog 100, 2 years in a row is humbling. It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!” said Esposito.

The Atlanta CPA firm, Gifford Hillegass and Ingwersen, LLP has annually partnered with the UGA Alumni Association since the inception of the program three years ago to verify the information that was submitted by each nominated company.  GH&I then ranked the companies based on compounded annual growth rate.

Nominations were collected between January and June 2011.  To be considered for the program, an organization must have been in business for at least five years, had revenues of $100,000 or more for the calendar year 2008, and be owned or operated by a former UGA student who owns at least 50% of company or be the CEO, President or Managing Partner. The program recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year growth rate average.

Nearly 800 nominations were submitted for this year’s program.  The class of 2012 includes companies ranging in all sizes and services, from athletics equipment producers to web design and internet marketing firms. Several different areas of the country are represented, including companies from Connecticut, Nebraska, and New Mexico.

UGA alumni and friends celebrated the 2012 Bulldog 100 honorees at a special event held  at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on January 21, 2012. The evening began with a reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.  Keynote speaker, Deborah Norville, anchor of “Inside Edition” and 1979 UGA graduate, led attendees to the highlight of the evening—the release of the final rankings and countdown of the 2012 Bulldog 100.

“The UGA Alumni Association is thrilled to honor our graduates who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence that bring honor to their alma mater,” said Deborah Dietzler, executive director of the UGA Alumni Association.  “We are proud of the accomplishments of these alumni, whose achievements during the Great Recession are noteworthy indeed.”

Nominations for the 2013 Bulldog program will open January 30.  The full listing and rankings of the 2012 honorees and photos of the celebration can be found at www.alumni.uga.edu/b100.

Congratulations, Callan!  You looked gorgeous!  Best Wishes!

The Bulldog 100 is a program that will determine and award the 100 fastest growing businesses that are owned or operated by UGA Alumni, each year.

We are so proud of this accomplishment. The final rankings have been announced & Bel Fiore is #50! That’s among 100 nominees & over 800 applicants. Click here to view a list of the nominees.

Bel Fiore Bridal will be offering a special in honor of our nomination, to thank our wonderful customers for helping Bel Fiore achieve this exciting award, see our events page for details.

1. Typically a church will not allow permanently attached furniture to be moved. You may not like the pew arrangement but you will be expected to work with it. If Kate and William can, so can you.
2. No tacks or nails can be driven into the woodwork nor can anything be used to deface it.
3. Saucers and/or mats must be placed under all floral arrangements or greenery that rest on the floor.
4. All arrangements for music, ceremony input and decorations must be submitted in advance and are subject to the approval of the priest, minister, rabbi or church wedding coordinator.
5. Floral arrangements or candles that must be taped to the pew ends are likely to be forbidden.
6. A church may require that its organist be utilized.
7. A church may require that no pictures be taken during the ceremony. Your photographer needs to know this in advance.
8. Common sense says that no trash be left behind in the building so you should appoint a dressing room assistant who makes sure that all bags and related apparel items are removed.
If you have not been provided with a set of guidelines for the venue you have chosen for your ceremony, be sure to ask for clarification.
We are here to help you with all of the details surrounding your wedding.

Where did you get married? Were there any unusual requests?

Thank you to Korey Visual Arts for the photos.

Check out what Atlanta and Bel Fiore Bride, Lauren Clemons, had to say about her experience at Bel Fiore.