Bella Umbrella

I've known of Bella Umbrella for quite some time now. I originally found out about them from blogs (I can't remember which one started it) and I loved how brides often used their umbrellas for wedding ceremonies...either each bridesmaid walked down with one or all guests got one to shade themselves from the sun or rain. And I mean, who comes up with a shop renting fancy
umbrellas but a woman who lives in Seattle--the rainiest town in America?!?


I didn't think I'd rent umbrellas for my wedding, because it didn't fit with the theme, but when I scheduled my engagement pictures up in Seattle with Jamie of Jamie Hammond Photography, I knew there'd be a chance it would rain, and what a great opportunity to use Bella Umbrellas! As I worked with Jamie to create the look of our engagement photos (both in location style and clothing style) I mentioned the umbrellas as an option if it rained. She told me that even if it didn't rain it would be a great addition to the photos.


So today, I went online to Bella Umbrella's very easy to use website (click here to visit it), then clicked on umbrellas for rent, and went to work looking through their galleries of amazing umbrellas. I picked out some solid-colored umbrellas to match my outfits and after talking to Jamie, two fun ones to add a little flare. All you do on the website is click an umbrella, it will ask you for your event date (mine is this weekend) and then it will tell you if that umbrella is available. Having done this only days before traveling up there, I did get many not availables, but also ended up with many that fit my needs. At the end of the transaction, when you have all of your umbrellas ready, you simply submit your information. Jodell calls you right away and confirms your order, takes your payment info, and you're all set. It was super easy!


I will warn you that this makes much more sense for ordering multiple umbrellas than just one or two. The umbrellas range in rental price from $10-$30 (maybe there are a few that are more-mine weren't) and if you don't order $100 worth you're subject to a $40 service charge. So I found that it made more sense to order 6 umbrellas and pay $100 versus buying 2 and paying $80. I'm picking up my umbrellas but she will also ship them to you, which is included in that price, and included is a pre-paid shipping slip to ship them back. You get the umbrellas for a five day rental period (typically Thurs-Mon). Also, if you buy more than 65 umbrellas the rate is automatically $10 each instead of $20 or $30. She also offers umbrella stands (and you're going to need a few if you're ordering 65 or more umbrellas).


So I'm excited to see how it all works out this weekend, and as soon as I have engagement pictures back afterward you know they'll be up for you to see on the blog.

Happy planning everyone!
~A