Melissa
Owner & Manager
Melissa is part owner and manager of bella sala, and she takes pride in making events simply unforgettable and easy for you! Her passion for creative, affordable entertaining makes endless décor options possible, from stunning table settings to eye-popping lighting. Originally from Marion, Melissa has focused on customer service and on expanding the venue since it opened in 2009. She also co-owns The Bridal Shop, which is located in Coralville.
Melissa enjoys a busy personal life spent with her husband, son and daughter. The family also welcomes foster children into their home.
J.P.
Banquet Event Manager
J.P. helps plan and manage every event held at bella sala. From meeting with you to make selections to ensuring proper staffing, J.P. ensures a smooth event and steady communication with you to make sure all your needs are met. He ensures that everything is set up, stocked and ready to go prior to every wedding, reception, meeting, reunion and gala. He has helped make hundreds of simply unforgettable events happen for people from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding areas.
J.P. enjoys event planning outside of work, too. He and his friends put on a charity event every year called the JTC Charity Softball Tournament. They donate the funds they raise to various Iowa children's charities. A fun fact about J.P. is that he and his wife met in the Hawkeye Marching Band. They now have three kids-two boys and a girl.
Alana Andrews
Event Manager
Alana's goal at bella sala event center is ensuring your wedding, reception or other event is as easy and as amazing as you dreamed! With experience managing a luxury chocolate and pastry shop, Alana is all about the good vibes and details of event planning. She loves listening to your needs and helping soothe the nervous excitement that comes with getting married or hosting any event.
Alana and her husband have two dogs that they like to take on their hiking adventures. When she's not setting up simply unforgettable events with the bella sala team, she likes to dive into DIY projects, enjoy great food, and check off new thrills, such as climbing mountain peaks and skydiving.
As a newlywed herself, Alana knows the secrets of making your day more meaningful and loves being part of your joy!