07/14/09

DO NOT get your alterations here!

by malibudavis

I ordered my dress from here and had no problems. I ordered about 11 months before my wedding and the dress arrived maybe 4 months later? pretty much on schedule. Fortunately for me, I did not need any major alterations done. I probably would've stuck with their seamstress and been scr-ewed like the other reviewers. But I did need a bustle put in. I brought the dress in just shy of 8 weeks before my wedding. Told them I needed a bustle. Told them the kind I wanted, but said, "i trust the seamstress to judge which kind works best with the dress." you see, my dress is from an older collection (2006), so they've had it on their racks for some time. Meaning: the seamstress has VERY likely seen and dealt with the dress before. Well, over two weeks later, on a Thursday, I happened to call the shop to inquire about the status of the bustle (since I had my bridal party coming to town and I wanted to show them the dress -- boy was that a lucky coincidence.) She hesitated on the phone and came back to say, "uh, it'll be ready on Tuesday" I picked it up on Tuesday without ever meeting the seamstress or trying on the dress or even looking at it with the bustle done on the hanger. my mistake! I got it home, tried it on, and needless to say, the bustle did not work. The dress is lace on top of satin. The lace is not attached to the satin. So even I, a novice seamstress, knew that the lace had to be attached to the satin in order for both layers to pull up properly with the bustle. But instead, I think the seamstress did a rush job on Monday and just sewed in two basic pieces of ribbon. I was so pi- ss- ed and now had less than 5 weeks til my wedding. I instantly called the Silver Needle, without even bothering to try to go back to the Brides Shop, and she did the right work for $2 more in less than 3 weeks. She repeatedly exclaimed at how bad the work was by the Brides Shop and was particularly amazed since BRIDAL ALTERATIONS are WHAT THEY DO! I agreed. You only had to hang the dress on a hanger and do up the bustle to see that it didn't work at all -- that the lace was just all over the place. Which means, they didn't check their work. They didn't need someone to try it on -- they could've seen it on a hanger.

Anyway, I haven't even bothered to go back there to complain. I don't even care about the money ($24) in the grand scheme of things. But if I hadn't checked, I wouldn't have known they did a sh -tty job til my wedding.

I also found the veils overpriced. I had to pay an extra $100 for my dress (for extra length, which was fine). When I picked up the dress, I told them I wanted to pay for the extra length. And I ordered the veil at the same time. I paid $176. I assumed that meant the veil was like $70. Boy, was I wrong. I got a call months later telling me I still owed them $100. When I went in, they told me the $176 was for the veil. I was horrified. When I said I had told them I wanted to pay the $100 when I picked up the dress and no one EVER told me how much the veil was and I NEVER would've paid that much, they just shrugged. No apology. I realize that veils can be expensive in places, however, I bought a plain tulle fingertip length veil that I could've bought from one of these locals seamstresses for $60. Seriously -- go to the Bridal show and you will find small independent seamstresses offering veils for 1/3 of that price. I was pi - ssed.

• Pros: nice selection of dresses
• Cons: poor workmanship, customer service

10/11/08

It always sunny here!

by jenjenW8

We just had wedding in August and bought our exquisite bridal gown from The Brides' Shop. The 3/4 length

sleeves that were added and the additional beading turned out beautifully. The seamstress Yrma did a

fabulous job and my gown was everything I expected it would be. The flower girls and the bridesmaids

alterations made for a very big job, especially since we live out of state. They worked very carefully with

us to schedule fittings when we were available The staff was so good to us and made for a very stress

free day.

• Pros: location, parking, selection, tuxedo, and great experience
• Cons: Rental on the slips

10/11/08

Incredible Experience

by SusanMccoy26

Buying my gown from The Brides' Shop was an incredible experience. I ordered my gown on a rush because I

was planning my wedding in a short time. It turned out to be my favorite thing about my wedding (except my

husband). My gown came in on time and the alterations were perfect. People continue to comment about

my beautiful dress. I have deep gratitude to The Brides' Shop and all their attention to detail they gave me

which made my wedding day worry free.

• Pros: Beautiful selection of dresses, friendly and helpful staff, alterations, accessories
• Cons: Saturday hours, wished they were open later.