My first post - we're narrowing down on our wedding venue...now my next worry are the other million checklists...
Any bridal salons you guys recommend?
Which ones you've been to (review if you can)?
What should I bring and what should I expect?
There's a Bridal Reflection in the city this week that is having:
August 18th - 29th To help celebrate our new, expanded location, Bridal Reflections is having a blow out expansion sample sale! Top designer gowns 30 - 70% off. First come, first serve, no appointment required. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime special event!
You guys think it's worth it to go?
Also, I'm my budget is to spend less than $1,000 on a dress - do you think that's possible - and if it is do you know which designers I should look at?
Went to Macy's bridal in the city and was disappointed.
Went to Village bridal in Babylon and LOOOOVED it. They were so nice there, they didn't rush me at all. They were actually telling me to take more time with all the dresses on because it is a big decision to make. They also told me they didn't work on commission which is also part of the reason (so I am told) they are not pushy. They let me walk around and look at just about every dress in there. They even let me go to the BM and MOB dresses even though I did not have an appointment for that. I would recommend them 100%. They also had dresses in all price ranges.
I would suggest going to Kelinfeld's & RK Bridal. Both are VERY different experiences, but both have a large selection for you. I actually found my dress at RK Bridal... very factory like...passes on the discount to buyers. Great selection and I found their consultants were very helpful and knowledgeable about what fabric and cuts flatter which body types. Bad thing - bad reviews on the alterations.
Kleinfelds is for the whole BRIDE experience. Very nice... but I would't get caught up in all of it... bring back up with you and remember to shop around....Bad thing... most ppl have great reviews..I happen to know 4 brides who had a stressful and one a very bad experience... so I was gun shy.
I ended up buying my dress at Valentina's Bridal in Brooklyn... a few reasons... they have a great reputation. I've dealt with them in the past as a BM 5 times. Not one problem. Their seamstress is a perfectionist. What sealed the deal...my dress was $150 more than RK Bridal, but it included alterations, a head piece, bustle and veil... so in the end... I got the best price for a dress I Love.
Helen's Bridal in Commack... Liz was great to work with... My dress is a Maggie Sottero and was only $835 w/ tax and shipping... A lot of maggie's are 1500 and under (some 1,000 and under) Good Luck and congrats!!!
I ordered my gown from Lillette's in Baldwin. If you call, ask for Gerri......she's AMAZING. I must've tried on 15-20 dresses there and left without making a decision. Then I went to Bridal Reflections in Massapequa. I found 'the one' there, but was disappointed with my experience. So I called Gerri back to see if they carried that gown. Lillette's didn't have a sample of the gown, but since they carry the designer, they can still order the gown for me. That sealed the deal. She's been nothing short of wonderful so far and I can't wait until my gown comes in!
They are very nice at Village Bridal and though they give you space it's sort of tiring to do all the work yourself. They didn't help me in the dressing room and I ended up with scratches from the zippers and crinoline. After I went there, I got a 15% off coupon in the mail a few weeks later, so if you see soemthing there, hold out for the coupon! Lilette's is probably a great place for you to check out on a more limited budget. They have dresses in your range and are very helpful. I got mine at Wedding Salon of Manhasset where the service was cadillac-class. But I don't know if they'd carry much below your price point. You can definitely give Bridal Reflections a try but keep your budget in mind as even with the discounts, there will be many dresses beyond 1k. Hope this helps!
OMG!!!! I am very upset with RK bridal and thier alterations requirements. When i got my dress i SWORE they told me that the alteration would be UP to $350...... Now they tell me that is the STANDARD amount you pay if you get anything taken in or even getting the BUSSEL is part of that.... UGHHHHH!!!!!! So try to avoid RK bridal for getting your alterations. As far as getting a dress there, they have soooooo many selections and price ranges.....
i would try david's bridal, i didn't get my dress there but i did go there for my BM dresses and my consultant was super helpful and friendly. I went to the new one in massapequa, kathleen helped me.
i got my wedding dress at lillettes in baldwin, although it was a little bit more than 1k i do believe they have dresses under. i dealt with gerri, she was very nice. good luck!
I would def check out RK Bridal first... they have a huuuuge selection of dresses and have some of the best prices of anywhere I went to.
I actually found my dress there, but I didn't want to have to go back and forth to the city for fittings and everything... so I took the style # to a place near me and they were able to order the dress AND matched the price of RK!
kleinfelds - just cuz its huge, great selection, and part of the whole gown shopping process
wedding salon of manhasset - got my gown here, great customer service, opened the store on a day they were closed so my mom coul dsee the gown, amazingggggg amazing amazingggggg
Wedding Salon of Manhassat...I got my dress there in February...my sister go her dress there 3 years ago. Sania helped us both and was amazing. I told them what I thought I was looking for and they pulled dresses that fit what I said...Then, she pulled dresses that she thought would look good on me...that's when I found mine. Very, very helpful!!!
I've only been to one place so far & had a very nice experience. Priscilla of Boston in Roslyn. Felicia helped me and really seemed into it and was super sweet (of course this is her job, but it was nice that she actually did it)
I went to Paradise and they hade a huge selection but I wound up getting my dress at Helen's in Commack...I just felt the service was better there.
When I went to Paradise the other sales consultant kept on stealing my dresses for her bride to try; it was annoying b/c I couldn't remember what I liked and didn't. I recommend Helen's 100%
I went to RK and Olga helped she was wonderful because she recommended some gowns off of pictures that i brought in. IShe was also very attentive.I purchased my gown, headpiece and veil for $1100 so my dress was around $800. When you go for your dress you should wear some boy shorts because you don't want the person helping you to see your goodies lol, a pair of shoes that resemble the type of shoe you want to wear meaning the heel height and a strapless bra/corset. My dress is Casablanca and all the dresses that i have seen off that line are unique in their own way and very beautiful.
I highly, highly, highly recommend Village Bridal and Boutique in Babylon. They were BY FAR the nicest and most laid back place I went to. They weren't pushy, completely helpful, and their place was the cleanest/nicest out of all of them except maybe Bridal Reflections. They don't hide the dress designers from you, in fact they give you a folder with all their recommended vendors and write down all the dresses that you liked on your folder so that you can go home and check them out online or just so you know them. A lot of places I went to were so secretive about what the name of the dress was....
If you wind up buying with them...you get discounts on all their vendors associated with them...and a deal on bridesmaid dresses as well (there are other places that do this too though).
They have only been open a year, so you wont find many reviews about them....but I wholeheartedly recommend them. I worked with Laura, but everyone there is great!!! They are so patient. You don't need an appointment, but you can make one if you'd like.
I haven't bought my dress yet....because they actually sold the sample of the one I liked best and I couldnt try it on there...but I am going back to them to see if they can ordered my dress for the same price I found it somewhere else. If you have any question FM me.
Sorry this is sooo long.....I just love them and want to spread the word!!!
