Bridal Gown Shopping - where? reviews - input?

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Posted by Jtruran

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%

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I agree...Helen's is great also...I went there yesterday...they were the only other place I went to that had great service and made me feel comfortable. How do you feel about the seamstress? Do you know anything about her yet? I might order my dress from there if I can't get it through Village Bridal in Babylon

The most inexpensive place is probably RK Bridal! I got my BM dresses there and we had a GREAT experience!! Surprisingly!! The people there were soo nice and helpful. One in particular actually went around the store according to a list of style numbers and designers I had and gathered over 20 dresses for us!!!

As far as alterations go... I probably wouldn't use them for alterations... mainly because of the horror stories I hear about that. There are a lot of good tailors out there that can and have worked on wedding dresses before... so I would shop around for a good tailor for the alterations.

I got my dress at Kleinfeld's. I had a GREAT experience with Keisha as my consultant. I do hear some girls say they had a bad experience. So it might depend on who you get to help you. Also if you are on a tight budget.... Kleinfeld's might not be the best place... because their dresses usually start a little higher up. USUALLY being the operative word. Check for trunk shows too... because they do have sales and trunk shows!!

Also I went to Rena bridal in NJ and another NJ bridal shop. Neither of which i would ever purchase ANYTHING from. They lied to me on the phone.. said they would get back to me on things and never did. Blah blah blah. I felt both those places were incompitant. BUT if you want to get a better deal... consider purchasing your dress in Jersey... there is no sales tax and their prices are usually less than NY.

I also went to The Bridal Suite and Bridal Reflections. The Bridal Suite was sooo nice. This was the first place I went to try on dresses and the girl knew what she was doing. She knew how all the bustles would look and actually held up the dresses in the way they would bustle so I could see what it would look like for the reception. NONE of the other places was able to do this when I asked. They looked at me like I was an idiot!! haha!! However... she was giving me all these princess type dresses that looked awful on me. She might have thought that's what I was asking for. IDK. I would suggest bringing lots and lots of pictures with you to show diferent styles you like. I don't think they would really pick out a dress they think would look good on you.... they kinda just go with what you want. Which is good but IMO I would like their professional opinion on things and their suggestions. Kleinfeld's gives opinions and suggestions... which I loved; especially being someone who knew NOTHING about dresses it's nice to hear the professional opinions without them being too pushy about it.

Bridal Reflections - this place was decent. But there were some red flags that definately set me off. First we had an appt for a Sunday. We got there about 10 to 15 minutes early. They had us wait over an hour to see a consultant. I didn't complain. Instead my girls and I entertained ourself by trying on BM dresses. I was VERY patient. EVEN though there was a slew of YOUNG YOUNG girls chatting away at the counter doing absolutely NOTHING productive and certainly NOT helping me even though I had an appt. There was ONE other bride there. SO they FINALLY call me in. GREAT! So I try on a few dresses. Maybe 3 or 4. I look around because all of a sudden it got quiet... and I said 'wow it's soo quiet in here'.... the consultant... looks at her watch and with a negative or annoied tone in her voice actually said 'that's because we closed about 20 to 30 minutes ago'... almost like saying HURRY UP without actually saying those words. I felt bad so I was like OMG I'm SOOO SORRY!! Then I thoguht about it... and I was PISSED!!! Because THEY MADE ME WAIT AROUND FOR THAT LONG THEN HAD THE NERVE TO ACT LIKE I WAS HOLDING THEM UP??? Just from that I don't think I would have wanted to buy a dress from them. But really other than that they were OK. I'm kinda picky with customer service. Especially when it comes to my dress!! I deem customer service as insight on how competant they are going to be with your order and alterations and fittings, etc.

I also went to David's Bridal. They have GREAT prices!! BUT their service SUCKEDD. My consultant was NO WHERE to be found!! She shoved me in a room with about 6 dresses (NONE of which were the ones she had me pick out from a book)... and left me like that... to put on these HUGE wedding dresses ALONE!! NO HELP nothing!! At one point I was holding a strapless bustier up and my dress up... the busier wasn't closed.... and I needed help closing it with the million hook and eye closures.... so I opened the door to get my mother (certainly wasn't the consultant bc she was ***) to help me close it... when I opened the door EVERYTHING feel down and I FULLY FLASHED these 2 older women that were standing right outside my dressing room. LIKE FULL FRONTAL FLASH!!! Had I not been so into flashing people I might have been embarrased by this!!! I didn't like any dresses she gave me. And I couldn't find her to help me or get more dresses. I was FED UP. I gathered my stuff and stormed out. She saw me leaving and ran after me asking if everything was OK and if I wanted other dresses??? Was she on crack?? Now she wanted to help me??!?! She had her chance!! Again bad customer service to me equals incompetance and I was NOT buying a dress from this place!!

I ended up going to Kleinfeld's 2 times and purchased my dress on the 2nd run.

I had an AWFUL time dress shopping. Tracking down dresses... finding one dress I liked in one store and then another dress I liked in another store.... etc. If you find more than one dress you like and they are in different stores it can be difficult because you can't try them on back to back under one roof. What a stressful experience I had.

I would STRONGLY suggest to look through the magazines... not so much for the particular dress you see in the pictures (which is what I was doing)...but look for the desinger styles you like... then check out that designer's dresses because they tend to have similiar styles by designer. It took me a while to figure that out.

Good Luck!!!

PS - ONE more tip.... Be open to trying on DIFFERENT styles!! I went into this dress shopping odeal thinking I wanted a certain type of dress and found that kind of dress was not so flattering on me... and I ended up with a dress i NEVER EVER EVER thought I would have!! So be open to trying on one of each style just to see!!! You never know what might be the dress!! Also, what might not look that hot on a hanger... could look awesome on you... so even try on the ugly ones!!!! You should have heard the things I said about my dress before putting it on!!!!

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Posted by DanielleMF

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.

ETA: WELCOME!!

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I second Village Bridal!!! I loved it! I wish I could order my dress from there, but they don't carry my line and can't order it.

Sorry my post is so long!! i just looked at that!!



Believe it or not... I left one place out.
The Bridal Center of Commack I think it's called. HORRIBLE. ANd that was just over the phone. Different workers gave me different information. ONE in particular was NASTY NASTY NASTY when I called. I won't go into detail because I wrote enough on this thread. But you can FM me for details. I never actually went into the store. If they treat you like that on the phone... I don't want to even see them in person!!!

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Posted by Lsorrent

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!

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I agree!! Lillette's is awesome!! .. Gerri is helping me also. I am actually going tomorrow to get measured for my dress!!! - I went in there not knowing what I wanted and she pulled out a ton of dresses for me and was so honest and helpful with everything. The dress I chose is not a style I thought I would have liked, but I LOVE my dress!! - so be open to trying other styles on.. you never know what you will like...

Also...I was going to be getting my bridesmaid dresses at Bridal Reflections, but after seeing how helpful Lillette's was, and decided to get the girls dresses from here as well. (I also went to Bridal Reflections for my dress and had a bad experience.. soo )

I got my dress from Bridal Suite of Centereach and I was very happy with them! They were very patient and very nice to my flower girl who had to try on every dress twice :)

They matched the price of Commack Wedding Center and the alterations were done really quickly and pretty inexpensive!

Thanks everyone for your input :)

I'm planning on go to the one in the city for my very first wedding gown try on - I'm so excited!

Isn't Kleinfield a little out of my budget reach? I looked on their site most of their dresses start at $3,000 and up

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Posted by weirdo168

Isn't Kleinfield a little out of my budget reach? I looked on their site most of their dresses start at $3,000 and up

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the web site doesnt even have 1% of what the store has, their dresses start at about 1500

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Posted by Jna2010

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Posted by weirdo168

Isn't Kleinfield a little out of my budget reach? I looked on their site most of their dresses start at $3,000 and up

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the web site doesnt even have 1% of what the store has, their dresses start at about 1500

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Should I bother going? If my budget is less than $1,000.

'Say Yes to the Dress'

Valentina's in BK - I got my dress from there and bm dresses. Beautiful selection, though not a huge selection and good prices. The people are all really friendly too and there is no pressure to buy anything

Would not recommend - L()tus or RK bridal.

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Posted by Nina1010

I would suggest going to Kelinfeld's & RK Bridal. Both are VERY different experiences, but both have a large selection for you.

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.

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I have to say that I got my dress at Kleinfelds and had a magical experience. From the appointment to buy the dress, to my first fitting. It was like a dream and fairytale. I never felt more doted on and special.

With that being said I dont think they have dresses there in your price range. I would DEFINITLY see if they are having a sample sale where the prices are AH-MAZING! but the dresses start at about $1800-$2000.

Have a great time shopping. You will find an amazing dress.

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Posted by weirdo168

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Posted by Jna2010

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Posted by weirdo168

Isn't Kleinfield a little out of my budget reach? I looked on their site most of their dresses start at $3,000 and up

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the web site doesnt even have 1% of what the store has, their dresses start at about 1500

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Should I bother going? If my budget is less than $1,000.

'Say Yes to the Dress'

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sorry dont mean to hijack the thread!! the only reason i would tell you not to go is because if you fall in love with a dress there youre going to spend more then your budget

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Posted by weirdo168

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Posted by Jna2010

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Posted by weirdo168

Isn't Kleinfield a little out of my budget reach? I looked on their site most of their dresses start at $3,000 and up

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the web site doesnt even have 1% of what the store has, their dresses start at about 1500

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Should I bother going? If my budget is less than $1,000.

'Say Yes to the Dress'

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I would not go if the dresses start at a price point that is higher then your budget. I did not go to them for the same reason. My biggest fear was falling in love with a dress that I could not afford. I would highly recommend ONLY trying on dresses that are in your price range.