Please share your experiences

about the place where you bought your dress or the places you visited to buy it. Please tell us your experience about the place, the customer service, the alterations, and your overall experience. Please let us know the name of the place and where it is located in the event that you have it. Let's start a thread. Let's help each other out but please post constructively...we don't want the post the thread to be pulled. Thanks !!!!!!

Ok..I'll go first..
I went to David's Bridal (2x), Commack wedding Center, Renate's in Lindenhurst.

The first time I went to David's , the wait was kinda long but the woman who helped me was great, although she was helping another bride as well for a while.
The second time I was late due to traffic and they told me they couldnt fit me in , after speaking to the manager we were seen and the girl who helped me, again was great( different girl) and I bought my dress from them that day.
I have to say that the only 'problem' I had with David's was the people behind the counters( not the attendants) Many of them are very rude, but if you can get past that for the price it was great.
My dress came in in 2 1/2 weeks. I am having it altered elsewhere.

Renates-Nice place, lots of dresses to choose from, very friendly staff and good prices...would recomend!

Commack wedding center- the most disorganized of the 3 but still not that bad...A LOT of dresses to choose from, the attendants were not as helpful as the other places I visted.

Wedding Salon of Manhasset--I can't say enough good things about the customer service or Noreen, my sales associate. The environment there is great and when you try on the dresses, they really give you the full effect--they'll give you a headpiece, veil, and even dim the lights so you can see how sparkly the crystals are (). Even after I put the deposit on my dress and called back to see if I could change my mind and switch the deposit to another dress, they were super nice. Noreen said they would hold my order and she even set up an appointment for me to meet with the designer so he could address my concerns and make suggestions. Fantastic place all around.

Bridal Reflections (Carle Place)--I went here twice as well. Meet with Jackie and Lorraine (I think). The girls at the reception area can be a little frosty, but the sales associates who helped me were very nice. I thought I was going to go with an Ines Di Santo that was a little pricey for me and Lorraine said that she would give me the trunk show discount even though the trunk show had been 3 weeks earlier, so I got a 10% discount. I did put a $50 deposit on the dress to 'hold' the discount while I thought about it. I decided to go with a Glasgow at Wedding Salon and called BR back to tell them. They said I could use my $50 as a credit toward anything in the store.

ETA: I also went shopping for BM dresses. I have a feeling that the BM section is not as organized. I called on Friday, made an appointment for 2pm on Saturday and when I showed up they told me they had no appointment for me. They said I could still look around and the associates offered to help me. But while I was in mid-conversation with one associate, another bride asked her a question and she kind of just ditched me. Not the best customer service.

Kleinfelds--I met with Rita at Kleinfelds. She was very nice at first but got a little attitude when my friends picked out some dresses for me to try on. I also didn't necessarily think she was listening to what I wanted because she brought in 6 lace dresses at first when I never mentioned wanting anything in lace and all the dresses I showed her (I brought pics) were satin with a small amount of beadwork or tulle ballgowns. They also had the same dress I ended up getting at Wedding Salon (the one I'm not sure about right now) and it was $500 more expensive at Kleinfelds.

Amsale--Met with Jena. Very sweet and personable. They have a large selection, but not everything that you see in the magazines and on the website is available. The dressing rooms are HUGE though and you get a silk robe (I liked that a lot). I also got a nice card from Jena about a week after my appointment.

Hope this helps!!

I went to only two places because I fell in love with the dress.

Flowerama in Elmont: I went here first because I live in Franklin Square and it is close to my house. They had a nice selection of dresses and the women there were helpful. I went by myself because no one else could go with me. I did feel alittle rushed but I think it was because I was there in the evening. Good experience though

Lillettes in Baldwin: I heard very good reviews about this place and decided to check it out. I went with my mom, FMIL and one of my bridesmaids. I had an appointment with Geri but when we arrived she was still helping a bride from her previous appointment. Christina assisted me and picked out the most beautiful dresses. When I was ready to try on the gowns Geri was done. She helped me try on about 20 dresses. She was very honest and helpful as she told me which she liked and which she didn't like. I found my dress there and ordered it on the spot because I had a great experience. I would highly recommend them

Macys, Herald Square: nothing in my size, nice staff

Bridesave.com: perfect from beginning to end - great customer service, dress was even nicer in person than it looked in the pic, great price

Bridal Suite of Centereach: Was helped fairly quickly, the woman listened to what i wanted, and then picked out a few dresses she thought would suite my requests, as well as others that she thought would look good on me (one of the ones she picked out, that didn't fit what i orginally wanted, was the one i fell in love with!).

Every time I've gone in since then, she, and other women who work there, have been nothing but helpful. I had gone in to look at a bm dress, which they didn't have, and she got back to me the next day to let me know what she found out from the manufacturer.

I haven't gotten my dress yet, but thus far I give them an A+

I also went to Macys in Lake Grove and was treated rudely. I was out of there within the first 5 minutes.

The Wedding Center in Commack, Dorothy Walsh in Northport and Paradise Bridal in Patchogue.

TWC- My girls and my mother got their dresses there. We did not have our alterations done there becuase we didn't hear great reviews about their seamstresses. We went to a friend who is a dress maker and she fixed them for us. The customer service was very good. We didn't have a problem picking up the dresses or ordering them. They tell you the truth when choosing sizes. They came in a whole month earlier so I like that

Dorothy Walsh- My FMIL got her dress there and she was very happy with the customer service. My mother didn't like the lady who helped her with her dress so we didn't buy hers there...hey, 'To each his own'

Paradise Bridal- This is where I got my dress. A HUGE variety to choose from which was what I loved! The customer service was pleasant, the lady I had orginally dealt with actually left the store but luckily my dress still came in so there were no complaints there. I am picking up my dress tomorrow so if I have any negative feed back I'll let you know. Everything has been smooth sailing thus far.

I went to the Wedding Center in Commack. Looked at lots of dresses, was very uneasy about purchasing the dress there, heard they didnt have such a good reputation with alterations and messed up orders.

I went to Paradise Bridal in Patchogue. I found the dress I wanted in the Wedding Center but described it to Donna and she found it. I ordered it that night. Donna also helped with the BM's dresses. Donna helped my friend for her wedding and my friend's sister used her too! She is so nice!!

Well, I've only been to 2 places so far, one here in NY and the other in Washington DC (which I won't write about because it's pointless!)

I went to Kleinfelds - I had SUCH a great experience there. I met with Audrey and she couldn't have been more helpful. She listened to me, never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. The owners came and spent time with my mother and I as I tried on dress after dress, and they were so kind and helpful. I had a wonderful experience and plan on returning soon to try more dresses! I definitely recommend Kleinfelds to anyone who wants to be treated like a true bride!

cOMMACK WEDING CENTER---OK
BAYSHORE BRIDAL ---PRETTY GOOD BUT EXPENSIVE

ADRIENNES BRIDAL....HAVENT RECIVED MY DRESS YET BUT SO FAR THE SERVICE AND PRICES ARE VERY GOOD!

Macy's - Manhasset. I was a little overwhelmed at first because it was my first place and it was also a Saturday morning, so it was really crowded.
But the sales lady was really helpful and had no problem with me trying on the same dress a few times. In the end I almost bought my dress here.

Princess Bridal - Farmingdale - I wasn't really impressed with this place, I felt very rushed, and didn't really like the dresses that I was being shown. I also felt like the sales people were giving me an attitude, but that's just my opinion.

Bridal Reflections - Massapequa. This is where I bought my dress, I've found everyone there to be extremely helpful. I felt like everytime I've been there I was given plenty of attention no matter how croweded it was. I live out of town, and I've had no problems scheduling my fittings (I've already had my first 2 and scheduled my last one for a few days before my wedding). Also my dress came in about 2 months early and so far I've been really happy with the work the seamstress has been doing!!

Bump !!!
Keep them coming please !!!!

Well I have gone to one Bridal Store & love the people:

Bridal Garden in Bethpage: I met with Collette & she was amazing...She doesn't rush you at all when it comes to trying on dresses...I must have tried on 15 dresses...When I found one that I really liked, she let me stand there in it for like 30 minutes. I spent about 2 hours there with her...I am actually going back on Wednesday with my MOH...

I have previous experience with Bridal Garden also from 2003. We ordered our dresses there for my brother's wedding. I can not rave more about them. It is a little shop, but very friendly & warm. There is no way to feel uncomfortable & it is like they make you part of their family. Their alterations were great...Very reasonable pricing too! I highly recommend them!

I went to:
1, Bridal reflectiosnin Carle Place: they were very very nice but too expensive for me. They didn't have a large selection either.
2. Macy's in manhasset: HORRIBLE. Their dresses were dirty! I tried on 2, and it was disgusting, plus, they only had big sizes for me to try on, I don't recommend them.
3. David's Bridal in Carle Place: I went the first time looking for BM's dresses only, and ended up trying some dresses on. I liked it b/c they have all the sizes there, so every dress I tried on looked nice, not big or small, and I was able to see how it was really like on me. My bridal attendant was amazing!!! from the beginning to the end. i went back 2 or 3 times and was always very helpful. I saw my dress the second time I went, and went back to get it the third time, it was in the store maybe 3 weeks after, not bad.
I had my alterations with one of the ladies from their alteratiosn dept and my dress was PERFECT, I highly recommend them.

Bridal Reflections in Mass: great experience. Susan was extremely helpful and had great suggestions. I found 2 dresses that I really liked but not 'the one'. I think they were a bit overpriced so I knew I wasn't going to buy from there but it was the first place I went to try on dresses and I'm glad it was a good first experience!

Cathy's in Lindenhurst: in and out in 5 minutes. Very small selection and the salesperson was horrible. She did not know how to do her job or just couldn't be bothered doing it.

Macy's in Smithaven Mall: in and out in 5 minutes. Dresses were not my style. Salesperson was not very helpful.

Wedding Center in Commack: lots of dresses. Salesperson wasn't very helpful she was nice, though, but I did find 1 dress that I liked alot! Salesperson just kept trying to get me to try on more elaborate and fancier dresses when I told her repeatedly that I was looking for something elegant and simple not too beady or lacy and absolutely no ball gown and nothing puffy. What did she bring me? A huge ballgown with bows and stuff in which I could barely fit through the dressing room door! But I would recommend at least looking around since you can pull the dresses yourself.

And I'm headed to Bridal Garden in Bethpage tonight so I'm happy to hear such a great review!

Davids (Carle Place)- A long wait but it was my fault for not making an appt. Lots to choose from and try on and the saleslady I had was wonderful.

The Wedding Center (Commack)- Didnt really like it there because the girl did not help me get in or out of the gowns but the selection was good. My mom ended up getting her dress here because the prices are great.

Flowerama (Elmont)- Hardly any Maggie Sottero dresses there to try on and I knew thats what I wanted. The saleslady kept yelling at me to watch out for her new sweater

Bridal Reflections (Massapequa)- Everything was perfect! I told them what style of dress I was looking for, they came back with about 5 dresses and one of those was mine. The dress came in early, and anytime I called for info on my dress or anything, they were very helpful.

I went to David's Bridal in Carle Place.... It was a good experience, the salesperson was very helpful even though she was helping another bride at the same time...I found the dress I wanted very easily and I would recomend them for the price and selection of gowns available...Now Bridesmaid dresses, the selection is not too great and I doubt I will get my bridesmaids dresses from there... Only thing I don't like is that DB does not keep your dress for you until close to your wedding date, as you can see I purchased my dress alittle early

Adrianne's in Islip: First and last place I went. They had a huge selection, excellent quality and brought me dresses only in my price range. They didn't hurry me, were very pleasant and interested in my likes and dislikes, so I ordered there. So far they have returned my calls promptly. I hope to get MOH and FG dresses there also.

Sak's Bridal Salon: They didn't ask my budget, but I suppose they don't have many brides who go there on a budget! I showed them pictures and they brought me dresses nothing like them. All the prices were $4k plus and the sales assistant was very self absorbed. Nice place and nice dresses, but not a great experience.

RK Bridal: I went there on my own, so I only had the assistant's feedback on dresses. She was very sweet and helpful. The dresses were all very dirty and I didn't like the fact that it was such a huge room and I didn't have much privacy. I would have considered buying there if they had what I wanted.

Bay Shore Bridal Salon: I went in there last Saturday to look at the BM dress selection. The lady asked me who was getting married (I was on my own) and when I said I was she looked shocked! I know I looked a bit windblown and fresh-faced, but I didn't expect that reaction. Anyway, she turned me off right away. She asked me three times what date was the wedding and seemed very distracted. They had a nice selection of BM dresses, I didn't look at bridal