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David's Bridal - Raleigh

So, I've been reading the reviews on the DB in Raleigh, and they are baaaad. Does anyone have any personal experience there? I would at least like to check it out, whether I get my dress there or not, but I'm almost afraid.

I probably don't want to spend more than 700 or so on a dress, so if anyone has suggestions for another place, I would really appreciate it. I read some reviews from A Beautiful Day Bridal in Durham and those were very good (it's 40 or so miles from me, but I could handle it). Also, Savvi Formalwear in Raleigh had some good reviews.
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Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh

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    edited December 2011
    What kind of dress are you looking for? 

    JCrew actually has lots of cute wedding dresses. Some of them are $2,500...but they have lots under $1,000 too and lots of times they offer coupon codes for 15% off purchases over $150!
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    ladheartsjmsladheartsjms member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    My best friend and one of my co-workers went there and didn't have an issue at all.  However, my best friend went there 10 years ago!  lol  Have you thought about going to Bridal Mart in Burlington?  I haven't been there yet but will be going in 2 weeks.  I have heard good things about them!  And also Tre Bella in Durham.  Hope some of that helped!

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    az3thouaz3thou member
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    edited December 2011
    My cousin's wife actually got her bridesmaids dresses from J. Crew. I talked to someone from there though and if you want to try on, it has to be in one of a handful of their bridal stores, none of them being anywhere around here as far as I could tell. I guess they have discounts for students, too, as long as the person buying is a student (I could totally get my sister to do it for me), so it's sort of too bad.

    I think I definitely need a store experience because I have no idea what I want or what would look good. I'm really short and small and look like I'm 15, so I need to know that I'm not going to look like a little kid playing dress up, haha.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
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    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:d839695b-1bc6-462a-b135-e4c22c0db011">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]My best friend and one of my co-workers went there and didn't have an issue at all.  However, my best friend went there 10 years ago!  lol  Have you thought about going to Bridal Mart in Burlington?  I haven't been there yet but will be going in 2 weeks.  I have heard good things about them!  And also Tre Bella in Durham.  Hope some of that helped!
    Posted by ladheartsjms[/QUOTE]

    Everyone keeps mentioning Bridal Mart! It has the funniest name, haha. My sister goes to school in Gboro, so it might be worth taking a trip out there, and she can meet me. I think the website says you don't need an appointment right? Maybe I'll pop in tomorrow.
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    edited December 2011
    Maybe you could go look at Lana Addison in Cary. Their dresses range from $1,200-$3,500 which I know is a little over what you said, but it's at least worth a looksie! :)
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    az3thouaz3thou member
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    edited December 2011
    I know I don't want to spend that much on a dress, so I definitely don't want to step into a place where the prices are higher and risk falling in love with something I just HAVE to have. That would just be my luck.

    Going back to Bridal Mart for anyone who's been there...I just looked up some reviews and those are also not very good :( Anyone have personal experience there, good or bad?
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    uneek1323uneek1323 member
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    edited December 2011
    IME, David's Bridal in general is bad news. Hit or miss.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
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    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:8c287d51-aed1-43d9-a0bb-61136fa086b9">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]IME, David's Bridal in general is bad news. Hit or miss.
    Posted by uneek1323[/QUOTE]

    That's what I'm finding - and I would be afraid to be the miss. Although, they do have these new White by Vera Wang dresses that I was sort of interested in looking at. Maybe I could just try it out and if it sucks, that's my sign to leave.
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    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:c51a7ad0-7c8e-416d-95f4-496f6b7b3eb2">David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]So, I've been reading the reviews on the DB in Raleigh, and they are baaaad. Does anyone have any personal experience there? I would at least like to check it out, whether I get my dress there or not, but I'm almost afraid. I probably don't want to spend more than 700 or so on a dress, so if anyone has suggestions for another place, I would really appreciate it. I read some reviews from A Beautiful Day Bridal in Durham and those were very good (it's 40 or so miles from me, but I could handle it). Also, Savvi Formalwear in Raleigh had some good reviews.
    Posted by az3thou[/QUOTE]

    I went to Savvi Formalwear in Raleigh with my FI to look at tuxes.  They are very misleading.  When Iw as there several girls came in to try on wedding dress only to be told they had to make an appointment because they don't have any dress in the store.  They have to request the dresses be sent to the store in order for a bride to try them on.  It's also a very small shop.

    I got my dress from David's Bridal in Durham, and had a good experience.  However, DB doesn't have the best reputation and they are really pushy.  They'll try to get you to set up your alterations appointment right away, and they don't take no for an answer.  (I'm not getting my dress altered there.)  Also, they sell your contact information to third party vendors without telling you.  I found this out the hard way.

    You should try Bridal Mart in Burlington, Carolina Bridal World in Smithfield, or Bridal Gallery in McGregor Village in Cary.

    Good luck!
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    uneek1323uneek1323 member
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    edited December 2011
    I shopped for my dress in PA, because that's where my family is. I went to a David's Bridal there. I described the style of dress I was looking for to a consultant. She left to pull dresses (or so I thought), came back about a minute later and said they had nothing for me. Nothing? Not one dress? 

    Whatev DB.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
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    edited December 2011

    Maybe I'll just hit up DB just to see how bad it is. I don't know if I'm ready for that though.

    I think I might check out Carolina Bridal World this weekend. Seems like you can just pop in without an appointment, though I hope it's not too busy then. It's only about 20 minutes away, so even if it's a bust, I won't feel like I wasted too much time or gas.

    I'm still iffy on Bridal Mart. A bunch of people have mentioned it, but I've read a lot of bad reviews, and they say you have to try on the dress in sort of a communal dressing room??

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    ladheartsjmsladheartsjms member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I haven't really read any reviews on it.  I'm like you.....I don't really know what I want so I know I will need to see a lot of different styles, etc.  I haven't read any reviews on them.  A friend went there to look for hers and although she didn't buy hers from there she said she had no issues.  I'll have to ask her about the communal dressing room thing........but that won't bother me at all!  I'm planning on doing the Filene's Basement Running of the Brides!  Bikini as undewear?!  Sure!  Here I come!  lol
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    meredithl618meredithl618 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think it sounds like DB or Bridal Mart will be right for you.  IMO, you'll probably have a better experience at DB, but you can probably get a better dress at Bridal Mart.  There are other places in the area you can shop at, but you'll likely need to buy the sample or could risk falling in love with something too expensive. 

    The DB at Southpoint is pretty good, we got my bridesmaids' dresses there and they were pretty easy to work with.  You'll have a more typical shopping experience here and can probably find something you like in your price range.  

    Bridal Mart on the other hand is like a huge room with tons of dresses organized by style (I think). The dressing room is communal, no private space to take off your clothes. So, if you go, be prepared to undress/dress in front of tons of people.  I think it's worth going, you just need to know what to expect. 

    Oh and Jcrew is a great idea if you want something simple that is of higher quality.

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    jennieweaver1jennieweaver1 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I got my dress from bridal mart. I definitely recommend going there! It is a communal type of dressing room but honestly, everyone is so absorbed with trying on their dresses that NO one is looking at you. It sounds like a crazy idea for a dressing room, but really it wasn't that big of a deal. Just know if you go not to expect too much personalized service. You walk in, go through the racks on your own and pick the dresses you want to try on. The people working there are super nice though and will help you find any particular style if you ask. I'd take a little lack of personal attention and service for the great prices. I got my dress for just under $700 dollars there. 
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    az3thouaz3thou member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:2177014d-0a43-4bbf-af83-7d44d5e98e1e">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]I think it sounds like DB or Bridal Mart will be right for you.  IMO, you'll probably have a better experience at DB, but you can probably get a better dress at Bridal Mart.  There are other places in the area you can shop at, but you'll likely need to buy the sample or could risk falling in love with something too expensive.  The DB at Southpoint is pretty good, we got my bridesmaids' dresses there and they were pretty easy to work with.  You'll have a more typical shopping experience here and can probably find something you like in your price range.   Bridal Mart on the other hand is like a huge room with tons of dresses organized by style (I think). The dressing room is communal, no private space to take off your clothes. So, if you go, be prepared to undress/dress in front of tons of people.  I think it's worth going, you just need to know what to expect.  Oh and Jcrew is a great idea if you want something simple that is of higher quality.
    Posted by meredithl618[/QUOTE]

    I thought about the DB in Durham because the reviews seemed a little better. So, that could still be an option. Thanks for the heads up on Bridal Mart. I guess I don't really mind the communal dressing room, but it is a little strange.

    I read reviews on anywhere I go, stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. So I do get a little worried when I see that lots of people haven't had good experiences. However, almost everyone has mentioned Bridal Mart, so maybe I just suck it up and drive out there.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:e14ca23a-a482-498d-a3dd-65d4480323e7">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]I got my dress from bridal mart. I definitely recommend going there! It is a communal type of dressing room but honestly, everyone is so absorbed with trying on their dresses that NO one is looking at you. It sounds like a crazy idea for a dressing room, but really it wasn't that big of a deal. Just know if you go not to expect too much personalized service. You walk in, go through the racks on your own and pick the dresses you want to try on. The people working there are super nice though and will help you find any particular style if you ask. I'd take a little lack of personal attention and service for the great prices. I got my dress for just under $700 dollars there. 
    Posted by jennieweaver1[/QUOTE]

    Thanks Jennie. I think maybe some of the reviews were bad because of that lack of personal service. I actually would almost prefer that because I don't want to get overwhelmed or feel like someone's smothering me. Definitely good to know. Thanks!
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    TinyTRex321TinyTRex321 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I bought my dress for right at $500 at Bridal Mart (originally was more but they priced match to Pearl's Place in LA). They also price matched my bridemaids dresses there. I had a great expereince with them and so did my sister 6 years ago when she got her dress there.

     I definently recommend going there but not on a Saturday.  Saturdays there are really busy and can be overwhelming. I went a few times after work (they are open until 8 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays) and pretty much had someone helping me the whole time. On Saturdays you won't get as much help and the dressing room will be really crazy. I have heard Sundays aren't as bad as Saturday so if you can't make it during the week that could be a good option.

    The dresses are organized by size. There is a section that are all samples and those dresses are discounted. For me I wanted to find a dress I loved but didn't have the budget to spend a lot.  Because of this I didn't mind not having the experience you would have at a boutique.  Oh also the dressing room isn't that bad. I'm pretty modest and I was okay with it. I mean there were girls walking around in thongs which I definently wouldn't have been comfortable doing! There are little partitions that come out of the wall, those really don't hide you from others but more defines the space that is your in the room.

    Hope that helps!

    ETA - I also went to Carolina Bridal World in Smithfield and had a good experience. I went first thing when they opened on a Saturday. There selection was a lot smaller than Bridal Mart (but anywhere is going to be). They have good prices and I had good service there.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the info on Bridal Mart and Carolina Bridal World! I think I might try Carolina Bridal World tomorrow morning. Sunday might be better to try Bridal Mart from what you're saying. I don't want it to be TOO crazy.

    I don't really know how dress shopping works so I'm wondering - do you take your dress home that day?
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    TinyTRex321TinyTRex321 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:962a2380-eb32-4d81-8e32-3622a70a0002">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]T I don't really know how dress shopping works so I'm wondering - do you take your dress home that day?
    Posted by az3thou[/QUOTE]

    No unless you buy a sample dress. Most of the time they order your dress and it can take anywhere from 4-16 weeks to get in.
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    edited December 2011
    So totally random...but my image of Bridal Mart in my head is just a big room with dresses all around the wall and you see a dress you like and you strip right there in front of the dress...I know it's not like that....but it's still what it is in my head. 
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    meredithl618meredithl618 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:5fa0626e-133a-447c-9d34-53d19d0b3037">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]So totally random...but my image of Bridal Mart in my head is just a big room with dresses all around the wall and you see a dress you like and you strip right there in front of the dress...I know it's not like that....but it's still what it is in my head. 
    Posted by kelsey+brandon[/QUOTE]
    <div>LOL, close, but there are also tons of rows of dresses in the middle and they take you into a long side room to strip down. ;)</div>
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    NcsuPsychNcsuPsych member
    Combo Breaker First Comment First Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Im late. . but thought I'd throw in my 2 pennies.
    DB in Raleigh (near Triangle Towne Center). . it's a wash. My old friend went there to get her dress and had an amazing experience with a particular lady. I went there THE NEXT DAY to try on dresses, had the same lady and had a horrid experience.

    I don't do well with high pressure situations (unless I know 100% which way I want to go) and I told the lady I was quitting my job and could only afford a certain amount. So, she throws me in a dress, thats double my budget and then out right asked me if my friends would help pay for the dress AND tried to push the DB credit card on me. I was so baffled. I walked away.

    ***Side Note*** If you love it enough that you want it, be prepared to walk away if the deal isnt good enough for you. If it's meant to happen, it will :) ~ At least that's my opinion.


    However. . I went to the DB at southpoint to pick up my BM dress for the same friend that shopped at the other DB and I had a MUCH better experience there. Granted, I was just picking up the BM dress and already knew what size I needed.  But they did, in general seem to have it 'more together' at the Durham location.

    Another side note. . you could order your dress online or check to see if it's priced better online and see if the store you go to can price match. I've heard of that done. I also ordered my dress online after finding it in a store. With extra length and alterations, it was going to cost me close to 1,000 if I bought it through the actual store.

    Going online, I found it for 400 (normally 700) and my alterations were around 150? Maybe 200? So regardless, I saved 400 bucks at least :)

    -I've also heard a lot of great things about Bridal Mart. I just never had the chance to make it down there. Good Luck!
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    crlewis803crlewis803 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I know its already been mentioned but Bridal Mart in Burlington is great. I got my dress for under $600 and it retails in other stores for almost $1000. My bridal consultant was Erika and she was a huge help.
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    edited December 2011
    I haven't started dress shopping yet, but it seems like your experience will vary depending on who your saleswoman is.  My BF got her dress at a DB (in Albany) and her saleswoman was super nice and made friends with my BF's whole family.  However, when I went to try on BM dresses at the DB in Raleigh, I definitely felt rushed and like I wasn't worth their time.

    When it comes to my time to start dress shopping, I'll probably go to all the big stores and if I find a dress but the saleswoman or other store personnel rub me the wrong way, I'll get the dress elsewhere.  IMO, there are too many options around here (even for lower-prices dresses like I want) to put up with bad customer service.

    And yikes - thanks for the heads up about Bridal Mart's dressing area situation.  It doesn't bother me but I think I'd be frazzled if I didn't know about it ahead of time!
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    edited December 2011
    I'm also late, but I'll ditto the DB at Streets of Southpointe.  Try to get the consultant named Kelly.  She is the best.

    I went in twice before I made my final decision on a third scheduled visit.  She knew I wasn't buying the first two times and didn't try to hard sell.  She only brought me dresses in my price range.    She did try to get me to buy undergarments and shoes when I got my dress, but didn't push hard.  You'll like her.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Soo... I ended up going to Carolina Bridal World in Smithfield when they opened at 10 this morning. It was pretty much empty when I got there, and a younger girl, Summer, was helping me. She was really nice, not pushy, and not all up in my business. I picked a few dresses off the racks to try on. It was kind of difficult to picture them because I'm really small, and they were so much bigger than me. However, I had Summer bring me 2 dresses I had seen online and they were AWESOME.

    Then...I had a dilemma. I loved them both. I ended picking the first of the two that I tried on (there were little things about the 2nd one that I didn't like so much, though I would have been happy with that dress as well). It was probably the 3rd dress I tried on, and I put it on a bunch of times, haha. So, I guess I will not get the Bridal Mart experience because I bought my dress! It'll be so awesome when it actually fits right and isn't dragging all over the floor.

    I am definitely considering the DB at Southpoint to potentially check out bridesmaids dresses.
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    edited December 2011
    I didn't read all the posts so i may be restating some...

    1. There is a bridal world in Smithfield that is pretty good. Went to find a veil there. it's about 40mins from Raleigh

    2. I hated the davids bridal in Raleigh but the one at southpoint is nice... got all my BM dresses there

    3. I got my dress in New Bern at a boutique called The Intimates... it was an AWESOME experience!


    hope this helps :)
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    pirategal03pirategal03 member
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Yay, az!  Pictures?
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    edited December 2011
    i had real bad experiences with davids bridal, or at least the one in raleigh. there are others in the area though that might not be as bad.
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    az3thouaz3thou member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_davids-bridal-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:4438d698-a866-455e-bf85-66a0a8bb2a03Post:a55c2b1b-1fbb-4d3f-906c-2b44f074dea4">Re: David's Bridal - Raleigh</a>:
    [QUOTE]Yay, az!  Pictures?
    Posted by pirategal03[/QUOTE]
    <a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/4/0/346e131d-8a49-4e1d-804d-1f7c1916f722.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '346e131d-8a49-4e1d-804d-1f7c1916f722', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/4/0/346e131d-8a49-4e1d-804d-1f7c1916f722.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

    Here it is. I can't wait til it comes in and actually fits. I bet I'll love it even more.
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