David's Bridal questions

Eliz77

Just wondering what thoughts are on DB. I am NOT a brand snob by any means but I kinda assumed DB was like low end, low quality. I pretty much have my dress and BM dresses picked out but there is one dress on DB that I keep going back to and really want to go try on. Personally I do not care where my dress comes from as long as I like it, am comfortable, the dress doesn't fall apart in the 6 hours I wear it and I get good, reliable, hassle-free service. The dress at DB that I want to try out is cheaper, which is a huge plus. 

Basically, I am asking about customer service, quality, satisfaction and personal likes/dislikes. 

Grits8812

Out of all the dresses I tried on at David's, none of them to me looked low quality, or felt it.  Customer service at my store was great.  Give it a try.

skantrowitz

I tried on several dresses at DB. I didn't find The Dress there, but I liked a few and didn't think they looked cheap. I'm getting my bridesmaid dresses there. From what I've heard, don't do alterations with them. But it's definitely a good place to start looking, and if you fall in love with something, go for it.

saacjw

You should go try it on. You can inspect the quality when you see it. If you keep coming back to the dress, there's a reason and you should see if it's what you think you want. 

DB is kinda a mixed bag service wise. I've been there (for bridesmaid stuff) multiple times and have had good, bad, and mediocre experiences. It entirely depends on the store and who's working that day. I've been pretty happy with the quality of BM dresses that I've gotten there, however, they definately were not of the same quality as say, my prom dress, which was designer (and magically on sale).  My best friend got her dress at DB, and while it didn't have some of the features that my dress has, like structure to the point where I don't think I'll need much shapewear or a bra (C-cup, I never not wear one), but that might just be her dress, not the brand. Hers didn't fall apart after 6 hours and it did really well with the snow and looked absolutely fabulous. 

firsttimersluck

I tried on several.. and bought one. 

THe customer service at both DBs I have been to were HORRIBLE. That is enough to keep me away from them.. but when I decided I jumped the gun and didn't love the gown I picked out, H and I went to another place to try gowns on.. I could definitely tell the different in quality, from materials to way it was constructed. WORLD of difference. 

That being said, DB is a good place to start, but expect that they may be pushy. Remember that they won't run out of your gown so don't feel the need to commit to a gown right then and there. I felt the staff at both places were incredibly pushy. In fact, I would suggest that even if you fall in love with a gown while you're there, DON'T buy it then. Go home, mull it over, look at the pictures of you in it that you will (should) have someone take, etc. That way you know you are 100% for it and don't make the mistake I made.  

pinkrn19

I tried on a couple dresses there and it's where my bridesmaids dresses are coming from. I thought the customer service was wonderful. The fabric and details of the dresses are, for the most part, on the "cheaply made" side. Some are gorgeous though and you could never tell. One piece of advice..the veils are soooo cheap and icky feeling!!!

jemmini6

Customer service varies by location, I've heard some pretty bad experiences, and I've heard of some great experiences.  I personally had a great experience there, and it's where I purchased my dress.

None of the dresses I tried on felt particularly 'cheap' to me, as far as construction goes (obviously some materials and details were cheaper than others, but that's a design characteristic, not a flaw). 

I absolutely LOVED my dress; it was comfortable, well made, and a great price.  I actually tried on a similar dress at a different store that was 3x the price of the DB one and not only did I not like the design as much, but it actually felt cheaper to me.  Not saying that's always the case, obviously, but just an example that DB aren't necessarily inferior to 'designer' dresses.

I'd say make an appointment, try it on, and decide from there.  If you don't like it, then so be it, but it'd be a shame for it to be THE dress and you didn't even try it on because of pre-conceived notions of DB.

Eliz77

Thank you all!! I will set up an appointment and try them out myself. The store nearest to me is not in a very nice town so I may be associating DB with that. I haven't really found any BM dresses online I'd like to look at there, but there are a couple wedding dresses I'd like to see in person. Thanks again!

Starfish0116

I think every DB is going to be different in terms of service.

My BM dresses are coming from there, but I didn't even consider them for my wedding dress. I checked out their website, and none of the dresses on there really stood out to me. I knew I wanted lace, and there were only a couple of lace dresses at DB and I wasn't thrilled with either from the looks. As a wedding photographer, I see the same dresses over and over again and felt I wanted something different. I found THE dress in the first salon I went to, during my first trip. I can't wait for it to come in!

I did end up buying my veil from DB while shopping for BM dresses. I really wanted a lace veil but with my dress it was just too much. I defiitely wanted a veil, so I ende dup buying an inexpensive short basic veil from DB. The customer service wasn't that great though. We have been considering BM shoes from there, but all reviews say that they turn your feet colors from the dye so that is definitely out.

HoonahGrace

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_davids-bridal-questions-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:641396fc-4997-4be9-937d-49a987b87e9cPost:5898d050-4777-41ae-b327-9f1673178f35">Re: David's Bridal questions</a>:
[QUOTE]I think every DB is going to be different in terms of service. My BM dresses are coming from there, but I didn't even consider them for my wedding dress. I checked out their website, and none of the dresses on there really stood out to me. I knew I wanted lace, and there were only a couple of lace dresses at DB and I wasn't thrilled with either from the looks. As a wedding photographer, I see the same dresses over and over again and felt I wanted something different. I found THE dress in the first salon I went to, during my first trip. I can't wait for it to come in! I did end up buying my veil from DB while shopping for BM dresses. I really wanted a lace veil but with my dress it was just too much. I defiitely wanted a veil, so I ende dup buying an inexpensive short basic veil from DB. The customer service wasn't that great though. <strong>We have been considering BM shoes from there, but all reviews say that they turn your feet colors from the dye so that is definitely out.
</strong>Posted by Starfish0116[/QUOTE]

The shoe-dye thing is not just with DB. Most shoe dyes are a vegetable-oil based dye that runs when damp/wet.

Hilraythebride

I bought my dress at DB and had a wonderful experience.  As PP have mentioned, they have all sorts of gown ranging from 99$-1,000+.  They are really great at working with price ranges and will not bring you something that is way far out of your price range.

It can really be a different experience from store to store heck even clerk to clerk at the same store. It is worth a try if you don't know what you want and want to see a lot of different things on.  They can help you get an idea of what accessories you want but DON"T buy there they are wayy too expensive and overpriced.  

As for the gowns being poorly made, you get what you pay for if you are spending 100$ on a dress you will be able to notice as it might not have the structure that a way more expensive gown does.  I got mine for $750 on sale from $1,050 and it had a great structure, material and fit.  After having that be the first dress I tried on and really the reason I went to DB in the first place I tried on less expensive dresses and yes you could tell but again you get what you pay for.

maccor16

I would say go try it on. I was there this past weekend found my dress!!! Knew it was the one when myself and everyone that came with me was crying. But the customer service all depends on the store I went to one and was completely annoyed at how pushy and obnoxious they were but the one I got my dress in the people were amazing.  The lady that helped me was great!  We might get the bridesmaid dresses there or Alfred Angelo.  But the 21 and 44 colors can be annoying when you find a dress you like for bridesmaids and it doesn't come in your color.  That got a little fustrating.  but go check it out for yourself