Snobby, my first experience trying on gowns at David's

DeLaNoche

 I have to be honest, the dresses and David's didn't impress me. They looked kind of like cheap gowns to me. I found it kind of funny that they had a layaway plan. A woman on line bought a dress for $80 bucks and put it on layaway. I didn't know bridal stores did this. Sorry. I know this sounds snobby. I just wasn't feeling David's. Seemed like Kmart but for brides.

Fystybride

I walked into David's once and turned around after fifteen minutes and left.  Wasn't my kind of place at all.

seimrow

I got my bridesmaids dresses there but i thought the bridal gowns were really low quality and the store was a mess.  the sales staff was also incredibly rude

a_spinhirne

I agree totally...I've had to talk several friends out of shopping for their wedding gowns at David's Bridal. I personally find the dresses way too plain, not special, and of low quality.

DeLaNoche

I had a hard time finding this dress after seeing for 100 on the website. I called up so many stores for it and they all said 1 is showing up on the computer, and then checked to see if a dress was actually there. All the people on the phone were friendly, but they admitted that their computers are all 3 days behind. I went to a store that is maybe 80 miles away because they had the dress. The store looked like Ross to me except with bridal gowns lol. Up until this experience, I was always wanting an inexpensive gown, but one that doesn't look inexpensive. I now realize that this is hard to come by lol. I was annoyed at how the clerk took forever to actually hand me the dress that was on hold. As much as I didn't care for David's, I did like how the consultants actually give you space. I hate people breathing down my neck. It sucks. The higher end places breath down your neck because they think that you want that, but places like David's leave you alone which is nice. I am honestly now just thinking of trying on my mom's and geting alterations. Her dress was actually cute and would be something you would see on places like Etsy now.

Katshia

I hated the place, but my MOH talked me into at least glancing at ther gowns. I found my dream gown there, and I dont think it seems cheap at all Although I do agree most look very cheap Luckily mine is older (about three years? ) and was on sale greatly, in amazing condition, and looked beautiful

jenluxsd

I hate David's. It is like a Walmart of bridal gowns. The quality is really low and its like a zoo in there. 
I have a couple friends that shopped there because they thought it was their only option for inexpensive dresses. But anything that looked decent at David's was over $700 anyways, so its not a deal or anything. 
I pointed my other friends who werent set on David's to many other bridal options and for the same price point as David's, they got great gowns for 100% better quality. 
Try to avoid that zoo at all cost. There are so many other options within the same price point. But I think some plus size brides like going there because the dresses come in so many sizes already there, instead of the typical one size 8/10/12 sample at most bridal shops

swim1011

Not my favorite place, and yes, a lot of the dresses do have a low quality look.  I'm more biased bc they tend to have crappy service from the consultants (depending on locatoin). 

LoveBugBaby

I have to agree also that I didn't like the place at all.  All the gowns felt cheap.  One I tried on the fabric was so cheap and thin that you could see right through it!  I have seen some pretty dresses worn in weddings from there, but my only reason for going there was to try on styles.  I didn't care for the associate who helped me either, they've very unprofessional from what I've seen in my experiences ther (I've been a BM in other weddings).  I bought a beautiful affordable dress elsewhere that was very reasonably priced - and I felt comfortable at the boutique and the lady who owns it was so sweet and accomodating!

Miss_Sophia

I feel fortunate that my experience with DB wasn't bad. Because my BMs are all over getting their dresses from there seemed to make sense and so far so good, 3 of the 5 have ordered with no problems. I also found my dress there. I didn't like it on the hanger but my mom said to try it on anyways. It fit like a glove and I love the way I look in it! I know some people may not like pockets in dresses but I'm addicted to my burts bees and the fact that I can carry it around with me all day is great I tried on other dresses at different places but I always kept thinking and comparing them to the one at DB.

Here's the link to my dress.
http://weddings.theknot.com/Dresses/57258/detailview.aspx?type=31&id=57258&TM=31%26Dresses+Gown+Type%3dwedding+gowns

abbycobb812

I kind of agree, I gave it a shot when I was dress shopping, but the dresses I tried on just didn't seem to have that wow factor. I'm sure there are some exceptions, but overall I kind of got the same feeling.

I did get the bridemaids dresses there just because they are so inexpensive with so many locations. I think my bridesmaids appreciated the cheaper price on a dress they will probably only wear once and isn't particularly signifiant to them.

But David's did charge me $1 for a fabric swatch after I had 5 bridemaids buy a dress there. That just ticked me off a bit. I suppose other places may do the same thing. Sorry, mini-vent...I know, it's just a dollar.

futurecunha

I agree, David's is not high quality and does have a "WalMart of Weddings" feel. I was under a strict budget, but instead of trying places like David's (I felt the same way at Alfred Angelo), I instead went to a Consignment shop in NYC that offered used designer gowns. I found the most amazing Reem Acra that was originally a five-thousand dollar gown, for $800 dollars. It looks brand new.

There ARE alternatives out there for brides on a budget- you just have to look harder. And steer CLEAR of David's.

wcvsb3b5

I, too, had a good experience at David's. I agree that some of the dresses do have a lower quality. I was actually set on finding my dress somewhere else but I went to David's for the heck of it. I fell in love with my dress. This particular dress seems to be of about the same quality as other dresses I had tried on at different places. I think pps are correct in saying that the lower price ones (unless on a markdown from being a few seasons old) are of a lower quality. I didn't get a less expensive dress by going to david's, it just so happened that the dress I loved was there!

dizzinea

i'm sorry you had a bad experience, I think that Davids gives people who do not have a big budget the oppurtunity to still go to a dress shop and get a dress. if I had not found my gown, a maggie sottero used at a ridiculous savings than that would have been the only place I could have afforded, I went in and liked some of their dresses, and alot of women on this board have dresses they love from their, I think it depends on the individual dress, and on the expectations of the person. with a 500 dollar budget this was the only dress shop in town with more then one dress in my price range.

dizzinea

Your dress is amazing!!!!!



n Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_snobby-first-experience-trying-gowns-davids?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:a85430b7-8cfa-4c66-bb35-c9971b9e0256Post:8909a689-2a6e-4c6a-a273-043f45de2215">Re: Snobby, my first experience trying on gowns at David's</a>:
[QUOTE]I feel fortunate that my experience with DB wasn't bad. Because my BMs are all over getting their dresses from there seemed to make sense and so far so good, 3 of the 5 have ordered with no problems. I also found my dress there. I didn't like it on the hanger but my mom said to try it on anyways. It fit like a glove and I love the way I look in it! I know some people may not like pockets in dresses but I'm addicted to my burts bees and the fact that I can carry it around with me all day is great :) I tried on other dresses at different places but I always kept thinking and comparing them to the one at DB. Here's the link to my dress. <a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Dresses/57258/detailview.aspx?type=31&id=57258&TM=31%26Dresses+Gown+Type%3dwedding+gowns" rel="nofollow">http://weddings.theknot.com/Dresses/57258/detailview.aspx?type=31&id=57258&TM=31%26Dresses+Gown+Type%3dwedding+gowns</a>
Posted by Miss_Sophia[/QUOTE]

beachbunni307

I actually found my dress there...but it wasn't without some of the same feelings towards DB. My first experience there was horrible. The sales girl was in TOTAL sales mode...since the work on commission!! she took forever and wasnt' bringing me anything that I liked. After dress shopping for three more weeks and trying on everything imaginable...i still hadn't found THE dress. After much hesitation, I decided to go back to DB since I had gotten upset and left before seeing everything they had. Turns out, even with the same sales girl, this experience was MUCH better. She only brought me what I asked for...not what she thought was nice....and I fell in love with my dress as soon as I looked in the mirror. It does not even look cheap at all, in fact....I had expected an expensive price tag, but it was only just over $600...i was expecting $1000. In addition, its not a traditional gown so it looks very unique. The store itself (in Huntington Beach, CA) was actually very clean and nice....I had no complaints about that.

Blythe Spagat

I totally agree, I absolutely HATE david's bridal and I told everyone I would NOT shop there.  The dresses seem nice but the service I have is just always SO horrible so I vowed to not look for dresses or bridesmaid dresses there and I didn't.

stefani103

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I had a great experience with DB. My mom is buying my dress so I wanted to keep it somewhat reasonable. I went to a few consignment shops but nothing fit right, or even had the potential to with alterations. We went to DB so I could try on several dresses in my size. I found my dress there and LOVE it. I do agree that some dresses do seem cheap, but not all. The customer service does depend on the store and even the consultants. I've had different experiences with each visit. Everyone was nice but some were over-the-top awesome.

And yes, you do sound snobby.

Tisha.

On one hand, I'd never in a million years suggestion anyone go to David's Bridal, but on the other hand, I am glad that they exist for women who have to buy an $80 gown and need to put it on  layaway, ya know? 

I had a horrible experience there, and WOULD HAVE bought my bridesmaids dresses there if they weren't being discontinued (which my sales rep did not tell me... I found out for myself, on their website).

So, I'm having my dress and their dresses made.

aerinpegadrak

I, too, had a great experience at David's.  I went in on a Sunday morning right when they opened and got fantastic service from my consultant.  The gown I got there wasn't in the greatest condition because it was a sample, but they're going to press the gown and fix a popped seam for free.  But the fabric and construction are of pretty good quality; two of my friends who are seamstresses also bought their gowns from David's, and they wouldn't have purchased something inferior.

Yeah, most locations are kind of a zoo if you go on a Saturday afternoon, but any other time it's really quite nice.  I never even set foot in one of those "salon" places, where I wouldn't be able to find anything I could afford anyway.  And frankly, I've seen a lot of designer gowns, and I've yet to find one I like nearly as much as the one I bought.

*tinkertoy*

Too bad "non WalMart" vibe stores only carry size 8 to try on. If you are plus sized an actually want to see what styles look like on your body you don't have many other options.

*shrug*

SaraAndrew2010

I think David's serves it's purpose.  Not everyone has a huge budget to spend on a wedding dress.

David's was the first place I went dress shopping.  My consultant was really nice and I was able to try on a whole bunch of different styles quickly.  It was also nice that most dresses they had in a range of sizes and not just one sample size.  I agree that the quality of dresses isn't that great.  I found a style I loved, but the zipper was very visible in back. I'm glad I went, though, because it allowed me to narrow down the style I was looking for when I went shopping at other places.

crushme8602

Don't get your Invites there!! I had ordered some and a month later they sent me and email saying they had been discountinued. Then, it took 2 months for me to get my refund...

Miss_Sophia

Thanks, I love it and cannot wait to wear it on my wedding day

jenniferceline

Hmm, well, I was afraid of David's because I assumed the dresses would be bad quality as well. SOME were, of course. However, after 3 David's Bridal trips, I found my dream dress there (seriously dream dress)... a brand new Galina style. I had fantastic service each of the times I went - 3 different stores, even.

If you're curious, this is my dress:


 

Kate504

i went there with my sister for her dress and after the girl pulling all the WRONG dresses I went and pulled a dress that was PERFECT and I think the girl was so mad at me for it.

I went recently just to try on styles not even for anything other than that. Wll the manager stopped me and made me sit at the from the desk and set an appointment. The girl talking to me got up while we were sitting there to help someone else w/o saying excuse me and just left me and my friend sitting there. I don't think that I will be buying from there I think a lot of there stuff looks generic, but there are a few things that are interesting. I don't like the fact that you have to pay for alterations when there is a bridal place here that you don't have to. My cousin bought her dress for 800 at the other bridal place and didn't have to pay anything for alterations, i'm sure if she went to davids she would have had to spend much more

kissamary

the people at our DB sucked too, but I did find an awesome dress.  It isn't from the DB line, though.  They have those two new designer lines and all of those dresses are amazing!  I agree that all the DB dresses felt cheap.  Like i was wearing a sleeping bag or something.  That's what their bridesmaid dresses feel like too, so we won't be getting them from there.

aerinpegadrak

You don't actually have to pay for alterations through them.  It's just that if another seamstress has touched it, David's won't.  So if you want them to do anything to the dress (like the free bead-and-press service), you have to do it before you take the dress elsewhere.

All I need is a bustle, so we're just doing it through their alterations department.  It's probably a little more expensive this way, but it's on them to repair or replace the dress if they screw up, which isn't a guarantee I can get elsewhere.