Dresses

bibliophile2010

Now that I'm finally making some major checks (date, location, officiant), I need to start thinking seriously about a dress, which I find particularly overwhelming, for several reasons. Budget will be $1000 (before accessories/alterations). With that in mind:

Questions:
1. I know DB gets mixed reviews, but does anyone have a branch/consultant that they can recommend? Any that you would avoid like the plague?

2. What boutiques do you ladies recommend?

3. How far in advance do I need to set appointments?

Syndelin

I had a really good experience at DB on Ray Rd,  with Aishah.  She was wonderful!  I would describe a dress, and she would know the exact one I was talking about, and where to go to pull it for me.  She was really sweet, and very helpful.  She's off Wed. and Fridays.

I didn't have an appointment when I went in there, so I'm not sure how far ahead you would have to make one if you wanted a specific person.

The only other place that I went was to Suzanne's Bridal, and most people have given it great reviews, but I had a horrible experience there honestly.  I don't know if it was just an off day for someone or what.

LyndseylovesHugh

I live in Las Vegas now, and got my dress here, so I am not sure if you have an Alfred Angelo, but if so you should check them out.  I had a great experience with them, big selection like DB, but I had a better over all experience with them.

krkapple

I Do! I Do! in Central Phoenix has a huge selection of dresses under $1,000.  You may also want to look into Azteca.  Their customer service is awful, but I be you could purchase your dress through them and take it elsewhere for alterations to ease the stress.

As for boutiques, I highly recommend Suzanne's in Gilbert and Uptwon Bridals in downtown Chandler.  If you go to Uptown, be sure to ask for Ali and tell her Kelsey sent you!  She's the best!

sld0618

I had the WORST experience ever with I Do I Do Bridal, I would recommend NOT going there.  Way over priced and they are bitchy.  I bought my dress from Once In A Life Tyme Bridal.  They were the nicest, sweetest ladies there ready to help you pick gowns.  There are no appt times either which makes it at ease when you're trying on a lot of dresses.  They have the best deals in town.  I bought a maggie dress and it was almost half off the orginial price.  They price them lower than other stores and then have sales on top of that!!  I ended up paying just under $700 for a fit and flare satin gown with some bling on it.  Then I got a veil with rhinestones and a headpiece made out of swarovski crystals.  All under $950!!!!  It was the very best deal I had found.  It's also very laid back and they have different sizes to try on which was great.  I'm a size 8 (big butt and boobs haha) and did not fit into most of the dresses at I Do I DO.  The girl gave me an eye up and down when I didn't fit into the first one.  I felt so fat and didn't want to eat!!  I also went to DB paradise valley and they were wonderful.  My cousin is getting married as well and she went to the Chandler location and they were wonderful as well.  Azteca, you have to pull your own gowns too but they were way more helpful than I Do I Do.

Ps. If you're going to buy a designer dress or anything not from David's Bridal...then you'll need 4-6 months to get the dress in plus time for the alterations.  David's Bridal is normally a couple weeks to maybe a month if they don't have the dress in stock.  Good luck, it's so much fun!!!

KerriCornell

On a whim, I stopped into Mariee Gallery in Scottsdale's Gainey Village.  Its a small, boutqiue birdal salon that only carries a handful of designers.  The dresses I saw there were so much different than anywhere else I had gone.

I got a Watters gown for just under $1k on sale.  Its a husband and wife who own the store and the sales girl that worked with me was wonderful.  I had no appointment but she had 30 minutes between appointments to help me.  I bought my dress there that day.  I HIGHLY recommend them!

bibliophile2010

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

dustfrmpluto

If your in the area Kaira's Bridal over by metro has Maggie Sottero and Alfred Angelo among others, and they are all reasonably priced and have good customer service. And good luck : )