Kleinfeld - worth going with a lower budget?

leah2b

Hey ladies:  So my wedding is next July.  I recently went to a couple stores to look and was told I need to order my dress asap.  I had planned on having my mom come visit in early December to do this but have been told I am already behind schedule.  Ugh.  Now I feel rushed.  So I am paying for my dress myself and really do not want to pay more than $2000.  Is it worth it to go to Kleinfeld's with a budget of this amount? Can you recommend your consultant?  I remember a few of you recommending Keisha.  Thanks!

leah2b

fyi - I have to post and run.  Heading to the Jets game.  Will check in tonight!

Laurms15

I went in with a low budget and found some really nice stuff. I worked with rita and she was great (little italian lady) and her and my mom (also a little italian lady) hit it off!!

JeannineG122

I don't think you are way behind at all.

itsme32985

I wouldn't go to Kleinfeld's if that was my budget, I feel you won't have as many choices.  I also wouldn't wanted to be tempted to try on one of the more expensive gowns then fall in love with it.

allforyou

i wouldn't recommend it. i went there with a high budget, and while they did have nice dresses and i found a dress i loved.... they sales people are way too pushy. you can find plenty of other stores that carry a ton of dresses for under 2000 and have better sales people.  another thing to consider is does the $2000 budget include alterations? because kleinfelds charges a flat alteration rate of $595. which in my opinion is insane.

I <3 Seabass

I wouldn't say that you have a ton of time but I don't think you need to rush into making a decision. I got my dress from Kleinfeld and had a great experience. I would definitely recommend Keisha. With that said my thoughts on going in there with a lower budget is I probably wouldn't do it. When you make the appointment they say their dresses start at $1500 + their $600+ (they recently raised it I think) flat alteration fee so you're already over budget. And I would just want a bigger selection to choose from without worrying that they were going to pull a dress that was ridiculously over my budget. But there are people that go in there with a lower budget and find their dream dress, so it's really up to you.

mscutieri

Leah, over there on the july board I don't think I realized you were from NJ! I highly refer Russell's in linden NJ. They have a large selection of really nice dresses (all kinds of designers) and I got mine (private label by g)for about $1,000. They are highly recommended on this board and in the general area (I live about 10 minutes from there).

alliecarrie41

their gowns start at $1000.

uppereastgirl

I agree with allforyou -- I went in with a "if I love it, I will buy it" budget in mind, and hated the experience.  (1) even though I made it clear that I am preppy and like pretty tailored dresses, the girl kept pulling the complete opposite for me, and (2) once she say a glimmer of "this isn't hideous" in my eye, the hard sell started.  I went with my best friend when she was looking for her dress, and she had Keasha which was better, but when she found a dress she actually liked, the sales pressure from the staff was unbelievable.  I think you can see that on Say Yes to the Dress too.  They were way too car salesman for me, and I could see them totally getting someone on a budget to spend more than they wanted or to settle for a dress they weren't 100% sure about.

erikag23

i bought my dress from kleinfelds....i was lucky to get a sample (perfect condition) for half the retail price.  and i did not go on their "sample days".  i made a regular appointment

HBear19

I got my dress from Bijou in Paramus, which was also recommended on this board, and it was a great experience. I found the dress I loved and it was about $1100. Also, my engagement is only 6 months long, and I was assured it would come in within 4-5 months. Of course, it will depend upon the designer, but I highly recommend them.

WhereIsK

I went to Kleinfeld's and told them my budget was $2500, a little over yours.  They did have a selection, not overwhelming, but some.  They showed me some samples that were $1999 that were in good shape.  My consultant was Jessica.  She was nice, but didn't seem to come up with much I was truly interested in.I don't think you are out of time by the way.  I was running close, but my wedding is in May.

leah2b

Thanks everyone!  My mom wants to go to kleinfeld's because she has heard so much about it, but I just feel with my budget it might not be worthwhile.  I really do not want to be tempted to spend more $$. I am definitely going to check out Bijou in Paramus, as well as Bridals by Roma and Park Avenue.  I tried on a Maggie Sottero which so far is my favorite and is very affordable.  I was told this particular brand takes quite a while to get in. I also found a store in NYC called the Bridal Garden, which is a "used" bridal gown store.  I might check this out - I def have no problem wearing a used dress so long as it looks good and is in good shape!

jtheiss

I'm late to this post, but just in case you check again, I bought my dress at Park Avenue and had a great experience! They are so nice. I had found a dress that I loved when I was shopping with my BM in Denver. They didn't have it in store for me to try on again, but they were happy to order it for me and they beat the price that I was originally quoted. I highly recommend them.

RebeccaW2010

I purchased my dress at Kleinfelds and I had a really good experience.  I went in not expecting to buy something and I expected them to be pushy like the show but they really weren't in my case.  I told them I had a budget and they didn't pull a single dress over that.  The consultant told me that she would not pull any over my budget unless she asked me first.  The ticket price on my dress was $2,999 but they gave me a discount so I spent $2,999 including their insane alterations for a dress they had just got in the store the week before!!  I went a little over budget but it was the perfect dress for me so I bought it! I would recommend going and just trying things on.  They have tons of designers and will work in the budget.  Also try the Kleinfeld Kollection Brand they seemed to have a better price. Audrey was my consultant, she was excellent!    Also try: Exquisite Bride in Millburn, NJ, Hollywood Bridal-Kenilworth, NJ, Bridal Garden, Marlton/Princeton, NJ