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Chicago Dress Shopping

TularakTularak member
First Comment
in Illinois-Chicago
I am planning a visit to Chicago with my mom and sister for our first dress shopping experience.  Does anyone have any advice on bridal boutiques that you have been very satisfied with in the area? I will not have a large budget for a dress, so a boutique with a good range of price selections is ideal.  Please share your thoughts :-) 
Thank you-
Cristina 
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Re: Chicago Dress Shopping

  • FutureSarahPalickaFutureSarahPalicka member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you are ok with the suburbs, Here Comes the Bride in Addison is great and has AMAZING prices!
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  • MyWedding13MyWedding13
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I bought my dress at House of Brides in Schaumburg. They have thousands of dresses and are priced reasonably.
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  • agape1cor813agape1cor813
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I recommend venturing into the suburbs and avoiding that pesky 9-10% sales tax in Cook County. I like A'lamour in Barrington.
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  • Red Velvet Red Velvet
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm not sure what your budget is, but I agree with all the other ladies -- it's not impossible, but it will be challenging to find a dress shop in Chicago (assuming that you will be coming toward the downtown area?) that sells a dress under $1,200. 

    You'll find a more affordable dress in the suburbs.  I am going to Eva's Bridal in Oak Lawn for my dress, and if that place doesn't work out i'll be trying House of Brides in Orland or David's Bridal in Orland.

    Good luck!
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    Also if you are suburban bound---Kathryn's in McHenry or Volle's in Lake Zurich.
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  • ee773ee773 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you will be downtown and don't want to spend a fortune, Nordstrom's has a bridal department that might be worth checking out.  You can find dresses for under $700.  You can also see their selection online (not sure if everything online is in store however).
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  • MrsMLRBMrsMLRB
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I did not go to the Chicago location but Macy's also has a nice wedding dress selection though it is expensive.

    Another suburban location is Wolfstedys bridal in Aurora where I got my dress at a sample sale for $350. The saleslady was very helpful and pulled a ton of dresses that I liked based off 2 photos I brought in.
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  • TularakTularak member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Wow, great suggestions so far! Thanks everyone :-)  I hope they keep coming!
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  • ToriP86ToriP86
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I got my dress at Macy's. The dresses start at 1600, but they don't have a huge selection in that price range. I looked at Gigi's Closette in Glenview IL. I had a helpful consultant who pulled a ton of dresses to help me figure out what I was looking for. Most of them were under 1500.

    Good luck!
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  • FutureSarahPalickaFutureSarahPalicka member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Don't go to Eva's Bridal in Oak Lawn... they are going bankrupt and closed 2 stores. My besfriend never got her dress that she ordered an put a down payment down!!!!
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  • netgrl22netgrl22 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you're ok with the suburbs the Crystal Bride in Geneva is great.  I went to at least 6 other stores and it was my favorite.  There's another decent shop down the street from it called Veiled in Elegance as well if you want to make the most of your trip!
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  • GettingHitched2010GettingHitched2010 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I used David's Bridal in Orland.  My dress was awesome and was $799.....bring some styles you like and they can find something really close if they do not have it....Ebony was our sales lady.
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  • kellym050370kellym050370 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have to second going to Here Comes the Bride in Addison.  They are beyond awesome!
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  • aimers1525aimers1525 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I went to Eva's Bridal in Oak Lawn for my dress. I had a great consultant and a great experience. I haven't received my dress yet (my wedding is not until May), so I can't comment on anything further than that!
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  • MINDMNMOMINDMNMO
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I second a vote for Kathryn's in McHenry.

    FutureSarah---are you sure Eva's is going bankrupt?  Did you get a letter saying that?  If so, odds are House of Brides sent that to you as a "marketing tactic".  It's been well known on here that House of Brides has questionable service.  Some like them and others refuse to shop there.
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  • JennaJimJennaJim
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wolsfelts Victorian Bridal in Aurora, they have beautiful dresses and affordable prices and offer your a wonderful experience.  Plus they offer all kinds of discounts.  Ask for Andrea!
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  • bethc28bethc28 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    (bump)

    I'll second the request for Chicago area suggestions. I'm headed down there in October and would love to know of any shops to check out...preferably in the $1000 or under range.

    I have an appointment at J.Crew on Michigan Avenue. I haven't been there yet, but the service in setting everything up so far has been great!
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  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've heard really good things about Here Comes The Bride in Addison and Wedding Belles LTD in Barrington. Also try White Chicago in Chicago for sample dresses.
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  • Ainslie325Ainslie325
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://chicago.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_chicago-dress-shopping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:e0c9914f-5444-4bcc-b229-5c02d96bff39Post:9dab6650-ae1f-4273-a074-bbe20f2e1cce">Re: Chicago Dress Shopping</a>:
    [QUOTE]Don't go to Eva's Bridal in Oak Lawn... they are going bankrupt and closed 2 stores. My besfriend never got her dress that she ordered an put a down payment down!!!!
    Posted by FutureSarahPalicka[/QUOTE]

    Okay, I'll bite.

    Where were the two Eva's locations that closed?  How do you know they are "going bankrupt"?  I'm sorry that your friend had a poor experience there, but, to my knowledge, neither Eva's in Oak Park nor Eva's in Orland (different ownership) is in any danger of closing.  In fact, this is a myth widely perpetuated by Eva's prime competitor, House of Brides, via anonymous letters to women who register at their brick and mortar stores. 

    If you have some hard facts (a legal notice of bankruptcy proceedings, a newspaper article, etc.) to substantiate your claim, I'd provide it.  Otherwise, I'd limit your claim to what you <em>know</em> (that your friend had a bad time there), not what you've <em>heard.
    </em>
    I purchased my gown at Eva's of Orland (again, different ownership) and had a great purchase and alterations experience, though delivery of the gown was later than promised.
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  • ido401ido401
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Just engaged and new to the boards!!  Have my venue, photog, and florist all booked.. On to dress shopping..

    Thoughts on where to look in the western suburbs?

    Thanks!
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