Wedding Dress Search

paulinepark · January 2011

Hi. I just started the whole wedding dress search process and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Where are the best bridal shops for wedding dress shopping? I'm looking for large selection, budget prices (under $1,000) and good care/service.

I've been to David's Bridal, they seem good. But I need to shop around some more. I've heard of Universe, Wendy's (but heard mixed things about both) and now Elegant bride? Thoughts? Advice? Tips?

osumegs · January 2011

I went to Wendy's on an off day and had an ok experience. I ended up shopping around and found a dress I liked better. I can't say they were awesome, but didn't hate them. I have heard horrible things about them and also some good. I think it's kind of a coin toss when you go there, but definitely around your price point so possibly a good try.

KellyRVT · January 2011

Go online and look at different designers you like. Once you find a couple that have several dresses you are interested in start calling stores to find out who carries them. Bridal and Formal in Cincy carries a lot. Beware of Wendy's though, they cut all designer tags out of the dress and won't tell you who makes it. They don't want you price comparing. I was NOT a fan of my experience there, although they do carry Maggie Sottero and Casablanca. If you do go, know what dresses you want to try on first and make sure you call to see if they have them. When you walk in tell them that's what you want to see, that way you know the dress and designer.

csh96 · January 2011

I went to Trumpington in Westerville and absolutely loved the shop. The women are very sweet and helpful but they do have a smaller selection. I ended up finding the "one" at Alan Ray.

[Deleted User] · January 2011

I answered you on Attire and Accessories. Good luck.

If you have any more questions, you can PM me or page me on this board or Etiquette.

kmosu · January 2011

I highly suggest Universe Bridal/Unusual Junction in Coshocton. Its an hour drive from Columbus but so worth it. I found dresses there that were comparable to ones here in town and they were literally $500 less. I love my dress and it was only 800, its floor length with a lace overlay. Believe me you need to check them out, I can't say enough about this place!

stanzi113 · January 2011

I shopped all over the state before finding my dress at Trumpington. It is a smallish boutique but the shop is great, and they had some dresses i hadnt seen elsewhere.

Universe bridal and Bridal and Formal in Cincinnati are worth the trips purely for the selections. Universe Bridal does not give you a dedicated staff person to help out so bring someone with you to lift all those dresses. Bridal and Formal does have dedicated staff but if you visit on a weekend they dont take appointments and its first come first serve. We walked in at open and it was already a zoo, but there was no wait.

I had a poor experience at Wendys with rude staff and they werent really trying to help me. First time i went in there the woman made a rude comment about me not fitting in sample sizes. Which I did fit, by the way and i thought i found the dress i loved.

Then I had my sister in town from NYC and I wanted to show her "the dress"on the hanger and they refused! I asked if there was any time we could come in (again, not trying it on) in the next 2 days and they said they were too booked to help me. I know it was short notice, but i didnt need an associate or dressing room.

So i continued shopping since i wasnt allowed to see my dress and i found "the one" elsewhere.

paulinepark · January 2011

thanks so much for all the advice. There's so many different experiences and mixed reviews. It's hard to figure out what's best for me without going everywhere -_- I don't necessarily want to have to go to all the different shops out there. But I'm not the only overwhelmed bride am I?

TheBeckmeister · January 2011

I'm a little late to the discussion - sorry! I did a lot of searching for my dress too, mostly in the Columbus area. I went to:

David's Bridal on Sawmill

Wendy's

Alan Ray

Perfect Weddings in Lancaster

Running of the Brides at Filene's Basement

Bridal and Formal in Cincinnati

I had a pretty good experience at each of those places. The women that I worked with were pleasant and allowed me to try on as many gowns as I wanted. That being said, I wound up buying my dress at Bridal and Formal. They have a HUGE selection in a variety of price ranges. I had the same budget as you and was able to find my dress there.

Hope that helps!

KimandWil · January 2011

I can't say enough about Universe. I had a dedicated person there to help me. Her name was Sue and she was the greatest. She actually helped me find the ONE. Anytime that I went back there she was available to help me.

Everyone will have a different experience at different stores. I say just take your time and enjoy the dress shopping experience.

sherise40 · January 2011

I went to Wendys bridal and they were snobs to me. I told them my price range was no more then $1000 and the lady was like well pull some dresses quickly because I have another appointment in 45 minutes!!!! She never came back to help. My dad was so furious I was on the verge of tears so we left. We went to Universe Bride and I also worked with Sue. I had an amazing time with her!!! She was beyond great. I also found my dress there. Acutally picked it up yesterday.

Beware its Prom season down there so they are crazy busy. If you can wait a couple weekends.

spainstacey · January 2011

I"m going to two stores this week, and am not slightly nervous about it... I had all put picked out my dress at Davids Bridal and my sister (MOH) (who has dealt with bridesmaids stuff before) said they were terrible and I should look at Wendy's. And now I am and now I'm nervous about it.... I don't need someone telling me i'm to big to fit into sample sizes, or someone telling me my budget is not big enough because I wont get them enough money.

Wish me luck!

Ungargirl16 · January 2011

I just picked up my dress at Bella Laccio in Westerville last week. She has a lot of off the rack dresses she's selling right now that are in the price point you're looking for. You might want to give her a call to see if there are any left. Good luck!

Stacey

Myroni03 · January 2011

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Universe Bridal..... In HS I bought Prom dresses there with great success and I've had great success with them so far with my bridal gown. It should be in on March 11. Selection is huge there and prices are even better but I highly reccomend going on a week day when less customers are out so you can get more staff attention.

happy shopping!!

stanzi113 · January 2011

@ spainstacey

FWIW the dresses are great at Wendy's, just the service is horrible. I really did almost buy mine there even after the service.

amcollins32 · January 2011

I think Alfred Angelo just opened a location in the Columbus area too...Dublin Granville Road maybe? Unsure of the prices, though!

SummerTwentyEleven · January 2011

Absolutely go to Bridal & Formal in Cinci. Totally worth the trip!! I went to Catan in Strongsville, which I also really liked and had a great experience at, but nothing really wow'ed me. I am not typically the type of person who is "wow'ed" by a dress anyway, so I found one that I liked the best there and thought I'd probably come back to get it after I checked a few other places. At B&F, I tried on a few dresses, liked them all, but then my consultant picked out "the one," and I definitely found that I could be wow'ed by a dress! And, even better, it was very reasonably priced, and then she took more off on top of that! It retailed for 7something, and I was out the door after tax, etc. for around $850, which I was very pleased with. They have an amazing selection, my consultant really listened to me and found exactly what I wanted and was not pushy AT ALL, and the price was great! And they don't cut out their tags like Wendy's, which I unfortunately walked into and found myself walking right back out of. Seriously cannot say enough great things about Cinci B&F!!!

marisanh · January 2011

I would check out Alfred Angelo. I just bought my dress there last weekend. Normally the prices might be a little higher than your range, but they're having a "grand opening" type of event and a lot of their prices are considerably lower. I would call and check to see when that is going until, but I'm almost positive the associate who was helping me said January 29th. My dress was going to be over 1100, but I got it for 800. Good luck with the dress search!

csh96 · January 2011

I stopped in Alfred Angelo last weekend to check out the bridesmaid dresses and they were in the same price range as most other stores plus were running their grand opening sale so they were an extra 15% off.

loislane906 · January 2011

I got my dress at Alan Ray and totally recommend it. I'm a size 12 and had trouble with sample sizes at lots of salons, but ended up finding quite a few there that actually fit me. Pat is wonderful and a complete sweetheart. Good luck!

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