Cincinnati Bridal District

pharmgirl1024 · August 2011

So I'm going dress shopping on Friday, eek! I decided to try to go to Bridal and Formal in Cincinnati since it's a huge shop and I can easily make the trip on a weekday from Louisville. Does anyone have any experience with that store, or any of the other stores in the Reading Bridal District? On a side note, I'm completely freaking out about actually shopping for the dress. I suppose that's normal though, right? TIA for your tips!

Ajoyd · August 2011

Sorry I don't have any tips but thank you for posting this question because I am thinking about going there in a few weeks myself. Hopefully a few of the Columbus knotties have experiences to share!

AshleySweeny · August 2011

Hello!

I actually went shopping in the reading bridal district two weeks ago and then I'll be going back this upcoming weekend. I did go to Bridal and Formal. I personally was more than a bit overwhelmed as this was my first shopping experience. They kinda just let you go in this large stockroom-so have some ideas of what you like.

I also did not have a great consultant. Maybe the other ladies would be better. Also, I was very surprised by this. They have you pay $25 to keep your styles in their computer! And you are in a room with about 6 other brides changes and trying on the dresses-not the ideal situation.

They do have everything though. I'll actually be going to Fabulous Bridal in Covington, where I found a couple I really liked and back to Bridal and Formal. They carry a dress I found in Columbus I like and I actually talked the Bridal and Formal people down on price.

I hope this somewhat helps. You'll be fine!! Wear covering undergarments and a strapless bra. If you could make appointments at more personal bridal locations in the same area that may be a better place to start to get ideas of shapes and styles you like.

You'll be great! Have fuN!

itsallnice421 · August 2011

I got my dress at Bridal and Formal!

It is huge and can be overwhelming, so I started at European Bridal across the street, which is much smaller. That helped me "break the ice" a little bit and get in the groove for Bridal and Formal.

My consultant was Mara and she was excellent. You can't set appointment, but could ask if she's available when you go. Just a thought, because I really appreciated her. You do change in a big room with a bunch of other girls around. It was awkward at first, but after a few I pretty much got used to it.

When you first get there they just set you loose to pick what you like, which is the overwhelming part. But after you try on a few of those, things slow down a little bit and the consultant will start coming up with some ideas.

I feel like I'm rambling, so I'll stop now, but I've been there quite a few times at this point so let me know if you're wondering about anything else!

TheBeckmeister · August 2011

I got my dress at Bridal and Formal.

I had tried on several other dresses before so I kind of knew the style/look that I was going for, and which designers I liked. Also, the gowns are sorted by price point, so that can help narrow down the overwhelming-ness of it.

It is a little weird to just change in front of all the other brides and whoever they brought with them. There are a few private rooms that you can use, too, if you'd feel more comfortable.

The consultant that I had was helpful and gave an honest opinion about how something looked on me. I don't think she was very pushy. I also had a particular dress in mind that I wanted to try on, and she knew just what I was talking about after just briefly describing it (I didn't wind up buying that dress, but hey).

I'd highly recommend Bridal & Formal.

pharmgirl1024 · August 2011

Thanks ladies! I've looked at tons of dresses online, so I have an idea of what I like. I'm hoping that since I'm planning on getting there at 11 when they open that I can get one of the private rooms. The fact that the dresses are separated by price point is really awesome and will be totally helpful. I'll keep you all updated with my search!

beckilee37 · August 2011

I bought my dress there. I really have mixed feelings about this place.

The first time I went there, I had to wait 45 min to talk to a consultant. That lasted 5 min. She set me loose and told me to pick like 8 dresses and put them on a rack. I then had to wait another 30 min to get into the dressing room. I was about to leave and go across the street but the consultant "suddenly" had an opening in the room. She then pretty much ignored me the whole time and made my friend help me into the dresses I wanted to try on. I swore I'd never go back.

However, they were having a Maggie Sottero trunk show a month later, so I decided just to stop by to see the new collection since it wasn't anywhere local yet and I had fallen in love with Maggie's dresses. I had a much better consultant this time who actually paid attention to me and listened to my needs. I still had to pull my own dresses, but she actually helped me into them, and when I found "The One" she suggested getting on the webcam so my mom in NC could see.

My dress is supposed to come in this month, so I hope everything goes well. I have heard horror stories about it coming in much later than they said it will. Oh and FYI I ordered in Jan and they said it would come in in Aug. They are def on the slow side.

Also, dresses are arranged according to designers, not price points. Thought you wouldlike to know.

MissOwl · August 2011

yikes now i feel behind! i'm in september of next year and haven't even thought about dress shopping yet!

StephE214 · August 2011

I got my dress at Bridal and Formal last month! We went on a Saturday and I was nervous that it would be super crowded, but since we got there soon after it opened, they took me right away. I liked how they let us all look through the dresses, but at the same time it was a little overwhelming. I'm glad I brought pictures so that we all knew what direction we wanted to go in. My consultant (Norma) was very nice and pulled a lot of great dresses. She moved quickly but I never felt rushed. I was a little surprised when I walked into the dressing room and there were people changing right in the middle of the floor. There was a little closet-like space with a curtain that I changed behind and it wasn't a problem at all.

After trying on several dresses, I wanted to try on the first one again because it was my favorite. When my mom asked if we could see a veil to get an idea of how it would look, they took me to upstairs to the accessories area, actually gave me an updo with bobby pins and added a veil and hair clip. That definitely sold me! I would definitely recommend Bridal and Formal.

MrsBoss2012 · August 2011

Good luck on going dress shopping. I hope you have a great experience! I enjoyed my experience in Cincy. So here's how my experience went at Cincy Bridal District. We arrived at 11 on a Saturday and it was not crowded at all. I got a consultant, Maria, within a few minutes. She asked if i wanted a private room or the open room so you do have options. She led us to the large room of dresses which was overwhelming but it was fun. Yes we picked our own dresses at first but then as she saw my style, she went out and brought in dresses she thought I would like. Which this has been my experience at other bridal stores. Yes they do charge you to keep record of the dresses you like but all I did was look at the tag and wrote it down myself when she wasn't around or have one of your guests with you do it. And they don't let you take photos unless you have made a payment but again this has been my experience with other bridal stores as well. They don't want you to go out and find it elsewhere cheaper. I'll let you figure out the work around to that. Overall I was so worn out I did not visit the other stores. There's a "quaint" little pub down the street the consultant recommended for lunch. It was good.I was so overwhelmed I didn't want to do any more shopping so maybe go to the other little shops and save the big one for last. My family loved it we might go back again!

stanzi113 · August 2011

I went to bridal and formal an had a blast. We got there right at open and were helped straight away. They do stick you in a giant room full of dresses and let you have at it. I prefer that to a consulatant limiting my choices, however. My consultant did help me find dresses that i had brought pics and then once i tired on and eliminated a few she helped pull new suggestions.
As far as dressing rooms go, I started in the big room and i came back later that day and used a private one. I preferred the big communal dressing room. The private dressing rooms were about the same size as regular dressing rooms, and were cramped compared to being out in the open with lots of mirrors and walking space. Plus everyone in the big room was looking across and going "oh i love your dress" It was kinda fun to be in there with so many people (is that weird?).
MissOwl youre fine. We started shopping 11 months out because everyone said dresses take 9 months to get, then i found mine and it took 3. It does depend on the dress designer, but i think 9-12 months out is fine, and if you wait after that youre probably still fine.

green795 · August 2011

I went the Reading district twice and had good experiences each time, even though I didn't find my dress down there. I went to Bridal and Formal, European Bridal, and Fabulous Bridal (Covington). Expect a boutique experience at European Bridal and Fabulous Bridal (and Fabulous Bridal also gave us champagne - yum!) and go to Bridal and Formal expecting a more on-your-own experience. Ditto previous posts. The first time I went I didn't realize they don't have many private dressing rooms - and I made sure to wear leggings and a strapless (I went in late fall/winter) when I went the next time!

pharmgirl1024 · August 2011

Thanks ladies! I'll let you all know how my trip goes!

Ajoyd · August 2011

Good luck tomorrow! I hope you will share your experience as well

pharmgirl1024 · August 2011

So I went to Bridal and Formal today, and my experience was basically exactly like everyone mapped out on here. We got there at 11, which is when they opened. I went in, filled out some paperwork, and met with my consultant, Karen. She kind of gave me a brief tour of the facility, and then asked me when my wedding was, what vision I had and what my price point was. She then told me where the dresses could be found that were in my price point and asked me to pick 6-7 dresses to start with. From there, we went to the big communal dressing room. She did offer a private room to me, but since everyone on here warned me about the communal room, I was prepared. I tried on a few dresses, told her what I liked and didn't like, and she went and pulled some more. I think that I ended up trying about 12 dresses in total, and then I ended up actually picking the second dress that I tried on! When they took me to "Twinkletown" it totally sold me. I ended up picking Maggie Sottero Isadora Marie, and they actually came down off the price by $325. I loved my experience there, and would definitely recommend it to someone else. We'll see how it goes when my dress comes in!

skippylouwho · August 2011

Maggie Sottero Isadora Marie is a beautiful gown, I just Googled it. Beautiful choice!

Ajoyd · August 2011

Oh wow, gorgeous dress! Thank you for sharing your experience too. I am going there this weekend, on a Saturday but it can't be helped. Hopefully it won't be too crazy!

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