Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh

Dress Shopping Pittsburgh area

I'm planning to go dress shopping when I'm in the Pittsburgh area August 21-22... Any recommendations?  Anybody know any good shops in Beaver/Butler County?  Other areas okay too, just my parents are in Beaver County so it is closer.I'm still not sure if I should get a dress here in Philly, or in Pittsburgh area since the wedding is out there.  I'm thinking out there so I don't have to worry about transporting it?  IDK.  I better get on the ball though, Wedding 9 months from Saturday!

Re: Dress Shopping Pittsburgh area

  • d78d78
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm not familiar with Beaver (TWSS!), but I always recommend Exquisite Bride in Murrysville & Sorelle in Washington. MB bride (Greensburg) is good for their selection, but you need to request certain consultants. One Enchanted Evening isn't too far for you (Wexford), but I don't really recommend it unless you get Alice (the best consultant). Even then, they don't have that big of a selection. It's where I got my dress, though.HTH & GL!
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • morainemommorainemom member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There's a Bridal Shop in Butler, on Rt. 8 North - almost across from the old Kerr's Furniture store.  I think the name is Bridal Treasures.Arnella's Bridal is somewhere in Butler, too - but I'm not sure where.Up in Sharon is The Winner.  There's also Helen Freed's Bridal and also another as well in Sharon.
  • edited December 2011
    I don't have any recs for special shops, since I went to the typical David's Bridal (one in Monroeville- had a great sales lady and experience there), but I hear ya with being OOT. I bought my dress in PA, then moved to VA a couple of months later. I left the dress at my parents' place until Christmas, when I brought it to VA for alterations down here. I'd definitely recommend getting alterations done in your area, esp. if your dress will need lots of work. Just a thought for the future- have fun dress shopping!
  • jennybean2010jennybean2010 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    hmmm, the big BC.....i think there's a shop in the main part of beaver, but i'm not certain. i got my dress from ck bridal in oakdale (just a few down from the red cap cleaners) and it's such a cute shop, i love the girls there! my sister got her dress from them as well.
  • d78d78
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I forgot about Arnella's! I believe they still do free alterations. When I was in my MOH's wedding, we got the BM dresses there and the alterations were free, which was nice. If I remember correctly, MOH got her dress there too, and liked working with them.
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I believe the Exquisite Bride has a new location in Gibsonia on Rt. 8.  I also shopped at CK Bridal off the Oakdale exit of 22/30 in Robinson.  They didn't have a huge selection, but that is where I first tried on the dress I ended up buying.
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    image
  • McBridetobeMcBridetobe member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No recs for BC (but LOL, Dori!)  I do recommend getting your alterations done where you live.  I did mine in Pittsburgh and was quite stressed over getting back to the Burgh to get everything straightened out.  And my PITA seamstress only worked Mondays and Fridays, so I had to take time off from work, etc. 
  • edited December 2011
    Can't help with recs in that area, but unlike Kim, I actually left my dress in Pgh while I've been planning (I'm in Massachusetts).  I've been to Pgh exactly 3 times since I got engaged--one week to do dress shopping, reception site and church stuff; one weekend when my dress came in and have first fitting; and one week to get everything else done including second fitting.  I'll go in the week of the wedding and pick up my dress/final fitting.  However, I will note that I am very lucky in that all i needed was a hem and the bustle.  Plus, I didn't want to drag the dress back and forth between anywhere--my seamstress and dress shop have had my dress since it came in.  It will be in my possession for the first time the week of the wedding.  If you feel comfortable with your consultant, ask them to give you an honest estimate of what may need to be done to your dress.  Better yet, try to schedule your appointments when the seamstress is there--I'm so glad that worked out for me.  even if you end up not using the store's seamstress, she'll give you a really good idea of the work that will need to be done.Wow, long, sorry about that.
  • kelly1516kelly1516 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There is Marys Bridal Traditions in Monaca, Two bridal stores in Beaver Falls, I think Marys (Different one) and the other one is almost right across the street from it. I am sorry I forget the name of it. Good Luck!
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers my read shelf:
    Kelly (kelly1516)'s book recommendations, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
  • pcellinipcellini member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the sugestions... I'll have to check out some of these places.As for the being out of town.... where do you store the dress?  My parents have room if I leave it over there, but here, my apartment is already completely maxed out on storage, plus I don't want to risk the fiance seeing it.  Do shops keep it there?  If I have a ton of alterations, if may be better to have it here, I just don't know about transporting it.  How much alteration do dresses typically need?
  • pcellinipcellini member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have heard of Mary's in Beaver falls and Bridal Traditions in Monaca... maybe I'll look into those
  • kelly1516kelly1516 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I got my dress at Davids Bridal and I needed it hemmed and cups put it. I am storing it at FILs house since there is not so much room in our house and our kids might possible do something to it. Its hidden at their house till its closesr to our wedding day. Where you getting married at?
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers my read shelf:
    Kelly (kelly1516)'s book recommendations, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
  • d78d78
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    How much alteration do dresses typically need?This is really going to vary. Some people get a basic dress, then have lots done to it so it's unique. Some people only need a hem and a bustle. Most fall somewhere in between those two. I needed it taken in at the waist, a hem, bustle, straps shortened, and cups. It only took her a couple weeks to do. Alterations were more than I budgeted, but I had no idea how much they'd cost, so I just randomly guessed.
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Our apt. is also crammed- 700 some sq. ft. of living space isn't cutting it. The dress actually would not fit in my closet well, so I ended up hanging it in the bedroom off of a panel on the ceiling that juts out that's for the heat/AC (I know that didn't make any sense, but you'd have to see it for it make sense!) Anyway, it was out in the open, but in a white DB bag with a sheet wrapped around it, so then FI could not see it. He did see my slip, which I did not care about.As for alterations, obviously everyone is different. I needed a lot b/c I am short (and my shoes didn't have much of a heel) and I am petite. I went to an independent seamstress who works out of her house, and payed $225 for a hem (needed a lot of material off), and alterations in the shoulders/top. HTH a little!
  • pcellinipcellini member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Kim... haha good improv with the dress storage!  I guess I would come up with some storage solution if I had to.  We are about 700sq ft as well.  I can't take it anymore! I'm short as well, and fairly petite, kind of not typcial size... so I'm guessing I might need some major alteration.  I heard not to get something too detailed on the bottom because that will get cut off and need to be redone.  Maybe I will have to do the alterations in my area.
  • morainemommorainemom member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you order your gown, ask them about a hollow to hem when they are placing the order.This cost $100.00 extra for my daughter's gown, they measured her and wrote down the length on the order form - my daughter is wearing 4 inch heels at the wedding, so this was included in the measurements.Her gown arrived and needs NO alterations, other than a bustle. We are taking the gown to an independent tailor for that.
  • edited December 2011
    Marilyn's Bridal in Monaca is where I got mine. I bought both of my prom dresses there back in the day and had really good service. They've been around forever and really know what they're doing.
  • morainemommorainemom member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You posted as I was posting.  My daughter is also very petite and tiny - 5'1".  Just ask for someone experienced and knowledgeable to measure you.
  • edited December 2011
    The Exquisite Bride kept my dress until the week of the wedding.  They steamed it a day or two before my mom picked it up.  Some places recommend not letting a dress hang for an extended amount of time because if it's heavy it could stretch.  I'm not sure what bridal shops do, I'll bet they hang them anyway...My dress was unable to be hemmed at the bottom due to the detailing.  The seamstress pulled it up at the waist.  I couldn't even tell that there was a seam there.  It didn't cost any extra to have it done that way.
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    image
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards