Ohio-Columbus

Where Should I Go Dress Shopping

I have heard many discouraging things about Wendy's Bridal, but they have such a large selection of gowns.  I really want to try 2 or 3 places and I really like the designer Maggie Sorrento.  Any suggestion of where I should go?  Or where did you go?  Customer service and large selections are important to me.

Re: Where Should I Go Dress Shopping

  • edited December 2011

    I went to David's on Sawmill and was NOT happy! They bugged me to death with phone calls to make an appointment and when I finally did, they neglected to put me in the system. So I got stuck with a consultant that hardly had any time for me and acted like it was her first day on the job. The second place I went to was Wendy's (AND where I found THE dress!) and I was impressed. My consultant (Anne) was a sweetheart and was a huge help. The only thing I didn't like about Wendy's was that they don't allow you to take any pictures unless you buy the dress. I hope this helps!

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  • edited December 2011
    If you're willing to drive a bit, Cincinnati Bridal & Formal has the biggest selection around. I got my dress there and had a good experience. Just be prepared for it to be busy and the communal dressing rooms (not as bad as it sounds). My dress was part of a trunk show and they gave me a really great deal on my dress, plus the designer was there and is making a couple changes to my dress that I requested and is making me a cathedral length veil no charge. I think the store is having a Maggie trunk show the end of October, if you have your heart set on a Maggie, you could get a great deal. 
  • edited December 2011
    I went to a few different places, and then went to a place called Universe Bridal in Coshocton.  It is a little ways away, but definitely worth the drive!!!  When you pull in, you might be like "uhhh" b/c its at this place called the "unusual junction", but go in!  There are literally hundreds and hundreds of dresses!  The customer service was GREAT!  They will give you as little or as much help as you want.  I picked most of the dresses out myself, and my sister helped me try them on! And the prices were reasonable!!! There were so many dresses I loved there, and found THE one that I am soooooo excited to wear!  I told my friend who is dress-shopping about it, and she went and just ordered her dress from there too!  I would HIGHLY recommend it!
  • edited December 2011
    The only places in the Columbus area that sells Maggie Sottero is Wendy's, Alan Ray, and Perfect Weddings in Lancaster.  I would recommend going to Perfect Weddings.  I went there back in May before I moved out of state and I had the best experience ever!  I think my consultants name was Cheryl (I could be wrong), but she was nicest lady and she wasn't pushy by any means.  I'm the type of person that knows what I want and when I say no I mean no.  But Cheryl was great and she made my first dress shopping experience a good one.  They had lots of Maggie dresses and they were the only shop in the area that had the dress that ended up being the ONE.  You'll find that some shops may have some Maggie dresses that another one doesn't have.  If there are particular ones that you want to try on, you can call each store to see if they have them first before making the trip.
    I went to Wendy's the next day and I had an OK experience.  I can't remember the lady's name that I worked with, but she was a little older and she was really really sweet.  The problem was that she was SLOW.  There was another bride next to me that had tried on 3 dresses before I even got my first one on!  My Wendy's experience was nothing compared to Perfect Weddings, since Perfect Wedding's a smaller store, so it's more personal and less crowded.
    I haven't been to Alan Ray, but I've heard some serious horror stories about girls getting their dresses at the last minute, and them having poor customer service.  For those reasons alone I steered clear of Alan Ray.  I know there are a lucky few who had a good experience with them, but the amount of girls who had bad experiences was so overwhelming that I just couldn't do it. 
    Customer service is also very important to me too, so it helps that Perfect Weddings has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Wendy's has an F, while Alan Ray has a D-.
  • a-ingrama-ingram member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went to Wendy's and just didn't find any dresses I was in LOVE with...and found a dress in a magizine I just had to try on.  The closest place that had it was Lavender Bridal in Dover, Ohio.  It was a bit of a drive but soooo worth it!  I ended up not liking the dress that I loved in the magizine, but they had so many dresses so I moved on and found my dress that day.  Dover is a small town with this great bridal store and everyone is so nice there.  The best part is there are 3-4 wineries on the way, so we get to stop and drink wine on the way home...I recommend Raven's Glen because they also have a restruant.
  • edited December 2011
    I loved Alan Ray bridal and I had a great experience with them. Btw - I love Sottero and Migdley dresses. I was a SM bride.
  • edited December 2011
    I second Universe Brides in Coshocton, OH... it is so worth the drive. the most expensive gowns are around $1400. They have tons of deals and you can buy most samples if you choose. I had a great fitting, my consultant did everything and my mother and grandmother only had to sit in front of the mirror and wait for me to come out.

    I have been to all of the shops that were mentioned above and none compare to Universe. Universe has a larger selection than Cincy Bridal and Formal and no communal changing areas.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-columbus_should-dress-shopping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:112Discussion:77b487f3-d8dd-45ff-a9a9-bdfc1596a1dbPost:d3acc5e6-42ab-440b-8844-11c80518a9bc">Re: Where Should I Go Dress Shopping</a>:
    [QUOTE]I went to Wendy's and just didn't find any dresses I was in LOVE with...and found a dress in a magizine I just had to try on.  The closest place that had it was Lavender Bridal in Dover, Ohio.  It was a bit of a drive but soooo worth it!  I ended up not liking the dress that I loved in the magizine, but they had so many dresses so I moved on and found my dress that day.  Dover is a small town with this great bridal store and everyone is so nice there.  The best part is there are 3-4 wineries on the way, so we get to stop and drink wine on the way home...I recommend Raven's Glen because they also have a restruant.
    Posted by a-ingram[/QUOTE]

    I LOVE Ravens Glen!! I'm from up in that direction and Breitenbach's is also a good one ;)
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  • edited December 2011
    I third Unusual Junction! My sister got her dress there for  a great price and I will be getting my gown from there! It is definitely worth the drive! :)
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  • osumegsosumegs member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I love love LOVE Bella Laccio in Westerville. She was super sweet and helped me feel so at ease. They have a good bit of variety. There are a couple of other reviews earlier They don't have Maggie, but Jen is super nice and has some similar style dresses. 
  • edited December 2011
    Like you said, Wendy's gets some bad reviews, but I had a good experience at Wendys and found my dress there.  I visited many smaller boutiques (which is where I thought I would find a dress) but Wendy's just had much better options and my consultant actually picked out my dress for me.  If you decide to check out Wendys I would highly recommend making an appointment with Lil.  She was sooo helpful and not pushy AT ALL.  I didn't decide on my dress the first time and she didn't pressure me, she just told me that if it was my dress, I'd be back.  And after trying 4 more stores, she was right.  So I think if you go there working with her would be a great experience.  Good luck finding your dress!
  • edited December 2011
    I got my dress at Wendy's and I was worried about going there after reading some bad reviews.  However, I had a great experience with them and have been back there many times before just to look at and purchase various other things and they treated me with respect and was very helpful each time.
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  • fallbride'10fallbride'10 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I found mine at Wendy's and had a very good experience. Just ask for Lil. Like a pp said she was very nice and not pushy at all. I had found the dress but needed to sleep on it. She held it in the back for me even though she wasn't supposed to and gave me a discount which should have only applied if I had bought it on my first visit. I'd give it a shot and make an appointment there with Lil.
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  • alyssmpalyssmp member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    thanks for all of your help ladies. dress shopping Oct 2nd.  Wish me luck!!!
  • 1tabbey1tabbey member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Bella Laccio Bridal A++!!! I found my dress there after hours of shopping other stores. Their selection is different than any other and Jen is the sweetest. Good Luck! Check out my dress www.matthewchristopher.com "Sasha" Yay!
  • :LauraLHill:LauraLHill member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I went to Elegant Bride in Dublin on 161.  They have great dresses and you work with the owner.
  • Ashes_3Ashes_3 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    I went to Davids Bridal in Cincinnati by the Kenwood mall (also went to Davids in Dayton & Columbus). I had the best and most wonderful experience at the one by Kenwood mall. Kelly was my rep. & she was awesome!!!
  • clmckin3clmckin3 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Elegent Bride in Dublin is the place to go! The owner Wafa is wonderful! She listens to what you like and then pulls dresses. Her honestly is def. what made me go with her. She will work with you until you find what you like!
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