Bridal Shop Suggestions

ses291 · January 2011

I'm looking for suggestions for bridal shops in the Delaware/Philadelphia area that carry a wide selection of designers like Jim Hjelm, Maggie Sottero, Reem Acra, Justin Alexander, Allure etc. I originally wanted to go to Kleinfelds in NYC, but I don't want to have to keep traveling up there for fittings and don't really know of any amazing local seamstresses. Any suggestions would be welcome. I am a little unsure of what kind of dress I want so I need someplace that will have a large selection of styles and designers.

paprika28 · January 2011

RecoveringA and I both went to The Bridal and Tuxedo Shop on Kirkwood Highway. I looved it. The girls were super sweet. I found my dress (Maggie Sottero) on my first visit. MBR went to Brides & Grooms in Newark. She loved it and saved a lot of money on her gorgeous dress. There's also Jennifer's in Hockessin if you're looking for high end dresses such as those that you named. She's way pricier, but the service is decent.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2011

Like Paprika said, I got mine at B&G, and could not have been happier there. I know at least half-dozen girls personally, as well as on here, who went there and were extremely happy. That goes for both bridal and bridesmaids. In addition t me and my girls, we also got the guys tuxes from there and were much, much happier than if we had gone with MW (that was a disaster, right there). The nice thing about B&G is if you buy your dress there, the girls get 15% off their dresses. If you rent tuxes and have 6, including the grooms, the groom's tux is free. And they have another deal if you get a higher number of tuxes, you get your shoes for free (but I can't remember the number off the top of my head). I dealt with Faith and Susan, and both were sweet and wonderful. After experiences other places, I was timid and hesitant to come out mostly because of my size, because the samples wouldn't close. Faith took me square by the shoulders, looked me in the eye, and said "get out there on that pedestal; yo uare gorgeous, you are going to be gorgeous on your wedding day, no matter what size you are. You have a guy who loves you for you! You should not be ashamed one bit about your "size", and should be proud to be as pretty as you are!". It was what I needed to hear, and it gave me the confidence I needed to wear with pride. We went up to Alfred Angelo in Lancaster (they have one in Philly now too) to try on more gowns (B&G carries many designers, but doesn't have every single dress from every single designer in the store, though they can get it for you), and then ordered it from B&G- who beat the price of the AA store by $120+.

What are you wanting to spend? That will make a huge difference in where you end up going.

Brides and Grooms/Bridal and Tuxedo Outlet are the two most popular shops, because they cater to a loI wer price bracket- which is where most brides in DE end up being. I would say the max price of their gowns would be maybe 2k. Maybe.

In contrast, you have to spend at least 2k, if not more (a lot more), to get a dress at Jennifer's. Also, my personal experience with the customer service there was horrible, but that was a couple years ago, so it may have changed. IMO, it's very hoity-toity.

The designers you listed are very different price ranges- Maggie/Sottero & Midgeley, Allure, Mori Lee, those are all in the lower price bracket and are sold at B&G/B&TO, not at Jennifer's. Jim Hjelm, Reem Acra, are in the higher price bracket- I know Jim is sold at Jennifer's but I am not sure about Reem.

My personal $0.02- don't worry about the label as much as the style and fit. Seriously. And please, please don't go in saying you have to have this designer and that style- you limit yourself that way, and personally knowing so many brides who bought a dress they never imagined taking off the rack, let alone wearing on their wedding day (me being one of those brides), you want to keep your options totally open. It will work out better for you in the end, I promise

Go to all the stores, with an open mind. Those are the big three- I would recommend staying away from Fantasia on 202, I and too many others have had bad experiences there. There is also Simon's down in Dover. If you are really, really set on a couture gown, there is The Wedding Shoppe in Wayne, PA, as well as POB in Philly. Just keep in mind that you will spend tax in PA, not in DE.

Let us knwo what you decide/end up looking for!

Ms.BriarRose · January 2011

In terms of amazing local seamstresses:

Sophia's Creative Alterations

1601 Concord Pike # 66

Wilmington, DE 19803-3630
(302) 777-7515

She is located in Independence Mall, on Concord Pike. She doesn't have a website; if you call and the answering machine picks up, leave a message- it usually means she is in a fitting.

She fits Miss Delaware, Jill Biden, any and all Delaware dignitaries, and other famous people. Her prices are decent, she's amazing with her work, and great to work with (funny as heck!). She's the best of the best, and does many, many, many brides in DE- she's the main recommended seamstress for Jennifer's, last time I checked.

She did both my dress and my mom's- and my dress was difficult, because it was so heavy, had such a long train, and the train was blue (so she couldn't do just any bustle and alterations). Everything held, it was perfect, I had no issues (my only thing that bothered me during the reception was the beading under my armpits, which was my fault for not requesting it to be removed- if you have beading under there, get it taken out! Save yourself the pain!)

dibsontop · January 2011

I bought my dress at Fantasia and have nothing but great things to say about them. They were great to work. The consultant I worked with when I went to try on dresses was so nice and very helpful. After she saw me try on the dresses I picked out and noticed what I liked and didn't like about them and pulled another dress for me that she thought I'd like. It turned out to be the one. And, it was cheaper than anything else I had tried on there. I thought it was great that they actually cared about what I liked about the dress and not just picking out expensive dresses for me.

Also, I had no intention of getting my dress altered there and they gave no pressure at all about that. In fact, they even made an exception to their rule of not picking up dresses on Saturdays, because they knew I was coming from out of state to get it.

I have nothing but good things to say about my experience at Fantasia. However, if the label is what you're concerned with, Fantasia won't be the place for you because they do cut the tags out of their sample dresses. That wasn't a big deal to me, and I easily figured out who made my dress, but it's not for everyone.

paprika28 · January 2011

MBR- Jennifer's is kinda uppity, but they have amazing dresses (Read: very pricey) and Jennifer is so sweet. (My mom used to work for her) Her personal seamstress is super sweet, (She's related to her, I believe) and when I tried dresses on there for my first wedding, I was nothing but pleased with the service. I ended up not getting a dress there, but fell in love with an Alvina Valentia dress that she went above and beyond trying to find a less expensive similar dress by a different designer for me.

To the OP- I agree with what MBR says about the pricing. It is significantly higher at Jennifer's, but if you were looking at Kleinfields.... it'll be along the same line. If you want to go a little less pricey, def. check out the other three we've mentioned. I've heard some pretty great stuff about Fantasia, the only frustrating thing was the designers being cut out of the samples. (Which is cool, because it gives you a more open perspective on looking at every dress, instead of just one designer.

Ms.BriarRose · January 2011

As a plus-sized bride, Fantasia treated me (and several others I know) with disdain. My best friend (an old Knottie, as it was) walked in, with her coat still on, they looked her up and down and told her that they could not outfit her because she was too large. That alone disgusts me, but having talked to others who went there (like my cousin, who walked in, stood there waiting but because all she wanted to look at was a veil she wasn't "important enough" and walked out), I just can't recommend the shop at all.

As for Jennifer's, I know others who have had great experiences as well, including my two stepsisters. When we went, though, they didn't even budge from behind the desk- and when we told them our budget, the one girl snickered. Add in that I am "plus size" and would have had to pay extra there because of that, well, I just really can't condone that practice (any of the dresses from B&G/B&TO would have been the same price no matter what size). And while it's not the shop's fault, per say, they don't have to carry just designers that do that. My stepsisters just got their dresses there, and had a great experience. But they also are stick thin and had a ton more money to spend than I did.

These are my personal experiences, and I expect everyone else to have different experiences. However, at the same time, shops need to realize that word gets around in a small small town- my "regular sized" friends won't step foot near Fantasia because of how they treated me.

lesliejenna · January 2011

Wow, that is horrible. Thanks for sharing - makes you really think twice before you decide where you bring your business.

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