Dress Shopping Recommendations

MissOwl · August 2011

So my MomOwl, SisterOwl and I are going wedding dress shopping this weekend! We have appointments at Alan Ray and Elegant Bride. I know we're going to go again in a few weeks (when SisterOwl is home from grad school) and I would love to hear more about where you found THE DRESS!
Recommendations for where we should go?
Thoughts about Alan Ray and/or Elegant Bride?
TIA!

MrsBoss2012 · August 2011

I love the Owl family names! LOL I found THE DRESS at Wendy's Bridal, although I have not purchased it yet I know its the one. I had an appointment with Lilah and she was great. No pressure for me to buy at all. My first appointment was at Cincinnati Bridal and Formal. That one was a little less personal but there were so many options. I think there may have been too many options and I ended up leaving feeling overwhelmed but at least I left with a general feel of the style I lked. Wendy's was smaller so once I narrowed down my style from Bridal and Formal I was able to find a specific dress at Wendy's.

Ajoyd · August 2011

I went to Wendy's in Cincinnati and didn't like my consultant because she was too pushy, but that was just her because the other consultants seemed really nice. They had a nice selection and were offering 20% off if you bought on that visit. I ended up getting my dress at Bridal and Formal. It is definitely a bit overwhelming but funny enough I bought the first dress I picked out which was the second one I tried on. My consultant was busy and at first I was a little turned off by the whole thing, but she ended up being a lot of fun and everyone there was really, really nice. They had my "inspiration dress" which was the Maggie Sottero Bernadette (below in my siggy), but I tried that on and ended up picking a different dress by Casablanca.

I know you didn't mention going to Wendy's but I did get an email that they are having a Casablanca trunk show this weekend at the one in Dublin--not sure if you like Casablanca or not but might be worth checking out!

Most important advice: have fun and trust your gut. It sounds sooooo corny, but you really will know when you find THE DRESS.

loislane906 · August 2011

I got my dress at Alan Ray and I loved them. My consultant was Pat and she was amazing! She picked "the dress" for me after getting a general feel for what I liked. Also, Alan himself came out to look at several of the dresses to give recommendations for me. I know some haven't had a good experience with them, but I loved the whole staff and ended up getting my BM dresses there too. Good luck!

I also went to Trumpington Bridal House in Westerville and really liked them. I did the Wendy's thing and was turned off and also did La Jeune Mariee in Worthington, but they didn't have anything I loved and it was all super pricey.

MissOwl · August 2011

thanks ladies! this is great. keep the ideas and experiences coming!

stanzi113 · August 2011

Trumpington Trumpington Trumpington!

They're super sweet there. And its where i found my dress.

FWIW They are one of the only local Justin Alexander boutiques.

ETA, i had a ton of fun at Universe Bridal in Coshocton, and Bridal and Formal in cinci. I would say those two had the most dresses i would have gone back and visited, if i didnt get the one i did.

scuster09 · August 2011

I agree Trumpington Bridal House. That's where I got mine. Also, down the street is Bella Laccio. Never been there, but may be a place to hit up while you're in town.

tiffanydaniels · August 2011

I have not purschased my dress or started looking but I know my plan of attack, is to start at Wendys, they have a lot of designers I like, I would then like to go to Trumpington, and then Bride and Formal in Cinci. I would like to save Alan Ray for last because they offer a discount if you buy the first time and i don't want my dress shopping experience to be over that quickly

misssuzyq · August 2011

I bought my dress at Elegant Bride. I went to Allan Ray, David's, Bella Laccio, Girls In White Dresses,Trumpington, and La Jeune Marie. I had the best experiences at Elegant Bride and Girls in White Dresses. In my opinion Elegant Bride had many different selections and even though I went to several places it ended up that my 3 favorite dresses were all from Elegant Bride. Wafa the owner is very nice and very good at pointing you in the direction of what will look good on you. I felt like she gave me good advice and honest opinions. I also LOVED Girls In White Dresses and because I had such a great experience there I have ordered my BM dresses from there and am also buying my veil from them. I wasn't crazy about David's (even though my consultant was very nice), and I felt like things were a little unorganized at Bella Laccio.

green795 · August 2011

When I was wedding dress shopping, In Columbus, I went to David's Bridal, Girls in White Dresses, La Jeune Mariee (twice), Elegant Bride (twice), Saks (when they had wedding dresses), and Wendy's (twice). I also made the trip to Cincinatti twice and went to Bridal & Formal, European Bridal, and Fabulous Bridal. I ended up loving a dress at Saks but couldn't justify spending 3x my dress budget, so in the end I ended up finding a dress very similar at Wendy's. After trying on 100+ dresses, I finally found one that had everything I wanted to it. (I wish Big Rock Little Rooster was open before I got my dress because I would have looked there too, but I ended up getting my accessories there instead. I also got BM dresses at LJM.) the selection at Elegant Bride, European Bridal, Wendy's, and La Jeune Mariee. I had the best experience at European Bridal, La Jeune Mariee, and Fabulous Bridal. For just starting shopping, I would make an appointment with a larger store just to see what shapes and styles look best on you and make an appointment with a boutique because of their service. Wendy's and Elegant Bride are good places to start. I found the smaller the store, the more honest the employees and the more they listen to what you are looking for. Good luck and have fun!

Hunkamunka · August 2011

I went to Henri's (near Polaris), David's Bridal, and Wendy's. I had the best experience at Wendy's and I will be buying my dress from there. My counsultant was Lila and I really enjoyed my time there! She was very helpful and gave me suggestions and good advice. Have fun shopping!

katy0293 · August 2011

I got my dress at David's.... and I regret it =\
I think I'll be one of those women who preaches against them from now on... and I hate that!

Cassandra999 · August 2011

I got my dress at Wendy's. I worked with Janet and Willie, both were super nice and not at all pushy.

I also went to David's and was not impressed, with the service or the dress styles.

I went to Wendy's with my mom, tried on 7 or 8 dresses, then to David's where i tried on maybe 5 or 6 more. When I left there were 3 at Wendy's I was considering. I was waiting until the Filene's Basement sale before buying (ended up being a total bust for me). sooo 2 months later, only one of the oringial 3 was still on my mind. I tried it on for my sister and mom (again) and i knew that was it.

tweber510 · August 2011

I went to david's but I'm a pretty decisive person...atleast when it came to the dress and my FI lol. I tried my dress on first loved it tried on two more and that was it I was good. I had Tina at David's bridal and she was amazing. But I didn't weant to go anywhere else because my mom was so sick and could only go to the one. I haven't had any problems thus far with them.

montyandkellyski · August 2011

I made an appointment (after being engaged for over a year) at Wendy's Bridal. They were having a sample sale and thought it was a good place to start. My associate (Lil) was really wonderful and took what I liked and didn't like about each dress I tried on into consideration when picking out the next one for me. I ended up putting on the seventh dress or so and never wanted to take it off. It was from their sample sale, so it was half off, and I just couldn't bare to walk out of the store knowing that someone else might try it on and fall in love and then it would be gone when I returned. So I bought it. My first time out. I swore I wouldn't do this. But I did. And though it's been a bumpy road (I've had the dress for a year and a half now) I found a great seamstress and am super excited to wear it in, oh, 87 days. I resisted every urge to go dress shopping again, which is very tough but very very VERY necessary. Good luck! And enjoy!!!!

MissOwl · August 2011

wow this thread blew up while i was away for the evening. thanks so much for the advice ladies! i'll keep you posted

more advice still welcome.

[Deleted User] · August 2011

I got my dress at Alan Ray Bridal. I loved the shop, they had so many more unique and different dresses than chain stores such as David's Bridal. I also liked Elegant Bride and was seriously considering a dress there if I hadn't found my dream dress at Alan Ray. Unfortunately, the consultant I used is no longer there or I would tell you to ask for her.

BAYB153 · August 2011

I got my dress at Alan Ray. I have been engaged for 15 months and had been putting off wedding dress shopping because the whole idea put alot of pressure on me! i literally saved it for last. I made appts at Wendy's, Le Jeune Marie, Big Rock, and Cincinnati Bridal and Formal, but on a random day the week before, my mom and aunt came down and begged me to go dress shopping. We went to Alan Ray on a whim (I had heard negative things through this board and didn't have them on my list of appts). Well, I also worked with Pat and she was really great. She let my mom and I pick out dresses and gave just enough input t be helpful but not insinuating anything. She really encouraged me to try on dress styles that I didn't originally come in wanting but was sort of interested in/wondered what they would look like on. The idea I came in with really wasn't working, and my mom randomy went back to the racks, pulled anoter, and I loved it! It was the 8th dress I ever tried! Alan had also been watching here and there and commented "that's the one" when I came out. I thought they both gave just the right input and weren't pushy at all. For someone who A) was scared to death to try on dresses and

wasn't interested in buying AT ALL, I'd say it was good experience. The only negative, the don't have a huge selection. If you do end up going with them, I'd suggest ALWAYS going to talk to them in person. They are very attentive in person, but VERY difficult to get ahold of otherwise.

MissOwl · August 2011

oooh i'm getting so excited. just talked to my mom and sister today and yesterday and they are all pumped too. happy! tried on my spanx (under bra line down to knee) and strapless bra and modeled them for mr.owl. we both laughed so hard. it was hysterical.

loislane906 · August 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-columbus_dress-shopping-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:112Discussion:222b6c93-76ef-4ce4-8b57-939aa37fc68dPost:fd1645c3-483d-4bc4-8344-129b2716d10d">Re: Dress Shopping Recommendations</a>:
[QUOTE]oooh i'm getting so excited. just talked to my mom and sister today and yesterday and they are all pumped too. happy! tried on my spanx (under bra line down to knee) and strapless bra and modeled them for mr.owl. we both laughed so hard. it was hysterical. Posted by MissOwl[/QUOTE]

Have a blast! Are you wanting to wear spanx for your wedding? If not, I would suggest not wearing them to an appointment. For one, you're going to be super hot and sweaty trying on dresses. Also, I had no desire to wear anything but panties eventually so I wanted to make sure I loved my dress with just me underneath and no help from science. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />

MissOwl · August 2011

thanks for the tip LL. i appreciate it

Dezibkw · August 2011

I don't know if you've found a dress already but there is a great place in Marysville, Ohio. The name of the place is One Stop Bridal and you can rent or buy depending on your budget and desire. Carol who owns the dresses has a beautiful selection and she is very sweet. She also has tiaras, jewlry and shoes. There is a page on this site so simply type it in or look under vendors.

Dezibkw · August 2011

I don't know if you've found a dress already but there is a great place in Marysville, Ohio. The name of the place is One Stop Bridal and you can rent or buy depending on your budget and desire. Carol who owns the dresses has a beautiful selection and she is very sweet. She also has tiaras, jewlry and shoes. There is a page on this site so simply type it in or look under vendor

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