Horrible Dress Shopping Experiance

labro · February 2014

@Danielle3219 You might have better luck asking that question on the Atlanta, GA board.

However, since I'm from the area I can give you something of a list.

I got my dress from Wedding Angels in Roswell. Love that store and love the consultants there. It was a wonderful personalized experience and they have a ton of dresses in a really wide range of sample sizes. They primarily carry Casablanca.

Treasures is another decent salon, also in the Roswell/Alpharetta area. One of the main lines they carry is Allure.

I didn't care for Bride Beautiful in Sandy Springs. They are ok if you can go on a weekday but at my second appointment on a Sunday it was like a cattle call. Brides and families everywhere...it was a huge mess. They also don't tell you until your first appointment that you get 10% off at your first appointment ONLY. So there's a lot of pressure to buy immediately rather than go home and sleep on your decision. They carry Casablanca, Allure, Mori Lee, and some other lines.

I didn't visit Anya Bridal (they're in Atlanta proper) but I met some consultants from the store at a bridal show. They seemed nice enough and the prices they had listed on the sample dresses at the show were very reasonable. They also carry Allure and Mori Lee among others.

My BFF's little sister bought her dress off the rack from A Formal Affair in Roswell. Apparently she was very happy with her experience there. I went to their salon several years ago when another friend was looking for her gown and they seemed nice enough.

coronado11 · February 2014

The first time I went I hated it. I went with no makeup on and my hair in a bun. I couldnt love anything. The second time I did the hair in a mock up of my wedding day hair and did the makeup to the tee so that when i tried on dresses I had a better image of my wedding day and it helped a lot! I never thought a dropped waist would look good on me but it looked the best with a ruched design. Have your attitude about it up and feel pretty youll do better.

Vivandiere8 · February 2014

Don't base your experience on one shop. It is very possible to go to a shop and find nothing in it you like, and then go to another and find a quite few you do! I went to at least seven different shops when looking for my dress. With two of the shops I couldn't find one dress I really like. One place I really disliked all of them. Every last one I tried on I felt disappointed (and I am blessed with a good figure and height. this particular store just didn't have styles that I liked). The other was a Davids Bridal where my reaction was more "Meh..." Some were sort of pretty... but even being pined up they seemed to fit weird, and not fall right, nothing felt like the one. If I had gone to both of those first I would have probably felt pretty hopeless as well. Just go to more stores and I think you will find your spirits lifting

JoanE2012 · February 2014

Danielle3219 said:

I think I will wait until March to try again. I'm just not ready to put myself through that again. It was a serious self esteem killer and I want to cry just thinking about it.

I agree with PPs....I really wouldn't wait! You are leaving yourself 8 months....some designers can take 6 - 8 months. Then you still need to factor in time for alterations appointments.

I know you're not feeling it, but I'd just get back out there. Imagine your disappointment if you find a dress you love and they tell you they can't order it because there's not enough time?

Knottie37373131 · February 2014

After watching Say Yes to the Dress . . . I know there is a dress out there for everyone. They are so good at finding different dresses for everyone.

Sugargirl1019 · February 2014

@Danielle3219

This is not what you asked for, but alterations will make all the difference in the world if you feel you are flat chested. They have the ability to sew cups that have push up into most dresses. And if you're like me, you don't get just one set sewn in, but THREE so that the dang dress actually has something in it!

Some girls wear strapless bras with their dress (although they can slide down) but you could always get those super padded Bombshell bras from Victoria's Secret.

Danielle3219 · February 2014

Sugargirl1019 I will for sure be getting a padded bra put in when I do finally find the dress!

ksutherland07 · February 2014

I am totally with you. I was picturing tears of joy when I tried on "the" dress and glasses of champagne to celebrate, however it's not like it is on the shows. I had a HORRIBLE first experience but went to 4 more stores and finally found "the" dress. No I did not cry when I tried it on, and to be honest, I really didn't even fall in love with it the first time...but I had forgotten what it looked like so I went back to try it on again and then I really liked it (more than any others) and it was within the right price so I bought it. It's SO difficult because none of the dresses you try on actually fit you so you have no clue what it would actually look like. Sure the ladies at the store use their clamps to keep it tight, but it never looks AMAZING as it's not fit to your body. Keep in mind it will be a completely different size and yours will be brand spanking new (unlike the million girls that have tried on the samples before you). I hope you're able to find one you like

FiancB · February 2014

I tried on a lot of dresses. When I first tried mine on and decided that was the one I wanted, I had second thoughts because the one I tried on was a size too small and while I could get it on, I looked a bit like a stuffed sausage and it made the skirt lay funny and I was worried it was going to look ridiculous. When I tried it on in my own size I totally fell in love with it again, and now that it's altered to fit me exactly it looks even better.

Ruching really ups the flatter factor for pretty much everyone. A corset back helps too- less alterations and it sucks you in and pushes you up- I didn't end up going with that but I looked really good in a couple that I tried on.

Agree that a slip is probably not necessary. My dress has a nice bodice sewn in and I probably will not even wear a bra underneath. That will cut down on some bulk.

Horrible Dress Shopping Experiance

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