David's Bridal Snark

CMGragain · July 2014

StitelME said:

@CMGragain, I don't think any of us are necessarily bashing on the idea of David's Bridal and a plae for budget dresses, etc. Personally, I completely appreciate the idea behind it. I think what a lot of us are taking offense with is the lack of professonalism by the employees and the occasionally poor dress quality overall. I think we can all agree that budget doesn't have to mean crappy. Additionally, I know when I went to try on my wedding dress, I appreciated the supportive atmosphere in the boutique and the feeling that, while I may not have been the only bride in the store or even the only bride being helped by the clerk, I was still important. David's Bridal has lost that feeling for the most part, at least in our experiences.
But I don't think anyone is suggesting that the idea behind a great shop for budget brides is bad.

One of the ways DB keeps their costs low is to pay their staff a minimum wage. You get what you pay for in many cases. Sigh! Our consultant was lovely and helpful.
Our worst experience was with an independent shop, which had lied to us about having a dress that we wanted to see. We made a 30 mile trip to learn that, no they didn't have that dress, but had others "like it". They high pressured us, insulted our budget, and we walked out.

jynxiie · July 2014

I think it all depends who your consultant is - Mine was fantastic when I got my dress.
She has helped me tons. Even let me exchange a BM dress though it was special ordered.

Now my BMs weren't as lucky, their consultants barely did anything and rushed us.

MandyMost · July 2014

I think the biggest problem with DB is the overall corporate structure--the fact that online and the stores are "separate entities" and that each individual store is not working together, the way virtually every other chain store does. It's fine if online has more options than the store does, but the store should be able to help order things that they don't have in stock, or don't carry in store. They should also be able to ship store-to-store for different sizes.

When I got to DB to try on wedding dresses they were "out of books" that show the dresses, and let me use the store copy but told me not to make any marks. WTF? Anyway, out of the whole book there was about 5 dresses I was interested in. (Now, at other bridal salons the consultant would help me pick dresses, but not at DB. Fine. They're paid less, they help multiple brides at once, no problem. I can find dresses I like myself). Out of those 5 I think there were 2 that they didn't have anywhere near my size (like, they literally had only a size 4), and there were 2 that weren't in store, and the consultant had no idea about them, and refused to find them at another store, or figure out if they were new and just not in store yet, etc. So there was 1 dress, and it turns out I didn't like it when I put it on. Since we were there I tried on about 5 other dresses I didn't like "on the rack" but figured why not...the consultant was no help whatsoever and just told me everything looked great. She tried to get me to change my opinion of the overall feel I was going for! I'd say "No, I want something more elegant, maybe something beaded. Very adult, evening-gown type of style" and she'd say "Oh, but you look so pretty in the frou frou ball gown! You should buy it!".

I went back (to a different DB location) to look for dresses for my mom. They were just as bad. They were no help in offering options to find different sizes (at different stores or online) or colors. They just said "nope, that's all we have". There was a dress we definitely would have bought if it was in her size! The consultant was also very pushy. Do they work on commission there? My mother has had a double mastectomy, and needed a high-neck dress so you can't see her prosthetics. We explained this, and she kept bringing things with low necks and saying "just try it on". When wearing one of them my mom showed the woman where her bra/prosthetics are and said "this needs to be covered" and the woman still didn't get it.

We had the absolute opposite experience at Alfred Angelo. If they are owned by the same company, this business model works much better! They helped with lots of dresses, helped us figure out the best color, and then ordered it in the right size.

larrygaga · August 2014

David's Bridal is like the Walmart of bridal shops. Ugh.

I have bought several bridesmaids dresses from several locations at several different times and have yet to have the process run smoothly.

speakeasy14 · August 2014

I had mostly great experiences with DB until recently. Half of the bridesmaids were present to go dress shopping, and found a dress that we all really liked. Since the other half of the girls had not tried on the dress we had no intention of purchasing that day. We also had one of the flower girls present and found an adorable dress for her but wanted to make sure the other girls would not be itchy.

The sales woman did not like that we said we were not purchasing that day, so grabbed each of us one at a time to try to individually pressure us to buy. After each of the bridesmaids told her no, she grabbed my sister, the bride, and told her that she needs to convince her bridesmaids to cooperate. Then she grabbed the mother of the flower girl and tried to coerce her into buying the dress by actually saying, "well the other girls can just suck it up."

I went in later with my youngest sister so that she could be properly measured before ordering, and the woman at the front desk gave us the snarkiest attitude because we didn't have an appointment. I had to explain 10 times before she understood that we didn't need an appointment, just wanted to make sure we were ordering the correct size before putting in the order.

vh2014 · August 2014

I bought my dress elsewhere... they didn't like that to begin with (and I paid $600 at a botique type place because they had an aweseome rack sale and I LOOOOVE it). Wanted the ability to ensure everyone had the same color and all my BM live an hour away from me so we decided to go to DB for BM dresses. We had an appt.

Consultant was WONDERFUL. We only got 2 dressing rooms for 3 BM and a FG but we really were fine with that. All my BM know each other and would have gone in in pairs anyway. Long process... they wanted the dresses to look good together but not be the same (yeah... I left it in their hands other than color). For a bit they thought they might match...but they did not all look even close to good in the same style so they went with different dresses. MOH in Satin because she loved it and other 2 in a different fabric. 2 were worried because they were in a weight loss program (MOH is getting married too) and wanted to wait a month.

Anyway... fast forward a month... they did not input ANYTHING into the computer for the 2 bridesmaids that didn't order that day. (They asked everybody's names and said they would keep it in the computer for them) If we hadn't taken pictures we would have had to start the whole process over. UGH! I found them. My MOH ordered hers in store, my sisters was ordered online about 2 weeks later... the online order came in first by about a week or so. Interesting...

glad I bought my dress elsewhere.

flyingfoxes · August 2014

I got one of the less-than-enthusiastic employees on Sunday when we took my future stepdaughter in to get her bridesmaid's dress. The girl asked me what style and what color - didn't bother to look at the paperwork or the computer - she showed no interest. I wasn't having it, and told her it was all in there, she looked it up, and voila - there was the info. It really does depend on the employee, as the ones that helped me when I was looking at wedding dresses were awesome, and the one we had for the other 3 bridesmaids was also wonderful.

LadyMillil · August 2014

I ended up getting my dress at a little boutique, because I liked the dress better than the one I picked out at DB and it was $150 cheaper at the boutique. I had a great experience at DB when I went to look at wedding dresses, and again with my BFF when we went for her BM dress. I had my own consultant and she was very attentive and helpful. I was trying on some of the new stock dresses so I got a lot of attention because they hadn't seen some of the dresses on a person before. My BFF was 5 months pregnant when we went to get her BM dress. Her due date was 3 weeks before the wedding. The consultants were really good about helping her with figuring out what size to get, and pulling similar dresses in different sizes so she could see which seemed like it would work best, and what size seemed appropriate. That being said, my MOH had a bad experience, but I think that was because she didn't make an appointment then tried to try on wedding dresses after they measured her for the BM dress.

PrincessOfHavoc · August 2014

My first consultant was a moron who was sure I needed a ball gown of fluff because I'm curvy, then claimed I needed an 18-20 size when we had to clip tons of extra fabric in even a 16. Bitch, I know I've got huge boobs and a shelf to set a plate on for an ass - but in most DB and all Alfred Angelo dresses fit to my street size or under. Heck, my dress is now actually a size 10 because it's being converted to a corset back which fits my back way better.

Second, unscheduled time was much better. Consultant saw us drooling over how pretty a newer dress was. So she had me try it on. Bam, done, mine. Oh, putting a veil that goes perfectly? Ok, I need that. And the shoes are too cute and mean I don't need to hem - yes please! I'm very easy to be sold into anything pretty. We're talking one of their most expensive dresses and veil that I happily handed over my credit card for that day. Then she just called - the sample had the zipper go wonky, would I consider buying the sample as I was removing the zipper, they'll have it professionally cleaned at no cost and they'll return my first order in full, then redo the sale with the discounts. Why, yes, absolutely!

And oh, I'm too big for fit n flares? Ha. I'm built for them, at least the non tulle fluff versions. Heck, if I really want to go all out - I've tried on several Galia Lahav gowns and they are glorious on me. Strangely enough, after the pictures of the dress on me, the bitch consultant was fired.

Yes, these are budget gowns with cheap material and decoration. But, it's on for at most 12 hours. Which is what stopped me from buying a Galia Lahav. I'm spending HOW much because my two favorites are on the higher range. Granted, the work, fabric, details, everything is supreme quality and worth the price. But I couldn't see paying more than my current car for a dress.

Because I'm an unrepentant dress slut, here's my fat ass and boobs in the dress again. Torso is too snug because I'm standing badly and it's fully zipped vs corset giving me room. But damn do I love my ass in the dress. Modest, I am not.

Car2992 · August 2014

To be fair, twice, in a pinch, DB has come through for me!

mrsbrueske3 · August 2014

I think it sometimes depends on the location (as with any chain store).

My fiance and I had a 12:30 pm appointment at a David's Bridal location near our house and the experience was not good. The consultant didn't bother to read the list of dresses I was interested in, she just glanced at the list and said none were available in store as they were all clearance dresses. She repeated every 30 seconds how any dress I choose would need alterations as I am short, nearly flat chested and have huge hips. She would not drop it for anything no matter how many times we told her that I knew all dresses would need alterations for me to wear them. She was making several comments about having to buy bigger sizes and have the tops taken in A LOT and that the two dresses I was trying on from the clearance rack were no longer available. My fiance really liked one that had a train and we were discussing the dress and possibilities of what could be done with it to make it more of what I wanted when she had made a comment about my hips again. Fiance then turned to her and asked how much smaller my hips would need to get to be able to get a smaller size. I started to get tears in my eyes and told him the one I was wearing was the only one there was. He got so mad at her comment that he nearly told me to take the dress off, that we were leaving.

Around 5 pm we went to their location a little further from our house and the experience was very good. We didn't have an appointment this time and when we went into the store my fiance warned them of the previous experience and that he would not tolerate a repeat. The consultant was working with another bride but took the time to explain things to us, kept checking in with us while we browsed the racks and was very apologetic for taking so much time with the other bride. Once she was finished with the other bride she was all over helping me get into the dresses we chose for me to try on and making sure I was totally happy with every aspect of the visit. She saw there was something magical going on with the dress we ended up choosing. She didn't understand it until I told her that the dress was the one I am meant to have. My fiance and I both chose the same dress from the rack without the other knowing and it was also my top choice of the ones I liked from their website but had been told were no longer available in stores.

Two different locations, two different consultants, two different experiences in one day but the same company. It really can be as simple as location. If they really do make commission off the sales then one lady lost out because she saw a poor fat chick when the other saw a beautiful princess.

PrincessOfHavoc · August 2014

^ Of course she saw a princess! You look amazing!

Apparently they at least get something for positive web reviews. I'm not sure on commission as I've never had them suggest a higher cost dress, only had me try on ones I picked out.

hales2010 · August 2014

Yeah I have to say I had a wonderful experience with DB as well. My bridal attendant was hilarious, actually listened to what I liked, and stayed in my budget (which was something the other stores did not do to well). My bridesmaids told her about a dress that they wanted to see me in and she knew just the dress to get. She went back and pulled it and a veil that matched it perfectly. That ened up being my dress and we ended up coming back with my mom and buying it. We are going there again next weekend for my bridal party dresses so I am hoping to have the same experience again as well.

lotsosandwiches · August 2014

I loved my consultant when I went to get my dress! She was funny, complimentary, picked out beautiful dresses for me. All around wonderful experience.

Then I went in to the exact same store last weekend to try and figure out what type of slip I needed before my alterations appointment which is still two weeks away. I know I didn't have an appointment, and it was Saturday afternoon so they were really busy, but the girl helping me was a COMPLETE moron. Or just did not GAF. I left without getting anything.

HeatherKat · August 2014

@PrincessofHavoc, is that an Oleg Cassini? My dress is very similar, but has a sweetheart rather than a halter and my train is just a wee bit different. Love, love, LOVE the shimmery brocade! I had a great experience while buying my dress-- My consultant was super helpful and funny, as was the manager and the alterations lady.

I did have a poor experience bridesmaids dress shopping-- they were very pushy that we HAD to buy that day (we were originally just shopping for the brides dress, then decided to try on dresses), as the dresses were soon to be discontinued or something. When I went back two weeks later to pick up the dress, it was on sale for 50% off.... I was not a happy camper!

PrincessOfHavoc · August 2014

@HeatherKat yup, Oleg Cassini. It's gorgeous on, but the online picture is AWFUL - http://m.davidsbridal.com/mt/www.davidsbridal.com/Product_All-Over-Lace-Trumpet-Gown-with-Deep-V-Neckline-CWG621_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Designer-Oleg-Cassini - which I've found to be true on all the Cassini dresses at DB. DB pictures are usually bad, but any ivory Cassini pictures are just vile. I'm pretty sure I saw your dress, but strapless and I do not get along so didn't try it ever.

thelastdreamer · August 2014

I work at DB. I'm not gonna comment on much in this thread cause there's just way too much and it so depends on what store you go to and what employee you get (like ANY store/restaurant etc.). But I'd like to think I'm usually the helpful/funny consultant lol.

xkatie21 · August 2014

I will say, the separate entities is quite frustrating. My bridesmaids all purchased their dress from there about a month ago. My sister lives in Orlando, FL but came up here so that all BM could try dresses on together. When they decided on a dress and we went to order my sister's, they said that they couldn't order it to be shipped to a store in her state, but that we could pay an extra $20 to have it shipped to her house. Also, when you order a wedding dress from there, DO NOT order the size they tell you they measure you to be. I just ordered my gown from there in a size 2, which is typically what size I am elsewhere. It is definitely TOO tight, which is insanely frustrating that I now have to pay tons of money for them to alter it into a size to fit me because they don't know how to measure properly. And lastly, if I order my wedding gown and it is in the store in less than 14 days, DO NOT try to tell me that it is not returnable/exchangeable. It is clearly not a "special order" item, but instead is CLEARLY mass produced. ok, rant over! (:

Lawmom09 · August 2014

Sorry to hear so many have had a bad experience at DB. I actually had the worst experience at a local bridal shop. Had to wait 30 minutes even though I had an appointment, had to pick my own dresses, and get myself dresses and accessorized and then (and I know this isn't their fault) someone swiped the front of my car while I was in there.

I've had two awesome experiences with DB. Went on Mother's Day with my mom, two aunts, my two sisters and my daughter. The staff was timely and my consultant had already pulled my favorites (only 2 of them were not available) she was so sweet and absolutely no pressure to buy. I got caught up in the moment and ordered a beautiful Oleg gown. It was shipped to my home about 1 month later. It sat in my closet for one month while I couldn't get another dress off my mind (a Zac Posen that wasn't available to try on in the store). I found the Zac Posen at another David's and was able to try it on, exchange it, and take it home the same day (no one else had ever tried it on). Again the consultant was very helpful and I was shocked that the manager didn't give me a hard time. I guess it's the luck of the draw.

summersolstice1123 · August 2014

I worked at DB as well. I think the hardest part as a consultant too is that the "busy season" for wedding dress shopping is also the busy season for Prom as well. Each consultant was only allotted maybe 3 fitting rooms on Saturdays and Sundays. We were always non-stop busy, which is not a problem! But it's really hard to give a group of 7 bridesmaids the attention that they need to find a dress that suits all of them, especially when you have another two groups of 7 in your other two fitting rooms and you rotate those groups in and out as fast as you can for your 8 hour shift. On the one hand, it's great that you don't have to have an appointment if you just happen to be out looking. But, even if you make an appointment on a Saturday or Sunday (especially January-May) it's really hard to meet everyone's needs because that's when everyone is coming in to shop all at the same time. Nature of the beast I suppose.

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