this is the code for the render ad
Community› Local Wedding Boards› Delaware
Delaware
New Discussion

Bridal Salon that's *Service Oriented*

MrsCross2BMrsCross2B member
10 Comments
in Delaware
Can anyone recommend a bridal salon that actually helps the bride select, and try on, dresses?  I'm from down state (but am more than willing to head upstate to find a dress) and my one and only trip to a local salon to find a dress was overwhelming.  At this particular salon I was told (by the owner) to browse the dresses and try on whatever I liked.  I never had a problem with this when I was purchasing prom gowns, bridesmaid dresses, formal gowns, etc., in the past, but now I find that as a wedding dress novice I need help from someone who knows the stock of the store and can help me get into the dress (some of them can be complicated).  Anyone know of a store in DE (up state or down state) that has helpful and knowledgeable staff?  Thanks!!!!!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Bridal Salon that's *Service Oriented*

  • Mattsbride10Mattsbride10 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have to begin looking for a dress too soon...I have called a few places and franks seems to have alot to choose from. what designers do you have in mind?
    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MrsCross2BMrsCross2B member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    After doing a million internet searches for dresses, I like several styles by Maggie Sottero, Mori Lee, Ella Bridals and Allure Bridals.  But I am open to other designers.  I'm not set on one designer, per se, I just prefer a certain style.  Which I figured a salon assistant could point me to better than me digging through piles of gowns not actually knowing what I am looking at, since most of them are in bags. 
    Report Reply
  • Mattsbride10Mattsbride10 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    thats true...i really gotta go out and get my feet wet too. I got this pronovias dress(pic) posted to my fridge and I am like 99.99% sure its the one but I havnt even seen it or tried it on or tried on anythgin for that matter. I have a a couple of styles in mind too and I def know what I don't want.
    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MrsCross2BMrsCross2B member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That's why it would be nice to have a consultant that really knew what she was doing and knew the stock of her store.  That way you aren't wasting your time looking at dresses that you know right away aren't for you.  Maybe I have watched too many episodes of 'Say Yes to the Dress' and am expecting that kind of service here in DE.  But dresses are expensive, and the process can be overwhelming, so I would think even here in DE the salons would want to provide knowledgable consultants to help the brides. 
    Report Reply
  • RogueQueenRogueQueen member
    Eighth Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I purchased my dress about a month ago from Frank Bernard ltd. in wilmington. My sister and i each choose 5 dresses to try on and as we were picking out dresses my bridal consultant asked me a few things about myself, where my wedding was, if i had a few descriptive words of what i wanted to look like or feel like on my day and she picked out a dress for me to try on that i would never in a million years pick out for myself. We tried on all dresses my sister and i pulled but none we "the one". I tried on the dress the consultant picked out for me...PERFECT! Made me look and feel like a million dollars. Fit perfectly, my complexion looked great, made me look like i had lost 20 pounds instantly and more comfortable than any dress i had ever tried on. I ordered it right then and there. Also the prices are out this world, i have never ever seen better prices on bridal gowns. And as far as customer service the consultant made me feel like the most beautiful bride in the world. I highly recommend giving them a shot.
    Report Reply
  • Ms.BriarRoseMs.BriarRose
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    A LOT of brides on this board use and recommend Brides and Grooms in Newark, DE.  Don't be fooled by the tininess of the shop; they have wonderful service, IMO.  I got my dress there, my best friend got her dress there, and my girls got their BM dresses there.  I also know Mrs.Jax got her dress there, as did Mrs.Carina2u, and I believe Spring2009 used them as well for various events.  Donnalynn used them for BM dresses, and there are a couple of other girls that have used them as well.  Not only are they the best (IMO), but they price match, including online competitors. 

    They carry Alfred Angelo, Da Vinci, Maggie, Sottero and Midgely, Mori Lee, Impressions, just to name a few off the top of my head.  If you walk in and give them an idea of what you are looking for, though, they will help you all the way.  One catch- try to go during the week, and not on a Saturday, as it is often packed on Saturdays; if you have to go then, make an appointment.  Overall, they have been wonderful to work with, and I highly recommend them! 
    Mrs. BLWSquared
    October 2, 2010
    image
    Miss you, Bali...

    || Random Wacky Ramblings from a miss MRS. (blog) ||
    || Planning Bio ||
    || Follow me on Twitter (handicappedDE) ||

    FOR SALE

    Buying A Home
    Report Reply
  • redreviving6redreviving6 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I went to several bridal salons to find my dress and was sort of in the same situation.  I didnt think Franks had that great of a selection and they kept choosing dresses I didnt like.  I LOVED, LOVED Brides and Grooms but if your looking for the one on one experience don't go on a Saturday....try an off day. 

    Report Reply
  • Dnyce7282Dnyce7282 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am using Bridesa and Grooms, as well. I tried on multiple dresses and they were attentive and didn't mind at all and most of the dresses I tried on were corsetts so, they strung me up each time & untied as well so, you can tell they are very helpful.

    I second the trying to avoid Saturdays as they are crowded, got my bridesmaids dresses from there as well on a Saturday and it was packed!
    Report Reply
  • MrsCross2BMrsCross2B member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wow!  Thanks for all the reccommendations!!!  I'm going to have to try both of those salons, especially Brides and Grooms.  Sounds like exactly what I have been looking for.  Thanks for the heads-up about Saturdays, I will make sure to go on a weekday.  Ooooo I am SO excited to go dress shopping soon! 
    Report Reply
  • Dnyce7282Dnyce7282 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    ENJOY!
    Report Reply
  • Santorini2011Santorini2011 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I personally liked Bridal and Tux Shoppe (Carmela) but haven't visited B&G yet.  Just avoid DB-the worst service EVER!!!  Claire's on Phil. Pike was very friendly but its a small boutique.  I, too, watch SYTD way too much and wish for that experience.  I am tempted to book an appointment and go to Kleinfelds...

    image
    Report Reply
  • greenbean951greenbean951 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went to almost every bridal salon in DE from downstate to upstate and if you are looking for someone who will pull dresses for you go to either Simon's in downtown Dover or Claire's Fashions in Wilmington (who just opened a second story bridal salon and is having an allure trunk show soon!!) Simon's has the biggest selection of dresses out of most of the salons I went to but I found the consultant who was helping me to be a bit pushy. I knew what I wanted and wasn't looking for someone to pull dresses for me but she kept pulling ones I hated and I got tired of trying to make her stop forcing dresses on me. At Claire's, the consultants pulled dresses for me that were actually really good choices and they helped me into the gowns as well. They also have this helpful book of models in every dress they sell so you can see what it looks like on a person because we all know how different a dress can look on the rack.

    I ended up getting my dress from Jennifer's Bridal in Hockessin. They were pretty hands off with the dress selection with me but that's how I wanted it to be. They have some of the most uniqe and beautiful designer gowns in a range of prices, and they pretty much always have samples for sale for a discount. The atmosphere of the salon is very upscale but relaxed, and it was by far the most organized one that I went to.
    Report Reply
  • Ms.BriarRoseMs.BriarRose
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    FYI, Jennifer's does not sell the designers that the OP was looking for.  Not saying that they are bad, but they are more 'comparable' to a Kleinfeld's in this area- and you will pay the price for it, too.  We went and looked there, and I couldn't find a dress under $4k.  They sell brands like Lazaro, POB, and other highend names.  Like I said, not that it's bad, as long as you have the budget for it.  If you are looking for the brands the OP wanted, Brides and Grooms up north (and I think Simon's sells the same brands, but I might be wrong) is your best bet.

    As the lady at one of the salons I visited said, it's all about your target market.

    The one thing Jennifer's has on anyone in the state is veils- their's are GORGEOUS.  They are a little pricey, but not out of control.  And they are just so breathtaking, all of them.  They have decent variety too; I plan on looking there for mine.
    Mrs. BLWSquared
    October 2, 2010
    image
    Miss you, Bali...

    || Random Wacky Ramblings from a miss MRS. (blog) ||
    || Planning Bio ||
    || Follow me on Twitter (handicappedDE) ||

    FOR SALE

    Buying A Home
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards