Brides Of France

08/09/09

Amazing all around!

by sakoria

Just... wow. Where to begin? I had actually just moved to the neighborhood and was walking around 50th and France to explore the shops when I stepped through Brides of France's door. The first thing I noticed was how cozy and beautiful the store was. I was offered a warm, friendly greeting, and even after I explained I wasn't really hunting for a dress right now, the ladies there were more than happy to let me browse around, ask questions, and treated me like a princess! When I asked if I could try on a dress they were incredibly helpful with getting me a dressing room and trying the dress on. The dress was a La Sposa gown I had seen online and really liked, but sadly it looked horrible on me. While I was putting it back I noticed another gown that didn't really look like much, but figured hey, why not? Again, the sales people were more than happy to let me try the dress on and clipped me in it so I could get a good idea of how it would actually fit me (the gown is two sizes too big for me). When I stepped in front of that three way mirror ,I fell in love. I was standing there in the most beautiful wedding dress I've ever seen, and it was the dream dress I didn't know I wanted until then.

So here is how amazing my experience was: I was just having some fun at their shop, and they let me! That first visit I made, I found the dress of my dreams even though I had not actually been in the market for one. It was a brand new 100% silk ball gown style wedding dress on consignment, and just so others can get an idea of the price ranges in the stores (which does vary depending on what they have in on commission) I paid $420 for my wedding dress! At the time I didn't have that sum all at once, so they have an amazing layaway program that I utilized and had my dress paid off in three months. While it was at the store I could go and visit my dress any time I wanted to, and I've spent hours in there with Jill and the others, basically playing dress up! And after my dress was entirely paid for, I found out I had to move again soon, but this was no problem, the ladies let me keep my dress safely stored in their shop for a few months! Months! Honestly, I have never had a store go so out of there way for me, and every time I walk in I am greeted with a smile and by name. My best friend is getting married next year and she will be flying out here from Montana to go dress shopping with me at Brides of France.

My dress is now safely at home with me, and I still go visit Jill from time to time. She always wants to know how I am doing, how plans are going, and yes, I've tried on a few more dresses for fun. These women, this bridal store, are truly amazing! The customer service is fantastic, the dresses are gorgeous and range anywhere from $200-$2500, and their accessories are stunning as well. I found the perfect earrings there a couple months ago for my "something blue", gorgeous clip on vintage flowers. I'm still deciding if I want to wear them in my hair or actually as earrings.

If you are looking for the best experience in shopping for a wedding dress and want to feel like a person and not a number, this is the place! Really, these women will bend over backwards for you, I am going to be a loyal lifelong customer. You won't regret it.

• Pros: Beautiful dresses, the best service and atmosphere
• Cons: Smaller selection, but they only carry gorgeous gowns!

07/14/09

Where I found "the one!"

by mplsforme

This was the first place where I had a consultant actually listen to what I wanted in a dress and she pulled one right off the shelf just for me and I fell in LOVE with it!

The only down side is that besides consignment they only carry one line of dresses from La Sposa. But the line is absolutely beautiful and timeless! I would highly recommend going to Brides of France!

• Pros: Great and personal help
• Cons: limited selection, parking in uptown is always crazy

08/17/08

great dresses

by dominique100

I love my dress. Brides of France is the only local shop to carry the La Sposa brand that I fell in love with. But my experiences at the store seemed to differ depending on who was working on a given day. Some of the staff was very warm and welcoming and some were a bit more standoffish and seemed almost uninterested. Sometimes I felt like it was fun to shop there and the staff really wanted me to try on some dresses, and sometimes the staff scolded me for mishandling the dresses and I felt like I was rushed out of the store. I felt that the prices were competitive and I was able to order my dress during a special and receive 5% off. I thought that the seamstress that works with their store did an awesome job (really awesome, actually), but she was so expensive. Alterations increased the price of my dress by upwards of $400. If I had known about the price of the seamstress beforehand, I may have gone somewhere else for alterations. Overall, I have been pleased with the quality of my dress and the quality of the alterations, so I think it was worth the price tag.

• Pros: dress selction
• Cons: inconsistent customer service, price