L'Atelier Couture

10/05/09

Fabulous gowns--fabulous service

by ElizaDulots

As an out-of-state bride, I was worried about how to choose a bridal salon that I knew would consistent in interacting with me via phone and email. I definitely chose the right place, because all my emails and phone calls were answered within a day at the latest, and usually within in minutes or one or two hours. These ladies were willing to be flexible within my tight and sporadic schedule when I was in town. Besides being great in the customer service department, they had a wide variety of gowns (essential to the non-traditional and picky bride like myself who doesn't necessarily want to look like a cotton ball on her wedding day), and were inventive and savvy when I wanted to modify my chosen gown to more suit my tastes. I couldn't say enough about how great this place is! The one drawback is that the dresses are expensive, but as somebody who looked for gowns in DC, MD, NY, and PA, I can tell you compared to the east coast, the cost is much more affordable for the same dresses!

• Pros: Friendly, efficient, creative staff
• Cons: $$$ expensive!

12/30/08

Love L'atelier

by kits55

I found this store in the The Knot Best of Weddings early summer 2008. I live in Kansas but wanted to find a dress in Minnesota so that my sister and mom could go shopping with me.

I emailed Amanda one night to see if I could schedule an appointment for when I was in MN. She promptly emailed me back even though it was well after store hours. That was pleasantly surprising. I was also called by Katie (or Kate) to confirm my appointment a couple days ahead of time. She made sure that I knew prices of the dresses ranged from $1,200 and up over $4,000.

My experience at L'Atelier from the first moment we walked in the door was like no other store that I've been to...ever. We were greeted immediately and because we had to wait for a room and help (we were a bit early) we were offered water and the chance to look around. When Amanda, the owner, was available she led us downstairs and we reviewed what my wedding dreams were. This is the only place that i was asked about my overall vision to give the associate an idea of what style of dress and what materials would be best.

I picked out many dresses and loved them all. I felt the number of dresses to try on could have been greater but the variety was excellent. I fell in love with Rosa Clara, Jenny Packham, and Paul Langner. Amanda was extremely helpful, gave great advice and told me a little bit about each designer and the dress I had on. It really made me feel included, special, and cared for unlike what I've experience at many other stores. I will say that there is definitely a difference in material and fit between a true couture gown and ones that are not couture.

Unfortunately I ended up falling in love with a gown at a different store but desperately wish I had chosen one from L'Atelier instead. Amanda kept me in the loop with sales, trunk shows, and dresses that were in a lower price range. She looked up prices and styles for me and was always very quick with her replies.

• Pros: Amanda, customer service, dress variety, designers available, atmosphere, room, attention, knowledge
• Cons: smaller parking lot, could have a bit more selection

04/12/08

poor service

by papaya213

Wow. Poor service. Overall, just inadequate service for the high line items they are selling. I thought the selection was meager. They do carry several designers but only a handful of dresses in each. The building is beautiful but don't go in winter- no heat downstairs, including the bathroom! The sales girl never got back to me on some information regarding a dress I was interested in. And the worst was that they simply held the sample dresses against me. I am a size 16. I don't expect to zip/button the sample up, but to not try it on, I might as well used mail order.

Not what I expected at all. Very poor.

• Pros: name is well known
• Cons: service, poor selection, price, no/little heat in basement (where 1/2 dresses are) in winter