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

07/11/08

Great experience with Customer Service

by ILOVEMPLS

I wanted to share that I had a very nice shopping experience at the Brides of France in Uptown. I purchased my 2nd wedding gown there after The Wedding Shoppe butchered my first with their alterations department. Brides of France was professional and I felt they really delivered. If I had to do it all over again, I wish I would have gone here first.

• Pros: beautiful selection - I found 3 that I loved
• Cons: limited sizes and styles

05/13/08

Avoid if you like good customer service

by mam1478

I went into this store with my bridesmaid to look at dresses. I had my five year old daughter with us because we wanted to see if they had any flower girl dresses. They lady working at the store made rude a comment about my child being in her store. I was appalled. We were never greated or talked to from anyone who worked there unitl the lady with the nasty comments spoke. This was the worst customer service I have ever had. If you are looking for a wedding gown and want to be treated with respect and customer service, I do NOT recommand Brides of France.

• Pros: wide selection
• Cons: Very rude staff

04/16/08

Top of the line customer service!

by mickylea

I will start out by saying that I HATE SHOPPING! I went to the one of the big bridal shops in town and tried on a ton of dresses. The dresses were fine, the prices were fine..but it was all so cold.. I think wedding dress shopping should be a fun experience. I then went into Brides of France (Edina store) and felt instantly welcome. I tried on a few dresses and found one that I loved. I am not so naive to believe that I couldn't have ordered this dress online for the same price or cheaper.. but being the manager of a small business myself, I prefer to give my business to small, local companies. The customer service I received was top of the line. Not pushy, no pressure. They made the experience of finding and purchasing a dress ( for a woman who hates shopping ), very enjoyable. I would recommend this bridal shop to anyone who values customer service.

01/03/08

Never going back

by dansk007

I was in a bridal party with dresses and shoes from here. I was VERY disappointed in their prices, especially considering the quality (or lack there of). Get off your high horse because we are not in Paris, - this is Minnesota! Shop around, ladies. You will find better prices elsewhere. Having lived in Europe, I will have to disagree with the reviewer who stated she felt like she was "in a shop in Europe". My horrible experience included my bridesmaid dress arriving a different shade from the others and with bead work missing. I was told nothing could be done. They lost a potential customer. I spent $300 on the whole ensemble and was treated poorly. I am now planning my wedding and not only will never set foot in this shop again, but I can't help but warn all of my engaged friends about the danger here. There are better boutiques out there and these owners need to start respecting the smart and well-educated brides-to-be in the area!

07/19/07

Wonderful experience!

by grad_girl_1

I had a wonderful experience shopping for bridal gowns at Brides of France on Hennepin. I loved the store's atmosphere, it felt like being in a small shop in Europe. The gowns and service did not disappoint. I was shopping for a particular European gown, and was pleased that they had many samples to try. The salesperson was helpful, not pushy. I liked that the sales staff were not 19-year-olds. In all, it was a perfect gown shopping experience.

I want to point out that I did research before and after my shopping experience...a previous reviewer was disappointed after comparing prices on the internet. So far, BOF prices have been competitive. I feel this is a real bargain because the shop offers services not available on the web-- there's no way to try on gowns online! I like to support local businesses, and if their prices are anything close to web prices I will definitely buy from Brides of France.

• Pros: Service, gown selection, ambience

08/15/06

Not the best it could have been

by ssample

I must write a fair review for BOF. I experienced excellent customer service, and therefore decided to buy my bridal gown at the Edina Location. However, as soon as I bought the gown, the service was horrible. No discounts were valid from their website and no real explanations were given why. Careful buying anything from this company, as it is clear that they could care less about you AFTER you have spent $500 plus from them, like I had.

• Pros: First Visit
• Cons: Customer Service

08/19/05

comme ci, comme ca

by jpharkey

Purchased a beautiful dress at BoF and had a wonderful experience, until I searched for a photo of the dress online to email Mom. Found the same dress I was verbally told was "half of retail" for only 5% more online. Called and was given a "maybe discontinued, they don't have overhead" explanation, but that does little to quash my anger at feeling deceived. Forget the pressure, leave for an hour, research, and return to buy the dress if the price Really IS right.

• Pros: service, atmosphere, employees
• Cons: no-holds, no-comparison, time pressure