Wedding Blog
Note to Mr. Fondue: If you don’t want to see me in a wedding dress, then please do not read this post.
Early in February, a little over a month after Mr. Fondue popped the question, my bridesmaid Becka came to visit. Seeing as how none of my bridesmaids live in town, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to go check out some wedding dresses and to get an opinion on what looked good on me and what didn’t. There was no intention of buying anything.
I had, of course, been scouring the web and bridal magazines for styles that I liked. I knew I liked most Maggie Sottero gowns, as I loved the corset backs. Being a little curvy, I knew I didn’t want a sheath and would have preferred something fuller, like an A-line or ball gown. I also thought I might get something with some black detailing, to go with our black and white wedding.
I made appointments at two locations: The White Room in Lebanon, Tennessee, and one of the local David’s Bridals. My mom couldn’t make our early appointment at The White Room, but planned to join us later in the day.
However, given the choice, I prefer to hear bad news first, so I am going to start this story backwards with our trip to David’s Bridal. This is also to keep you guys in suspense just a little longer. 
In the afternoon, after our appointment at The White Room and a nice lunch, Becka and I went to David’s Bridal and met up with my mom. My appointment was at 4:30. However, I didn’t get into a dressing room until sometime after 5:00 because all of their associates had two brides each. This must be why they warn you over the phone not to come in on a Saturday. It worked out, either way, because my mom was running late and didn’t get there until right before my dressing room opened.
My assistant showed me to the dressing room and told me to go pick out a pair of shoes to wear. I was wearing a pair of red heels because I was contemplating wearing red heels at the wedding. I told her I would be fine in the shoes I had, and she gave me a funny look before leaving to find me a strapless bra and a slip.
She didn’t return for twenty minutes.
I finally got the undergarments I was waiting for and proceeded to try on dresses. I tried on quite a variety, including all of these:
They were all nice dresses, but none of them really flattered me. This was pre-Weddingbee, so I didn’t even think to take photos of the ones I didn’t like. Becka, who was in charge of the camera, was running around most of the time trying to find veils and stuff for me, since my assistant usually was nowhere to be found. So she didn’t think to take any pictures, either.
This was my favorite. However, the assistant told me it was being discontinued and was only available in ivory (I look like death in ivory), so I didn’t bother to take a photo of it either. (She later took this statement back and thought I was talking about another dress, despite the fact that I was wearing the dress in question at the time. But I digress.)
And here is the only one I have a photo of me wearing! I liked this one well enough, but I thought the number of pick-ups overwhelmed me a bit.
Clearly, none of these dresses was THE ONE. After we were done, my assistant wrote down the styles in my file and forced me to make an appointment in April to come back and look at them (she literally made the appointment without even consulting me). Needless to say, I did not honor this appointment.
Did any of you have a disappointing dress shopping experience?
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Share this post: Gown Hunting, Part 1: The Not-So-Good
I agree… too many pickups on the last one 
So many DB horror stories. I wish they’d not take appointments on days that they’re already booked!
With DB - YES!!! I felt like I was at a meat market and simply wanted to try on some dresses. I wasn’t looking to buy anything and because the sales lady found that out, she was less than eager to help me… Although she was sure to bring out EVERY single accessory to go with the dress I was trying on. I was not happy with that experience at all.
I had better luck with a local store in my home town that is not a chain. They were so helpful and found the dress I luhuuuuuuuuuuuuve! Head up, it will get better!
I tried on dresses at DB and the consultant tried telling me…over and over that I needed a bigger size. That it didn’t fit me right. I think I would know!! They also called me about a month after I went and tried dresses on and said I needed to decide right away because my wedding was coming up very fast….it was still 9 months away! Turns out they had my date wrong!
I ended up finding my dress online at Target. I have only known a few people to actually have a good experience at DB.
I’m excited to see how things went at the White Room! I think the experience of trying on dresses can be totally influenced by the person helping you. I went to a beautiful dress shop in Seattle with a (gasp!) runway in the middle of the store, but I had this waifish, sullen assistant who waited until I fell IN LOVE with a dress before telling me that it was four times what I’d told her my dress budget was. I ended up getting my gown at a little hole in the wall place called I Do Bridal - mostly because the gals helping me knew their inventory inside and out, and were all incredibly sweet and helpful.
I actually loved David’s Bridal. I went to the one in Rivergate (Nashville area). I absolutely loved the White Room in Lebanon. That was a great day for me, but I could not afford their dresses. I can’t wait to hear how you did.
I’ve heard horror stories about DB too. I went with a cousin who bought her gown there and during about three different visits, there was a new person helping her each time and it was like you said, they would just disappear. It was like we were on our own and it was nerve-racking.
I had an amazing experience trying on gowns at Adrian Pierce Couture in South Jersey (it’s in my hometown). It’s a small shop owned and managed by a mother and her three daughters. I feel like sometimes you have to go to a smaller shop for better customer service. DB is a large chain and it just seems to lose that personal connection. I’m sure they’re not all like that, but I’ve heard too many awful DB stories to count.
I also had a not so great experience at DB. I really can’t wait to hear about the White Room though. Sounds like you’re leaving the best for last! (:
I went to the DB in Queens (NYC). Though it was PACKED, I had a great time with my associate. I guess NYers are use to it being packed wherever we go…
I did have an amazingly terrible experience at Kleinfeld’s NYC though. I called 2 weeks prior to book an appt and was immediately greeted with “What’s your budget?” When I said “No more than 2000″ the woman said “Well, that will be a challenge.” I’m a misses 12 (aka completely NORMAL). The associate, without even measuring me said, “I don’t know that we even have anything in your size.” My mom and I were so appauled and I was so heartbroken. She then brought me 2 dresses to try on, both hideous, both size 22/24. Never, EVER will I recommend that company.
I went to DB and got the dress of my dreams (in a bridal 14) for $350. Take that Kleinfeld’s!
Our DB experience buying bridesmaid dresses was actually very nice. The bride actually purchased her gown at a shop outside Seattle called Pearls & Lace. They are fantastic, and sold the gown right off the rack, even though it was a new model and had just come in. We had a great time there and I would recommend anyone remotely close to Seattle check it out.
You know, I am curvy and I think I pulled off a sheath-style dress pretty well. Certain sheath styles can flatter anyone.
I tried on that last dress too, it was the Maggie right? It was actually my 2nd choice for about a week. It was very nice and I liked the feel of the material, but it screamed “cute”, not gorgeous or as fashion forward as I’d wanted to look on my wedding day.
I ended up getting the joelle from Maggie, the picture on the model on her website does not do it justice at all. you should try on some more Maggies
Good luck!
I did not DB. They were nice but not helpful. They pulled the dresses i wanted to try on but didn’t have any suggestions on what to try on. I needed opinions and she didn’t give them to me. I ended up going to a small bridal store and this girl was soooo helpful. She pulled every dress she thought I would like and gave me her opinion. She even helped me get into the dresses and stuff, even though it was awkward it was nice that she was there to help me in and out of dresses. I hate trying on clothes so it was nice.
I absolutely detested my David’s Bridal experience. The attendants when I was there were completely free, no other brides in sight, and still couldn’t seem to give me the time of day. Nothing beats the personal customer service of a bridal salon that really cares.
I had an ok experience there and did ultimatly get both my dress http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2994&prodgroup=127
and my girls dresses there.
The key really is to go with someone you know can help you like you MH and to try to go on a weekday. That way if you do get the crappy service it is ok cause you can basically take care of yourself and if it is a weekday I found you did have a much better chance of actually getting good service.
And as many said it is very hit or miss with David’s I went to the one in Peoria IL and they had fantastic service but then the one in Schaumburg IL was terrible.
Miss Fondue- Have u tried on the sheath dresses? I didn’t think I would look good in it too because I am curvy and average, size 8. But I tried it on anways and I wasn’t expecting it to look good but it did. My dress is a corset and sheath and the corset really makes a difference.
My DB experience was so horrible that it made my FSIL and I die of laughter! Our assistant would dissapear for 20 mins at a time, returning with nothing after I asked her to get another dress. She was completely rude and told me I didn’t know what I was talking about when I said I needed a smaller size, even though I showed her how I could turn the dress completely around on my body. She also tried to coerce me into another visit, but I went to the front desk and asked her to cancel the appointment, there is no way I would be back.
I can’t wait to hear about the other dress store!
I also did not like DB. I really didn’t find anything that suited me particularly well there, though I did actually have great customer service. However, I had already fallen in love with a dress earlier that day, so that could have been part of it;)
My only real complaint about DB would be all of the phone calls that I got from them afterward. Ugh.
I went to DB with my Maid of Honor for my first dress trying on experience on a Friday. I was less than impressed with my consultant who dissapeared for long periods of time(there were 2 other girls in the store–not a ton to take care of), but was glad I had MOH there helping as she had just gotten married the summer previous. I tried on so many dress and had such a good time with MOH that i was there for 5 hrs. I didn’t plan on purchasing my dress that day and the consultant found out and pretty much completely ignored me the rest of the time.
I did end up meeting the store owner and the General manager who was there and i Do have to say they were completly helpfull and wonderful. That made the whole experience much better.
I eneded up checking out some local other bridal salons and liked the experience i got there, but still was in love with the DB dress.
I went back to DB with my mom a 2nd time, had the same consultant and she was SOOOOOO helpful the 2nd time around. I had a great time with her that day eventhough it was a Sat. and way busier than the first trip. And I did end up purchasing my dress and viel from them although they did try pushing the other accessories I stood my ground and firmly said no.
We actually had a great DB shopping experience (I expected the worst so maybe that’s why it wasn’t so bad). They told me over the phone when I booked the appointment that the associate would have more than one bride, but she only worked with me the whole time we were there. I didn’t end up getting my dress there (I chose a Maggie!), but I would definitely go back for the BM dresses.
I feel there’s an echo in here! I also had a bad experience with DB. I had looked at dresses at a different bridal store in town and had wonderful service (my consultant there and I found out we knew a few people in common…we’re both transplants from other places). A week or two later went to DB with my mom and sister. When the consultant there asked what I was looking for, I began to describe a dress I had tried on previously starting by saying it was a Princess-seam. This girl hear the word “Princess” and nothing else! Now, I’m not you’re sugar-and-fluff-and-pink kind of girl. “Princess” is probably the furthest thing from who I am, and that’s the only kind of dresses she brought the entire time I was there. She even tried putting tiara after tiara on me, even though I was insistent that I did not want one. And she, too, disappeared for 20-30 minutes at a time! My sister ended up having to help me change dresses once I decided I wasn’t going to wait for the lady anymore. Needless to say, we left and are not going back. Instead, my mom has volunteered to sew my gown for me, which I’m very excited about!
Is every DB overwhelmed? Every time I go in there, I wait at least 30 mins before I’m seen. And then, my assistant INSISTED that I didn’t need a slip or bra. I ended going online to buy a DB slip that is too tight, even though it is the same size as the dress (which is way too loose, by the way) and a DB bra that is WAY too small for that size. Can’t even breath. Some help from the assistant would have been greatly appreciated 
But I *love* my dress *shrug*
Now, let’s see if they will alter it properly :-/
Hmm…your insights are making me rethink whether to consider choosing DB BM dresses…thanks, hive!
My first experience was devastating. (OK, I’m not actually that frail…but it was a bummer!) I called the Wedding Atelier in NYC because I’d heard good things about them (here, I think!). Made an appointment for their sample sale week…after checking that it even would be worthwhile for someone my size (street 12). They assured me it would. The lady was nice enough (for a Manhattan bridal shop, anyway), but none of the 5 dresses she brought me were even close to fitting. And that’s all you’re allowed.
My girlfriend and I went immediately to Otto for wine and dinner to make up for our disappointment.
I ended up shopping more (and buying!) back in Vermont. No trying-on limits, great prices, down-to-earth people. Same dresses!
Look forward to hearing more, Miss Fondue. xo.
Yeah, that last dress does overwhelm you. It’ll be great to see what you found in the morning half of your trip!
I’ve heard nothing but horror stories about David’s Bridal, but my experience there was great. I went to the HUGE one in Glen Burnie, MD and a woman named Phyllis helped me out. I went to a bunch of bridal boutiques and I had been searching for a sheath dress with a vintage feel to it.
Unfortunately, every bridal store we went to tried to put me in an A line, or ball gown, or very plain sheath. None of what I wanted, and I could barely fit into any of their dresses and I’m not even overweight!
Phyllis was really great, not pushy, but def. knew her stuff. She asked me to try on a drop waist gown and although it wasn’t my style, I did look amazing in it. She really helped me out and I had a really fun experience. That is, until I visited those other shops.
I had prejudices against DB’s, but figured I’d try it. The Glen Burnie DB is so big that it can feel like you’re trying on dresses in a warehouse, but there also is a ton of selection in many sizes. They are also a “test store” so the dress I bought doesn’t even have a large run at the moment!
If you’re in the MD/PA/VA area I recommend trying the Glen Burnie DB. But go on a weeknight or make a day of it, because I picked up my dress on a weekend and I’m pretty sure I would’ve had a horrible time if I’d gone then.
My DB experience was awesome! We (myself and 6 of my bridesmaids!) went in on a Saturday afternoon and there was no one in there! (The Costa Mesa, CA store) My consultant, Shell, was amazing. She brought me all kinds of dresses and even let us bring in champagne! I ended up finding the perfect dress, on sale Oh, and she brought all kinds of styles of bm dresses for the girls to try on, and since there were so many open fitting rooms, some of my girls even tried on wedding dresses, just for the heck of it Overall it was a great experience that I will not forget!
[...] went forward in time in my last post to tell you about my disappointing shopping trip. Now it’s time to [...]
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Miss Fondue, Nashville
Age and Occupation: 27, Technical Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Network Admin Student/Senior Game Advisor
Engagement Date: December 25, 2007
Wedding Date: May 2009
Blogging Since: September 14, 2008
Venue: Ravenwood Golf Club
About Me: I’m your average computer geek marrying a gaming geek and trying to find a good balance of elegance and geek chic in our wedding. I adore The Sims, Nintendo, cosplay, (good) music, TiVo, theme parks, and our two crazy felines.
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