Weddingbee boards

Hmm. I had the opposite experience. Before I started shopping, I did a lot of research online and read lots of reviews of shops. My budget was $1,500.

I found Arzelle's to be run-down and I wouldn't recommend it to other brides at all. The carpets were really dirty and the whole store, the dressing rooms especially, were pretty dingy and dark. I explained what I was looking for and the girl brought me dresses. She was helpful and nice but kept saying, "I'm not sure I understand yet what you're looking for." It was at this point that I realized she didn't "understand" because they didn't carry anything close.

I also went to Faccio with my mother and the sales girl pulled one dress for me. ONE. Then she said, "oh, I thought that'd be the one" and she went to the front desk and stopped helping us so my Mom and I left after I pulled two more for myself.

I ended up shopping at Juliette Atelier in Knoxville, TN (http://www.julietteatelier.com/) to look at Blue by Enzoani dresses and had an amazing experience. I drove 4.5 hours to get there and stayed in a local hotel. I tried on just about every dress in the store, was the only bride in there, and the owner took pictures, told stories, etc.. it was so much fun! They carry Peter Langner, Jim Hjelm, Tara Keely, and Blue by Enzoani dresses. The owner is fun and personable and loves to chat. It is impeccably clean and well lit in her store and she really gave me 200% and her undivided attention. She also let me wear the dresses as long as I wanted to and I didn't feel rushed at all.

Overall, I had a surprisingly bad experience in Nashville and surrounding areas. I think brides always think to start in Nashville. I had high expectations plus my mother came from NJ for 4 days to help me shop. Brides by Sugar Drop in Brentwood is a hole in the wall... my Mom walked in there and walked straight back out. I hope this helps another bride not waste her time and gas like I did. We live and learn!! :)

I only hit a couple of shops mostly because I found wedding dress shopping to be like pulling teeth. I ended up at Glitz in Bellevue. I really don't care all that much if the place has old carpets and small dressing rooms...I was looking for a dress I liked at a price I could afford. They

I went to Jacqueline's over by Opry Mills and had an lackluster experience. The teenage girl I had couldn't help (the owner watched her like a hawk though) and they didn't list any prices on the dresses. They let you pull whatever ones you want, but it's hard to stay in budget if you don't know how much they cost until after you've finshed up. Thanks for wasting my time. Also they don't allow photography, which is a little strick considering I went in without moms or maids present (they all live in different states). I had a nice experience in Village Bridal, they just didn't have anything I liked. Bridal Warehouse in Goodlettsville was actually pretty positive too...the salesgirls were there to help if you needed, but werent pushy. They had a nice variety of prices and styles. They even cut some swatches for bridesmaid dresses there even though I didn't buy anything there. Again, just didn't have what I wanted.