Weddingbee boards

Being a W-S native who just bought my dress in the area a few months ago...I'd be glad to give you some recommendations!

I'd suggest different places based on what price range you're looking for:

Nitsa's - original in Winston, 2nd location in Charlotte - I've always had great experiences buying clothes from the W-S location for a number of years and ended up ordering my dress there. Their least expensive line is Pronovias, and go way on up from there...Amsale, etc, so I don't think you can find anything much under $1500. You will need an appointment to try on dresses, but they really offer lots of attention, privacy, and helpful advice when you're in the bridal salon. Great mother of bride and other social dresses downstairs. I just went back in a few weeks ago, desperate to find a bridesmaids dress in the right color that would be flattering for all the girls after searching EVERYWHERE for months and trying on a million dresses at other places...the first one they gave me here to try on was a perfect option in color, fabric, and style!

Divas - Greensboro (30 min east of W-S). They range from about $1000-$3000, carry lines like justin alexander, rina di montella, jim hjelm. The ladies who run the store were very friendly, and so nice to let me come in right before closing for a holiday weekend and stay for an hour! I found some great sample dresses to buy off the rack at good prices there too.

Cardinal Bridal - Greensboro. I tried on several Maggie Sotteros here, they had a good selection in that price range. Not especially helpful staff though...I had my mom with me and she had to clip me into dresses and find a veil to try, etc...more of a "hands-off" (which also means absolutely no pressure I guess) sales approach if you like that.

Dawn's - Lexington (20 min south of W-S). Very nice, cute shop in old house in small town. They carry mostly Casablanca and Mori Lee I think...TONS of choices from both lines, most of their dresses are in the $600-1000 range. Consultants are friendly and helpful getting you in and out of dresses, nice about taking pictures, etc. Several of my friends ordered from here. Lots of bridesmaids in stock too, including wtoo.

Tre Bella - Durham. I didn't go to their bridal boutique, but I'm using their sister business (literally, haha...three sisters run the floral studio and bridal/gift boutique) for my flowers and I can't say enough great things about my experience so far. I would assume the boutique would be as well-run as the floral.

I had a not-great experience in one store in the Cary/Raleigh area...so if you are looking there I will be glad to share my thoughts and the place, but I don't want to flame them publicly when maybe I just caught them on a bad day or something!

I went to Hayden Olivia in Charlotte and I loved it. I live in the Triangle, so getting there 3 separate times (to pick out dress + 2 fittings) was kind of a pain, but the service and selection there was so wonderful that I wouldn't change a thing! It's a higher-end boutique, but they have very frequent trunk shows. I bought my Modern Trousseau gown during a trunk show - the designer was there and helped me try on all of the dresses. Their alterations are also great and pretty reasonably priced, IMO.

Hope that helps!

If you still are dress shopping, I definitely suggest Bridal Mart in Burlington.  It is exit 145 (I think) off of I-85 - probably about 20-30 minutes from W-S.  They have a HUGE selection and excellent prices.  My dress went for about $1200 at a regular store and I ordered it from Bridal Mart for $700 including tax.