One of my bridesmaids and I are going dress shopping in the Bay Area in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions for must not miss places? This will be my first time dress shopping.
I just did the dress shopping thing for the first time a few weeks ago and my sister planned the day and it was great. I guess the #1 question is budget. My sister planned the day so I'd go to places where I could try on every type of dress (even though they weren't in my price range): Bridal Galleria fit that bill. I knew I was just getting my feet wet and not to fall in love with anything.
I'd say skip Novella. Haute Bride was great, still a bit pricey, but their jewelry was fantastic. It was really fun to put the whole look together: dress, veil, bracelet, earrings, etc. Yet she quoted the average alteration at 400-600 bucks- ugg.
But overall, I loved Amy Kuschel- I am about to buy my dress there and the prices are reasonable for a custom made gown- alterations included in the price and if you buy in the first two trials you get 150 off. The website does not do any of the dresses justice. That said, if you want big puffy and beaded- this is not the place for you.
My friend and I went to elegant lace and got to tryon a ton of dresses. The ladies there were very helpful. There's a lot of different styles and they also have a hugh selection of bridesmaid dresses too. I ended up getting my dress at J'aime Bridal in Pleasanton. Smaller selection but great one on one service. Bonus since I bought my dress from them my bridesmaids got a percentage off of their dress. I think it was 20%. There is a store I would stay away from in the Bay but I'm not going to post their name on here. PM me if you want to know. I've given them many chances. From junior prom to senior ball to wedding dresses. Every single time was crap. I pulled them up on yelp.com and was given mixed messages about thier service. I just thought maybe the worker their just didn't like servicing HS kids but now that I went to look for a wedding dress I think she doesn't like humans period! LOL You should check out Bay Area Bridal too... at least I think that's the name of the store.
Gesinee's in Concord is great. They have ton's of styles and are willing to pull anything you want to try on during your appointment. Trudy's in Campbell is also great, I didn't think that Elegant Lace had a great selection and the person helping me disappeared and was no help and tried telling my mom that some of the dresses I liked had been there away and might be discontinued soon so I shouldn't wait to long.
I loved Bella Bridesmaid for bridesmaid dresses. They are in Union Street in San Francisco.
For wedding gowns, I went to Trudy's in Campbell (ask for Sheila, she is AMAZING) and Glamour Closet in San Francisco. Glamour closet sells only samples, though, so keep that in mind.
You should absolutely check out Unique Bride in Burlingame on Howard Avenue, but make sure you make an appointment! They have the latest and greatest bridesmaid gowns...I am a HUGE fan. I just brought a client in to see their Fall collection - FAB!
I have purchased dresses from Trudy's before as well. They have a little bit of everything and I have never been disappointed with their service. I would recommend it if you are in the Campbell area.
One of my bridesmaids and I are going dress shopping in the Bay Area in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions for must not miss places? This will be my first time dress shopping.
posted by doctorgirl Helper bee: 381 posts 5 months agoI just did the dress shopping thing for the first time a few weeks ago and my sister planned the day and it was great. I guess the #1 question is budget. My sister planned the day so I'd go to places where I could try on every type of dress (even though they weren't in my price range): Bridal Galleria fit that bill. I knew I was just getting my feet wet and not to fall in love with anything.
I'd say skip Novella. Haute Bride was great, still a bit pricey, but their jewelry was fantastic. It was really fun to put the whole look together: dress, veil, bracelet, earrings, etc. Yet she quoted the average alteration at 400-600 bucks- ugg.
But overall, I loved Amy Kuschel- I am about to buy my dress there and the prices are reasonable for a custom made gown- alterations included in the price and if you buy in the first two trials you get 150 off. The website does not do any of the dresses justice. That said, if you want big puffy and beaded- this is not the place for you.
And for bridesmaid- Bella Bridesmaid.
posted by KSW Worker bee: 74 posts 5 months agoPerfect analysis! Thank you... You just saved me a ton of time and energy. And trust me-- big poofy and beaded is so NOT me!
posted by doctorgirl Helper bee: 381 posts 5 months agoMy friend and I went to elegant lace and got to tryon a ton of dresses. The ladies there were very helpful. There's a lot of different styles and they also have a hugh selection of bridesmaid dresses too. I ended up getting my dress at J'aime Bridal in Pleasanton. Smaller selection but great one on one service. Bonus since I bought my dress from them my bridesmaids got a percentage off of their dress. I think it was 20%. There is a store I would stay away from in the Bay but I'm not going to post their name on here. PM me if you want to know. I've given them many chances. From junior prom to senior ball to wedding dresses. Every single time was crap. I pulled them up on yelp.com and was given mixed messages about thier service. I just thought maybe the worker their just didn't like servicing HS kids but now that I went to look for a wedding dress I think she doesn't like humans period! LOL You should check out Bay Area Bridal too... at least I think that's the name of the store.
posted by NorCalBride Helper bee: 313 posts 5 months agoEven though I live in SF, I got my gorgeous dress at Gabrielle's in Los Gatos. Super cute and charming bridal shop. Def worth a stop in.
posted by glittergrl Helper bee: 356 posts 5 months agoGesinee's in Concord is great. They have ton's of styles and are willing to pull anything you want to try on during your appointment. Trudy's in Campbell is also great, I didn't think that Elegant Lace had a great selection and the person helping me disappeared and was no help and tried telling my mom that some of the dresses I liked had been there away and might be discontinued soon so I shouldn't wait to long.
http://www.gesineesbridal.com/
posted by jennred782 Worker bee: 157 posts 5 months agodoctorgirl,
I loved Bella Bridesmaid for bridesmaid dresses. They are in Union Street in San Francisco.
For wedding gowns, I went to Trudy's in Campbell (ask for Sheila, she is AMAZING) and Glamour Closet in San Francisco. Glamour closet sells only samples, though, so keep that in mind.
posted by JCM9608 Busy bee: 545 posts 4 months agoHi there,
You should absolutely check out Unique Bride in Burlingame on Howard Avenue, but make sure you make an appointment! They have the latest and greatest bridesmaid gowns...I am a HUGE fan. I just brought a client in to see their Fall collection - FAB!
I have purchased dresses from Trudy's before as well. They have a little bit of everything and I have never been disappointed with their service. I would recommend it if you are in the Campbell area.
Best of luck on your search!
Kristeen
www.JustWeddingsSF.com
posted by Kcnunzi Newbee: 5 posts 4 months agoI love Jin Wang! It's beautiful and all the girls are so sweet!
posted by gummibear Worker bee: 131 posts 4 months ago