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I fell in love with a Vera Wang dress at David's Bridal from her collection for them. I think it might be "the one!"
You know, I hate to say this... I really do, I feel silly and embarrassed to admit that I feel this way, but hearing people say negative things about David's Bridal is making me second guess this dress that I love!
I've heard in person from a couple people "eew DB, don't go there" (only said in passing) and online comments like it's "like McDonalds" and how horrible it is and that the quality is not good.
I went there and the sales woman was very nice, they all were actually. I love this Vera Wang "White" dress. But I have heard all over the place that David's Bridal has not good quality...! But isn't Vera Wang's collection for them a little different? And I saw for myself in person that her dresses were very nice...
I want to feel all over confident, you know? Not sure what others can say on this but I just thought I'd post, it's been bugging me and I need to pick a dress within the next couple weeks to be safe since we're so close to our wedding day! Overthinking things a little bit over here!
When I was shopping for my dress, DB was the first place I went. They're usually really fast, they're good quality as far as I can tell, and they have a huge selection of dresses in a huge number of sizes. The negative part is that sometimes you really do get extremely awful customer service. I wouldn't have been at all ashamed to say my dress came from DB if I were you, because tons of gorgeous dresses come from there. Don't let it bother you, and go buy the dress of your dreams :).
I totally get what you are saying. My first dress was from davids bridal, it must have been the lighting in there because when I brought it home I was so disappointed. I was also bummed that I didn't look at any other bridal shops. I would look around, and come back to the vera wang dress. Honestly, I have seen a lot of BEAUTIFUL dresses from davids bridal...mine was not one of those dresses. If you absolutely LOVE it I'd say go for it, but to make sure look around first.
I don't particularly care for DB either, and I did refuse to go there when I was trying on gowns; however, if I hadn't found my gown where I did, I may have gone their just to see. I think the service and alterations department are the most negative points. Also, some of their gowns are poor quality, but not all. I have seen some really nice gowns on the bee that have been purchased and/or tried on from/at DB, so with that being said, I think that experiences vary by location, so if I were you, since you love the gown, I would give the one in your area a try. You can always walk out, if you feel uncomfortable.
Honestly, I refused to purchase there due to bad customer service and poor quality. That being said, I havent seen the Vera collection so I cannot vouch for what kind of quality they are.
If its the dress you love, who cares? You are the only one who has to love it.
If you've found THE dress & you're happy with their service, then go for it & get that dress!! I wouldn't pass it up just because they have some dodgy reviews (although I'm in Australia & we don't have David's Bridal here, so I can't really comment on their quality, etc) Isn't DB the only place that stocks Vera Wang White?
It is mostly the customer service and alterations that get the most flack. DB dresses can be really pretty! And for the price it's amazing what you can get. It is the "wal mart" of dress shops but only because they have so many in stock and that their price point is low. Some brides feel like if their dress isn't over $1k then its not good enough. But I was very impressed with DB's dresses when I tried them on. They aren't going to have the inner corset that Maggie has, or the luxurious fabrics of other designers, but if you like their dress then buy it!
I bought my dress from David's and it's perfect for me. Bride pressure is even worse than "standard" peer pressure - don't bow to anyone. Buy what you love.
I actually had a really good experience with them. I think the whole "bad customer service" thing really does depend on what sales rep you get. Mine was nothing but helpful, sweet and overly attentive, but I was definitely glad I didn't have any of the other sales reps. The alteration team was a little weird (argued with each other over who was right on how to alter the dress), but ultimately they did an awesome job, and I can't beat the price.
Overall, if you WANT to get it there, and are trying to convince yourself, I made a thread for people who loved their DB dress, and a ton of girls did. I think it's fine if you love the dress and it's a great price. Don't feel bad about it. :)
Honestly I feel that way to about DB, I went there for my first stop for looking for my dress. I did find a couple that were maybes. But shopped around some more and found a different one that I really liked and ended up purchasing.
However all my bridesmaid dresses are from there. I agree their customer service is rather lacking. But it seems like it is a hit or miss with them.
If you love the dress, get it. You get a lot of mixed reviews on David's because it's hit or miss. I got my dress there, I had a fantastic person helping me, and the price was right. I'm not using their alterations because of price; I can get it done cheaper somewhere else. But I *love* my dress and intend to point out that it's gorgeous AND from DB.
I get the idea that David's is the "bridal WalMart" but guess what? I found my dress and you very well might have found your dress there. The flak they get might have *something* to do with the fact that they process a large volume of brides. Wouldn't that mean that there is a higher likelihood of some bad experiences? Just wanted to point that out.
Dear yassim, I have to agree with @aprilsixteenth and @Serya. Does the dress make you happy? Can you not stop thinking about it? Did it make you sad to leave it at the store? I have to think that the designer and the store matter less than how the dress makes you feel.
You are aware of the reputation of DB, but it sounds like your experience was positive. I felt the same way about not wanting to go to DB. I sucked it up and cheated on my dress with one of the new DB Vera's! The staff couldn't have been nicer, and the alterations manager took the time to explain hemming the skirt 3 times just so I completely understood. Good luck, I hope you get the dress of your dreams :)
People who have issues with DB dresses are going to be the same people who will probably have issues if you don't wear designer jeans. It had a bad rep for being affordable and a little more "warehousey" than other stores. I will say that I didn't get the BEST service at DB but I didn't get the worst either. My worst experience was in small boutiques and from the owner herself! I think it comes down to what's important to you. Does being in a designer dress and having a sales personal drool over you and help dress you is your thing then do that. If not, DB is a great place to get your dress too! Also, when it comes to quality does quality REALLY matter if you're only wearing something fro 8 hrs. Its not like the sweater or winter coat you want to wear for a few years, so as long as it doesn't look cheap and its not going to fall apart at the seams on your wedding day (which of course its not) does it really matter. I doubt a lot of people are going to pat you down and stroke your dress to test the quality of your dress.
Don't worry. It's like we all bad mouth Target and Wal Mart, but then we find stuff there that we love and we're super proud of ourselves for finding a good deal. It's the same. Love it? BUY IT!
@AmberAustin:Totally agree with you. I also had TERRIBLE customer service at little bridal boutique's that I went to (two of them actually). They were similar to used car sales men...but worse. Of course the manager, the owner and the bratty teen receptionist made my experience awful. I bought my second dress at a small, expensive boutique and I kind of regret going there (I love my dress now but I have also seen so many beautiful DB gowns that I never saw when I was there my first time around).
I just got back from trying the White dresses on and they are stunning, I had already picked out a DB dress, but I wanted to make sure. I loved every one I tried on, there was one I had a hard time not buying, but I think it would have been just too much dress for my wedding. In the end, they are really stunning and if you love it then buy it.
I haven't heard about the quality at DB, just experienced the bad service (at my particular salon... but that could happen or not happen anywhere). I say if you tried on a dress and love it then buy it! You know the quality of the dress because you tried it on, unless they change something. I feel like DB has a bad reputation because it's a chain, but I don't think people should look down on it because of that. If you find a dress you love there, I say go for it! It's cheaper than a lot of stores :)
Heh. The people I went dress-shopping with wouldn't let me buy the dress I found at David's Bridal (it wasn't "the one", but it was completely adequate, and I trusted DB to get the dress ordered and altered properly and on time.) They were complaining about the service. My consultant had helped me before (with my mom present) and knew I was rather independent (if I can do it myself, I will), and she was trying to get the appointment before me (a bridezilla) out of there, so she left me and my mini-entourage to get in and out of dresses. She brought the dresses quickly and only in styles I hadn't ruled out, and they all fit, more or less. But because her full attention wasn't on me, they weren't impressed.
So we went to a boutique. I'd previously read the reviews on ALL of the local bridal salons. Only DB was reputable and in my price range. They insisted, as one of them had bought their dress at a local boutique (which was shut down.) So... I told them my likes, dislikes, and budget. They pull a bunch of dresses I say are too blingy (seriously? a crusting of seed beads?), or not a material I like, etc. Only one of the dresses fit on, and the workers NEVER came back to help me - my entourage just pulled the dresses THEY liked.... AND they stuffed me in a room FULL of dresses, where I had to stand on top of my clothes because there wasn't any room. Finally, they listen to the overlay/corset preferred/no sweetheart/not heavily beaded thing. The attendant says the price tag is over my budget but the price will come down. I smile in the dress. It's not the color I wanted, and it's smallish, but it's flattering enough that I didn't feel like a dwarf. OK, I'll buy the dress. "It's $300 over budget." Owner: "It's a sample dress, so full price." "I told her we'd bring the price down." Owner: "Pffft. $70 off." OK, fine - I'd quoted lower than my top amount, and the dress only needed hemming, so it was fine, if annoying. "The hemming will be free." Great. So I finally get payment stuff almost done and am waiting on a bit of paperwork. "The hemming will be done in four weeks and it'll be $58." Four weeks later, nothing. I go in to check. "We'll call you Monday." OK. A week and a half later, I call in. "Uh, we'll get back to you." Finally, the next day, someone other than the owner calls - "It'll be done next Wednesday. Call us if we don't call you." I can only HOPE that next week my dress is in and still in good condition.
Eventually, I went online and found my dream dress (I have a wonky sort of dream.) If I had gone with David's Bridal, though, I wouldn't have been pressured to get a dress the wrong size, wrong color, with an underestimated timeframe and misquoted prices, so I wouldn't have been LOOKING for a back-up plan to begin with. I would have my one white dress with floral embroidery, chiffon overlay, and corset back, instead of a gold and ivory dress a size small and a medieval cotton custom-made dress. Not going with DB cost me an extra $800 and a LOT of stress in the long run.
I got my dress from David's, and I'm in love with it. I was NOT in love with my horrible customer service but... the dress, man, I couldn't shake it. I needed it and I sucked it up.
I felt the same way. David's Bridal was the first and only place I went and I found a dress that I loved. I spent hours afterwards all over the boards and reading reviews and felt guilty for even considering a dress there. But, I ended up getting it and I don't regret it! I think what helped as well was that my consultant was awesome and actually found my dress for me (when I was considering something completely different). I think it does vary from store to store, but if you are happy with your dress I think you should definitely go for it! :-)
I got my dress at DB and I loved it. When I was looking at Bridal stores online, they had very few plus sized dresses in stock. DB did. I went with two of my sisters and my mom...they picked out dresses and I picked out ONE dress to try on (I hadn't expected to be going dress shopping - kinda got ambushed into that one), and that's the one I really liked and the one that is hanging in my closet. I will probably take it elsewhere to have it altered, but I had no problem with anything else.
Honestly, I think DB has amazing dresses (in the upper end of the prices and quality).
They carry designers exclusively which i've always loved, and they know how to anticpiate a bride's future dress problems because of all the experience. I'm not a fan of the quality of dress they have in the budget arena ($200-500) but I know they have those dresses for the brides that can pull off the styles for the price. They get a bad wrap because a wedding is suppose to feel "unqiue" and buying from a large chain kind of defeats that purpose. Honestly, if you love a dress from them and the experience is good then it's still buying from a bridal dress shop and you should feel happy and proud. I know i do. :)
I was never impressed with the quality of their dresses, but 1.I haven't seen the VW in person 2. if you've tried it on and it looks fine to you, who cares? It's not like you're going to be wearing a tag all day on your wedding letting everyone know where you got it from. I care about the product, not brand name. I tried on dresses at DB with an open mind and wasn't wowed, but then got my invitations from there and they were awesome.
Thank you SO much for all the answers! Now I'm feeling a lot more confident. The neg comments I've heard over time really threw me off. I did have a good experience with the woman that helped me though... and the dress I love.
@pink.sequins: "Does the dress make you happy? Can you not stop thinking about it? Did it make you sad to leave it at the store?" honestly... yes to all 3!! Now I feel silly for even questioning it. I have only tried a few on but I just have this feeling in my gut that this is the dress because of those 3 points. Then I overthought DB... now I feel silly!
It's like I can hear it calling my name again... I like this excitement over it, I'm glad it's back now.
I am still going to another boutique to try on a few others just so I can sort of feel like I really did my homework with looking but really, that dress at DB... I just love it.
Go with your gut, it wouldn't be a national chain if it didn't have plenty of happy customers.
I will never buy from DB. When my friend was getting married a sales rep told her that "This designer doesn't make dresses...ahem...in your size. Maybe come back in a few months when you lose a few pounds and we can get it." O_O Apparently they are a hit or miss.
I bought my dress at David's Bridal and I had a great experience with both buying the dress and the alterations. I do think it depends on which store you go to, since I do have a friend in another area who had a bad experience. However, if you love the dress, get it! Yes, they get a bad rap from much of the community of brides-to-be, but no one attending your wedding is going to look at you walking down the aisle and say "Ew, is that a David's Bridal dress?". :)
@yassim: If you love the dress buy it! who cares what people say about DB? I hated DB too until I found the best ever mermaid slip there. I took it to my fitting at this expensive bridal salon and everyone wanted to know where I got my slip from because they loved how great it was and when I said davids bridal they were really shocked.
Yes davids bridal does have some ugly crummy dresses and sometimes very bad customer service but they also have great gowns like the Vera Wang collection.
The 1st dress I loved was from there but I found something I liked better elsewhere.
I saw some styles that were ok there - but they won't CHANGE anything - like making a sweetheart out of a non sweetheart, or altering train length - they don't want to "compromise the integrity of their styles" whatever!! also - asked how long it would take to order the dress and they told me you buy the one you try on - maybe it's me - but I want to be the ONLY person who puts on my dress - it's not like test driving a car like a cocktail dress at Macy's...it's the most important apparel purchase I will ever make....
Buy the dress you love and that you don't want to take off. Not only is your opinion of your dress the most important thing, the name on the label is irrelevent to the overwhelming majority of your guests. :-) Unless all of your guests are in the throes of wedding planning, I can assure you that no one is going to look at you disapprovingly and say, "OH, she got that from David's Bridal!" ;-) If you are confident and happy, you will be a beautiful bride, and that's what everyone--especially your groom--will notice! Congrats on finding a dress you love!
I haven't read the other comments, but here's how I see it.
It's basically a "hit or miss" thing. I bought my dress from David's Bridal. My sister got married last year, and she also bought her dress from David's Bridal. We didn't have any problems at all out of our local DB store. It was a great experience!
However, a friend of mine went to the same DB and had horrible luck, so she ended up going else where for her wedding gown.
If you are in love with the dress, go back and try it on a couple more times to see if you're really in love with it. I don't know anything about the new Vera Wang line, but people have had good experiences at David's Bridal! Good luck! :)
Due to family illness/death, my daughter ended up wearing a DB gown. We weren't really loving the idea, but when we got to DB, we had good service, she found "the Gown". And (no bias here of course ;P but she looked like a Movie Star. (I had bought her a Maggie Sottero, but with moving the date up
I have to agree with @tarheelgrad98 wholeheartedly! It sounds like you know what you love, you just need time for it to sink in. Go try on other dresses and then try on the Vera again. If the DB sales staff is good, they will be glad to see you as many times as it takes for you to feel confident with your decision. I can totally relate because yours is a similar situation to mine...except I already had picked a different dress. It's a roller-coaster of emotions, but if you feel like you are your happiest, most buoyant self and find you're swishing around in the Vera...you'll know she's THE ONE! The designer and store don't matter, the smile on your face is the only "label" your guests will use to judge your beauty :)
My dress is from DB and I love it. My consultant was great, she even talked to my mom in Spanish, so she would feel included in the appointment :D I never felt pressured to buy a dress, they gave me all the possible options of payment, told me all about alterations, delivery times, etc.
I ended up putting the deposit for the dress, but a couple of weeks later I started having doubts. Mainly because of the bad comments about DB being a bad quality store and dresses (you guys have heard all). I felt insecure, I didn't want to tell everybody that I had bought my dress at a cheap store!
So I started looking around, I looked online, went to a few more stores, even considered buying an ebay dress, a preowned dress and a China dress. I tried on every kind of designer dress, I even tried on what I thought would be my designer dream dress and...It looked terrible. Oh and regarding customer service, in another boutique I felt pressured to buy a dress that didn't fully convinced me (or fit me haha). The sales woman was nice, but she was pushing too much, she even pushed me to buy a sample of another dress, at the same price of the DB one (DB offered me a new dress for that price).
At last I went back to DB and tried on a couple of other dresses and then my dress. I felt beautiful and light and I knew that that was my dress all along.
Go with the dress you love!! Who cares what other people think, if someone says something, it's probably because they're jelaous you look great on your Vera Wang dress ;-)
Hi OP,
I haven't read all of the responses, so sorry if I repeat anything!
I bought my dress at DB and love it. It is stunning. It's an Oleg Cassini and I feel the workmanship is very good.
I will say that I was not happy with the alterations. All I needed was a bustle, and I felt the bustle they put on my dress was very unflattering and akward. I'll be taking it to a different salon to have the bustle redone. I may need a hem depending on the shoe I pick, and again, I will not have that done at David's.
I say if you love the dress, get it!
I went to DB and it was the most aweful experience ever. They brought me one dress at a time and I had to stand in the dress for more then 20 minutes until the girl brought me a new one. She acted like we bothered her by being there. I brought 2 of my girls with me and they had to put the dresses back on the hangers and zip everything up. Im sorry, but that is not our responsibility. I loved a dress there, but due to the lack of service and helpfulness I will not buy my wedding dress from them.
I got my dress from DB and all my BM dresses. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. I have ordered BM dresses for myself in the past. It is conveinent, less expensive. What more could you ask for? I cant rectify paying over 2000 for a dress I will only wear for 10 hours, but that is just me. I went to Davids first. Was planning to go other places but I found the dress immediately. I dont second guess and you shouldnt either!
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