Weddingbee boards

I completely agree about Pearl's Place.  I don't have experience with their online service, though, because I actually live in New Orleans.  In looking for a place to try on/buy a dress I did a fair amount of research.  Reviews for Pearl's Place were definitely mixed and women seemed to feel very strongly one way or the other (love 'em or hate 'em).  But I took a chance and went anyway and I have to say that I have been extremely pleased with my experience with them!  The prices are fantastic and the selection is great and I have found their customer service to be very good as well.  I ordered my dress from them about a month ago and got a great deal on one that I absolutely loved.

To be balanced, I do think that (and I'm sure this is the same with any place) it can be the luck of the draw with who you end up with as a consultant/on the other end of the phone.  I must have been having a good karma day because I was paired with Sue, who has been helpful, knowledgeable, patient and a whole lot of fun.  But given other reviews and my own observation, there are other consultants there who just don't seem to be quite as attentive or happy to be helping their customers. 

It also can be a total madhouse, especially on Saturdays, expect a wait if you go or try to get in touch with them on/near the weekend, and if you go there on Saturday be ready to be bumping into a hundred other women.  And if you are looking for the whole fancy shmancy experience - and I understand why many women want that! - you won't really get it there.  No champagne or satin couches or giant dressing rooms, just the basics. 

Personally, I would give them the highest recommendation to anyone who is more on the low-key side and wants a bargain without sacrificing selection.  And if you can get Sue, I'm sure your experience will be as positive as mine!

I went to Pearl's Place on 01-17-09. I waited 2 hours to try on bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses. I knew by reading the reviews that there was going to be a long wait. But I thought it would be worth the wait because when I called them they told me they carried EVERY Maggie Sottero style (that's the brand I preffered). When it came time to try on the bridal gowns I handed my consultant (who had a very rude personality and seemed like she was in the biggest hurry) my paper which had the style numbers of Maggie Sottero & Sottero & Midgley that I liked. It was a total of about 20 dresses. She came back with ONLY 2 of the dresses. And said that's all they had. I was very upset that they only had 2 of the dresses because I don't exactly live close to New Orleans and made a special trip to this place because I thought it was so amazing that they carried all the styles. I knew it was too good to be true because every other bridal store I have called only has 2 or 3 of the styles I like to try on. That's not disappointing. It's disappointing when they LIE to you over the phone, get you all excited, make you and your bridesmaids wait two hours, and then deliver the poorest customer service of ANY bridal store I have been to. Don't get me wrong... they had a lot of dresses there. The consultant may have even been lying to me because she didn't want spend the time looking. I can understand it may be time consuming. But maybe she should re-think her current career. And brides are picky. We all want the PERFECT dress and most of us won't settle for less. Pearl's Place was a total waste of my time. But the good thing was that Bustle's & bows was w/in walking distance from there and they GREAT service & BEAUTIFUL dresses. They may not have as many as Pearls Place but they may surprise you with the selection. It's very organized too :). Some Advice: If you are like me and are set on at least trying the place out... go as early as possible... like get there a few minutes before it opens on Saturday or go during the week. Expect to dig... everything is messy, overstocked, and unorganized, and don't beleive anything they tell you over the phone. And even if you find your dream dress there I would be scared to order from them. While I was waiting this one lady said she had been waiting hours for alterations. And I've also read horror stories about dresses being ordered in the wrong size, color, and even forgetting to order at all! And they have a sign up that says all orders are FINAL sale.