My relationship with Wilshire Bridal began a while back. I e-mailed the store, but never got a response. Since it was listed as an authorized retailer for many of the dress designers that I was looking at, I decided to go in anyway one day during the middle of the week. The store was empty and despite the fact that I was a “walk-in”, I was helped out. The store was well organized and nicer than I thought it would be based on the outside. They had an entire wall of Maggie Sottero gowns all enclosed in plastic garment bags and an entire wall of Pronovias (with a few Enzoani/Anjolique's in the mix). I used to go past the shop on the way to school and always admired the gorgeous gowns in the window, so it was really refreshing to see that they had so many stunning gowns on display. I told the first salesperson what I was looking for and she left to go find Kim. I then repeated to Kim what I was looking for and she honestly told me that they didn't have exactly what I was describing but that they could order anything for me and that I was free to look around the store. I did and she was kind enough to pull a dress off of a mannequin in the window so I could try it on. At one point another bride with a scheduled fitting came in and took Kim away from me. She kept apologizing to me and reassured me she'd only be a few more minutes. I thought that was nice because anyone else would’ve prioritized the appointment and let me the “walk in” just wander, but she wanted to show me that she appreciated my potential business.
After a short wait, she led me to a dressing room. It was spacious (but in need of a quick sweep) and she helped me in and out of dresses. The first few were obvious "no's" and she knew it too. She was very blunt in telling me what looked good and what didn't for my small frame. Not once did I feel like she was pressuring me to buy something and it felt like she was genuinely interested in helping me find a good idea of what I wanted in a wedding gown.
I didn't end up liking any of the ones I tried at that visit, but she shook my hand anyway and gave me her card and told me that when I was ready she could order anything for me and get me a great deal. I thought that was cool. After going to several more bridal shops, I decided to look at Wilshire Bridal again. I had set my sights on a Pronovias dress and was hoping that they’d have the sample. They didn’t, BUT had an even prettier Pronovias on the mannequin. Kim was kind enough to undress the mannequin and let me try on the dress. I didn’t weep or get emotional, but felt that the dress seemed appropriate for me. Even Kim thought it was the one for me, so although I didn’t get it right then (I had to go home and think about it) I returned to buy it a few days later. Kim gave me a very generous discount on it and quoted me a reasonable amount for alterations so I felt comfortable giving them my business. The dress came in quicker than anticipated and every time I went to the store, my family and I were greeted and welcomed and it just reassured us that we picked the right bridal shop. I had a lot going on in my personal life in the months leading up to the wedding so my weight fluctuated and I had to have a lot of alterations, but Kim never made it seem like I was a bother or that she couldn’t handle my changing body shape. She was so kind and sweet and I’m so grateful that she took care of me and my dress all that time.
When it came time to pick up my dress, it was ready on time and in perfect shape. She charged me less than what she had quoted me months prior for alterations, which was a very nice gesture despite of how often we had to let it out and let it in. She made a wonderful bustle for my gown and taught my sister and dad how to bustle it and gave me a cute garment bag in my wedding color for it. I’m so glad to have met Kim and I would definitely recommend Wilshire Bridal if you want a unique wedding dress.
Side note: They do have a small parking lot adjacent to their shop, but it’s a little tight. Also, Saturday’s seem to be really busy so try to visit on another day. I have read other reviews for them talking about a “language barrier”. I didn’t think it was a big deal or even noticeable so don’t let that keep you from visiting this charming shop. I’ve also read reviews where brides complain about the dresses being in plastic bags. I didn’t think that was a big deal. They sell the samples sometimes so it makes sense for them to keep the dresses as clean as possible by keeping them in bags. I found it very easy to sift through the dresses despite them being in bags and since I had already perused the websites of the designers that Wilshire Bridal carried, I familiarized myself with the dresses so I was able to recognize them from memory and didn’t have to have the dresses out in the open for me to really “see” them. They actually have the designer dress books on the coffee table so you can glance that before you start sifting through the racks. So don’t let slightly negative comments like that deter you from visiting the shop. :)
