Carly Sent on 09/19/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I can't thank Amanda and Patrick enough for helping me finding my dream wedding dress. They were both so professional and patient. I never thought this experience could be so fun. I am looking forward to my dress fittings!

Sara Sent on 04/07/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Belle Vie was our third stop and I'm so glad that I kept my appointment, because I ended up finding my perfect wedding dress here!!! Amanda, Patrick, and the team were very attentive to my wishlist and really helped me filter through the white abyss of bridal to find the perfect gown for me. My family and I felt very welcome and at home in the adorable boutique. I can't wait to come back to start looking for my veil and accessories! I highly recommend them and their level of customer service. 5/5!! Thank you again for all your help!! Can't wait for the next steps -SB

Leslie Sent on 04/01/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience!! Helped my friend design the perfect dress!!

Emily Sent on 04/01/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The owner Amanda was very knowledgeable in helping me design my perfect dress! Patrick talked me into keeping my appointment, not wanting to always wonder what if. Valorie gave my friends and I snacks throughout our visit, assuring we wouldn't go hungry! The staff and experience was fantastic!

Erin Sent on 04/01/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing experience! We almost didn't go here but, were so glad we did. My friend found her dress here and the service was incredible. Definitely the place to find your dress in Chicago!

Michelle Sent on 03/25/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience here! Would highly recommend and go again!!

Cory Sent on 03/25/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

If you are in the need of unique/beautiful gowns, go to this place! Had an awesome experience with my girlfriend and found the one! Staff is friendly and it's a gorgeous venue/overall great experience.

Lydia Sent on 03/25/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

There's no better way to start out your Saturday than with an appointment at Belle Vie. What is even better, is leaving the salon with your dream wedding dress. That was the case for my best friend and can you believe that it was her very first wedding dress appointment?? Amazing experience.

Lisa Sent on 03/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Such a sweet experience- the most beautiful dresses and the models helpful staff. Really dreamy

Sarah Sent on 03/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The team at Belle Vie were so great!! They were honest, detailed and so fun! So happy I came in today.

Lucy Sent on 03/18/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amanda, Patrick and Cam were amazing! I love my dress. They knew exactly what would work on me

Erin Sent on 03/14/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I shopped and shopped for the perfect gown and finally found it at Belle vie. They have a beautiful selection. Their staff is super friendly and very easy to work with. It was easy to make an appointment and I wasn't rushed at all. I would recommend this gem to any one!

Wendy Sent on 03/05/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

We had a fantastic experience with Amanda, Bree, & Patrick! They made my sister, Alli, feel incredibly comfortable and special and helped her find her perfect dress!!! What a special day!!!

Nannette Sent on 03/03/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The team at Belle Vie Chicago will go above and beyond to make sure you have the perfect gown for your big day. I loved my first visit and fell in love the moment I found my gown. The follow-up and the reassurance I received after I decided on my dress was great. I was able to bring all my bridesmaids back to the boutique for a gown viewing and I also brought my future MIL in on a separate date. They were very accommodating and sensitive to my timeline too! Would definitely recommend to any future brides out there!

Whitney Sent on 02/26/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Amanda and the entire team at Belle Vie are amazing! They go above and beyond by taking the time to listen to all of your wants and dreams when it comes to finding the perfect gown for your wedding day!!!

Gaston Sent on 02/14/2017

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Such a lovely place to buy dresses! I Bought mine and feel super happy about it!!! Love it Love it Love it!!! Love it more!!

User2260955 Sent on 08/07/2015

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I walked in without an appointment (a risky proposition at many bridal boutiques!), was greeted cordially, and taken care of by a cheerful and attentive associate. She immediately pulled a sample that was to my taste, and I bought it a few days later. I was pleased with the selection and the service.

User1977301 Sent on 12/19/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Erica is the best stylist. She was even willing to text with me to make the experience easy! Love this store!

Kiley Sent on 04/29/2014

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I searched high and low for my wedding dressed and finally found Belle Vie. This was literally the only store i did not feel pressured from the moment I walked in to buy a dress! I attended the appointment with my father and mother and they made such an effort to make us all feel comfortable. Once we had narrowed it down to one dress I was amazed when they told me to think about it and if at the end of the day this is still the dress for me come back and they will stay open for me. When i heard this I was so taken aback because at any other store we would have been hounded at this point to buy. We ended up leaving the store for lunch and called about an hour later to come in to buy the dress. They stayed open an hour later for us as we perfected the look and the owner even came in to help us out. The dress came in quickly and the staff remained professional and courteous to me throughout the process. The the dresses are on the higher end, you truly are buying one of a kind dresses with the quality and professionalism unmatched by any bridal store in Chicago!

Robin Sent on 09/30/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I would absolutely recommend Belle Vie to anyone. I bought my dress at a Reem Acra trunk show and I had special requested two dresses to be there. One of them they couldn't get, so Kayla and the Reem Acra representative went out of their way to have the dress flown in. Luckily they did because it was the dress I ended up buying. Fabulous service and I couldn't have been happier with my dress.

User1466202 Sent on 09/24/2013

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Belle Vie was the greatest place to try on lots of styles of dresses. They helped me find the one!

Meghan Sent on 04/24/2012

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Belle Vie is the couture bridal store to go to for the dress of your dreams! I had the most wonderful experience shopping for my wedding gown at Belle Vie. It was the only store I went to and I found my dress on my first shopping trip! I felt so special during my visit to Belle Vie. It was so fun and stress free and it will be an experience I will never forget! My Belle Vie stylist was wonderful and really listened to what I was looking for. I chose a lace Romona Keveza gown and I loved it! My stylist helped finish the look by adding a champagne sash and I also accessorized with a Paris earrings and Haute Bride necklace. I received so many compliments on the day of my wedding and days after! I found exactly what I was looking for; a timeless gown that was unique and flattering. While I was at Belle Vie, I also found a gorgeous short Amsale white dress. I couldn't resist getting it and I wore it to my rehearsal dinner! I loved it! Overall, my experience at Belle Vie was wonderful and I would recommend going to there to find the dress of your dreams!

Michelle Sent on 01/04/2012

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Belle Vie - was the PERFECT place to find a dress. They were professional, courteous, and very generous in their time and efforts. I felt extremely SPECIAL - each and every time I went. With the dress being one of the most important, if not the most important part of your wedding, a seamless and worry-free experience is what we all hope for. Belle Vie and their expert team were able to ensure that all these "worries" were met - even with a "RUSH" put on my dress. Their selection and meticulousness was beyond superb and never did I feel Pushed into a dress - whether it was in or OUT of my budget. My dress was put on a RUSH order and actually came in 3 weeks EARLY. Belle Vie works closely with one of the vest alterations professionals in Chicago and with the 2 teams combined, my dress came out PERFECTLY with NO worries of lateness or the dress alterations NOT being done on time. Belle Vie was one of the best experiences of my life - with each step of the way - being treated like VIP through the flowergirls!

Les Sent on 09/27/2010

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I absolutely loved working with the staff at Belle Vie! My dress was beautiful, and when it came time for alterations (at Dress Doctor), they were accomodating and helpful. Jenna was my salesperson, and I couldn't have asked for a better dress-buying experience.

Hilary Sent on 05/02/2010

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I had a wonderful experience with this store. Although my dress was very expensive it was absolutely worth every penny. I had excellent service every step of the way!

Caroline Sent on 01/24/2009

5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Belle Vie was truly the best bridal shop I had ever been to! They are so friendly and accommodating at this very stylish and chic boutique and treat each customer so nicely! I bought my gorgeous Reem Acra gown there and we also got my mother's Amsale gown, all of the bridesmaid Amsale dresses and the oh so cute flower girl dresses. They all turned out soo elegant and sophisticated! I would honestly recommend this shop to anyone, my sister, cousins, friends, everyone! It is worth a stop for sure!!! It was so convenient too because I got my shoes, veils, jewelry and head piece all there, as well! It was like a one stop shop!! They even celebrate with you when you buy your dress and offer you champagne to toast!! So great! I worked with Kate D. and she took down all of the bridesmaid info and contacted them all directly so that I wouldn't have to! She handled all the dirty work and made sure everyone came in for a fitting or sent their measurements in! She was sooo great!! It was truly a pleasure working with all of the wonderful ladies at Belle Vie, even the owner is so nice to work with and very personable with all of her brides!

Brittany Sent on 03/25/2017

4.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The most amazing experience, the location itself is so romantic and beautiful. Sarah was very professional, and super super helpful when it came to talking alterations! She was really interested in my ideal wedding look. I said "Yes to the Dress!!". Also, shout out to the Anna Georgina collection! So much detail - I recommend you check this place out!

Gina Sent on 07/08/2017

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

The moment I walked into Belle Vie, I felt this would be the place I would find my dress. They had a nice variety of dresses and Patrick was so helpful and fun to work with. They also have fun with you trying on veils, belts and jewelry!

My dress came in recently and I love it! The owner Amanda has been great to work with - so cheerful and makes you feel special. My dress arrived on time and because of the way they took my measurements, my dress needs minor alterations which is such a relief!

So glad I chose Belle Vie for my gown.

Elizabeth Sent on 07/25/2014

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I absolutely loved/am loving my experience with Belle Vie! I tried dresses on at 5 other stores, and honestly I loved this boutique so much that it DID effect my decision of what dress to buy. Let's be honest, if I had found "the one" at another store, I guess I would have had to buy it from wherever it was (although I would have been disappointed if it were not at Belle Vie). But I was thrilled when I showed up for a trunk show, fresh off of the bridal runway, and found my dress! SOMEHOW I had found a very unique dress that somehow blends my style, with my fiance's! (He is very traditional, and I am fashion forward) I can't wait to see it!

The shop owner, Amanda, was a big part in my entire experience so far, as she was there helping us for awhile. We talked about style and fashion, and I instantly felt that I was in the right place. (this boutique was "the one"!) Amanda actually called me when my dress was almost ready to ship, and gave me the complete run down of what to expect over what would happen next! She has amazing style, and a wonderful appreciation and understanding of style, fashion, and garment construction, which has made me trust her opinion completely.

Since Belle Vie is all bridal couture and high end designers, it is clearly going to be on the high dollar end of wedding gown shopping. But Belle vie is great at helping you stick within the budget that you decide, and they don't pressure you to go above that budget.

While for most reasons I am SO happy that a wedding only happens once in a lifetime, here is one instance where I wish I could do it over again in a few years! I will just have to recommend this place to everyone I know, and then I can live vicariously through them at Belle Vie!

Claire Sent on 02/28/2008

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I bought an Anne Barge gown from Belle Vie, and the experience was wonderful. Jessica, our sales person, was incredibly professional, and we were treated like royalty. They even brought out champagne when we decided to buy the gown. The gown was ready in a timely manner, and there were no issues to speak.

Lindsay Sent on 01/09/2008

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Wow!!! we went to a ton of places and the girls would get annoied when I didn't like anthing they would bring out... BUT at Belle Vie they were great. The girls were young, vibrant, and very friendly... They were the ONLY bridal salon that complemented me on my engagement ring... There was a lot to choose from but they made it very easy to narrow my search and not become overwhelmed by the sea of white dresses. The gown was made by Larzaro and the quality is above and beyond what I could have expecet... They were great...

Sue Sent on 12/26/2012

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Just ordered my dress here. Went in a couple of times with my mom and my sister looking at dresses and they have been so nice especially compared to a couple of other nice dress shops where the staff was a little snooty.

Nicole Sent on 11/21/2011

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

Jenna was outstanding to work with in helping me find a gown for my destination wedding that was going to be elegant, comfortable, and would pack well. I knew I could not have anything overly poofy and I was aware I was going to have to get my gown pressed after making 2 flights to our destination. Some of the other bridal boutiques were condescending but not Belle Vie!

Amy Sent on 11/09/2010

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
4.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I had a very good experience shopping for my dress here. When I called to make an appointment, the person I spoke with seemed positively giddy that I was coming in! They schedule their appointments for 2 hours so you can spend one hour looking at Belle Vie and one hour at Vera Wang (they are owned by the same person). You don’t have to go to Vera Wang though and I didn’t because I didn’t want to fall in love with something out of my price range. I almost didn’t come in here because I had already seen 3 other dresses I liked at other stores, but I ended up finding my dream dress here. One week before my appointment, I was under a lot of pressure to make up my mind because two of the dresses I had liked at other stores had a limited time trunk show discount going on. I called Belle Vie to see if they even carried the dress I was most interested in and that was probably the one bad experience I had with the store. The person who I spoke with said there was no way she could possibly identify the dress from the description I was giving (I knew it was a Christos with polka dots and I even pointed out what page it was on in a major bridal magazine). I think she just could not be bothered to help. Finally she suggested that I email them a picture, which I did and my very sweet consultant Jenna called to say they did have that dress and that was the dress I ended up buying. They were able to squeeze me in to try it on 2 days before my appointment after the store was officially closed so I would not miss out on the trunk show discount if I decided to go with another dress. I expected that I would just try on that one dress, but when I arrived Jenna showed me all the dresses and let me try whatever I was interested in. I ended up trying on 5 dresses in less than an hour. Out of all the stores that I went to, I felt like this one was the most focused on helping you choose the right dress. They ask more than just what shape (ballgown, a-line, mermaid) you are looking for, they also ask about the style of your wedding, the venue, etc. They also asked me what other stores I had been to and what dresses I had liked there. At first, I thought this was weird and maybe they were trying to figure out how serious I was about buying, but now I honestly think they just do this because they want to know what you like about other dresses at other stores in order to help you find something you will like even more at their store. You can even show them pictures of non-bridal clothing you like and they will try to find something that matches your style.

When I went in for my actual appointment (2 days after I had first come in), we arrived about 15 minutes early, so we looked at pretty much everything that was on the racks. One nice thing about this store is that all the dresses are out for you to view, so there is no guessing about whether they have what you are really looking for in the back somewhere. Jenna’s first appointment ran long and we were getting really antsy. The store is really small and there is hardly any place to sit and wait. The very sweet and fun owner, Amanda, saw our agitation and took us into the back room (where they store the bridesmaids dresses) and helped me into the gown that I had pretty much already settled on. Amanda also suggested a veil and hair comb that I ended up buying. They are very into building the total look, so expect to be offered a lot of accessories. I didn’t find it pushy though.

I also looked at bridesmaids dresses there. You get a bigger discount if you buy the bridesmaids dresses on the same day as the wedding dress, so bring your bridesmaids with you! I could not commit to the dresses without talking it over with my bridesmaids. Unfortunately, when I called to make an appointment for bridesmaids dresses, they were not able to get us in on the days my maid of honor was coming into town. They tried though and even offered to let us come in before the store opened, but in the end we found the dresses elsewhere. It is really a shame they aren’t open on Sunday! My mom looked at mother of the bride dresses there, but they are custom made creations and were out of her price range.

When my dress arrived, Jenna was again very helpful in getting me in last minute to try it on because I was going out of town. It sometimes took a day for them to return my calls. Belle Vie doesn’t do alterations in house, they send you to the Dress Doctor. The alterations were expensive ($550 in my case), but Belle Vie was upfront with how much they might cost. I loved my dress and am very happy I didn’t cancel my appointment!

Cynthia Sent on 10/09/2009

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

this is where you want to go for the experience. jenna was lovely and professional. i felt special and pampered after going into it feeling a little awkward. i wasn't feeling too pretty that weekend but by the time i left i felt like a princess. its the perfect mix of professionalism and a dream/spa like experience. it's what wedding dress shopping should be... no pressure, enjoyable... in short heavenly.

Alison Sent on 01/10/2009

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

The service I received at Belle Vie was outstanding, both during my dress search and afterwards. I absolutely loved the gown I chose, and I would not have even thought to try it on. The ladies helping me had a good eye for what would look good, and listened to me when I told them what I wanted. Then when I found a gown I loved, they took digital photos of me in it and gave them to me so I could use the photos to help me decide. Once I decided on the gown, they gave me a trunk show discount about a week earlier than the actual trunk show because I didn't have time to wait to order the gown if I wanted to avoid rush fees. Overall--very accomodating! They are affiliated with a great tailor, and met me at the tailor for my first fitting. I could not have been happier with the final product. The gown was more expensive than I had planned (by about double!), but I don't regret it at all.

Kelly Sent on 10/23/2007

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4 out of 5 rating

The ladies of Belle Vie were amazing! They were so helpful and patient. I had to make appointments at short notice, and they were as accomodating as their schedule would allow. I found my dress the first time I was there.

Jody Sent on 04/10/2012

4.2 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4.5 out of 5 rating
Value
2.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating

I had a great time working with Belle Vie Bridal to find my wedding dress. I had been to a few places to try on gowns before coming to Belle Vie and the difference was night and day. Every bride should have the experience of trying on gorgeous wedding dresses at a place as beautiful and professional as Belle Vie. I would definitely recommend it as a bridal salon!

Amanda Sent on 07/26/2012

3.9 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
3.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
3 out of 5 rating

I purchased my Anne Barge dress and sash from Belle Vie. My experience was really nice; however, when I returned with a friend to shop for her wedding dress, the staff was a little pushier than was appreciated. They attempted to convince her to purchase her dress without her mother's presence. The store is beautiful and the selection is great. It is expensive, but when you're shopping in downtown Chicago this can't come as too much of a surprise.

Rachel Sent on 03/19/2013

3.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
3.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
3.5 out of 5 rating
Value
3.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
3.5 out of 5 rating

I bought my wedding dress at Belle Vie and my initial appointment and the day I bought my dress was fantastic! I had an amazing experience with my consultant and at the shop and had that bridal moment where we all cried and it was wonderful. Unfortunately, after that initial day - my consultant left a few months later, before my dress arrived. After that I felt as if I got lost in the shuffle with Belle Vie. I didn't feel I had a direct contact anymore, was passed along to a number of people and felt as if they didn't particularly care about me anymore. On top of that, they temporarily lost my veil (which eventually was found with a rip - and they did rectify this and order a new one) - but this process took three months to figure out and I was never contacted by Belle Vie - I continuously had to follow up with them each time. I made all my appointments way in advance and the transition from after I bought my dress to the delivery and then to the alterations (I used their suggested vendor) was rather rocky. I would like to give them an amazing review from my initial experience, but too many things fell through the cracks afterwards. Overall though, my dress was gorgeous - it did arrive early in perfect condition and I would suggest going to this store still, hopefully if you have one consultant all the way through your experience should be seamless.

Joyce Sent on 07/07/2008

3.4 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
2 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
4 out of 5 rating
Value
3.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
4.5 out of 5 rating

First of all, I found my dream dress here, so that's that. But, for the price I payed for my dress, I thought I would be getting a more custom-fitted dress or at least basic alterations for free. For such a well-off, high-end store, you would think that free alterations would make sense. Also, if they knew the dress would be made in only a B-Cup, then looking at my size, wouldn't they know to tell me that I would need extra alterations for my dress? I may have re-considered the dress if I knew that I had to alter the bust.. In addition, the lady that was assigned to me originally ended up moving, which was not conveyed to me, so as a customer, I felt that they under-communicated with me. They were flexible, however, with the cost. They offered me a deal where I payed full price in cash, and they gave me credit toward my veil, which was worth it. The veil was gorgeous and perfect for my dress.

The site says that you get all sorts of goodies when you buy your dress, but all they ever offered me was a spritzer and a large bag with one magazine and some emergency supplies (mints, on-the-spot cleaner). I didn't feel like I got the customer service that they tout. Their customer service felt very conditional upon many factors (even a bit upon my size. But to end on a good note, they were very flexible. When we could go in only on a Sunday, they let us come in still to try on my dress.

Madelyn Sent on 09/29/2009

2.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
3 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
2 out of 5 rating
Value
2 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
3 out of 5 rating

i had a great experience when looking for my dress at belle vie, but once i found it, there were a few things that left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

this started when i went to purchase my dress and was given a price that was over $100 more than what i had been told before. this wasn't a huge deal because it was just $100, but i felt like i was being cheap when i brought it up to them. also, i saw the same price that i was first given in a magazine, but when i asked about it i was told by belle vie that they don't honor editorial pricing. they also kindly reminded me that i received a discount on my dress (some thanksgiving promotion or something) which i was very aware of and appreciated but again felt cheap for bringing this up. not a huge deal, i just didn't feel like it was handled that well especially with all the money i was spending on the dress.

next, belle vie doesn't do alterations or pressing but they are also not upfront about how expensive these two elements could be. when i gave them my budget at the beginning, i meant for it to include everything related to the dress. this may have been my fault for not being clear, but part of good customer service is being communicative and upfront about how much things are going to cost so customers aren't surprised in the end. belle vie recommends the dress doctor for alterations. my dress is not complex, no beading or lace at all. fairly straightforward. i went in for my first fitting and they said it was going to be $590 not including the bustier they recommended. i thought it seemed really high but i also didn't think there was an alternative so i paid the deposit. after having a minor breakdown when i got home and doing some extensive internet research, i found that $300-$400 was considered high for alterations, so the dress doctor price was exorbitant. and then, i found out that neither belle vie nor dress doctor press the dress and there was no way i could wear it without getting it pressed because it had been wrinkled in shipping. the place belle vie recommends for pressing charges $350! i realize that the pressing and alterations pricing are not belle vie's fault but they should give some sort of range so people know what they are getting into or provide alternative recommendations. the cost for alterations and pressing amounted to almost $950... craziness! i ended up taking my dress home and getting my alterations deposit back (thanks, dress doctor). i took it to a place in my hometown where my wedding is and a very experienced wedding dress seamstress is charging me less than $100 for alterations and pressing. it's a small town, so i know that you can't compare to chicago pricing, but the prices the two belle vie recommendations quoted were ridiculous.

i know that belle vie prides themselves on customer service, but i actually felt that it seemed forced and disingenous most times i went in. and the fact that i had no idea that i would be charged close to a grand for alterations and pressing (two required processes) is a problem.

i will be giving some serious tips and warnings to anyone i know who is considering dress shopping at belle vie in the future.

Alana Sent on 06/06/2008

1.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
1 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
2 out of 5 rating
Value
4 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0 out of 5 rating

My initial appointment was great and the staff at Belle Vie helped me get a dress that I had tried on at a trunk show for a 2nd appointment to help me make my final decision. However after that it all went down hill...they were very hard to get a hold of questions, I had to ask several times for my dress swatch and were not flexibile about storing my gown.

Hilary Sent on 01/09/2008

1.1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
2 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

I would not recommend getting your dress or veil from Belle Vie. Ordered me the wrong veil twice then tried to place blame on others. Not to mention my veil was a month and a half late to arrive. Gave me my veil all wrinkled and folded in a ball. Contracted with me to steam my dress and then tried to get out of it and have me pay for it to be pressed else where after I had already paid for the service in my contract. The staff is too young and few to none have ever been married themselves so they are not understanding of the stress that comes along with planning a wedding. Overall a horrible experience. Go to one of the numerous other bridal stores on Oak. And the dresses are over priced.

Megan Sent on 04/26/2017

1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
1 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

Buying my dress at Belle Vie was the most stressful part of my wedding. If you look at the positive reviews you will notice that most of them are from the time immediately after picking out their wedding dress. I would have thought the same thing, it was a nice experience picking out the dress in the salon. And I actually did write the same thing on Yelp...that is because they told me I would get $500 off of my alterations if I wrote them a positive Yelp review within 24 hours of purchasing the dress! Now I understand why....because after that initial time period they don't give a crap about you!! I ordered and paid for my dress in full in June and 9 months later I hadn't heard a word from them. After reading other reviews I was very concerned, so I tried reaching out but didn't get a real response. Therefore, I reached out to my dress designer, J. Mendel. I talked directly with the sales coordinator at J. Mendel who works with Belle Vie and she told me that my dress was finished and they were only waiting on payment. So, I reached out to Belle Vie and Sarah told me that it must have been finished early and they didn't know this and promised me that it would be in within a few weeks (this was the beginning of January). A few weeks later and I still hadn't heard a word, so I called again and this time Sarah told me that they would not be sending in the payment until the very last date on the contract even though the dress was ready and that it would be another 2 weeks after that date before it arrived in the salon and then they would still have to ship it to me!! I talked to the owner and she gave me the same talk, lied and said it was the designer's fault, and even mentioned how great of a lawyer she has (without me even threatening to sue-clearly, she has been down this road many times). After waiting all of that time, I received the dress only 3 weeks before the wedding (still needing alterations) and on top of that they didn't send the veil!

Kellie Sent on 04/21/2017

1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
1 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

ALL I CAN SAY IS DONT DO IT!!! WORST EXPERIENCE EVER AND ENDED UP BEING THE WORST PART OF MY PLANNING EXPERIENCE.

Judy Sent on 10/06/2016

1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
1 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

Absolute Nightmare! Do not purchase your dress from Belle Vie!!! I came across Belle Vie while shopping for my daughter's wedding dress. We did not purchase a dress from Belle Vie, but I was initially impressed by the salon, and recommended it to my daughter-in-law.. Wow was I wrong. I am mortified that I made the recommendation. The experience was absolutely horrible for her!!!. First, the dress came in three weeks before the wedding, and needed considerable alterations. It was ordered well over 8 mo. in advance, and Belle Vie stated that it was "Normal" to arrive only 3 weeks before the wedding.... WHATT????. The initial fitting was the day after the dress arrived. The alterations were to be completed two weeks before the wedding. My daughter in law does not live in Chicago, and after driving 90 miles to the appointment, the seamstress had not started the dress. She literally waited 5 hours while the seamstress worked on the dress. When she tried it on, the back zipper was no longer centered, the dress was too short, and she had not even touched the top of the dress. The seamstress assured my daughter-in-law that it would be "perfect" by the next fitting - one week later (which was now one week before the wedding.) After another 90 mile trip back to Chicago, the dress was the right length but nothing else had been fixed, the dress had not been taken in, the top had not been touched, and the zipper broke as the seamstress tugged at it. The seamstress was incredibly rude and argued with the bride that the dress was "perfect," and looked like it was supposed to. After many tears, she agreed that she would make more adjustments, replace the zipper, and we could pick the dress up on Tuesday before the wedding. Another 90 mile trip back to Chicago, and the dress was still not fitted, the zipper was the wrong size, and did not zip to the top. The seamstress took $100 off the bill but still charged my daughter-in-law $750 for NOTHING!!! .Thank God for our wedding p

User2789717 Sent on 09/28/2016

1 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
1 out of 5 rating
Average response time
1 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
1 out of 5 rating
Value
1 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
1 out of 5 rating

DO NOT SHOP HERE! Wish I could give an even lower score!

I had a very nice experience picking out the dress, however, once we paid - they ignored and were the most stressful part of the wedding. Despite being told the dress would be delivered on a certain date, it came in over a month and a half late and less than two weeks before the wedding. I had called repeatedly and no one bothered to call me back! When it came in, it was missing one of the alterations we had paid for - after many calls and emails with Sarah and Amanda - NOTHING. We had to pay for rush seamstress appointments and to alter the dress which they had contracted to do. Also, Sarah told us dismissively that we could have 3 rounds of alterations in 3 days (in July - busiest time) - we told this to the seamstress who laughed out loud! Because of Belle Vie, the two days before my wedding I was running around at inconvenient times - rather than seeing family and friends who had flown in! - to get the dress finalized.

Belle Vie has awful customer service and I would not recommend them to anyone! Go anywhere else - like Ultimate Bride!

User3411821 Sent on 02/15/2018

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

I cannot believe anyone had a positive experience here! Amanda talked a big game while my daughter was shopping and ordering. She and her assistant did not take any of the measurements correctly. They said different parts of dresses could be combined from different designers and the could not! My daughter ended up flying to NY at her own expense to meet with designer who thankfully saved the day! What an awful experience! If you want to add stress to your wedding time then go ahead and deal with Amanda!

Annie Sent on 02/15/2018

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

As a business owner, I would never recommend working with this company. As a bride, I would recommend you do business elsewhere. How the handled my wedding dress from start to finish was disappointing. I have never heard of a business changing names and asking the client to call and cancel a charge from three months ago. That was second our red flag. However, we were too close to the wedding to change dresses.

We fell in love with the dress that we thought I was purchasing. We made an investment in a dress so that the dress would be perfect.

It turned out to be a dress that was not even available. After a trip to New York (we live in Champaign, IL) due to not being able to figure out the undergarment. I quickly learned the undergarments were not the problem. I was sold a top from one designer, a sleeve option that wasn't available, and the skirt was from another designer. The dress was not possible. Luckily, we had a picture of Amanda and Patrick holding up the dress I was sold. The trip cost us thousands of dollars - time off work, flight, hotel and alterations. We had to stay three days to fix the dress.

I thought the dress was going to be okay - however, due to the lack of professionalism of your sale, we couldn't really know that. I didn't receive my dress until November 18th. The week before our wedding. It was to no surprise that when I asked about receiving my veil, no notes had been taken on the item purchased. The veil that matched my dress from the three options sent, had to be sewn before it could be worn.

Nearly, ten thousand dollars later - my wedding dress was perfect. I wish that I could post a great review of your business online. However, my review will be anything but perfect, it will be honest. I do not want any other bride to go through this just to get the dress they were sold.

Jessica Sent on 10/24/2016

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

Please, please, PLEASE do not buy your dress here -- for your own sanity's sake. I wish I would have looked on Yelp and seen the negative reviews prior to buying my dress, but I naively assumed there was no reason to check reviews for a bridal shop in such a reputable part of town.

Long story short -- I still hadn't received my dress even weeks after the originally scheduled delivery date (EIGHT months after I had paid in full for the dress). Belle Vie and its owner, Amanda Bonnell, kept giving me various excuses and would keep saying that my dress would arrive soon (and it never would). Finally, 3 weeks before my wedding, I contacted the dress manufacturer directly, who told me that my dress had been ready for 4 months and that they had never received payment from Belle Vie for the dress (even though Belle Vie kept telling me it was the manufacturer's shipping department that was causing the delay, and even though I had paid Belle Vie IN FULL 8 months before)! The manufacturer told me that they had repeatedly contacted Belle Vie for payment for my dress and others, with no response.

I ended up buying the dress directly from the manufacturer instead, and my credit card company refunded me the money I had paid to Belle Vie for a dress that I am not sure they ever had any intention of delivering to me, since they never paid the manufacturer. The fact that my credit card company refunded my money should be all the proof you need that you should not buy here! The last thing a bride needs in the final weeks before her wedding day is to wonder whether she will even have a dress.

User2800487 Sent on 10/04/2016

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

Do not buy your dress from here. This has been THE WORST customer service experience I have ever delt with in my life. Amanda Bonnell the so-called owner should be ashamed of how she runs her business and the high-end designers sold here should reconsider. Once this shop has your money they could not care less about you. It is so sad that they make what should be a wonderful experience into a horrible one. I would give anything to not have ordered my dress here.

Jessica Sent on 07/05/2016

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

It’s taken me a while to write this review because my whole wedding dress situation was so horrible that I didn’t want to go back to thinking about this awful place and the bad memories that came with it. To sum up my experience my wedding dress arrived extremely late (only one month before my wedding) and when it did it was pink!!! I did NOT order a pink dress. The shop claims that it was a mistake in ordering the wrong color but the lining to the dress was completely different then the floor model version that I tried on. The best offer Amanda could give us was A) buy the floor model for FULL PRICE which had stains on it or B) Wait until only 3 days before I left for my wedding to receive a new dress. Keep in mind it took almost a year for me to receive this ugly pink dress which arrived a month late yet they wanted me to wait until 3 days before I left for my wedding to receive my dress. Keep in mind I live in Wisconsin and my mom lives in Michigan.

Needless to say I ended up with having to buy the floor model which was way too tight in the stomach area and big in the chest area. Days before my wedding I had the extra stress of trying to figure out how to lose weight (I’m 5’3 and weigh 125 pounds) and frantically buying bras and pads to try to get the dress would look appropriate.

Other things that made this experience even worse…
- Prior to receiving the dress Amanda called me 3 times asking for my mom’s credit card number. Apparently my mom’s card number was on file but some of the numbers were not legible. She wanted to charge us the final payments prior to receiving the dress (without first notifying us) but wasn’t able to do so without knowing all the numbers. Each time she called she would sound kind of frantic and pretend she didn’t remember calling previously. I had to keep explaining to her “no dress no card number”.
- The day the pink dress arrived Amanda talked to us for less than 5 minutes (and was rude to my mom) then supposedly left to go

User2077001 Sent on 03/25/2015

0.5 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
0.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0.5 out of 5 rating
Value
0.5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0.5 out of 5 rating

I cannot stress how absolutely disappointed I was in my dress and the service I received at Belle Vie.

Anne Sent on 06/25/2015

Quality of service
0 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0 out of 5 rating
Value
0 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0 out of 5 rating

This review honestly pains me to write. I had the best experience “saying yes to the dress” at Belle Vie. Erica, my stylist was absolutely amazing.. I can honestly say that I chose my dress 50% because I loved it and 50% because of how wonderful our experience was. We paid in full and left 150% happy customers. In the months following, I told everyone I knew how wonderful my experience was and said you have to go there to get your dress.
Unfortunately, in the months following, my tune has changed. While my experience with Erica was amazing, I now tell everyone I know to actually stay away from Belle Vie. While the shopping experience is important and fun, the months after and actually getting the dress is much more important in the long run. I purchased my dress IN FULL October 4 for a May 16 wedding. They said this would be no problem at all, the dress would be ready in March and that they would be in consistent contact. On February 23rd I emailed Belle Vie asking for an estimate when the dress would be ready. I live in Michigan so I wanted to plan a time to go to Chicago for my dress fitting. We had purchased extra fabric to add something to the dress so I wanted to use their seamstresses who are familiar with the dress. When I emailed them in February they said the dress would be in between march 10-20. Weeks went by, nothing. We would call, and get the run around. "Your dress is somewhere in production". No one would provide us answers, they eventually started screening our calls. We called Amsale directly and they said they had never even heard of anything. After A LOT of head aches, we finally got the dress on April 12. A month later. The veil, however, had been damaged and they needed to remake it. They said i'd have it the next week, i got it 3 weeks later. What was so infuriating was not that they didn't even give us any money back, but they didn't even ever say as much as "i'm sorry". What i got was "this happens all the time".......

Hillary Sent on 05/08/2012

Quality of service
0 out of 5 rating
Average response time
0 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
0 out of 5 rating
Value
0 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
0 out of 5 rating

BEWARE!!!
I purchased a designer bridal gown with Belle Vie Bridal for my wedding on April 28th, 2012. It was a total nightmare!! After the dress arrived, and being switched from the orignal rep I worked with, I was told that Vera, who worked with Belle Vie, would be fitting my gown. After two fittings with them, they assured me that my dress would be ready. They did not even deliver the dress until Friday evening BEFORE the wedding, because the did not follow up on some things they needed from New York (Which they made ME pay to overnight). They never followed up on it, and actually had the nerve to put the overnight charges on my UPS account 4 days later!! When it was time to put the gown on, the zipper was broken and the dress was completely altered incorrectly. We had to sew me into an $8000 dress and it would not stay up. It was not closed in the back and looked terrible. At that pont I had no choice but to get through my night.
We had our photographers, my wedding planer and the Trump hotel video the ordeal and when I called Belle Vie (We did call them on Saturday when the dress did not fit, but they sent a young girl over to the trump that did not have any experience to fix the drees, so muwedding planner sent her away) they said that they would not help and that I needed to file a formal complanit with the seamstress! I talked to Amanda the owner and she said that I signed a contract and she has no responsibility. That was a week ago, I have yet to hear back form them. BEWARE!! DO NOT SIGN ANY CONTRACT, BELLE VIE BRIDAL WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR DRESS.
I was in tears my whole wedding day because the dress looked so bad in the back. My biggest dissapointment is that Belle Vie Bridal has not even apologized and blamed the seamstress.
As of right now Amanda Bonnell, the owner, is refusing to acknowledge any responsibility and does not answer the phone. I have left several messages, and as of righ tnow, she has yet to apologize.

Belle Vie Bridal Couture Reviews

Reviews

Belle Vie Bridal Couture