David's Bridal appointment questions

I took advantage of being a late-stage grad student and made my appointments at David's Bridal for late mornings mid-week. I went with a friend since my mom and sisters are six hours away. The first appointment there were only two of us in the store and the attendant that I had was helping both of us. She started by taking our measurements and pulling our long-line bras and slips to put on then pulled dresses. Most of the dresses that I had favourited online were not available in-store either because I had picked the sleeve or "modest" version of the dress and that is apparently only guaranteed to be in-store in Utah or because they had just been discontinued and sold out. After I put on my corset bra and slip the attendant helped me into the dresses and buttoned or clipped the back then she would go help the other bride while I looked at myself in the mirror and talked with the manager who also dropped by. I ended up trying on three dresses on my favourites list and two dresses that they pulled in-store that were similar styles. I had a favourite dress at the time, but I didn't buy anything since I had to follow the tradition of going to a particular bridal shop with my grandmother and try on dresses before buying my dress. So I made an appointment for a couple of weeks later to try on my two favourites and see how they looked with my veil that I had already purchased.

This morning I went back to the same David's Bridal and I had a different attendant, but she was also very helpful and friendly. She immediately pulled my bra/slip and the two dresses then helped me put them on as before. I was the only appointment in the store this time so I had the manager and another attendant standing by to help and give feedback. Or to literally pin the straps in place when the clips fell off. The straps on my dress are removable and the straps on the sample didn't clip into the front very well so if I moved my shoulders too much they slipped out and fell off. I ended up trying on my favourite dress in both "ivory" (more like soft white) and "white" and decided on the "ivory" since it matched my veil and skin tone better. Alterations also walked over and showed me how they would bustle my dress if I decided to do alterations with them (french bustle for the under layers then a three point-bustle for the over layer). I am just tall enough that I won't need to hem the normal length gown, which was a surprise. At the end of the appointment they got me a little chalkboard sign to hold and had me ring the bell. I think my sisters got a kick out of watching the video of me ringing the bell.

Overall I enjoyed my experience at David's Bridal more than I did at the bridal salon that my grandmother took me to over the weekend. The A-line dresses were all very similar at the bridal salon and not what I was looking for exactly. I tried on five unique A-lines at David's bridal and went with one that had a very striking split front skirt. That being said every bridal salon picks their "looks" and the one that I went to wasn't catering to mine. I have had nothing but good experiences at my local David's bridal, but as it is with all chain stores there are good and bad stores. I also know from experience going with a friend that they overload their attendants on the weekends with appointments so I purposely picked a less busy time. I prefer to make decisions about clothing without a dozen people staring at me. I ordered my dress today and it should be at the store right after Christmas so if I happen to lose weight more quickly than I expect (I'm aiming for slow and steady getting fit rather than rapid weight loss) there is time to exchange my dress for a smaller size before I need to start alterations.

I haven't decided if I will do alterations with David's bridal, but the alterations manager at my local store seemed very good, and so far I just need cap sleeves sewn in and a bustle for my dress. We'll see if I need anything taken in come March when it is time to start alterations.

I had 2 appts at DB, with the same consultant.

Appt. 1 was a weekday morning:

- I was asked about my dream dress and to show my consultant the top 3 dresses that caught my eye in the store

- I 'had' to wear the longline bra and slip provided

- I was the only bride my consultant was helping

- She 'had' to help me in and out of each dress

Appt. 2 was a Saturday

- Same dress questions as weekday

- She didn't care if I wore my own bra/no slip

- She let me change in and out of dresses but was available to zip/clip when needed

- She was helping more than just me

I hated the stupid bell you ring if you say yes to your dress. But overall I wasn't looking for an experience, I was looking for my dress!

My consultant was competent and helpful but not pushy. From my experience I would say go on a weekday for 1:1 service, weekend if you're someone who likes some space.

Have fun!

My stylist was fantastic. She listened to what I wanted and was very attentive. She provided shapewear and stayed outside the room in case I needed help. I did not say yes to the dress there, but her service alone made me really want to. Unfortunately not every bride has had such a pleasurable experience with them.

Mine was fine. She got me a bra and a slip, I had a list of dress styles I wanted to try on, and she added a few more in based on what I said I liked about the dresses I tried. The whole thing was relaxed, I didn't feel rushed or pressured, and I bought a dress several hundred dollars under what I planned to spend (though I promptly made up the difference by buying a pretty sash lol)

I had a great experience at David's bridal with my wedding dress and when my daughter got married. Best advice is go on a weekday when it is not as busy

I had an amazing experience at David's Bridal. I actually bought my dress there. The consultant was very nice and knowledgeable. When we first came in we chose some dresses off the rack and she recommended some based on what I was interested in. When we were in the fitting room she provided me with a slip and a corset to wear with the dress. She helped me into the dresses. I think it depends on the day you go in. Once I found the dress we played with a few accessories. They made sure that my dress stayed within my budget by getting the manager to offer a special discount. I went in on a Wednesday morning so it was just me and another woman trying on dresses. If you go on a Saturday it's very busy!

Well, I happened to have a horrible consultant at my DB appointment, but I can still tell you how it works. .they let you look through the dresses and you can pull any you want or show them pictures and they will pull them. They do go into the dressing room with you and will provide under garments if you want them. My word of advice from someone who had a bad experience. . don't let the consultant rush you, it can be very overwhelming especially if this is your first time shopping. Take your time and bring someone close to you that you can ask for their opinions. This is a huge purchase so take time to enjoy it. If the consultant is cutting your time short or rushing you, simply tell them you will have to think about things and go to a different store. There are plenty out there, even if it's a different DB location. And don't let them talk you into going over your budget! I'm pretty sure they work off commission and my lady was way over the top with pressuring me to spend well over my budget. I had to stop her at one point and let her know I'm a grown woman and don't need her pushing me on it. I did find my dress that day despite the awful help, but I thankfully took my mom and sister and they helped pull me through. Good luck to you! I'm sure it will be great.

@therealjj it sounds like we had similar experiences! My consultant sucked too.

I went during the weekend with a friend that was looking for her gown and it was madness! I went during the week, at night, (they open until 9!) And well we had the place to ourselves! I didn't find anything I liked but the experience was good.

Consultants did suck both times. Smh.

I went on a Sat and they were busy, but not overwhelmingly so. I was early for the appointment so they had me browse dresses and pull the ones I liked. The consultant did go in the fitting room with me which I worried would be awkward, but was fine. They did provide shapewear. The consultant pulled a few other dresses based on price and what I liked. I was her only appointment at the time, but I wouldn't have minded if she was helping someone else at the same time. All in all I had a nice time and found a dress I love!

I had a great experience with them both times I went.

The stylist will go in the room with you to help you get the dress on if you request their help. They'll usually ask you if you want to try to do it on your own first. I tried doing it on my own until I got lost somewhere inside all these layers lol.

They wander off while you're getting out of your dress to get you more dresses to try on. They can be pretty quick but even if you make it out before they come back they aren't gone for long. At least that's my experience.

When you walk in they will ask if you have any styles/specific dresses you want to try on. They'll let you look around yourself while they find those dresses or something similar. Once you get a few dresses to try on they will search for more dresses they think you'll like. As you give them guidance with each dress for what you do/don't like about it they will narrow their search and try to come closer to finding that "dream dress."

They will provide shapewear if you need it.

Good luck!

Edit: words

I had a few different appointments at 2 Different David's bridal stores. They did not go into the dressing room with me but they said they could if I needed help--I decided to have my sister help me instead, but they were willing at both stores to help if I needed it. They provided shapewear/strapless bra at the first appointment as I did not have any. They pulled every dress for me; I didn't pull any for myself. The only time they wandered off was when they were pulling gowns or veils for me. My first appointment I did not have an experienced consultant so she didn't pull many gowns that I liked but she was nice and the next appointment I had the consultant was much more experienced. There was definitely a difference between stores, though; one was way more knowledgeable and professional than the other. I also called ahead to see if they had the gowns I liked online in my sample size to be sure I could try on what I wanted and so they would know what types of styles I wanted to try on.

I had a good experience at David's bridal. Shape wear was provided. My attendant helped me in and out of my dress. She was working with one other woman but did it very easily and I never felt neglected or not listened to

I would suggest not going on a weekend if you can help it. I hear it's bat sh## crazy on those days

I had a good experience. Prior to my appointment I had gone on their website and saved a lot of favorite dresses that I liked. My consultant had my list of favorites printed off and ready to go when I got there (it was 4 pages worth, lol!) She asked me what style I was interested in, I said I think a-line but I want to try others as well (it was my 1st dress appointment and I wasn't sure what I wanted).

She took my measurements and had me go in a dressing room to put on a corset bra and slip that they provided, and while I did that she pulled several dresses from my list of favorites in several different styles, but mostly a-line. She helped me put on each dress, zipped or laced each one up for me, and helped me get out of each dress. She also brought me shoes, veils, and sashes to try on with each dress. It was so much fun and she was very helpful. She helped me figure out what style I wanted as well. She actually started helping one other person who came in for an appointment 30 minutes into mine, and I honestly never even noticed that she was helping someone else. She was great at dividing her time between us and I never felt ignored.

I ended up buying my dress there at the end of my 1st appointment, and I was very happy with my experience! Hopefully you have a good experience too. I think it depends on the consultant that you get. Good luck!

I went on a Saturday. I was the only one that my consultant was helping at the time.

The stylist did not go in the room with me, and she definitely wandered off. When it was time for the dress to be zipped/laced up I had to wander around looking for her while also holding my dress to make sure I wasn't flashing anyone.

She only used dresses that myself and my family pulled. I think I tried on 4 or 5 dresses.

When I came out in each dress, she offered no comments whatsoever. Zero. Didn't fluff the dresses. Didn't really do anything.

She did give me shapewear for the one corset dress I tried on, but even after asking me "What bra size are you" she still brought me the wrong size. It worked, but I was annoyed by the whole thing.

I didnt get my dress from David's, but i had an ok experience. the woman was very nice, upbeat, and not pushy by any means. she let me browse a little, and if i would pick out a dress, she would ask me what i liked about it. if i really liked it on the hanger she would pull it. if i would say something i liked and then something i didnt, she would recommend other dresses as well and if i liked them, she'd pull them. she also pulled basics (which i hated... not a traditional dress kind of girl myself) and would get out belts and stuff as i tried them on. she gave me undergarments and slips to wear, and then would help me in and out of each dress but wasnt there when i changed undergarments. we would talk and she would casually ask more and more about how i wanted to look, what i liked, what i was looking for, our wedding theme/where it was etc and would pull based on what i was saying. she pulled very beautiful dresses regardless of the fact that i didnt get my dress from there.

i went because of a dress i saw online, that they didnt even end up having a sample of in the store... i was a bit upset about it. we asked her if she had any versions similar and she said no, after she searched in the back for about 15 minutes. she had a different stylist put me in a new dress in her absence, so we were never completely left dry, and she would exchange accessories or veils depending on if i said "this needs more bling" or "what if it had ____ with it?" and she would go pull something and let me try stuff on.

other than making me try on a basic a-line that i didnt even like on the hanger and the store not having the dress i wanted to try on (which isnt their fault really, and i dont blame them for it), the only other complaint i had, is that the one dress i did like that i considered, was out of my budget, which i told her was 1100 max.

im pretty sure i got a manager as my consultant. not a bad experience at all. they just didnt have the dress of my dreams! (which was in my budget and by a favorite designer of mine)

I never went to DB, but FYI it probably depends on the sales person you get. I went to 3 boutiques and the last two had fucking annoying sales people that were pushy and way too busy to focus on me. If you want to go to DB, find a location with good reviews, or good reviews on a certain SP and specifically ask for that person.

I think it depends on your consultant. I went with my friend to her dress appointment and the lady just pulled dresses that my friend wanted and left us alone because she had like three other brides to help at the same time. Which was fine, some consultants can be too pushy.