Disappointed in my Wedding Dress Shopping Experience...Anyone else?

My David's experience was not so bad. The first time my bride and I went to look at dresses she found success right away. We hadn't made up our mind if we both want to gowns or if we just want to bridesmaid dresses. I was trying on bridesmaid dresses she was trying on gowns . I felt less than a bride and had an unhappy appointment obviously. The second time we went I tried on gowns and the consultant pulled one that happened to be on clearance. It was perfect.

Bridesmaids gowns also from David's!

Thank you everyone for the kind words! I understand that DB is a chain and therefore a generic experience, but budget brides deserve to feel special too. I was no way expecting the Say Yes to the Dress experience, but I think that BECAUSE of shows like that, chain bridal stores need to step up their game. The standard of treatment in the bridal gown industry has changed! Plus, like I said, I've gotten better customer service getting an oil change. There are just CUSTOMER SERVICE standards I feel they didn't meet that I would expect from ANY industry. I unfortunately don't think I will be going to a boutique salon because I did find a beautiful inexpensive dress I love at DB, but I think I will miss the experience. You only get married once, ya know?

I went to Davids bridal for my wedding dress but I didn't have a bad experience. I guess it varies for different locations. My attendant was very nice and brought dresses that fit what I was looking for. Now she did bring smaller size dresses that didn't zip all the way up but I didn't mind. They weren't really busy when I went. The only thing I didn't much care for was how small the dressing room was. I was looking for ball gowns so getting out of one and then in one limited space for my step mom who was helping me. I'm really sorry you had a bad experience.

Sorry you had that experience. My first stop was like that. Not like I expected. Then I went to David's and found "the one"! All shops are different. All sales people are different.

Don't loose faith!

I did forget to mention that I was literally the ONLY customer in the store. Again, I wasn't expecting perfection but it could have been much better. I wanted t at least try DB because, even here in this forum post, a bunch of brides had negative experienced but a bunch had great experiences. It was at least worth a try. The experience just left a sour taste in my mouth about dress shopping.

Also, I get the liability thing, but I don't think its too much to ask to get to set your stuff somewhere while you're digging through hundreds of heavy wedding dresses. Terribly inconvenient. I hope they have a "suggestion box" because it wouldn't kill them to have a few hooks behind the counter or assign a changing room before you start digging to put your things in...just a vent.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience: I got my dress from DB on a Saturday and my consultant was super busy. As such my "Dress Squad" (MOB, sister, etc) went to work pulling gowns on their own, clamping me in and keeping it moving. The consultant would check in but we were overall good. Try other places for the full on experience

My older sister bought our BM and her wedding dress at DB, and our appointments were awful. The only time we could have our appointments were during the weekend, because we were all in college spreading across the state.

During our appointments, we had to share our changing rooms with groups of strangers, and almost never saw our consultant (understandably, since it was a weekend). When my sister had her fitting for her wedding dress, the seamstress commented repeatedly that she "gained weight."

So, that's why we're going to local boutiques for my wedding. No big-chain stores for us!

Do not give that store your money! So sad for you. I'm so sorry.

I went with my maid of honor to David's Bridal for my first stop. I signed in but didn't have an appointment. They said it would be no problem but be a few minutes before they could get to me and you start looking.

The first stylist was SO RUDE! She assumed I was a bridesmaid and my MOH was the bride and literally told me to wait my turn for my day. This was when I pointed out a couple dresses I found that I would like to try.

Do yeah...I went to boutique during one of their national sales. I found an amazing dress with very personal customer service and privacy. So when something didn't fit I wasn't paraded in front of everyone.

I went to David's a few times and each time was different. The first time I had a wonderful stylist however I guess David's bridals policy is to book a stylist with a bride and bridesmaid party at the same time which was just awful. She would put me in a dress and than dissapear to help the other persons bridal party which is super frustrating. I don't want to stand in a dress for 20 mins. Next time I went I went early and had the whole place to myself. Stylist was super nice and helpful and pulled dresses for me and that's when I purchased

Why don't you try your local bridal boutique? Most smaller boutiques provide a personalized experience making you feel special and the prices are comparable to DB. Doesn't hurt to try!!

I went to David's as well. Customer service especially in a bridal store is so important. You are getting ready for such a special day and should feel a littler pampered!!! No one should leave feeling worse than when they arrived!

My first time there i was greeted warmly by multiple staff members and they showed me where i could hang my coat in my room. My attendant was very helpful in pulling dresses that matched my style. My only negative is that I could feel her getting frustrated and trying to rush me when I wanted to try on more than 6 dresses. But I did find my dress! I went to a different David's Bridal to get it altered and had the kindest women make sure my dress would fit perfectly. I couldn't be happier.

If your experience was less than stellar, maybe try going to another location if there is one around. Also if you could shop with a few friends/family, they can help hold your jacket/purse so your hands are free to shop around for dresses. Again so sorry this happened! You are certainly not a bridezilla, you deserve to feel special!

That's horrible! When I went for my appointment at DB, I was greeted at the door, they immediately seated my mother and grandmother, they asked me my price range, size, and if I had any ideas of what I might like, attendant took me to a section of dresses and let me pick out ones I liked. Helped me put them on, clipped them for me. I didn't think I looked good in any of the style I picked out, so she went and pulled some other styles for me that I had been vehemently against and they were absolutely stunning on me. When I found my dress they rang a bell and everyone cheered, and I got my picture taken with a sign that said "I said yes!"

THAT is how your dress shopping experience should have went!

I went to David's Bridal by myself the first time because I was super overwhelmed by the whole idea.

The stylist kept telling me about how hard it is for her to work there because she had a terrible break up like a year ago and hates being around all these happy brides.

Also I told her I was deaf and I needed her to look at me when she talked and she just kept mumbling and wouldn't repeat herself when I asked.
she also tried to put a dress on me when I was already wearing a dress...
needless to say I'm not going back.

I think Say Yes to the Dress has ruined us for the gown shopping experience a little. My appointment was OK but basically just a blur, and I tried on a bunch of dresses I didn't like and felt like my consultant was getting testy with me and trying to hurry me out, luckily just when I was on the verge of tears I found the perfect one. It's not all champagne and perfect lighting and being fawned over, don't worry. If you found your dress, that's a win. Dress shopping, for most of us, ends up feeling more like a stressful, necessary errand than a "wedding event" like they show on TV - you'll have your actual events like shower, bachelorette, and wedding to make up for it!

Hey, couldn't be worse than that scene in Bridesmaids...

I've had a few varying experiences at David's. I really do hate that they have no mirrors in the dressing rooms - AND that the rooms are so tiny. I almost think they should leave those for people trying on prom/bridesmaid/homecoming dresses - and then have some larger rooms WITH MIRRORS and little step-up benches for brides. You start to feel like you're just being herded around like cattle into one dress and the next.

I'm sorry about your David bridal experience. I guess it depends on what David bridal store. Mine was awesome. I had a helpful women who made sure that my family and friend didn't get in my way. I hope you get a better experience and find your dream dress.

I went to David's for my wedding dress, and I had an amazing experience! The consultant was very cheerful, nice, helpful. I loved her. So, since I liked the experience so much, I went for my bridal party. Totally different experience. First, they got a girl that was super shy. She wouldn't look at you when you talked, didn't introduce herself, nothing. She then leads us to the dresses, and walks away. We don't see her again after that, because she's with another bridal party. I had to pick out dresses, find sizes, and everything. She didn't even give us chairs to sit in while the girls tried on dresses (the other bridal party did though). I was so irritated! When they asked for my experience, I rated it accordingly though.

Oh my! I'm so sorry that you're first dress experience was terrible I was going to look into David's Bridal but after hearing about other's experiences I decided to go to a local boutique and it was better than expected. They actually put a sign on the door and in the store it's just you, your entourage & the stylist. Glad to hear that you did find dresses that you love and you will be a beautiful bride on your big day