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Cheryl
Savvy November 2019

Thoughts and Opinions on David’s Bridal vs Boutiques

Cheryl, on January 14, 2019 at 12:14 AM

Posted in Wedding Attire 107

Hi ladies! What are your real thoughts on Davids’s Bridal quality, style, price vs that of boutiques? I’m not a snob by all means but I don’t have much experience shopping for bridal gowns. I didn’t expect this but I almost walked away with an Oleg Cassini Ball Gown for $1850 (didn’t realize it was...
Hi ladies! What are your real thoughts on Davids’s Bridal quality, style, price vs that of boutiques? I’m not a snob by all means but I don’t have much experience shopping for bridal gowns.

I didn’t expect this but I almost walked away with an Oleg Cassini Ball Gown for $1850 (didn’t realize it was on sale for $1450) I didn’t want to say yes yet because it was the first shop I went to and was unsure since this was such a traditional style unlike all the other gowns I’ve pinned or liked. I know I can’t afford Lazaro or Berta that’s very modern and romantic looking with the sheer bodices, plunging necklines and 3D appliqués.

My wedding planner told me to hold off on a gown and that for the $1850 price tag, I can definitely find one as glamorous with better quality at a smaller store. If it weren’t the fact that they were closing, I have a feeling I would have tried on the gown again and bought it. My planner said that David’s known for cheap prices but also pressuring brides to buy that day. She says that I’ll get more attention with champagne and won’t be pushed to buy if I go to another store.


Thoughts? Experience? My budget is $2000 but ofcourse less is good too. This dress is lovely and I can see myself walking down the aisle with it but open to new things. I also was under the assumption that David’s sold dresses at around $800.

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107 Comments

  • Laura
    Master October 2019
    Laura ·
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    I'd love to be able to go to a place that specializes in plus-sized brides but I know there is no way I can afford to. It'll have to be David's bridal. That's all i'll be able to afford

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  • Martha
    Dedicated July 2019
    Martha ·
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    I also had DB as my first stop for dress shopping. The consultant didn't listen to what I wanted and kept talking about what she liked for herself and kept putting that on me. She gave up on what I was telling her after the 2nd dress I put on. She tried to get me to purchase a dress that I found myself disliking every moment I was looking at myself in the mirror. She took my mom and friends to the accessories department and jacked me up and kept telling me it was my dress when I started expressing reservations. I went to a smaller boutique and ended up with a dress I found on pinterest and freaking LOVE it and it was all the same pricing of the dresses I was trying on at DB. The smaller boutique remembered my name and I was the consultants only appointment. She listened to what i was looking for and even helped me find necklines that best suited my broad shoulders. If you're unsure if that dress from DB is your dress, take a peek around and see if anything tops that if the dress is truly a favorite of yours. Happy shopping!


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  • Kyle-Lynn
    Expert February 2019
    Kyle-Lynn ·
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    I have to tell you, I had an okayish experience. If I had been firm in the beginning of seeing the dress I showed her online, I wouldnt have been overwhelmed with styles I never wanted to begin with- giant ballgowns, tons of embellishments, when I wanted a simple a line, and ended up waiting for the dress I knew Id love to come in, because they had no plus size samples of it. (I could only hold up a size 8 to see). They ordered 2 sizes too big, and the wrong color originally. Just be firm if you go. I got a great dress from the spring line (off shoulder eyelash lace with flounce Galina) but it took 3 visits. Terrible plus selection in store.
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  • Kyle-Lynn
    Expert February 2019
    Kyle-Lynn ·
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    That dress looks amazing on you btw!
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  • Jessica
    Savvy May 2019
    Jessica ·
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    My MoH and I went into a DB to scope out their bridesmaid dress selection. Neither of us were impressed. Every dress we saw (bridesmaid and bridal) seemed generic and chincy. I'm not sure where you're at, but I know in Portland there are multiple dress shops who sell top of the line dresses at a seriously reduced cost and all proceeds go to charity. Maybe an option in your city?

    Good luck! Smiley heart

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  • Cheryl
    Savvy November 2019
    Cheryl ·
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    That would be amazing. I live about an hour from San Francisco. In a big city like that, there’s a big chance for a non profit type of dress shop.
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  • Cheryl
    Savvy November 2019
    Cheryl ·
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    Thank you! I’ll keep dress shopping though til my heart knows I found the right one.
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  • Cadence
    Dedicated August 2019
    Cadence ·
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    I honestly think the service side varies oon location... but that's true about boutique stores too. I adore my DB dress and had a way better experience there than at the boutique stores I tried.
    As far as quality, I would advise sure diligence and look around at what's available at your price point.
    Have fun with it 😊
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  • Tracey & Dr. Julian
    Devoted August 2019
    Tracey & Dr. Julian ·
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    I agree for your budget price you can definitely find a more glamorous dress. Klienfield usually has sample sales multiple times a year. You can definitely find a high end designer dress in your budget.

    Good luck
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  • Jessica
    Savvy May 2019
    Jessica ·
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    I did a Google search for nonprofits in the Bay area.

    https://www.herecomestheguide.com/northern-california/wedding-venues/type/nonprofit/p2

    I hope it helps!

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  • Iris
    Expert May 2019
    Iris ·
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    I truly believe David's Bridal is a great place to go and try on all the different wedding dress styles, just because they usually have a huge variety of gowns. But that's all I did at that store, I didn't feel pressured, but I went there with 2+ years to search for a dress. After I found which style was more suitable for me, I went to several bridal boutiques and found dresses that looked much nicer on the same price range (if not less). I ended up falling in love with Maggie Sottero dresses, and that's what my gown is. In the boutique, much to my surprise, the final cost ended up been well within my budget, including all alterations and taxes!

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  • Loren
    Devoted October 2020
    Loren ·
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    None of my friends have ever had a good experience at DB. I think the customer Service is better in a smaller boutique. I’d ask any married friends where they went to get recommendations
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  • VeeM
    Beginner September 2019
    VeeM ·
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    I went in to David's Bridal expecting to just try things on and I actually bought my dress the same day. The consultant I got was extremely sweet and not pushy at all. I was hesitant and she even said if I were to go elsewhere to give myself a few days so I wouldn't overwhelm myself by trying on dozens of dresses day after day.

    I tried on about 6 or 7 and kept coming back to the same one which was actually the first one I tried that day and went with it.

    It also cost me close to $800 which was awesome! I didn't have a budget in mind when I went in but I was pretty excited to realize I had found a dress I loved that did not break the bank at all

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  • maryann
    Expert June 2019
    maryann ·
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    I had a great experience at DB, I will say they do push a little to get you to buy that day. But I stood my ground it actually took me 3 months to say yes to my original chose. I needed to be sure. They have some gowns that are gorgeous and cheaper and then they have the more expensive dresses also. What worked for me and some other brides on here that we have talked about it we watched the sales and when the sales hit we jumped on them. You are also able to do a 3 month plan to pay it off... Just have to be willing to take some serious time in there and be willing to look at and try on things that you never imagined. Its not that you would choose one of those but it would allow you to see things about different dresses you might really like to help you find one that is perfect and in your budget... My dress was originally almost $1100, ended up getting it for $800... So good luck

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  • Cheryl
    Savvy November 2019
    Cheryl ·
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    Hi!! Update! I went completely opposite what I wanted. I got a form fitting Designer Inbal Dror gown. Retails for around $9,000!! I got this with the matching veil at a once a year sample sale in San Francisco. With tax, I went just a little over my budget. I actually got that WOW feeling that day after going to 6-7 fittings with dresses I liked way above my budget and the non pizazz ones I can afford.

    Thoughts and Opinions on David’s Bridal vs Boutiques 1
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  • Nyikee
    Expert February 2020
    Nyikee ·
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    David's bridal isn't going out of business? Unless you're referring to the one closest to you, they may be a different story?


    I bought my dress and will be ordering my bridesmaid's dresses from them in a few months. Almost all of the experiences I've had with David's bridal has been pretty amazing. I've walked in without an appointment, got an appointment for the same day, and FOUND my dress, but didn't buy it, then I've gone with an appointment to another location, tried on the dress I fell in love with, and bought it and my accessories, and I've also done the whole thing with both walk in and appointment for bridesmaid dresses.


    Every time I've gone the sales ladies weren't pushy, they listened to what I wanted, and were always very attentive, no matter how many people they had in the store that day- from literally just me ( during one walk-in while looking for a dress for my sister) to buying my dress with what seemed like 20 other brides in the store (when I had an appointment).


    The best experience I had was when I asked to try on a floor sample of my dress ( after I had bought it and it was at my MOH's house) so I could have the photo op of the say yes to the dress sign. I didn't get that experience of ringing the bell when I got the dress either time before, and was glad I had asked for it.


    Also, my dress with accessories (veil, earrings, necklace, and undergarments) was under $800. I really don't think i could have found a dress with all of the stuff to go with it at a boutique for the same price as easily as I did at DB.

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  • Sara
    Super July 2019
    Sara ·
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    I personally like to support small businesses. I ordered my dress from a place about an hour away from my home town that is family owned. I had a MUCH better experience there. David's Bridal and the other top name stores like to rip brides off, and like you said, pressure you to buy the day of.

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  • Amanda
    Dedicated March 2019
    Amanda ·
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    OMG I know how you feel with the consultants... I went to DB waayyy before I planned on buying a dress just to see which silhouettes look best on my body type. When I would tell them oh I'm not going to buy today I just want to get some ideas they kept going "that's what they all say, you're going to walk out with a dress tonight." Like ok, BYE

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  • Cheryl
    Savvy November 2019
    Cheryl ·
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    Well maybe not out of business. They filed for bankruptcy but they’re saying that brides need not worry.
    Location and staff all make a difference I’ve heard. Like when I say no sequence, please don’t force me to try on dresses that have them. Glad you found your dress though.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/business/davids-bridal-bankruptcy.amp.html
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  • Cheryl
    Savvy November 2019
    Cheryl ·
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    I like supporting small businesses too. I met a lovely lady at a bridal show and I tried on her dresses locally. Her inventory were mostly traditional gowns but I was looking for glamorous modern dresses. I may have my groomsmen try on suits with her just because I enjoyed her sincerity and want to help small businesses.

    I got my dress at a luxury bridal shop in a big city. Was intimidated at first because but the sales lady, owners and cashier were all very friendly. Even gave them a yelp review. The majority of receipt except for the credit card transaction was hand written which I thought was charming.
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