Wedding Dress shops

stinkle · 05-08-2012 04:51PM

Had a great experience in Barnardos in Dun Laoghaire recently

Had only been to one other shop with anyone else, but had been to two others alone when I was on hols, so while dress shopping is kinda exciting, my heart sank a little at first at going through the whole rigmarole of trying on a load of unsuitable dresses again!

Anyway, they had a great selection, and I got a fantastic designer dress for a fraction of the price, and felt good to be supporting a charity. As the shop is unlike a regular bridal store, I wasn't pushed into trying on anything and didn't feel bad when criticising any gowns that didnt suit me. My mum and bms were there too and they also agreed that it was much easier to be honest a there was no hard sell. In other shops everything I tried on was "fab" when it clearly wasn't, and a lot of time was wasted telling me how dresses could be altered whenever I pointed out that it defo wasn't "the one" (e.g getting a gigantic train taken in, adding straps, different colour etc) - time that could have been spent trying on other ones! In Barnardos once I wanted out of any dress it was grand, and I ended up trying on loads of different styles in the hour. That alone makes it worth a visit in my opinion. Am thrilled with my find and am now wedding crazy!!!

annabella26 · 06-08-2012 08:12PM

im loving all the suggestions so far ... im in the north west but heading to dublin this weekend to start as i genuinely dont have a notion what i want

only place iv been to down here is graceful occasions in ballygawley in sligo.. cant recommend grainne enough she put no pressure on and forced me to try on dresses that i thought id hate (but actually liked when on) shes only a very small operation but well worth travelling to or even looking up on fb

loveisdivine · 07-08-2012 10:53AM

Does anyone know if you need an appointment for the bridal outlet in Baldoyle? Or do you just turn up?

Thanks

Acoshla · 07-08-2012 10:59AM

loveisdivine wrote: »

Does anyone know if you need an appointment for the bridal outlet in Baldoyle? Or do you just turn up?

Thanks

Yep you do.

loveisdivine · 08-08-2012 03:27PM

Acoshla wrote: »

Yep you do.

Thanks. Appointment made

Acoshla · 08-08-2012 04:53PM

loveisdivine wrote: »

Thanks. Appointment made

Enjoy! They're lovely there

lazygal · 08-08-2012 08:44PM

I got my dress in the Bridal Outlet and just turned up when they opened on a Saturday! It was the best place for selection and value, and I'd highly recommend it.

Acoshla · 08-08-2012 09:26PM

lazygal wrote: »

I got my dress in the Bridal Outlet and just turned up when they opened on a Saturday! It was the best place for selection and value, and I'd highly recommend it.

It depends on how busy they are, I had an appointment on a Monday morning at 10am but had to wait an hour and a bit when I got there because there were so many brides there.

Jewow · 10-08-2012 12:10AM

Went today to Jeutonic in Kilkenny and was very annoyed to learn that the shop hadn't received my email confirming my day/time and therefore they were booked up and I didn't have an appointment

Very annoying & the girl did nothing to try and accommodate us, I suppose I should have rang them myself but I presumed that once I sent the email it was fine, lesson learned.
On the plus side I called into another bridal shop and she was so lovely and helpful I made an appointment for her shop nxt week, I think I got 'the feeling' even looking at the dresses and I'm thinking I'll prob find the one there

McCloskey_A · 12-08-2012 08:35AM

I would highly recommend frilly frocks in drogheda, Dara has been hugely accommodating time wise with evening appointments and even Saturday evenings! Getting my dress in 2 weeks and it has been a very exciting experience!

MarieClaire78 · 12-08-2012 09:06PM

Even thought it looks a bit hmmmmm, I'd recommend the Bridal Corner Glasnevin...Some great deals on dresses there! Also try White Orchid in Swords, didn't buy there but nearly did, they were so helpful...

fuddy1 · 21-08-2012 02:43PM

Dress has arrived!! its fab, cant wait to start fittings in september....making a few changes to the dress to make it more 'me'. I cant recommend Michelle in Irish Bridal Boutique in Naas enough. She's so nice, really knows what shes doing. I was not having fun dress shopping until I went to her shop.....some people are so unhelpful!! Michelle was great, listened to what I wanted and picked out the exact styles I described.....surprise surprise they didnt suit me at all!! Then Michelle got me to try on dresses she thought would suit me, stuff I would never have picked......and thats how I found 'the dress'!!

fattybumbum · 22-08-2012 12:57PM

I am bridesmaid for my cousin and we went to 3 shops yesterday.
1. Alexanders: No real feedback from staff. Not a nice shop, very open. Poor selection.
2. Aspirations: The lady here completely paniced my cousin. She is getting married in 10months and said she had left it too late, it was the end of season and that she would not get the dress she wanted and would have to settle for something else. Everyone on the street outside can see what u are trying on.
3. Berketex: I did not like the look of this shop from the outside but I have to say the girl we had was amazing. She spent about 15minutes chatting about the wedding, about my cousins style, dresses she had tried on and what she liked/disliked about them, looked at photos my cousin had of styles she liked. She picked out lots of styles and was able to pin them a certain way to make them more like what my cousin wanted. No other store said she could alter dresses so much.
My cousin ended up ordering her dress and is delighted. She had such an awful feeling after aspirations, in Berketex they really put her at ease and didnt put any pressure on her.
I am engaged myself and she will be my first port of call.

deskgirl · 22-08-2012 02:55PM

+1 for Berketex - I went looking for bridesmaids dresses here recently and found the staff really helpful

MMUldoon5 · 25-08-2012 04:50PM

Debenham's gets my vote

missyb · 06-09-2012 05:28PM

Annabelle Rose- really good, very helpful and a great selection of dresses and lovely accessories. A couple of dresses Im considering

The White Room- Very good, very helpful and again a great variety of dresses, although they are quite pricey, maybe it was just the dresses I tried on but definitely worth a look and again a couple of dresses Im considering

Moreland Bridal- I had a polish girl as my assistant, very helpful, she made great suggestions and knows her stuff around dress making. unfortunately 2 other employees were abrupt and ignorant. The first when I was making the appointment on the phone, but I ignored my gut feeling and went ahead anyhow.The next woman, a middleaged blonde woman, perhaps the owner or a manager, lacked basic manners and was really rude. When I was talking to the assistant and she was giving me further details, this woman demanded loudly in the shop that my assistant finish up the appointment with me as there were other people waiting. This is fine if we had gone over (although her tone was so rude) however I was kept waiting for 20 minutes before anyone could see me so I had only been looking at dresses for about 20 minutes when this happened. It really put me off and I knew I wasnt going to buy there as soon as the older woman starting barking, however if you are going there, the polish assistant is great, wish I could remember her name.

Memories- definitely try here, the dresses are unbelievable value, for a few hundred instead of a grand you can get a gorgeous dress. The dresses are samples so the one you try on is what you buy. The staff are also great at suggesting alterations and changes that can be made if you want something different. I didnt really find what I was looking for however they had a great selection.

The Suite-Initally kept waiting for 15 minutes after appointment time was due to start but these things happen, however they double booked my appointment, tried to blame me except I showed her the email I had received confirming the appointment, there was only 1 girl there on her own on a Saturday, she wasnt particularly bothered about the mix up so I just left and let the other girl get on with it. Definitely the most unprofessional. I wasnt bothered enough by their selection to make another appointment.

Im still on the hunt.....!! but the sight of bad manners and Im gone, Id rather spend my money anywhere else

Jerrica · 10-09-2012 10:41AM

missyb wrote: »

Annabelle Rose- really good, very helpful and a great selection of dresses and lovely accessories. A couple of dresses Im considering

+1, great shop, lovely staff, very helpful. They only do 45 minute appointments on a Saturday so midweek is definitely best for a visit. Have since discovered two friends who got their dream dresses here and had nothing but positive experiences! (It's worth a visit just to try on the Jenny Packham gowns

)

Ciara Bridal - made the mistake of going in on a Saturday with a sale on. I'm sure if I went in on a quiet day it would have been very different but I don't think I would be bothered in all honesty. Sample dresses were torn, dirty and unappealing. The small shop was over-crowded and the girls trying dresses on had very little privacy. I have heard good reports about the shop but it wasn't for me at all.

Town Bridal - both myself and my mum confirmed by phone that an appointment wouldn't be needed to have a browse but we were told when we went in that there was no point in us being there. The September stock would be sold off and new stock coming in between Sept - Dec so I should just wait and come back in the new year. Not very welcoming at all and very disappointing

bluesmurf · 23-09-2012 10:56PM

I completely agree with you Classy Lass in Clane Brilliant, I went there last week, looking for my wedding dress, The ladies there are so nice, I was very nervous about going shopping for a wedding dress as I am a size 20/22, but they made we so at ease and I found my dream dress, I am so so happy... You should visit them. their are great.....

annabella26 · 10-10-2012 09:07PM

hi

jus to pop in and say simones in sligo are having a massive sale for budget brides.... i ended up getting my dress (much to my familys objection as its so far away) for €599.... now it may be a sample but it really is immaculate and as i was going to order it at €1699 you can say im over the moon! had a really bad experience with them for my grad dress so was determined NOT to go there again but my MOH dragged me in one saturday and they made time for me on their busiest day and within trying on first 4 dresses the girl i dealt with had EXACTLY what i was looking for! theyre also doing a massive sale on all bridal accesories an bridesmaids - just may be worth checking out

summer breezer · 23-10-2012 08:26PM

kATHY de stafford have the most exquisite dresses in my opinion.

TAPA2012 · 11-11-2012 08:59AM

Help! Very worried bride to be! i need to get a dress for my winter wedding next year. I will only be home in july for two weeks to pick my dress and i will only be able to return home to be married a week in advance. Is this madness?

I am a very small petite girl 6-8 and just 5ft. So I know I won't be able to buy off the rack. I was told that I might not have enough time by another friend who knows more about weddings than anyone I know. I was thinking of getting it here but clothes etc are fierce exp in Japan and I don't speak the language to communicate efficiently and then I have the worry of getting it home! any advice? In a huge pickle!

Dolbert · 14-11-2012 03:22PM

Anabel Rose in Dublin is having a one day only sample sale tomorrow 15th November, with up to 70% off sample dresses. Doors open at 10am, with all sample dresses in size 12-14 only.

annabella26 · 17-11-2012 12:10AM

TAPA2012 wrote: »

Help! Very worried bride to be! i need to get a dress for my winter wedding next year. I will only be home in july for two weeks to pick my dress and i will only be able to return home to be married a week in advance. Is this madness?

I am a very small petite girl 6-8 and just 5ft. So I know I won't be able to buy off the rack. I was told that I might not have enough time by another friend who knows more about weddings than anyone I know. I was thinking of getting it here but clothes etc are fierce exp in Japan and I don't speak the language to communicate efficiently and then I have the worry of getting it home! any advice? In a huge pickle!

would u chance buying off the rack ie a sample??

narfsnonsense · 17-11-2012 02:25PM

Hi,

Im arranging a day trying on dresses for my Sister In Law to be for 22nd December, as I am only home for a week at Christmas. Do you think 3 different shops in one day, considereing town (Dublin) is going to be MANIC, is too much?

Also trying to keep them close so thinking Anabel Rose, Town Bride and Memories Bridal. All close enough to Grafton Street. Any other suggestions welcome?

Thanks!

lynnd · 18-11-2012 01:25PM

I got my dress in the salvage shop in newcastle. The lady told me that the wedding dresses they have were from a bridal shop that closed down. they were selling them for €250. they also have debs dresses that may do for bridesmaid dresses.

bluesmurf · 18-11-2012 07:37PM

narfsnonsense wrote: »

Hi,

Im arranging a day trying on dresses for my Sister In Law to be for 22nd December, as I am only home for a week at Christmas. Do you think 3 different shops in one day, considereing town (Dublin) is going to be MANIC, is too much?

Also trying to keep them close so thinking Anabel Rose, Town Bride and Memories Bridal. All close enough to Grafton Street. Any other suggestions welcome?

Thanks!

HI I am getting married next September, I know its alittle bit of a drive But I would highly recommend "Classey Lass" in Clane, I was amazed, I only had to go to one shop and I found my dream dress number 4...... I was over the moon...... Janice is a lady to deal with, she is a lady and was so nice to me as I was so nervous going shopping for a dress, I'm a biker and really dont wear dresses much...... Id 5 dress pictures saved on my computer one which I named dream dress and that was the one in the shop Classey Lass.....

I went across the road to Glamour Dress and I found 3 beautiful dress for my bridesmaid Jan was so nice and Im delighted.. No hassle or fuss

All the best with your shopping

bluesmurf · 18-11-2012 07:40PM

HI I am getting married next September, I know its alittle bit of a drive But I would highly recommend "Classey Lass" in Clane, I was amazed, I only had to go to one shop and I found my dream dress number 4...... I was over the moon...... Janice is a lady to deal with, she is a lady and was so nice to me as I was so nervous going shopping for a dress, I'm a biker and really dont wear dresses much...... Id 5 dress pictures saved on my computer one which I named dream dress and that was the one in the shop Classey Lass.....

I went across the road to Glamour Dress and I found 3 beautiful dress for my bridesmaid Jan was so nice and Im delighted.. No hassle or fuss

All the best with your shopping

bluesmurf · 18-11-2012 07:40PM

TAPA2012 wrote: »

Help! Very worried bride to be! i need to get a dress for my winter wedding next year. I will only be home in july for two weeks to pick my dress and i will only be able to return home to be married a week in advance. Is this madness?

I am a very small petite girl 6-8 and just 5ft. So I know I won't be able to buy off the rack. I was told that I might not have enough time by another friend who knows more about weddings than anyone I know. I was thinking of getting it here but clothes etc are fierce exp in Japan and I don't speak the language to communicate efficiently and then I have the worry of getting it home! any advice? In a huge pickle!

HI I am getting married next September, I know its alittle bit of a drive But I would highly recommend "Classey Lass" in Clane, I was amazed, I only had to go to one shop and I found my dream dress number 4...... I was over the moon...... Janice is a lady to deal with, she is a lady and was so nice to me as I was so nervous going shopping for a dress, I'm a biker and really dont wear dresses much...... Id 5 dress pictures saved on my computer one which I named dream dress and that was the one in the shop Classey Lass.....

I went across the road to Glamour Dress and I found 3 beautiful dress for my bridesmaid Jan was so nice and Im delighted.. No hassle or fuss

All the best with your shopping

TAPA2012 · 20-11-2012 10:33AM

annabella26 wrote: »

would u chance buying off the rack ie a sample??

Yes most definitely. Would many places allow this?

TAPA2012 · 20-11-2012 10:38AM

:)Theyll soon have their collection online is what they told me last week. They were really nice to me....In relation to getting a dress they said they could sort me out no bother!

also had a look online and seen truely bridal in naas have a huge collection so maybe you could kill two birds with the one stone and go to both! make your trip worth while!

Wedding Dress shops

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