Horrible dress shopping trip (long)

[Raspberry]

Sorry this is so long. And for reference I had only been to a David’s bridal before and they were so nice and made me feel so beautiful there. I am a size 14/16 depending. I don't think I am over reacting and I know I did not imagine the treatment I got.

I just had one of the worst experiences. I went shopping at a bridal store in Atlanta today. I was looking for a specific DaVinci’s bridal dress and a Maggie Sottero. I picked this store because they carried both. I called ahead of time to make sure they had the DaVinci there and asked what size it was in. It was a 10 but they said I could put it on to see how it would look and then order it in the correct size. So I made the appointment.

I went in and the ladies at the desk were very nice. They found the dress for me and I picked out 4 other dresses in sizes 16 and 18 to try on (one was the Maggie). The dressing area was brides only so the people with me sat in the runway room while I went back.

In the dressing room a different lady walked in and said "take of your clothes" (I heard another girl being offered a crinoline but I was not offered one). The lady picked up a dress and put it on me and got the clips to hold it closed. Then she started talking about how dress sizes run small as she was yanking the dress closed. It fit a little more than half way around me. I was pretty upset that it was so small but I thought "I can order it bigger".

Finally she took me to a mirror in the dressing room and showed me the dress and started talking about how it just didn’t fit me and didn’t come in my size and that I couldn’t get the dress because it didn’t fit. She kept talking about the fit. She asked if I wanted to go on the run way and, already embarrassed and feeling bad about my size, I said no and asked if my mom sister and friend who were with me could come back to see. She called them back and as we were oohing and ahhing over the beading and asking to spread out the train she kept saying it isn’t your size it isn’t your size.

So my mom and sister and friend left to sit back down and the lady helped me out of the dress and said "this isn’t the right size, what size do you normally wear?" I said 14/16 and she said "you are not a 16 you are a 22-28 you need to go back out there and look at the dresses in your size". Then she gathered up the dresses I had picked out and left the dressing room with them. I was so stunned and fighting to hold back tears. I got dressed, walked to the runway room, got my friends and walked out the door without a word to anyone. In the parking lot I explained what happened and everyone was just horrified.

I could not believe how the lady had spoken to me. Seeing it written down does not convey the shortness and tone of voice she was using. I had been told that it didn’t matter what size the dress I tried on was because it could be ordered in my size. Only to have her pretty much tell me I was too fat and the dresses I liked wouldn’t come in my size. That is how I felt I had been treated at least. I had to pull over on the way home, I was crying so hard. I couldn’t believe someone would be like that to someone. I know she wouldn’t have acted like that if someone had been allowed back in the dressing room with me.

Later I was talking to my other sister on the phone and describing the dress I tried on. Then I told her to go to the DaVinci website to see the dress I had gone to see. She looked and said “Heather, this is the dress you tried on. This is the dress you described” My response was no it was the other one I found because it was ivory. I had picked out another, similar dress in a size 16. Then I remembered, they were both ivory. All but one dress had been ivory and it hadn’t clicked because the dress I had looked at online was white so it was white in my mind. Also the lady had talked about the dress as if it was a 16. She had certainly flat out told me that 16 and 18 dresses were far to small for me before taking them away.

So the lady had put me into a size 10 dress, thought it was a 16, told me I was to big and the dresses wouldn’t come in a size for me and took them all away without another word.

I don’t know if it is worse that she did that or that I didn’t catch it. I loved the dress so much, I was blown away by the beading and I was so shocked by the apparent sizing and the treatment that I don’t even know what happened.

I am going to brave another shop with the dress on Sunday to see for sure if it was the dress or not and if it comes in "my size".

The dress
http://www.davincibridal.com/images/8051BL.jpg
http://www.davincibridal.com/images/8051FL.jpg

[Hippo2Be]

That is appalling! It's much worse that she opened her big mouth and said those things without the proper knowledge. I would find out who her boss is and tell her about how you were treated. Just awful!

[Little Lady]

That dress is so beautiful! I hope you go back there and ask to speak to a manager and then (after giving her a god toungue lashing) order your dress from someone else! If that is the dress that you want, then you should have it!




When I was getting married, I made an appointment to go to a tiny bridal shop in the attic of a store in old town. Mind you, I was 19 at the time and, even now I still look like I'm 16 so you can imagine how old I looked.

I was a size 6 (5'9" and 125 lbs) and the woman took one look at me and said, you'll need to order a larger size to accomodate your tummy. When are you due? Turns out that she thought I was 15 and assumed I was pregnant and having a shotgun wedding!

Some "bridal consultants" think that they're queen bee because they get to play with wedding gowns all day. Don't let them get to you. Chances are that she works in that shop so she can fantasize because she can't land a husband herself..... :p

[aurelia]

Oh my god!!!!! I can't believe she treated you like that. There is absolutely no excuse. No one deserves that kind of treatment. I would march right back into that store, and complain to the manager at length about what this woman did and then march right back out and buy that dress somewhere else. I hope she gets fired.

[DNM1010]

the dress is beautiful.. really.. dont let her get you discouraged.. some poeple have no people skills but you know what- its her bad and her loss and she will probably end up losing from it, if she hasnt already.. you did nothing wrong here and youre gonna look great on your wedding.. shes probably bitter cos she works at a place where blushing brides come in all happy cos theyre getting married.

[2Sulli5606]

I'm so sorry you had to deal with this nonesense. Some people are so rude but don't be afraid because not all shops are this way. The shop I went to is fabulous.
They let however many people in the dressing area as you want. They leave you alone when trying on, they don't dress you they let you do it yourself and they are really nice ladies.
I wear a 20 in street clothes and they let me try on whatever I wanted. The dress I ended up buying had a sample dress in a 12. As for the dress sizes they do run a bit small no matter what. I had to order a 22 but everyone and every designor is different. One of my girls is a 22 and had to order a 26 so it would fit her ****s.

Good luck at the next shop!

[forever_emerald]

Oh sweety don't let that horrible lady get you down!!! I have had some horrible experiences myself. I am shopping early because my guy lives over an hour away so we need to start fitting stuff in where we can. I don't have a formal engagement ring yet, just my promise ring because he wanted to wait until he got a good job after college and could afford the "real ring" that he wanted to get me. I have no problem with this but a lot of those consultants do. They look at my finger and assume I'm just some 20 something coming in to waste their time and try on expensive dresses. I refuse to even look in shops that don't treat me well!! I got lucky and ended up ordering my dress from a local shop where the women are terrific to me! Don't worry you will find your place too, and that dress is beautiful!! You better get it, it will look fab on you for sure!

[BahamasBride]

o hear about your bad experience. I had a horrible first wedding gown shopping experience also, so I definately know how you feel. I'm also in Atlanta, which bridal shop was this? Also, try calling around to see if other stores have this gown. It's absolutely beautiful. Don't give up girl, get the gown of your dreams! Good Luck.

[Kimbo83]

I'm so sorry, I don't know why people have to be so rude! Don't let it discourage you, if you have your mind set on that dress(which is beautiful) then go find it somewhere else. This is your wedding and your time to be happy. You will look beautiful!

[alley06]

I cannot believe that they treated you like that! How horrible. I do agree, that you should call and talk to the manager and tell her exactly how the consultant made you feel. Then go to the other salon and try dresses on there. I had 1 salon that made me feel not as important as another bride that was there and she grabbed all the nice dresses before I had a chance to get any. Needless to say, I was so glad that I had gone to another shop that treated me like a princess! So not all salons are that way but I see a bad pattern sometimes when it comes to bridal salons. Why do they think that they can get away with this?

[Raspberry]

Thank you girls, this helped. I actually ***e home from work today (I teach) because I was crying still. I cried in front of a few students. To top it of my fh went to the doctor yesterday and has an ulcer. I am trying to get up the nerve to call the dress shop to complain and my sister says if I don't she will.

I am making an appointment to see the dress at another shop, I have a friend getting married who promised me not all shops were mean to not so tiny people and gave me a few names.

[alley06]

If they made you feel so bad that you left work early, I would be on the phone now! That's so sad that they did that too you! You know that we are all here for you no matter what. You shouldn't have to be put through that just because you aren't a size 2!

[SOM Z28]

That dress is beautiful, and I'm sure you will be a stunning bride in it. Don't let petty, ignorant people like that woman get to you. She had no right to behave in such a way, and I hope that you at least write a letter to the manager if you're not comfortable speaking to her in person.

[Vixen]

dont let witches like that ruin your day. I think you would look stunning in it.

and to offer a bit of advise when i tried on the maggie too it was too small and boy did they have me stuffed into it. They run very SMALL!! what your normal clothes size is not what they make it. So please dont get to upset over that. But those ladies were way to rude and i would complain.

[Raspberry]

Vixey, it was the size 10 DaVinci I had on, I never got to the maggie or any other the other dresses I had in 16/18. I expected them to run small but not half sizes! When I thought it was a 16 only fitting to my armpits I was really scared of bridal sizing!

I called the store, shaking the whole time. I got one of the co owners/managers on the phone and he was horrified at what had happened. He asked me to give them another chance and he would take care of me personally and hand pick his nicest lady to help me dress. I don't know if it was smart but I said ok because there was a dress I picked off the rack that is also stuck in my mind. None of their dresses were labeled with a designer or style they were all in the store's numbering system. Is that normal?

[SOM Z28]

I'd give them another shot, if for no other reason than to try the other gowns you'd chosen. And let them dote on you a bit too. It's the LEAST they can do after sending you home in tears.

[alley06]

Vixey, it was the size 10 DaVinci I had on, I never got to the maggie or any other the other dresses I had in 16/18. I expected them to run small but not half sizes! When I thought it was a 16 only fitting to my armpits I was really scared of bridal sizing!

I called the store, shaking the whole time. I got one of the co owners/managers on the phone and he was horrified at what had happened. He asked me to give them another chance and he would take care of me personally and hand pick his nicest lady to help me dress. I don't know if it was smart but I said ok because there was a dress I picked off the rack that is also stuck in my mind. None of their dresses were labeled with a designer or style they were all in the store's numbering system. Is that normal?

Someone on here said that they weren't allowed to know the designer or dress style until they bought it. I guess some stores do that to keep you from trying to find that dress cheaper. Carla is very good at picking out Maggies though.

I really hope that you have a better experience at the store the 2nd time around! Hopefully they will wait on you hand and foot!

Will they let you take pictures of the dresses you try on?

[forever_emerald]

I'd go and let them treat you extra special. You certainly didn't deserve that treatment and the most important thing is that you get a look at those dresses you like. Besides I'm sure they will be falling head over heals to help you out this time. Good for you standing up for yourself!:D

[Raspberry]

alley, they wont let me take pictures. I wish we could so I can compare. Maybe the other shop I am going to with that dress will let us. Sadly it doesnt carry the maggie dresses.

here I am in a david's bridal dress. It was "the one" then I changed my mind and it is now my fall back.

http://www.plutomoment.com/wedding/dress/dress4.jpg
http://www.plutomoment.com/wedding/dress/dress6.jpg

[Vixen]

Vixey, it was the size 10 DaVinci I had on, I never got to the maggie or any other the other dresses I had in 16/18. I expected them to run small but not half sizes! When I thought it was a 16 only fitting to my armpits I was really scared of bridal sizing!

I called the store, shaking the whole time. I got one of the co owners/managers on the phone and he was horrified at what had happened. He asked me to give them another chance and he would take care of me personally and hand pick his nicest lady to help me dress. I don't know if it was smart but I said ok because there was a dress I picked off the rack that is also stuck in my mind. None of their dresses were labeled with a designer or style they were all in the store's numbering system. Is that normal?

I called ahead of time and made an appointment. But as far as the dress size is concerned yeah half is about right.

[alley06]

alley, they wont let me take pictures. I wish we could so I can compare. Maybe the other shop I am going to with that dress will let us. Sadly it doesnt carry the maggie dresses.

2 out of the three shops I went to let me take pictures. My store didn't carry Maggie dresses but they had one that ended up being a Maggie knock off (Carla pointed it out to me). So you never know what you'll find.

[Raspberry]

So I went sunday and it was better but not great.

Then I went to a bridal shop in Buford and the difference was night and day. The special treatment at the Atlanta shop was nothing compaired to the normal treatment at Buford shop. The Buford shop was so nice and picking out dresses along with what I picked and telling me that I could get corset lacing put into any dress I wanted, I just had to order it that way and how I could get dresses modified to fit what I was looking for. The only problem was I found the dress (not the one I went to try on either) at the Atlanta store. The Buford store said they could probably order it if I found the designer and if they didnt carry it they would see about picking it up. I think I found it http://www.moncheribridals.com/fullView.asp?imageValue=photos/bridalBestSellers/full/15232-F.jpg The Buford shop was closed today so I will be calling them tomorrow.

[forever_emerald]

Just beautiful girl congrats' on finding the one!

[alley06]

Glad to hear you had a better experience! I hope they can get that dress for you!

[cryssi]

i just read this thread and was HORRIFIED!!! I'm so sorry you had such a terrible experience, but am glad that you had a better one later. Congrats on finding "the dress" and good luck getting it! :)

[aurelia]

That dress is beautiful.

[linlin81]

Omg...i just am getting caught up on posts that I missed and I cannot believe you were treated so badly.... I've been to a couple bad shops that totally ignored us or just seemed irritated to have to help me try on dresses, but to the extent to which you were treated is horrible, but at least you found a shop that has wonderful customer service that is not fake or "special treatment" I hope that you have nothing but good service from here on!!

I love the dress that you found with the straps, very pretty!

[jennandmike]

I am so sorry to hear that you were treated that way, no one deserves that! I am SO glad that you called the store and complained!

I love your dress and I am so glad that the store in Buford is willing to order it for you with any personal modifications that you may want! That is awesome! As for the other store, I would not order it from there UNLESS they knocked a substantial amount off of the dress for how you were treated!

[Jesse's Girl]

What was the name of this place in Atlanta? i'm going up there this weekend to look at dresses.. and i don't want to go to this place just hearing how rude they were to you!!

[KS Lighthouse]

I am so sorry that happened to you.

I had something similar happen to me. I want lavender in my dress and all the shops that I went to told me that they couldn't help me.

I just hate dealing with people like that.
Nancy

[Milo]

I don't know if this word of advice will help much but it really helps me to accept the wrongful deeds from others. I'm not a very religious person but I truly believe that when we die, we watch our whole life like a movie from the minute we are born until the day that we die. But we are not watching it from our view only. We are watching it from the view of every person around us that we affected. We get to be that person for the time being and experience every feeling of anger and sadness that we caused upon that person.

It gives me great satisfaction to know that when someone does me wrong, they will have to be in my shoes one day and have to answer to me for the hurt he or she caused. I may be wrong and that person may not believe the same thing I do but it helps me to think that karma is a ********!!!

[ROBYN921]

If I were you, I'd march back into the store, ask to speak with her & HER MANAGER. If she is the manager, ask for her regional manager's name & number. call that mgr & request a meeting at the location you were at, so the lady that did this to you can be there. Then proceed to tell the manager exactly what was said & how it made you feel. You hav nothing to lose & you owe NOTHING to the cold hearted ******** that did this to you. I worked retail as a manager for a long time, if a regional or sitrict managers name is requested, they have to give it to you & you can call & ask them to come to YOUR location & meet with you becuse you have a situation that needs attention. Don't let her get away with treating you like that!!! Stand up for yourself, and make sure she doesn't treat anyone like that again. My sister is my MOH, and she had a hard time trying on BM dresses because all the samples are a size 12 & under. She is a 16, so would most likely need an 18. I had to try dresses on for her & she had to "imagine" what it would look like in her size. I think its appalling that bridal boutiques don't carry sizes that fit REAL WOMEN. My sister handled the situation incredibly but it makes me so sad to know what she was feeling inside!! :(