David's Bridal Review

It's not very often that I write something with this ferocity toward a business. Please keep in mind that I've dealt with David's Bridal for more than ten years and have never been impressed. From prom to special occasions to weddings, I've seen it all. My experiences range from stores throughout the Midwest.

As a whole, this bridal company is a quick fix. They sell budget-friendly clothes and are available in multiple locations around the US (and globe?). Their website details exactly what you will find in the store, though you can only order and find a size chart in the actual store. If you don't know about them, they are famous for $99 wedding gown sales. In some states, these sales cause stampedes!

A few key situations:

1. Appointment ignored

For my wedding three years ago, I headed to David's Bridal like any good bride on a mission. I had made a 10:00 appointment. The store was empty, yet no one would give us the time a day. We were ignored for an entire 20 minutes before someone even went to us. When I found a dress that looked nice, the sales associate ripped it from my hands and informed me that this size was one size too small for me. I was floored - she had not measured me, not even let me try on the dress. We left soon thereafter.

2. Buying Off the Floor?

On a whim, I went to David's Bridal on the quest for a formal dress to wear to my sorority's dinner and dance. I found and tried on a wonderful red dress and thought that it truly looked great. When I went to go purchase it (mind you - I had no sales associate assistance throughout this experience), I was told that it wasn't for sale. It wasn't until I pointed out that a woman in front of me had ALSO just purchased a dress from the floor that they gave in. Why? I don't know.

3. Bridesmaid Disaster

When my sister announced that she was getting her bridesmaids dresses from David's Bridal, I cringed. It was hard not to react after the last few experiences! Because I live 200 miles from the other members of the bridal party, I let my sister and other bridesmaids try on dresses at their local David's Bridal.

A few months later, it was time for ME to go try on the dress and order it in my size. When we walked in, the sales associate looked disinterested in helping us. I persisted and gave her my sister's information. It turned out that the sales associate helping my sister and her friends try on dresses recorded EVERY SINGLE DRESS in EVERY SINGLE COLOR. It took 20 minutes of wondering around for the dress my sister was wanting before the sales associate laughed and said she hadn't read the note at the bottom describing the specific dress my sister wanted. Great. Glad I didn't come over my lunch break!

After trying it on, we ordered it and arranged to have to arrive at our local David's Bridal instead of shipping to my sister's David's Bridal. No problems - I gave them my house number, cell number and email address for them to use to contact to me whenever it came in. They informed me that it would arrive at least two weeks before the wedding.

I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing. The other girls received their dresses, but me? Still waiting. After calling, I discovered that it had come in a week BEFORE the other girls received theirs. The worst part? They had put this PAID DRESS on the floor without even contacting me. I'm already busy with a full-time job, a household to run and two young children - I don't have time to keep track of something that is THEIR responsibility.

Poor judgment? Yes.
Inexcusable? YES!

Advice: If you do truly want to go with David's Bridal, bring patience, persistence and the time necessary to keep on these people. I'll tell you now - a wedding should be the happiest time of your life, not the most frustrating. If you don't get the feeling IMMEDIATELY that your sales associate cares to help make your wedding special, walk away immediately.