09/14/09

you better have money

by bridesmaid9

Cons: I'll explain. I went there with a friend who is getting married.This is supposed to be the best bridal shop in Arvada. Having had my own wedding and been part of 4 others I do have some experience.They did great when you came in but it changes. My friend was buying "off the racks ". The lady was nice until she found this out, and that she was looking for under $500. To that she pointed to the dresses and told us there they were.She did not explain the different types of dresses, different makes, different sizes, nothing. We rummaged through the dresses, found a couple and looked around for someone to pay attention to us (we were the only ones in the store). FINALLY we found Sherry (who stinks).She told us which room to use and I began to follow my friend in. Sherry told me to wait outside, she would help her into the dresses.GREAT that's what's suppose to happen. Sherry however closed the curtain and told her to yell when she needed the back zipped up.So, she had NO HELP getting into these dresses.When she came out, I of course took pictures, the lady did not like being in any of the pictures, she hated the flash, and mentioned numerous times that the amount of pictures being taken were excessive. She often rolled her eyes and sighed when the flash went off. However I still took the pictures- you can't have enough. After my friend tried on a few dresses she had a good idea on what she wanted.She told Sherry what she was looking for and Sherry just stood there, zoned out with a glazed face, until I specifically asked her what other dresses she had that my friend had described. She responded with, "what did she like again". I told her again and Sherry did find some more dresses. When my friend came out with the next dress it had a long train.Me and her mom mentioned how pretty the dress will look bustled up. Sherry again just stood there. So I went over and started pulling the back of the dress up in different spots to give her an idea. Sherry pushed me out of the way and told me I was doing it wrong in a clearly annoyed voice.Finally I suggested we look elsewhere and her mom agreed. Sherry of course then perked up and mentioned all the places that recommends them. Needless to say, my friend bought a dress here- against my wishes and her mothers. I mentioned that this dress was supposed to have removable straps (you could see where the hooks go). Sherry rolled her eyes and went to the back of the room and pulled out a bag of straps and told her to pick two. Funny enough, this dress also came with a shawl (another friend of mine bought the same brand and all their dresses come with it) which I asked Sherry for as well. She again rolled her eyes, tilted her head, took a deep breath and disappeared into the back. Go figure, she found the shawl. Needless to say, I was not impressed. It doesn't stop with Sherry either. When the bridesmaids ordered our dresses we ordered them a size larger based on their recommendations. All four dresses were way too big and all had to get altered. Go figure, they have an alteration place in the store as well. I did not get my dress altered there though. They quoted me $160 to take my dress in and the place I went to charged me $45 and it fit perfect. It was like pulling teeth to get them to do anything that is normally standard.

• Pros: no appointment/ large dressing rooms
• Cons: everything else

07/19/09

Rude manager and expensive services

by Bridesmaidtobe

I am in a wedding this summer, and the bride has chosen our dresses as well as her own gown from here. One day she asked me to meet her there so she could try on her dress for me to see. I walked in and told the girl at the desk who I was looking for. She told me that she was in the first room trying on her dress. I slowly drew back the curtain just enough to slip in when I saw that it was ANOTHER (half-naked) bride by a similar name. If that weren't embarassing enough, the rude manager (not sure of her name) snapped at me from across the room, and in front of several people, by saying "that's her!" I said "No, it's not. It's another girl by the same name!" I was furious, and embarrased.

The bride has had terrible experiences of going in there and the manager being so extremely rude. She's only nice to the brides that actually buy expensive dresses from her.

My dress for the wedding came in and it was too big. I decided not to have them do the alterations because I just had a feeling it would be so pricey. Another b.maid did, and confirmed that it was. They charged her $80 for a job that I had done at The Wedding Seamstress up the street in Olde Towne Arvada for much less.

To me, after having been through the wedding process as a bride, this experience and many others that I have heard about is should be enough to make other brides NEVER want to shop here.

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: the whole experience

06/18/09

Not impressed

by larca83

Initially I did my wedding gown shopping alone, because my family and wedding party live in another state. I didn't realize that I'd be on my own almost the entire time I was at Amanda's. I chose my 5 dresses and waited in my dressing room for a while, because I was told that the consultant would come help me get into them. She did eventually come, but only to lace/zip up the backs and leave again. I'm a petite girl and it was difficult to get these dresses off the hangers and to get into them! I didn't like that the dresses are kept in the garment bags; although the bags are clear, the bottoms of the dresses are bunched up and you can't tell what kind of dress you're pulling until you've got it in your dressing room. I ended up leaving the dresses in a pile on the floor of my room and going home. The fact that they don't take appointments should have been my first clue. I much preferred to try on dresses at a salon where I had an hour and a half appt with a consultant giving me her full attention. Don't bother with Amanda's if you're shopping alone.

• Pros: big dressing rooms
• Cons: not much help from consultants