Mariel

07/02/2008 Posted by hhathaway

Mariel's was a great experience for me. Joanne was very freindly and helpful, giving me a nice variety to help me decide what would be the best style for my body type and ceremony location. My mother and Aunt were with me and enjoyed not only looking at the gorgeous wedding dresses but also the selection of dresses for other occasions. In addition I was able to order something origional that is only available from Mariel's. The prices were reasonable and Denise the owner was very helpfull and knowledgeable at my fiting appointment. My five year old daughter was with me and enjoyed her expeirience as well.

04/24/2008 Posted by 5102008

I had a very bad experience with Mariel's. First of all, when I bought my dress and veil they packaged them in a way that when I got home and opened the garment bag, my brand new veil was caught in the zipper and ripped. When I let them know what happened they just told me "well we tell the brides to be careful." Needless to say I was not to blame and they refused to have any accountability or be held responsible. They were clearly negligent when they packaged it and refused to admit it. Secondly, I was told by the Tailor that they should not have sold me the dress because it was too big for my size and they mis-measured me. My dress has been at the tailors for two months because of their negligent service and is still not done. I am getting married in two weeks! The alterations will now cost more than the dress, again because of their negligence. Lastly, I bought my wedding shoes there when I bought the dress. The rhinestone fell out of the buckle immediately after putting them on during a dress fitting. I tried to exchange them and they told me they could not help me because the shoes were purchased in January. They gave me a rhinestone and told me to glue my shoes back together before the wedding. This is the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I do not recommend them to anyone and urge everyone not to use their services. There dresses are reasonable but you pay a price in many other ways.

Pros: They have a nice selection of inexpensive dresses

Cons: Horrible customer service and quality of merchandise

04/22/2008 Posted by 80487gretch

I've read the reviews and it's either a love or a hate relationship with Mariel's. I loved the boutique! We were warned that they are very stickler about appointments before going in there and were prepared. It's for a great reason-- They sell dresses off the floor in order to keep prices low therefore a sales associate has to help you try on every dress. You're not allowed to touch any of the dresses you try on-- which keeps each dress in pristine condition. LOVED the store and the service! Found my dress. Would highly suggest to anyone who is seriously looking at buying a wedding dress or any funky fun piece of clothing. Wouldn't suggest to a bridezilla who wants her way and insists on being a princess!

Pros: Great Prices on Bridal, Very attentive service,

Cons: Be on top of your game--make an appointment

04/07/2008 Posted by dmariek

Honestly, I don't understand where these dissatisfied people are shopping, because it cannot possibly be Mariel on Larimer. The clothing, bridal selections and customer service in Denise's shop are absolutely second to none. I have been in her shop many times and am always treated with respect, kindness and courtesy by all the staff, as have all the other customers I have encountered during my visits there. The energy that Denise and her staff cultivate is welcoming and warm.

Pros: Selection and customer service

Cons: Too many beautiful things to choose from!

12/04/2007 Posted by inkspotz

After reading the reviews for Mariel, I was intrigued about their wedding gowns, but concerned about the repeated complaints about bad service. I called the store at 10AM to try and make an appointment, but the line was apparently hooked up to the fax machine for over an hour. Finally, at 11:30, I got through. Denise answered, and I asked if I could make a wedding dress appointment for today. She told me that there were no more appointments for the day, and that she was on the other line with a customer. Mind you, this was a snowy Wednesday, and I had a hard time believing that all the appointments for the day were filled. She took my number, and said she would call right back. Three hours later, she returned the call, which I missed, because I was trying on dresses at another salon. I tried to call her back again, but once more, she told me she was busy with another customer, and offered to call me back. I said I would just try another time, because I didn't want to continue the phone tag. My mom and I decided to drop in to the store anyway, and see if anything caught our eye. When we got there, Denise was on the phone, on what was obviously a personal call (or was she busy with another "customer"?) We were the only customers in the place, so her claim that all appointments were filled was untrue. She ignored us for ten minutes, before finally asking if we needed any help, but by that time we were headed for the door. She had put up a sign in front of the bridal area, saying that it was closed. I wish she had just been honest and told me that she only made bridal appointments on certain days of the week, instead of lying and saying that all the appointments were filled. It seems like selling bridal gowns is just an afterthought for her--more of a nuisance than anything else. Perhaps Denise needs to reconsider if she really wants to sell gowns at all.

Pros: The boutique had some interesting, unusual clothes

Cons: Poor, inattentive service

11/30/2007 Posted by jeniferlhammond

I am a wedding planner and have had five brides successfully buy gorgeous dresses for outrageously low prices. It is not easy to get an appointment here, phone calls are not quickly returned, but if you can schedule an appointment and take a look at these dresses you will be hooked. Everything from simple, sleek, contemporary dresses, to heavily beaded, formal gowns can be found here. They also have an exquisite selection of jewelry and veils. Prices are between $400 - $1200. My brides typically shop at Auers Bridal at Andrisen Morton, Priscilla of Boston - very high end weddings in the Vail Valley. Jenifer L Hammond IDoWeddingServices

Pros: The dresses are perfect and the prices are unbeatable

Cons: Service could improve

11/19/2007 Posted by upset_1

Any time you leave a store TWICE with your feelings hurt, it is a sign that you should NEVER go back! Rude, rude, rude! Snotty, snotty, snotty! I don't know how Denise stays in business, except that she caters only to the very wealthy or those who LOOK like they have money.

Pros: None

Cons: Very rude and snotty

07/01/2007 Posted by slano

I was first introduced to Mariel when my sister bought her wedding dress there. We were at first thinking it would be out of her price range based on the outside, but wandered in anyway. We were blown away by the prices. They have dresses from $300 +. You'd never have expected it by the look of the store, but it is a rare find. My sister picked out dresses to try on and they take extra special care to make sure their gowns stay nice. Be forewarned that you will have to wear gloves to try on a dress and they put a vail type material over your head so no makeup stains the dresses. We loved this! You are catered to every step of the way and you can rest assured that if your dress is the last one and they can't order it then the one you tried on will be in mint condition. No finger-stained, make-up stained dresses here. I also bought my wedding dress here and recommend it to everyone I know. The ladies at Mariel pamper you every step of the way, and your dress will be a one-of-a-kind. My dress was the last one available and I felt comfortable buying it directly from the store because I know the care that goes into them. This is by far a must-stop botique if you are getting married. Also, they stock unique clothes as well. Their cocktail dresses are to die for. Although, you may find you pay as much as you would if it were a wedding dress-but you get much more wear out of it!

Pros: Botique shopping experience at budget prices

05/18/2007 Posted by coloradogrrl

I am on a fairly strict budget, but couldn't find a dress I liked in my price range. Then a friend recommended Mariel's. I was reluctant because of the other reviews on here re: the customer service. I hated the thought of trying to deal with that ON TOP OF the stress of finding a dress! Not only were the people there (Amanda, I THINK, and Denise, the owner) nice, they were so patient and helpful. I can't even express how appreciative I am! They let me choose 7 dresses to try on, let me take as much time as I wanted with each, and when I tried on the 4th and asked how much, I was totally impressed! I found the perfect dress there for under $300! Fair warning, all the other dresses I tried on were in the $600-700 range, which I think is more typical. With each dress, they would find complimentary accessories which, even if you don't buy your dress there--check out their accessories! They seemed genuinely happy to help me find my dress which is why I imagine they're in business in the first place. You have to make an appointment and, of course, during a weekday is better than weekends or trying for after work. Also, they don't allow pictures, so you should probably have an idea of what you're looking for before you go. I also liked that you can buy the dresses off-the-rack, others you can order. The selection is also impressive--I liked the majority of the dresses in there. Definitely worth a shot for anyone looking for a unique dress at an incredibly reasonable price!

Pros: Genuinely helpful staff

Cons: None

04/27/2007 Posted by cleo8302

I only recommend Mariel based on their selection. They have a very nice mix of traditional gowns and unique ones. The dress I had my eye on was a one of a kind. The customer service however is something to be avoided. I was treated like more of a nuisance than a paying customer. The saleswoman kept barking orders at me and my party. We were not to touch anything, not to talk on cell phones, not to take pictures, not to talk too loudly. They sell floor model gowns and of course strive to keep everything in perfect condition, which I understand, but I did not appreciate being treated like an ill behaved child. My mom did not want me in a revealing dress but the saleswoman kept pulling backless and low cut dresses. I was not allowed to pick out anything and she did not listen to input from me or anyone else. We were promptly kicked out after our hour was up even though there was no one scheduled for the rest of the day. Prices on gowns were very very good, usually around $500, but everything else in the store was priced as you'd expect from a chic Denver boutique. Walk into Mariel expecting mediocre customer care at best.

Pros: Unique selection

Cons: Customer service, or lack thereof