Brides To Be — Attraction in Glastonbury

It took me a few months to write this review, I wasn’t even going to, but after speaking to other brides that had similar experiences, I decided to tell my experience and hope they take it as a constructive feedback. I went in looking for a wedding dress a few months ago, both the consultant and the owner were very nice and friendly with me and made me feel welcome, they asked me what I had in mind and if I had tried on wedding dresses before and what size worked for me. I told them I had only been to David’s bridal and the consultant laughed and made a joke about it, which wasn’t really ethical or professional, when I told them the size that fitted me (a 16), the owner explained to me that usually David bridal’s gowns are a little bigger than designer gowns, and that I should try to size up to an 18. As the owner was explaining this to me, the consultant interrupted her and said she thought I was much bigger than that, which doesn’t offend me at all. I tried to explain to her the kind of dress I was interested in trying (A-line), and because most of my measurements are on my hips, and I have a relatively smaller waist, I knew I wouldn’t need anything too big, but I trusted her experienced and went along with it. First gowns she had me try were a size 26, I could LITERALLY fit another person in that dress with me, when I showed it to her, I was expecting she would do the obvious and skip a few sizes down, since the dress was clearly huge, but my jaw dropped when she actually made me waste so much time going down one size at a time. I had to take initiative to try on a size 20 and fell in love with it, it was a gorgeous dress, but clearly still too big, when I told her I was concerned the bodice would need too many alterations, she dismissed me and tried to reassure that the only alteration needed would be a little pinch on each strap and that it fitted me perfectly (which was far from reality). I really fell in love with the dress, but when I got home and showed my family and friends some photos, everyone saw how ill fitting the dress was, and even my aunt, who has been a seamstress longer than I have been alive, agreed that a lot of alterations would be needed, especially given the design of the back. I ended up not going back and going to 2 famous boutiques in the area, in both places I had 0 problems finding a dress, and every single dress I tried was a perfect size 16, I ended up buying a beautiful Justin Alexander gown that was the last of its kind and needed no alterations whatsoever except a little hem. After my experience at Brides to be, I felt like they were either trying to take advantage of me to make money with alterations, didn’t have a clue of what they were doing, or didn’t know how to work with curvy women, of all my experiences, including David’s bridal with a 20 something year old consultant, no one had a problem finding the right...

Growing up in NYC, I always thought that I would surely find my perfect gown in the city once I found someone crazy enough to want to be my life partner and be able to keep in step with my peculiarities. That time finally arrived and the unsuspecting emotional drain of wedding gown shopping began.

Driving to the city on the weekends and visiting all the local spots in Western MA and the Hartford area, I found little to nothing. I was getting desperate with no time left for a custom/new gown and having the dreaded thought of settling on a dress.

Consignment or off-the-rack became my only option so when I stepped foot in Brides To Be, I wasn’t feeling particularly hopeful. I tried a handful of gowns and picked two “maybes”. On my way out at the end of their work day, I perused the designer rack and there it was - The One. I felt guilty holding staff a little past closing but something about it spoke to me even while it was just drooping on a hanger in a bag. I had no idea what style or shape it was; I just knew I needed to try it on. The giddiness built and once the dress was on as I stepped towards the pedestal, a ridiculous smile was plastered to my face where it remained the rest of the night. I put it on hold immediately and purchased it within a week.

It took me NINE stores to find the perfect dress and the sweetest staff to nail it down. Thank you to Phyllis and her team for the continued...

Came in today to honestly look at wedding dress styles because I haven't been a bride in a very long time. Was greeted right away, and I was asked what style and price range. Told her I didn't really know the style but knew my price range and she started pulling dresses for me to try on. She started pulling out of my price range and didnt know it until the dress I loved was out of my budget. The dress didnt super fit and she recommended to get your dress altered by their seamstress. She said it wouldnt be a problem getting it fixed. Which I did and asked for straps and showed the lady what I wanted. When I got the dress back I did not like what she did, not what I asked for at all. She then pulled the straps off the shoulder and sewed them. Wasnt until I got home that I saw how messy it was done. The dress was still tight and was told thats the most they can take it out. They were also to check all the beading which did not get done. My bustle also keeps unsnapping. I had my reservations after reading all the not so good reviews. Should have listened to them. Do not do not listen to them when they say it can be fixed no problem. I now have a dress that needs to be refixed because of the sloppy work and thats too fitted to wear all night. Had to purchase a second dress....