Cleo Bridal — Attraction in O’Fallon

I made my appointment with Cleo's on November 9th, and when we came in on January 29th, there seemed to be a lot of what I can only assume were walk-in parties, or maybe over-booked appointments. It seemed that many of the employees, especially the consultant assigned to me, were trying to be in two places at once. Things were so busy, that despite having an appointment, my consultant was not available to start with us until nearly 30 minutes into the appointment. In fact, upon check-in, it seemed like there was stress that a room/area might not be available, and it was a relief that there were only two of us.

We walked past the bridal areas with great lighting, a reasonable changing area, and plenty of mirrors. We were then taken upstairs, and per their website, the "Attic" is an area upstairs where brides can buy dresses off the rack to due a shorten timeline. We semi-saw a bride in that area being helped and were confused as to where we would be going, especially since my wedding isn't until the fall of this year. We were then dropped off at the "Bridesmaid Room" which isn’t even a room and far less lighting. I’m not sure why someone shopping for a bridal gown was just left in the bridesmaid area.

I spoke with my consultant stating that I preferred dresses with an "A-line, square or sweetheart neckline and some glitter." Dress after dress was brought to me that had deeper V necklines and was told I could just get cloth put there and/or had empire waistlines. Both my MoH and I made consistent remarks that dresses with empire waistlines did me no favors and I didn't want to try them on. I was told at one point that the dresses being brought to me were so voluminous, something I wanted less of, was my doing because I liked glitter.

The changing room was a stall made with cloth walls so small, the dresses took up the entire space and didn't always close all the way. My consultant did not help me into dresses, like stepping into them and/or going up and over, and she was always busy on the computer when I came out so much so that my MoH was starting to help and try to clip me. I also presumed that consultant preferred to help brides try on dresses to ensure their inventory is not damaged. While I also don't enjoy stairs as a workout, my consultant chose to have a runner get dresses for me and when that individual would ask which dresses, they would respond with vague statements like "something like this." After each dress, my consultant would ask "do you like it?" rather than things like "what do you like about this dress and what do you not?"

I wear a size 10 in jeans. I’m aware that bridal sizes are different/larger but after never asking me what size jeans I wore, my consultant told me that I was likely going to need an 18 for a dress that was not meant to be figure hugging. Additionally, I was never asked if I intended to work on (or continue) losing weight. While I whole-heartly agree that I should never buy a dress I “hope” to fit in, I can not fathom ordering an 18 and having it taken in to a 10. The exact same dress that I had been told I would be an 18 in, I tried on at another store, who measured me and sized me between a 12 and 14. Interestingly enough, there are reviews here mentioning dresses being ordered far too large and fit them like a tent.

Overall, it was a really disheartening experience and I'm glad it was not the first place we went. I don't get the impression that it was something to do with my size per se since there were plus-sized brides in the various bride areas. I don't think it was about budget either, since when she asked, I said not over a certain number, and she said that nothing in the store cost that much. If I had to guess, it seemed as though we were treated like an afterthought because we didn't have a hype squad the store needed to cater to or we didn’t “look” like we would be posting pictures to like Instagram. For whatever reason, we were treated almost as an afterthought. I wouldn't even let my niece shop at a store with this kind of atmosphere for a...

WOW WOW WOW. This bridal shop is everything. The building itself is fabulous. You might not think that's a big deal, but trust me, the setting of this old building by the railroad tracks is beyond romantic and will absolutely set the tone for dress shopping! Don't believe me? Fine, go find some fluorescent lighting on a noisy street and tell me how bridal you feel. Anyway, now that you're convinced you need to shop for a dress in a beautiful space that you have to walk under A FREAKING ARBOR COVERED IN WISTERIA IVY just to enter the front door, let me tell you why you should dress shop with Savanna in the Attic.

Savanna is sweet, upbeat, pays close attention to detail, and explains everything you need to know while making you feel special. Don't love a dress? That's fine, she's ready to hand you the next one. Find the dress you do love? She's celebrating with you, never pressures you into a sale, but has things wrapped up in your garment bag or gift wrapped in the same amount of time it takes you to get dressed.

What's the Attic? It's a dream. Huge window looking out onto those romantic train tracks and green grass. Natural light floods the room so you look LIKE A VISION on the pedestal in front of a mirror SO BIG that like, how did they get it up there?! The best part? Every wall of the attic is filled with beautiful, designer wedding dresses at dramatic discounts, any one of those dresses ready to go home with you that day, and organized so well that any stressed bride (or Virgo sun sign) can just, like, sigh and relax.

I literally found MY DREAM DRESS in an hour, 50% off, with a curated list of seamstresses in my hand for alterations. I felt like a bride the entire time. Thanks to everyone at Cleo Bridal, but...

I am deeply disappointed with Cleos bridal. When I was measured I told the women that there was no way I was the size she said. She then said that she would put a note in the computer that she requested 3 sizes bigger than I thought I needed, stating that a smaller size would in no way fit me.

Our dresses came in and mine was absolutely gigantic on me. The note the employee left in the system said that i requested the larger size, not her, which was a lie. I spoke with management and they too agreed that I was measured wrong by multiple sizes. The manager said that since it was their mistake she would get ahold of the manufacturer and see about getting the correct size in.

A few days later the manager called me and said that the manufacturer recommended I go up an additional 2 sizes from the already tent like dress. And that the "wrong" size that they ordered me was actually too small and they would not be ordering another dress for me. They said that their dresses are purposely made to be altered and that they ordered me the right size. Throughout all of our conversations the manager contradicted herself and was caught lying. I am extremely disappointed with Cleos Bridal and I recommend NOT using them.

I was also supposed to have a manager call me weeks ago and I have not heard back. They still have my oversized dress and I have not heard a single word. I am also not the only bridesmaid with...