Blush Boutique — Local services in Belfast

I am writing this review to express my disappointment with regards to the level of service I received whilst frequenting Blush Bridal on Saturday past.

I arrived for my appointment at 1.55pm and was not seen until 2.15pm. It was explained to my party that the shop assistants were running a little bit behind and I said that this wasn’t a problem. I was then asked to complete a form detailing my budget and dress requirements. I ticked the box which stated that my budget was between £1000 and £1500. From here the appointment went downhill; I was told by the first shop assistant that the least inexpensive dress that they had was £1300 (which I was not told over the phone) but they could show me samples that I ‘might be able to afford’. I was thrown by this and expressed to my party that I felt uncomfortable being treated like I was less than nothing because of my financial restraints.

I was show three dresses, all under £1000 and all samples. I was told that if I liked them I would have to get them cleaned and on one of the dresses the zip was broken and that I would have to get a replacement for that too. At no stage was I shown any £1300 dresses or asked if I would like to see them even though they were slightly over budget.

At one stage one of my bridal party went to close the doors and was essentially told off because it was an open appointment and the doors had to remain open whilst other people wondered around the dresses. When any of my party went to the dresses they were ‘tutted’ at and the dresses were instantly rearranged by a staff member. After the third dress which was not at all what I had asked to see but I was being shown it because it was reduced down to £700, I was shown a fourth dress which was not a sample but down from £3000 to £1250 but I was told that I ‘really had to love it’ to have it taken out of the wrapping because it was evidently such a burden to do so.

Whilst trying on the third dress my bridal party approached me and told me I never looked so uncomfortable in my life, they were disgusted at the way I was being treated and we left the store at 2.30pm, after only a 15 minute appointment. I was treated like I was worthless because I wasn’t there to purchase a dress that was over £2000. I would like you to know that I have purchased a dress at £1300 and due to Blush staff members’ attitude and how I was treated, they lost that business.

I am writing this review to make others aware of the situation so that no other bride is ever treated like this. I was shocked, treated like dirt and looked down upon. The staff members were very condescending, discourteous and snobbish and that was very upsetting. I have never been treated in that manner and to treat someone like that especially when you are in the wedding business is appalling. My bridal party made comments on the Blush Facebook page but those were instantly removed. We went to Blush because I had seen their dresses in shows and had researched them online and could not wait to try on some of their fabulous ‘alternative’ dresses. I left feeling belittled, disgusted...

Will not be back. I purchased a dress in store SEVEN DAYS AGO after driving up from Co. Clare. Where do I begin..

When trying on a dress, the shop attendant told me "if you just lost a few pounds that dress would be perfect for you".. I instantly felt so hurt by that comment and suddenly out of place in the boutique.

When going between two of essentially the same dresses by designer Kevan Jon (who I have worn in the past and loved) I felt so pushed to purchase at least one of the dresses I started to feel very pressured while standing at the till. I was being advised that the dress I wanted, which wasn't in my size, would take 16 WEEKS (if not longer over christmas!) to come into store. I said I would wait and try it on when I was next in Belfast - but was instead advised that the dress might not come back into store at all, even though the dress has been in their regular stock for well over a year. Instead I purchased the dress in a slightly different colour at £330 after feeling so pressured at the till to make a purchase with comments such as the price might increase by the next time I'm in, or that the dress may never come back into stock.

When I got home the dress just wasn't right at all, I emailed their store contact email as given on their website - that email was ignored. I happened to be back in Belfast seven days later and went into store to return the dress. I was advised there are NO REFUNDS on dresses purchased instore (although full refund offered online). This is not plainly written anywhere in store, nor is it advised when purchasing, instead it is written at the bottom of the reciept. When asked if there was anything wrong with the dress I stupidly said no it just didn't work for me, perhaps had I said the stitching wasn't right along the back of the dress if would have made a difference, but something tells me it wouldn't have.

The attendant offered store credit instead, but as I live in Co. Clare I would be unlikely to be back instore again before that expired - it was offered to stretch to 12 months but when you're shopping for an occasion dress 12 months is not a long time.

I cannot believe the service when spending as much money as they ask for the dresses in store not to offer a refund within seven days of purchase. I will not be back to this store and I will not be recommending them on to anyone. I am so disappointed...

Never again! (If I could give no stars, I would. I could not get out of the shop quick enough) Myself and my mother came all the way from Co.Meath to try on mother of the bride outfits as we had seen a lot about this boutique online. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. Firstly I would like to thank ivy who was my mams first assistant and really did try her best she was so friendly and helpful. Our experience with a dark haired middle aged lady was another story, she came into the room to ‘help’ ivy about 15 minutes into our appointment and the first thing she told my mother standing in a dress was ‘oh no you would want to loose at least a stone for me to sell you that dress’ ‘I wouldn’t actually want you to leave the shop in that’ little to her knowledge my wedding is not for 11 months and my mother infact does intend to loose weight (not that it’s any of her business or concern), from that point on I was bubbling with anger but for respect for my mam I didn’t want to make a scene as I could tell she was already embarrassed enough. She also told my mam to lay off the ‘wine and cheese’ and she would be grand.

Bit of common sense would tell you that it is rude to comment on a person’s appearance but apparently this lady doesn’t have any.

Avoid at all costs, if my mother had of falling in love with a dress in this shop I would have found it from another boutique rather than give my mothers money to someone so rude.

Perhaps only size 8 mothers of the bride bother going to this shop, unless you don’t mind being verbally abused and left standing there mortified like a bold school child being told what to do and how to do it (giving weight loss tips, saying she basically forced her friend into slimming world to loose weight but it was ‘out of support’) presumably she doesn’t have many friends.

Lesson learned here always read the reviews!!!

Also. No need to reply, Iv heard enough from you for a lifetime.don’t need to hear you try to defend this...