Anna's Bridal Couture — Local services in Bethesda

I had the WORST experience at this place I do not suggest this vendor to any brides unless you like wasting your time. There was literally so much wrong with this experience from the undertones in which the attendant spoke to me, the fact that she didn’t listen to anything that I was saying and above all she just didn’t seem to want to help me since I wouldn’t have fit the budget she wanted to sell at. DO NOT PAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT HERE! Not worth it.

First, I made an appointment weeks ago and provided my budget and dress size for gowns(12). I show up today for my appointment and essentially the attendant (short Indian lady) tells me all the dresses are couture (starting $3000+) and she doesn’t have much in my price range ($2000 max) but she did have something for me to try. So I decide to give it a shot.

She pulled about 4 dresses directly off the racks that are not my size and therefore will not fit. She also didn’t have samples in my size so why say you have something when you don’t?

The second dress she made me try on did fit but she wouldn’t disclose the cost of a dress and said she’ll give me a discount. I told her I didn’t like the dress and it was too much dress. She proceeded to ask how many people I was having at my wedding (50) and she said oh yeah that’s too much dress for that but with a tone that made it sound like it was too inferior for a dress like that.

Frustrated, I asked her why they didn’t call me beforehand to let me know they don’t have my size or budget. She said because people change their minds when they see the dress. Okay, but how can ANYONE pick a dress if they can’t properly try it on?

At this point I’m pissed bc my mom is only in town for a short amount of time and I just wasted what could’ve been another appointment at a different store that actually wanted to help me. She kept referring me to the Alexandria store which has “normal” dresses when she should’ve just called and reassigned my appointment to there.

I’m incredibly pissed off that I wasted time and I honestly think they don’t call to tell you so they can pocket the $50 for the appointment.

In response to the owner: yes they did refund me after begging me to try the Alexandria location and I refused to go (it’s also $35 vs $50). I was already in Bethesda why would I cross the city and fight traffic when I suppose to have an appointment there? Again, I don’t think there is an understanding that they wasted everyone’s time ESPECIALLY if their response is they don’t carry sizes in everything after asking for the size in the appointment. A size that is actually fairly common. AGAIN, why not just say we don’t have dresses here and ask to move my appointment to the other location that can serve me better? And I tried on two dresses that literally didn’t work because she was just pulling things at random, she kept reiterating how expensive everything was, and I was not offered or even provided add on pieces to try and make the dresses at least look like they fit. I was trying to give her a chance, not because I wanted to but because I already drove all the way out there. Also, if multiple people heard the conversation then why not come out and try to mediate it or state on the phone you don’t know...

While I could not be more excited to be a bride, I was genuinely dreading the whole, "say yes to the dress" process. My Mom, my sister and I made a few informal bridal appointments just to get a sense of what I might be looking for. I was not ready for the full trying-on experience and felt very overwhelmed by price, neckline and my ability to stay true to myself.

From the moment I walked into Anna's Bridal, AJ (and Miss Jenny) made me feel seen and heard. AJ was so patient with me as I fumbled through Pinterest boards and notes on my phone. Over the course of two visits, AJ's professionalism and lighthearted approach made me feel at home and ready to make this exciting decision. Her expertise and clear understanding of fabric, body movement and design quality helped to fill in every gap and answer every question that our first-time wedding family had!

I, like many women, am not always comfortable with my body and fit of clothing. AJ seemed to slow the whole process down and helped me to feel exactly the way I want to feel on my magical day in November! I found my dress at Anna's Bridal! -And, I also want to make it clear that I would stand by this review regardless of that outcome.

AJ is an artist! She is such a wonderful ambassador of an industry I had previously felt so unsure of. I cannot express how wonderful this process was for me in the end.

THANK YOU, AJ! -Caroline (Beth...

I’m glad google asked how my appointment was…. Well it was non existent. Yes that’s right, drove all the way there just to get turned away because I needed to pay $35 to try on dresses. Yes you heard right….$35 just to try on the dresses. …smh. And I mean I guess it’s A recession so you gotta do what you gotta do to keep your business alive so I guess…..But my issue was that I was given totally different information from the Bethesda location so that’s where my Issue is. I was specifically told that since my appointment was booked by the lady in Bethesda there would be no charge, there’s only a charge when you book online. So to drive all the way to Alexandria and be turned away because I needed to pay $35 is a huge disappointment. And then IV Miesha shared that I was given false information from their other location and no one did anything to rectify the situation is another issue. You would think that they would be accommodating and apologetic for the miscommunication but no they must have really needed that $35. Anyway, I found my dress from a very sweet and accommodating bridal shop, and guess what…..there wasn’t even a fee to try...