Premiere Couture — Local services in Cambridge

I’m giving this a one star only because I needed to rate something in order to comment. I always like to shop small and I like to give businesses the benefit of the doubt, however after this most recent experience, I will NEVER shop at this store again. The problems with this shop started last year. I came to the store with my friend and her daughter to look for prom dresses. I will definitely give praise where praise is due. There was quite a large selection and prices were fair. The staff was very welcoming. She found a dress last year that she really liked and was beautiful. The zipper was broken so it was discounted and was “buy as is”. The lady put it on her without being able to zip it up due to the broken zipper and said it will fit. Later, when she got the alterations to the zipper and put it on, she found out that it wasn’t even close to fitting. When addressed about the situation, one of the staff said that “she must have gained weight.” Luckily, we were able to find a local seamstress who was able to make the dress fit and look beautiful. We decided to give the shop a second chance after the first bad experience. She found the dress of her dreams. The size that she tried on didn’t fit, but the associate assured us that the designer of the dress made them larger so she would be safe by ordering one size up from the size she tried on. When the dress came in, we came back to try it on. Not only did it not fit, but she was unable to breathe comfortably. Again, when addressed, the worker came up with plenty of explanations. First, that they can only “suggest” a size. I find that response to be unacceptable. We came to the boutique and paid the amount of the dress because as people who do this as a profession, I should be able to trust their “suggestions.” The worker said she would talk to the company and see what they could do. A couple days later, they received a text saying they “worked a little magic”. When we came back to try it on, it was still extremely tight to the point where you could only notice a small difference, but still uncomfortable to breathe in. She was told to “breathe from her stomach, seeing as you’re a singer. You can put it on, sit on the couch for awhile and that will help stretch it out.” It seemed like no matter what we addressed as concerning, there was always an answer. My friend felt immense pressure to just purchase the dress anyways. Personally, I had to bite my tongue multiple times on how this was handled. The last straw, and the reason I am finally writing this review, happened today. We took the dress to a local boutique to do alterations. The dress, to at least fit comfortably, will have to be opened and revamped in the back by 2 inches. A dress that was bought for well over $500.00 has quickly become much more because of the negligence that this store has shown time and time again. She is a senior this year and all my friend wanted to do was to give her the dress of her dreams. This is far beyond anyone’s dreams. As of now, paying the extra money to make the alterations just isn’t possible so there is a good chance she won’t be going to prom at all. I encourage those who consider buying from this shop to ask lots of questions. To insist on being measured properly and if the person doesn’t know what they are doing, to request someone else. Do NOT fall for...

Above and beyond expectations! I did not expect shopping for a wedding dress to be so enjoyable, easy, and like its own little celebration. They are still, several weeks later, continuing to surprise me! I almost don't want to write everything they did, so that you can be as delighted as my mom and I were, but I will tell you a few things.

--I talked with the owner of the shop while making the appointment, and then I got a message from Lauren introducing herself--along with a video--since she was going to be helping my mom and I during our time in the shop. They were both super helpful, cheerful, and somehow read my mind when it came to the dresses.

--When my mom and I got there, Lauren had a bunch of dresses already set aside in the dressing room, and when I saw them, I was so surprised. It was just like, yes, this is totally what I had in mind! I don't know how they did it, because seriously, I didn't give either her or the owner very much to go off of, but they know what they're doing.

I honestly didn't realize truly how many different styles of dresses they have in that shop, but there are a LOT. There's even more than what's on their website.

--I literally bought the first dress I tried on. It was exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for but didn't think I'd be able to find + afford. They were great about choosing dresses in my preferred budget. When I tried the dress on, my mom and I knew right away that it was the dress, and then Lauren told us it was like 60% off. I mean. Come on. When does that happen.

I tried on several other dresses for funzies and just to make sure the first one was the right choice, and seriously, all the dresses were all beautiful. It was wild. Like, I really don't think you can go wrong with any of those dresses in there. And Lauren was so helpful with clipping them back and fastening everything and showing me how they go, and all that in-and-out-of-a-wedding-dress stuff. And she was fun to talk with during it as well.

--It was the easiest, breeziest, stress-free experience I could've hoped for. For real.

--And then there were so many fun things Lauren did to celebrate! All of these details were a big part of what made the experience so enjoyable! She sent us away with mementos and info on tailors and some special gifts. Don't wanna say too much so that you can experience it for yourself.

--There's also apparently a surprise waiting at our home in Washington, which she sent shortly after our appointment. Looking forward to seeing what it is!

--And THEN, on top of all this, yesterday, I get a text from Lauren inviting my fiance and I to a free event that Premiere Couture is hosting for couples to learn and practice posing from a professional photographer. How lovely and fun is that! So we're going. I am just blown away by how much they think about the people who come to their shop.

TLDR: Excellent and delightful experience that is still continuing (!!!), extensive selection of beautiful dresses in a range of budgets, Lauren was knowlegeable, helpful, and friendly!...

I made an appointment yesterday to kick off my search for my wedding dress. When I first arrived, Laura was very kind to me and handed me over to a consultant who began to pull dresses within my price range. They only had a handful of dresses for me to try and none of them left an impression on me. This however, was NOT the problem. Since it was my first time trying on dresses, I didn't really know what style of dress I was looking for, so I requested to try on dresses outside of my desired price point so that I could get a better idea of what it was I was looking for. I could tell the consultant was reluctant to do so and after pulling a final dress for her to put in the fitting room, she literally rolled her eyes at me. Feeling hurt by her disrespect fullness, I asked her if she was getting frustrated with me and she responded with "well, yes I am." Trying my best not to break down and cry, she rudely proceeded to tell me that I should not be trying on dresses outside of my budget. She then requested that Laura take over the appointment. Thinking that things might be better, Laura helped me into another dress. During this time she explained that the reason they didnt want me trying on dresses outside of my price point was because they didnt want bad reviews saying that they put me in dresses that were not in my price range. I told her I understood that but her consultant had no reason to roll her eyes at me and be so disrespectful, not to mention I was requesting these dressing. They were not forcing me into them. Laura continued on with a forced kindness for someone being tolerated and never once apologized for the way I was treated. Once she had the dresses fastened, she was swinging open the curtain before I even had a chance to look in the mirror, making me feel as though she was ready for me to get it over with. The funny thing is, is that my mother was there and kept saying that we didnt need to worry about the price and if I would have found the perfect dress, I would have bought it. The price I gave was what I felt was reasonable. I would have left the shop right away if I hadnt driven an hour to get there and what should have been one of the most exciting moments in planning my wedding was a terrible experience. I recommend that you avoid this shop when looking for your dress. It doesnt matter if ten brides before me were treated kindly and I was the only one they were rude to. I feel I'm a very laid back and easy going person and they left me fighting tears on the way home. No one should experience that when shopping for their...