Wedding Belles — Local services in Clarksville

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Brides Beware – My Experience with Wedding Belles

I never imagined I would have to write a review like this, but I feel a responsibility to warn other brides so no one else experiences what I went through with Wedding Belles.

I purchased my wedding gown on July 12, 2025, after being told by the sales representative that the dress was already in their warehouse. I made it very clear during the appointment that I did not want to purchase anything that wasn’t already in the U.S., as I was concerned about shipping delays and tariff issues. Based on those assurances, I proceeded with the purchase and paid in full — a total of $2,281.00.

A month later, when I followed up for a delivery update, the owner, Lisa Forest, told me the gown was actually “still on the boat.” This was the first time I learned that the dress hadn’t even arrived in the country, completely contradicting what I was told at the time of purchase. She said she couldn’t check its status or give me an estimated delivery date.

I had scheduled my alterations for August 26, assuming my dress would arrive well in advance. Despite my repeated calls, Lisa failed to follow up as promised. She assured me she would call with updates on Monday — but that call never came. Because of this lack of communication, I missed my scheduled alterations appointment and even missed work trying to prepare for it.

Throughout this process, there was zero accountability or care for the stress this caused me. Instead, I was met with excuses about personal hardships and told stories that had nothing to do with my order. While I am empathetic to anyone’s personal challenges, that does not excuse neglecting customers — especially brides trusting you with one of the most important purchases of their lives.

When I later searched online, I discovered numerous Yelp reviews and Reddit threads from other brides describing the same experiences — delayed dresses, unreturned calls, and broken promises. Unfortunately, my experience aligned perfectly with theirs.

Only after I made a formal written demand for a refund did I finally receive my money back. Even then, the owner tried to claim that the dress “arrived in time for alterations,” though she never communicated that to me at any point — and certainly not before I had to cancel my appointment due to the uncertainty she created.

This entire ordeal was unprofessional, stressful, and completely avoidable. No bride should have to chase down updates or wonder whether her dress will arrive in time. Communication and honesty are the bare minimum when you’re running a bridal boutique — and this business failed at both.

To make matters worse, I was left just one month before my wedding to find a new dress and complete all my alterations. Thankfully, I went to Lavender Park Bridal, where I finally had the beautiful experience I should have had from the start. The team there went above and beyond — they even gifted me my favorite book (Pride & Prejudice), a mug, and earrings. I found a stunning sample dress that needed a little love, and I brought it to Hanna Fahmy at ABH Designs, whose attention to detail and kindness were unmatched. She finished my alterations four days before I left for my wedding and treated me with the care and reassurance every bride deserves.

Both Cali at Lavender Park and Hanna at ABH Designs restored my faith in this process. They are the true definition of professionalism, compassion, and excellence.

If you’re a bride looking for your dream dress — avoid Wedding Belles and go somewhere that will treat you with honesty, respect, and heart from...

Brides Beware – My Experience with Wedding Belles I never imagined I would have to write a review like this, but I feel a responsibility to warn other brides so no one else experiences what I went through with Wedding Belles. I purchased my wedding gown on July 12, 2025, after being told by the sales representative that the dress was already in their warehouse. I made it very clear during the appointment that I did not want to purchase anything that wasn’t already in the U.S., as I was concerned about shipping delays and tariff issues. Based on those assurances, I proceeded with the purchase and paid in full — a total of $2,281.00. A month later, when I followed up for a delivery update, the owner, Lisa Forest, told me the gown was actually “still on the boat.” This was the first time I learned that the dress hadn’t even arrived in the country, completely contradicting what I was told at the time of purchase. She said she couldn’t check its status or give me an estimated delivery date. I had scheduled my alterations for August 26, assuming my dress would arrive well in advance. Despite my repeated calls, Lisa failed to follow up as promised. She assured me she would call with updates on Monday — but that call never came. Because of this lack of communication, I missed my scheduled alterations appointment and even missed work trying to prepare for it. Throughout this process, there was zero accountability or care for the stress this caused me. Instead, I was met with excuses about personal hardships and told stories that had nothing to do with my order. While I am empathetic to anyone’s personal challenges, that does not excuse neglecting customers — especially brides trusting you with one of the most important purchases of their lives. When I later searched online, I discovered numerous Yelp reviews and Reddit reviews from other brides describing the same experiences — delayed dresses, unreturned calls, and broken promises. Unfortunately, my experience aligned perfectly with theirs. Only after I made a formal written demand for a refund did I finally receive my money back. Even then, the owner tried to claim that the dress “arrived in time for alterations,” though she never communicated that to me at any point — and certainly not before I had to cancel my appointment due to the uncertainty she created. This entire ordeal was unprofessional, stressful, and completely avoidable. No bride should have to chase down updates or wonder whether her dress will arrive in time. Communication and honesty are the bare minimum when you’re running a bridal boutique — and this business failed at both. To make matters worse, I was left just one month before my wedding to find a new dress and complete all my alterations. Thankfully, I went to Lavender Park Bridal, where I finally had the beautiful experience I should have had from the start. The team there went above and beyond — they even gifted me my favorite book (Pride & Prejudice), a mug, and earrings. I found a stunning sample dress that needed a little love, and I brought it to Hanna Fahmy at ABH Designs, whose attention to detail and kindness were unmatched. She finished my alterations four days before I left for my wedding and treated me with the care and reassurance every bride deserves. Both Cali at Lavender Park and Hanna at ABH Designs restored my faith in this process. They are the true definition of professionalism, compassion, and excellence. If you’re a bride looking for your dream dress — avoid Wedding Belles and go somewhere that will treat you with honesty, respect, and heart from...

The initial experience of going in there and trying on dresses was what I had imagined. The whole staff was friendly and very helpful and made me feel at ease. I think the fifth dress that I tried on ended up being the one I went with. This is the end of September and my wedding was the following mid May. I paid in full for my dress that day as well as my veil. They assured me it would arrive in 6 months, meaning it would be in by the end of March.

Mid March rolls around and I call to get an update. They told me, the first time, that it would be in a week from the date I called. I was excited and told them that I had family coming in the next weekend so we could come in and try it on since my grandmother would be paying for alterations. Good thing I called that Saturday right before we went there. 1, the dress had not even come in yet. 2, they don't even do alterations on the weekends. This would have been nice to know before I had all of my family come in town and plan to go look at this dress. The owner acted very appalled that one of her staff members had given me an expected delivery date. She blames her staff and ended up giving me half off alterations and told me it would be in that following week and said she would call me when it came in.

So the following week rolls around and I call, yet again, to check on the progress of it. Still no dress. She blamed the weather on the shipping being late, said that it would be in the next week, and assured me she would call me when it came in.

I call to check on the dress yet again, and still no dress. I was given the excuse of the weather causing shipping delays. Again they assured me they would call when it came in.

The next week rolls around and I called to check on it, for a fourth time. This time, I got an employee because the owner was out of town. The employee told me that her manager was in charge and was currently with another client. She said she would have her call me back with the status of my dress. I called again after about 3 hours and not hearing back. This time, the employee made the mistake of telling me that the manager was busy working on placing orders for prom THAT WEEKEND. (I'll remind you that I have already PAID IN FULL for this dress over 6 months ago). I was so mad that my mom amd grandmother decided to jump in, but you know what, having both of them call got the owner's attention and my dress was found. It had been there the whole time.

Once it was finally found, she wouldn't even let me come in and be fitted for alterations until "prom season was over". Again, I had already paid for this dress and my wedding was less than for weeks away. There were many things I needed done to it.

As a business owner myself, I understand that things happen and orders can get crazy, but the PAYING customer ALWAYS comes first. If an order gets off track, be an honest business owner and tell that customer. Don't blame other people for your mistakes, and when you tell a customer you will call them, I highly suggest you call them. Had she called to let me know the dress had arrived, like she said she would 3 times before, I would not have been so mad. I will never recommend this...