David's Bridal Eau Claire WI — Local services in Eau Claire

I scheduled an alterations appointment at David’s Bridal, even though I didn’t purchase my dress there, because they said they work on offsite dresses too. Unfortunately, the entire experience was disorganized and left me feeling really uneasy about trusting them with such an important garment.

I arrived five minutes early, wasn’t greeted or given any direction once I was brought to the back. I was placed in a dressing room and left there without a word. After standing around unsure of what to do, I stepped out and asked if someone was supposed to help me, and was told I could change. I got into my dress, which zips up but also has a corset-style back with buttons — something I couldn’t fasten on my own. I stepped out, and had to ask someone if they could help. A staff member kindly agreed but only buttoned three or four of the ten buttons, so the dress was not fully on.

Even with the dress not properly buttoned or fitted, they proceeded to measure me and have me fill out paperwork. Then I stood waiting another 10 minutes until someone else came over. She asked if my dress had a bustle — I told her it did, because I saw it when I bought the dress and it’s noted on the tag and website — but she insisted there wasn’t one and couldn’t identify it on the gown. Also she said she didn’t know if she was sure what the bustle looked like…

At this point, I was still in a hallway, not even up on the fitting platform, and she asked me, “So what do you want done?” I explained that I wanted the waist taken in, the dress hemmed, and straps added. She looked at the dress and told me I didn’t need the waist taken in — even though I could see excess fabric bunching at my lower back and sides where it wasn’t fitted to my shape.

Eventually, I was moved to the fitting platform and someone started pinning the straps, but she repeatedly said she didn’t know what she was doing. I asked if she could get someone to help, and what seemed to be a manager came over briefly to assist with the strap placement. But again, the dress still wasn’t fully buttoned up or adjusted properly on my body while all this was happening. The top wasn’t even pulled up to where it should be.

The original girl helping me continued to express that she didn’t really know how to tell what needed to be altered. I again showed her where the waist clearly needed to be taken in and asked if the manager could come back and look at it. She walked away and came back 5–10 minutes later, not with the manager, but just holding an iPad and telling me my total was going to be $580. Completely ignoring my other requests.

After I asked “Can you tell me for what?” She listed off the alterations: hem, bustle (which there is already one on the dress), straps, and taking in the waist (which they previously told me I didn’t need).

I told her I wasn’t comfortable moving forward with anything because no one had clearly addressed my concerns or even properly evaluated the fit. She apologized, and I left — but the entire experience felt rushed, unprofessional, and uncertain.

Everyone I interacted with was polite, but I left feeling completely unsupported and lacking confidence in their ability to handle wedding dress alterations. It just wasn’t the level of care or expertise you would expect for something...

I was so so so disappointed in my experience at David's Bridal in Eau Claire. I made an appointment and filled out all the information requested of me. I gave the store associates examples of gowns I was interested in and I gave them my budget.

When I arrived to my appointment, I was optimistic that I would find something around my price range. I communicated what my budget was in writing and verbally. Immediately I was taken to look at dresses outside my price range and I was immediately uncomfortable and worried I was not being heard. I did admit that when choosing dress off the racks, it can be hard to spot the differences.

I was honest when grilled about what I didn't like about the dress. I shared that the price ranges of the dresses they were forcing me over 2X my budget. I was also honest about already liking a dress at a different store. I admitted that I wasn't 100% and wanted to come to my last appointment at David's because online, it looked as if there was a wide variety of dresses to choose from, and so many appeared to be in my budget.

When asked why associates put me in gowns I couldn't afford - they told me the reason was because "I only have one day to feel like a princess." This was so heartbreaking to hear - because my goal that day was not to feel like a princess - but actually to find a wedding gown that fit my budget for my wedding.

I think other people need to hear that the associates at David's bridal are only interested in money, and not a bride's wishes or requests.

What made me the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE was when it was obvious that the dresses were making me uncomfortable - more associates got involved. They forced flowers into my hands, a vail and asked me to "pretend to walk down the aisle" all in a gown I could not afford. They made a huge show of gasping for me and pretending to think I looked good to sell their dress.

Finally, I requested to leave, I had about 30 mins to make it back to the previous store to purchase the dress I liked at the last place. I wish I could say the associates stopped their near harassment, but up to 4 associates continued to ask me to pick out color swatches for bridesmaids. I understand that after failing to sell me a wedding dress - they want business from my bridesmaids. They didn't have the color swatches I had already chose. It was so uncomfortable and basically my absolute worst nightmare of a bridal try on.

I hope this review saves a few brides in the future from this experience. Please go to Charlotte's Bridal in Eau Claire instead. They will respect you as a person, not...

Very kind associates! Did not get frustrated with multiple size try ons for shoes and the dress. They are very willing to work with you.

Update: my wedding was oct 3 2025. Im still happy with my in store experience. however. I will say I'm VERY upset with alterations. I didn’t get my dress altered (April 19th 2025, was appointment day) hardly at all other than bustles. Everything was fine and dandy until my wedding. My dress was bustled according to plan. I kid you not, not even 5 minutes into wearing my dress bustled, they FELL out. NOT ripped FELL. My aunt who does a lot of sewing was looking through the dress as she pinned it (with safety pins) and noticed there was no squares with buttons IN THE DRESS. If they were in there and were done correctly, they would have TORN the dress if snagged. I did find little squares with buttons sewn on, ON THE FLOOR as I was walking at the venue and at the hotel. To say I’m pissed is an understatement as my dress should have only had to stay in tact with the bustle for around 4 hours. I understand general wear and tear. HOWEVER, my entire dress bustles not working is a problem. I added some photos below. I cropped out anyone but myself to protect their privacy. Photos include day of dress purchase (Sept 2023), bustle day (April 19th 2025) and lastly wedding day with all the pins. I’ll update with extra photos of my dress bustled if my photographer got them. No promises as it didn’t remain bustled for long as I...