Jillian's Bridal Outlet — Local services in Hickory

I had an amazing morning trying on dresses at Jillian’s today! Jenna, my consultant, was super sweet and helped make the experience even that much more special! And I DID say yes to a dress!

My recommendation for any bride who wants to go here would be to check out the website and to read some other reviews to know what to expect when you arrive, and you will have a much better experience. It seems most of the bad reviews are either based on things that are blatantly stated on their website or about Vito himself. He does have a strong personality so be prepared for that, but he was very kind and respectful the whole time I was there.

They open at 9am, but will let you in early! If you don’t want to have to wait for other brides to finish, go around 8:20-8:30 to be the first ones in.

There is a small fee to try on dresses which is stated on their website, but it does go to towards the price of the dress you buy, so it’s kind of like a deposit for their time in my opinion. I work in an industry where deposits are the norm so this didn’t feel weird to me, especially because it is stated ahead of time.

When you arrive- they will measure your waist. This is also stated on their website, AND there is a sign in the lobby that says you can ask to be measured in the back if you wish. Vito also asked if I would be okay with him measuring my waist in the lobby, which I was completely fine with. He does not say your measurements out loud He sees what size you are and assigns you a color hanger/section of the store to look for dresses in. I felt like this was very body positive and inclusive and it made me feel confident choosing dresses because I knew they would fit me well. They do ask that you keep your time there to an hour so don’t plan to spend your whole afternoon there. It’s such a busy place that this is also just out of respect for other brides coming in so they can try on dresses too. Their process of pulling dresses onto a clothes rack for you and taking them all to the dressing room at once is very efficient so it helps the time constraint. I tried on 3 times the amount of dresses than I tried at David’s bridal in the same amount of time without feeling rushed.

I think going to a store like David’s bridal first helped me realize what a great experience I had at Jillian’s. Davids didn’t even pull the correct dresses I asked for and I didn’t feel like I received one on one attention with my consultant like I did at Jillian’s. I also felt like their dresses were MUCH better quality than anything I tried at David’s.

In the end- I had an amazing time, I felt like their dress were beautiful and high end, they had a VERY large selection, and they even thought of the little details that make a day like this even more special. They offer complimentary snacks and drinks, they have blingy belts and beautiful veils you can try on, and they cheer you on, celebrate you, and ring bells when you say yes to the dress! Today made me really feel like a bride and I can’t stop smiling at how in love I am...

BEST EXPERIENCE EVER—and I didn’t even leave my house! Oregon bride here- I tried on my dream dress in my hometown in Oregon, the dress fit me like a glove, I was instantly in love… I didn’t know it then… but I found THE ONE! I’m getting married in two months and like many brides, I had that moment—you know the one. You put on the dress, angels sing, your best friend cries…I was ready to say yes… until they dropped the ol’ “it’ll sell if you walk out” line. And walk out I did. Because I’m a bride on a budget. A “let’s not go into debt for six hours of pictures and cake” kinda gal. I wanted to think. Eat a sandwich. Be rational. But within an hour… THE DRESS WAS GONE. Sold. Vanished. Ghosted by my dress… But my best friend (aka MVP of my wedding team) found the designer and style number. We scoured the internet like bridal detectives hopped up on caffeine and adrenaline. Three days later, BOOM—a Facebook post from a magical land far, far away: Jillian’s Bridal Outlet in North Carolina. The dress. MY dress. I didn’t even care that it was midnight. I sent an email like a desperate love letter. AND THIS IS WHERE THE LEGEND OF VITO BEGINS. This man—this bridal hero—responded at 3AM HIS TIME. Who does that?! Angels. Angels do that. He told me he had the dress in two sizes, but not mine. I was heartbroken again—but not for long. Because by morning, I had an email, then a phone call. FROM VITO. Mind you, this was on a day the store wasn’t even open. But Vito? He was out here working bridal miracles like a tuxedo-clad fairy godfather. He answered every question, calmed my fears, and then—while I was still on the phone—he CALLED THE DESIGNER and had the dress drop shipped directly to me. AND HERE’S THE KICKER:
He gave it to me for HALF the price I almost paid. Less than HALF. What sorcery is this?! Honestly, I don’t know how the rest of the bridal industry sleeps at night charging what they do when a gem like Vito exists. If customer service were an Olympic sport, this man would have a gold medal and a Wheaties box. I haven’t even set foot in Jillian’s, but if I was treated that well over the phone, I can only imagine what the in-store experience is like. If Vito ever wants to open a shop in Oregon, I’ll personally knit the “OPEN” sign and bring cookies. If you're looking for your dress and don’t want to sell a kidney for it—go to Jillian’s. Ask for Vito. Tell him his biggest...

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. We drove two hours and the mother of the bride even booked an Airbnb just for this appointment, only to end up crammed into a tiny corner with four other brides separated by flimsy curtains like some kind of wedding factory. The whole experience felt pressured and joyless. The owner- think Harry Wormwood from Matilda-was a slimy, fast-talking con man who actually bragged about making knockoff gowns in his own factory and claimed he could recreate any designer dress for $1,299, copyright and quality be damned. There was literally a timer counting down our hour and fifteen minutes, and he even made an inappropriate comment about the mother of the bride “talking for her,” which instantly killed the mood. The staff were kind and clearly doing their best under miserable conditions, but the dresses all looked the same: cheap, repetitive, and poorly made. When trying on said dresses, the bride wasn’t even clipped in the back to simulate a better fit, of which the owner claimed was due to “all dresses being that measurement” and she won’t find something to fit her body type. Ick. To top it off, the owner tried to pressure us into scanning a QR code to leave a five-star review in exchange for a bottle of perfume, while specifically telling us not to mention that we hadn’t found a dress. When we finally left, he even short-changed us on the deposit refund. If you value honesty, respect, and a real bridal experience, please do not go here. We ended up at C. Lovely bridal nearby, where the owner stayed after hours, gave us a private, peaceful fitting room, and helped my friend find the dress that made her glow- all for nearly the same price. Skip the fake five-star reviews and take your loved one somewhere that actually...