Vera's House of Bridals — Local services in Madison

So my fiance and I have a wedding set up next year and we had been wedding dress shopping at a few places. We won't mention any names but we had been to a few places and they either had very limited selection that we were looking for, didn't listen to what we were looking for, or just were annoyed that we showed up without an appointment but we're so busy with our schedule when we have time we use it so it might be spontaneous. This day happened to be the day that Madison's downtown was shut down because of the MG&E fire. So we decided to drive around to a bunch of places in Madison and look at wedding dresses. The first store we went to didn't have a very large selection and when my fiance tried to explain what she liked the salesperson went and picked out choices that they preferred instead. The second place was near Vera's and we didn't have an appointment so they would let her try on anything. The manager was also having a very loud disagreement with one of her employees, it was so awkward we just left. We knew Vera's existed but we were a little hesitant of going there nit knowing the range of prices and size selection. So my fiance called and asked if they accepted walk-ins and they said of course, much to our pleasant surprise. We went in and it was so gorgeous. The place is organized well and by price. The fact that it seems like a well-oiled machine was really appealing to my fiance and the fact that everyone in there was so nice and welcoming it was a refreshing change of pace. We got assigned Caitlin as our helper. She was amazing. Lots of the wedding dress sales people that we have met are on par with car dealership salesman where they pressure you so much it's off-putting and you want to leave the entire time. Which kills the special mood you're supposed to feel when picking out your wedding dress. But she did not do that she was fantastic. So just to give you a little heads-up of why it was amazing for us they gave us these little rings to put on dresses we'd like and then she went around and picked up these colored rings that were attached to the dresses and brought all the dresses into the room and we had a little Fashion Show to our self in our own private booth. It was great to get to have a consultant pull option for you, but also get to look around yourself. It was very efficient very privates and it really let you see how beautiful you look in your dress. We were also on a budget so we knew what areas were in our budget to shopping so we weren't wasting time looking at dresses what we couldn't afford. We ended up spending hours in there going through dresses and she was very helpful and eliminating dresses with us but not trying to steamroll our decision-making. It made the whole struggle of finding a wedding dress super easy and very positive which was great compared to other places. By the end of the time there we found the perfect dress and we ordered it on the spot because we knew that it was the one. They even let you walk around in it and don't pressure you to get out of its immediately after trying it on and take a picture of you in it so you have it for a reminder of your dress. It was first class customer service....

one word to describe my experience - WONDERFUL.... i went to my apptmt on 6/25/22, my wedding reception is on 8/6/22 - i am a plus size girl --i needed a dress fast so it can be altered in time for my event. i walked into my appointmt with the thought of it not being successful b/c it was too soon and they probably don't have dresses for my plus size - i wanted to try on dresses and give it an opportunity but wasn't expecting much out of it. i had looked online on their website prior to my appointmt and i didn't see any dresses that caught my attention.

on my apptmt date, my sister went with me. We met with consultant, Shelby. I told her : i don't like white, i'm plus size, wedding reception on 8/6/22 and i'm short (5/ft). My budget was holding out for $500.

Shelby was amazing - she listened to my sister and my comments about each of the dresses we tried on, what we liked, what we didn't like, what i was open to trying. She was funny and made me feel more comfortable about the appointment. Her manager and her founds a few dresses for me to try on. She picked a dress that my sister and I did not select off the floor, but to our amazement, it was one of the dresses i enjoyed being in. Shelby gave us suggestions to touch up the dress to help show my body curve. She made me feel special, in this dress , i didn't feel like plus size girl, i just feel beautiful. i had two dresses i ended up liking and couldn't decide which one to purchase. I left Vera's to another bridal dressing appointment - i don't say where we went, but that next appointment was NOTHING COMPARED TO VERA'S.

I eventually returned to Vera's to buy my dress. I then met with Bridget - i thought i was just picking up the dress i wanted, but Bridget was patient and kind, she suggested trying the dress on again.

My experience at Vera was above what i would have ever expected. They met my needs, Both consultants, Shelby and Bridget and their managers were so kind and helpful. They truly made me feel like a beautiful bride. They were not pushy, they did not make me feel shameful for not purchasing an expensive dress. My dress was over my budget, but did not break the bank - so i was very happy about this. I definitely would recommend Vera's to anyone looking for a wedding dress. Thank you Vera - Shelby and Bridget for helping to make my day in Aug so much more special with a...

my day at Vera’s was the day I had always dreamed of and never knew I’d have the chance to have. 🥹

my MOH and I walked around peeking at everything while we waited for the specialist, and nothing was truly catching my eye. Then Gillian, the sweetest woman I swear I’ve ever met, came up and introduced herself and asked a few questions for inspiration and told us to take her over to the few I liked, to guide her. As we walked back over, suddenly, there it was — stopping us both dead in our tracks, we looked at this dress, looked at each other and both said “hold on… that wasn’t there before…” and I said, “no way. I KNOW I would’ve seen that immediately…” Gillian immediately grinned and said “sounds like we need to try it on huh?” And I said “YES”.

I did not at all plan on buying a dress as my budget was very very tight, and my MOH was fully on board to not let me buy anything — which we too Gillian right away… but this dress… the entire experience… it all took my breath away.

I never imagined spending as much on a dress for myself, nor did I ever imagine feeling the way I felt today in that dress. It was the first one I tried on and we knew that was it. Each one after was no where near comparable.

It was truly like the dress found me.

Vera’s entire staff went above and beyond! Rhonda, one of the incredible seamstresses, came in to offer her recommendations and told me she’s sure they still had the corset ribbons too and that she’s work on finding them for me as I decided I’d like to use the corset and OH MY GOSH SHE FOUND THEM! They also went above and beyond to clean the dress before I picked it up yesterday, which they said they don’t typically do since it was a finale dress, but my gosh they did incredible all around!!

Margaret was so wonderful and kind in her communications with me about the dress cleanings and updates, was so uplifting as well as I impatiently waited to get to see it! 🤗

I am so grateful to every single woman at Vera’s. They made me, someone who is incredibly insecure of the 50+ lbs I have gained due to hormonal imbalances, feel like a complete and total princess. I wish I could share the photos because they speak for themselves! 🥹🤍

Thank you Gillian and thank you to all the women who helped and lifted me up that day — you’re all...