Fairytale Brides — Local services in Rockville

I had a lovely experience with Fairytale Brides. I was dreading dress shopping but the ladies here were wonderful and made the experience pleasant for me and my mom. Lizette (and everybody else at the store) was attentive but also transparent about how certain styles looked on me - even though the dress looked good on me, they knew it wasn't my dress and would tell me so.

My mom and I were also the only ones at the store, so even though Lizette was the one helping me, the entire group of volunteers were very much involved in helping me find my dress.

Something to keep in mind is that all dresses have been donated - there are hardly, if ever, any of the same dresses in multiple sizes like a for-profit store would have. So if you like something and it's within your budget, it's in your best interest to get it before someone else takes it. If you have a specific dress you absolutely must get for your wedding and you are not willing to give other styles a try, then this place may not be the best place for you. If you would like to give Fairytale Brides a chance, then please go with an open mind. You might be surprised with what you may end up liking, as it did with me :)

One thing that really made a lasting impression was how the volunteers would strike up a conversation with my mom whenever I was changing out of dresses, affirming that my mom was just as much a part of the process as I was. The reason why this sticks with me the most is because my mom is a first-generation Korean and English is not her native language. Even with the language barrier, everybody was communicating and working hard to understand each other.

All of the volunteers I met at my appointment were kind, warm, and not once did I feel pushed to buy a specific dress. The seamstress also came out (twice!!!) to answer any questions we had about the dress since it is a tad too small and also a little too long. The store also has shoes and various accessories readily available to help the volunteers when making recommendations to paint a bigger picture of how you would look in the dress. Another form of service I really appreciated was that I really wanted to try on a specific dress (my dream dress) from a different store, but I didn't have the time to go try it on before my appointment. When one of the volunteers saw me looking at a picture, she offered to find something similar to try on so that I could at least get an idea before making my final decision. It definitely helped me with the decision-making process as I could tell that the one I thought was it wasn't as special as the one I was thinking of getting.

To end this review, Fairytale Brides made the dreaded dress-shopping experience into such a positive one. I would highly recommend this place to future brides who are open to trying on a variety of dresses.

TL;DR  Volunteers at Fairytale Brides are attentive, transparent, understanding of and will stick to your budget. Even though I bought my dress already, a part of me wishes to go back to try on...

I had an excellent time at Fairytale Brides ("FB"). I am getting married in February of next year. It was very important to me that I began my bridal dress search within the same season as my wedding date. But I did not expect to find a dress in February. I thought this process would take some time and many visits to different dress shops. I consider myself very lucky to have found FB. My experience began with me needing to change my initial appointment that I had made through their website. Donna, the store owner, called me and even though it was over the weekend she very sweetly found a new appointment time for me. When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised by how intimate and beautiful the shop looked. I love the fact that all of the sale associates are volunteers and the proceeds from the dresses go to local and national charaties. Donna began with asking me what I was looking for, taking a look at my Pinterest page, and asking me questions to elicit ideas about my personality. After she was done both her and I began pulling dresses off the shelves. It was really fun. Even though I went alone and without an entourage I didn't feel weird or uncomfortable. I tried on several dresses and was about to end the session and rethink my desire to have sleeves when Donna asked me to try on the last dress. I feel in love with that last dress. But, my practical side kicked in and I asked to put that dress and a reception dress I had also found (the first dress I tried on) on hold. Donna had "blinged me up", helped me to take tons of photographs and videos, given me advice on alterations, and yet was so sweet and understanding when I asked to put it on hold for 7 days. They also worked with me and scheduling an appointment that would let my maid of honor join me for the revisit. The week leading up to the revisit I kept seeing myself in that dress on the big day so it was easy peezy at the revisit. But I was less sure about the reception dress. My friend though encouraged me and I'm really happy she did. It's a stunning dress. Donna and the other volunteers made us both feel great and I really enjoyed getting blinged up and standing on the podium. Everyone was super nice and I felt like a bride. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. I also got an excellent deal. A few weeks later, I made another appointment for veils only. There are a lot of veils on the market. I knew I could probably find a cheaper veil on Etsy or Poshmark but the veil I tried on in the store blew me away. Plus, the irrational side of me, wanted to buy from Donna and the crew because they made me feel like I was special. So, in short I've purchased my veil, dress, and reception dress from FB almost a year out from the wedding and everything feels perfect! Last thing I'll mention is that they also give a little surprise gift at the end and their packaging is...

Fairytale Brides was simply amazing. I am getting married in less than 6 months and still haven’t started by dress shopping. The very first place I visited was Fairytale Brides. I was scared, intimidated and since I am on a budget, not looking forward to dress shopping. They do not have many options, but the choices they do have are exquisite. I met with Lizette on my first appointment. She made me feel so welcomed and like I belonged there. I picked three dresses to try on and the very first one was it. I looked really happy. I loved it. But I felt like everything was happening so fast, so I did not buy the dress. Not because anyone at Fairytale brides was rushing me. I was just in my own head. I planned on taking a week to research and think about it. During that time I decided to go to a big bridal dress shop. Everyone know which one. I loved all of the dresses I tried on there, but something was missing. I didn't feel it. I scheduled, cancelled and rescheduled appointments with Fairytale Brides and they never once made me feel rushed or acted like I was being a burden (even if I was). This past Tuesday I went back to Fairytale Brides. Thank goodness no one had bought my dress (thank you everyone for being out of town memorial day weekend!). I tried the dress on again and I knew it was it. I brought it home that day. I need to made some alterations and such but I am so happy. And I am so happy I choose Fairytale Brides. They are a non-profit so I felt good after buying the dress. I know the money I spend is going towards great causes. I cannot say enough great things about Lizette. She was so understanding and accommodating. My mom lives in a different country so she could not be there with me but Lizette even held my phone so my mom would see the dress via FaceTime. I can't wait to show her the dress after the alterations. Thank you Fairytale Brides and thank you so much Lizette. I feel like I love...