David's Bridal Merrillville IN — Local services in Ross Township

My fiancé proposed to me on August 31, 2024. Wedding planning had been overwhelming, and I was feeling a bit lost in the process. Our five-year anniversary, which is on March 25, is approaching, and I casually mentioned how special it would be to get married on that day. To my surprise, my fiancé said, “Let’s do it.” And just like that, we decided to elope!

That’s how I found myself at David’s Bridal with my sister, looking for a dress. I made an appointment online for 7:30 PM, hoping for a smooth and exciting experience. However, the moment I checked in, things took a turn. The woman at the front desk was friendly at first, but when she saw my wedding date, her attitude completely shifted. She repeated it back to me—“You’re getting married on March 25, 2025?”—in a way that felt unnecessarily judgmental. I explained that yes, we were eloping, but before I could say more, she cut in with a comment about alterations not being ready in time. I already knew that and was specifically looking for an off-the-rack dress that needed only minor tailoring, like hemming. When I visited The One by Something Blue a few days prior, this wasn’t an issue at all. But I digress.

She directed me toward the clearance/off-the-rack dresses, and I started browsing while waiting for my stylist. From the beginning, I felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously as a bride—almost as if my elopement made me less worthy of the same attention and care as someone planning a traditional wedding. I understand that 25 days is a quick turnaround, but a little kindness would have gone a long way.

When the stylist finally arrived, she also seemed taken aback by the short timeline. Rather than taking the time to get to know my style or what I was looking for, she rushed to find me a dress. The experience felt impersonal, and at one point, I even considered leaving. It was nothing like the warm and supportive atmosphere I experienced at The One.

Despite everything, I did find the dress. It fit beautifully, needing only a simple hem. The stylist had me try it on with shoes but never offered a veil or accessories—something I wanted to explore. Instead, she seemed distracted, bouncing between me and another customer, making me feel rushed rather than celebrated.

Before checking out, my sister and I browsed the veils for a bit but ultimately decided to just purchase the dress and leave. That’s when I finally had a positive interaction—Jada (I believe that’s her name), the woman at the check-out counter. She was kind, engaging and genuinely excited for me. I shared our elopement plans, and she opened up about how her parents had a courthouse wedding and have been happily married for 26 years. She told me her mom believes that couples who have simple weddings often have the strongest marriages. It was a beautiful sentiment, and for the first time that evening, I felt truly seen as a bride.

In the end, I’m thrilled to have found a dress that I love, but the overall experience at David’s Bridal was disappointing. Aside from Jada, I felt judged and rushed, as if my elopement made me less deserving of care and attention. Maybe they assumed I wouldn’t spend much because of my timeline, but the joke’s on them—I was willing to spend up to $1,000 for the right dress. Instead, I walked out with a beautiful gown for under $200, along with the feeling that I had to leave rather than enjoy the process.

To the staff (excluding Jada): Every bride deserves to feel special, no matter how soon her wedding is. Eloping doesn’t make my day any less meaningful, and it certainly shouldn’t mean subpar treatment. Kindness costs nothing.

To other brides: Consider David’s Bridal a last resort. If you want a more personal and supportive experience, I highly recommend The One by Something Blue. They treated me with warmth, reassured me that I had plenty of time for alterations and made me feel like a true bride. If you’re flexible and want a more intimate shopping experience, go there instead. David’s Bridal felt more like a Walmart checkout line than a place to...

This location was very helpful! I arrived earlier than my appointment so decided to just brows around. While doing so I could see how all the staff was greeting people as they walked in and helping get ladies setting into rooms and different dresses while maintaining smiles (we all know that can be difficult when it's so busy but they did very well) closer to my appointment they got my checked in and a room set up while the stylist was very attentive to what I was looking for while also suggesting styles that would complement my figure. They were very helpful and patient and made me feel comfortable. Even after I tried on about 10 dresses. We were able to narrow it down to two dresses but sense I had tried on so many I was exhausted. They very kindly saved all the options that I did like so I could review them at home and have them ready for my follow up. After sleeping on it I rebooked an appointment that they were able to get my in so quickly. They were very understanding that I had brought my 5year old son with me and supported the idea. (He is my little helper and the only family I have up here) also they stylist took photos for me so I could share them with my mom who lives in the other side of the country and was unable to attend. A different stylist had seen me the following day but was able to look at my history and pull the dresses I was interested in. She pulled out all the stops from heels to slip to veil, belt, and the gown. She made me feel confident and beautiful. Even had the seamstress come take a look at the dress and answer my questions about bustles and alterations. So of course with everything put together I immediately fell in love with the dress I was leaning towards and didn't even need to bother with the second option, because I knew I had found one. The staff here was very lovely and the gown is made of very wonderful quality fabric so you know exactly what you were getting. I was able to walk out of the store with my dress in hand that day, because they just happen to have the perfect dress in my size. Not to mention the incredible discount I got because I signed up for their free diamond reward program so that saved me a couple of hundred dollars on my dress. And it's free to sign up so I was quite shocked that everybody doesn't do that. I highly recommend signing up for the diamond rewards and going into the location to get the full effect of what they have to offer. With a few slight alterations, needing to be done, I am ready...

Update: I spoke with the manager, Taniqua, she really helped to make sure she could do what was right by me as much as possible, was easy to talk to, and made me feel taken care of. I still recommend shopping there for your dress, but maybe not alterations.

Absolutely horrible experience in the end. While initially the staff was helpful in helping me pick the dress for my special day. What came next with the alterations is a complete nightmare. First it needed to be hemmed (as usual) and adding of a bustle. I need to note this was an off the hanger dress, which I knew would have some imperfections with not being brand new. Here is the BAD.

No additional discount given for an off the hanger dress, though there were clearly small things wrong (fine with the small things but not paying same price as brand new) I took a day off from work to get dress, so final fitting and make sure all was great. It wasn’t ready on time, they still needed to steam, finish the bustles and take care of a few of the small flaws they said they would do. IT WASN'T READY!! As I was distracted from them not being able to find it right away and then hearing it wasn’t ready I didn’t even think to examine it further as they were telling me what needed to be done and checking things

Initially we agreed that I’d be back in a few hours but I wanted to ensure it was done right… I paid extra for the initial rush for it to be completed and they gave me the date & time for pickup

Pick up the next morning right when they open to make sure it’s completed correctly. We open and I see the few things completed but apparently not ALL of it was done.

While they cut the hem they never sewed the hem back up. It’s just jagged cut lace 😩😩😩

She also said she would fix the threads to hold the straps to hang the dress as it’s strapless, they did not. They also did not reinforce the threads for the hook to go on at the top.

Oh and I had to ask for the discount for my inconvenience and haggle to get a whole $40 off a $350 alternation cost!!

Wouldn’t even refund the whole cost of the RUSH fee for a dress that wasn’t ready. And still isn’t even correct.

Go to get your dress but go elsewhere for...