The Bridal Gallery — Local services in Salem

Edit* To the owner: Ok YOU’RE the one lying! I GAVE THE TRUTH.So you think it’s ok for you guys to make fun of women’s bodies/appearances, but when they say something back, then they are the at fault for your unprofessional and rude staff?It’s a shame you have to bring up her surviving cancer to try to invalidate MY TRUE experience. That does not give her a right to personally attack my body. She doesn’t know what health issues I have faced that made me gain weight quickly & I was just responding in kind to her comments. If you don’t want to be attacked, then don’t attack your customers.Stop trying to make yourselves look like victims. Your responses to ALL your negative reviews speak for themselves.

Hahaha where do I begin? The whole experience was a complete joke. If I could give them negative 5 stars, I would.My bridal party and I arrived for our appointment and we were assigned to a woman, can’t remember her name, that at first seemed nice and like she would be fun. But that quickly changed when all she did was talk about herself, her wedding and insulted me multiple times. I told her I wanted to try on ballgowns and mermaid dresses and she said that she doesn't recommend mermaid dresses because they’re uncomfortable and she really wants me to be comfortable on my wedding day.So at first I was like oh yeah that makes sense. So just for context, I’m a fuller bodied woman, but I do plan on losing weight before next summer. I picked out gowns, there weren’t many options in sizes larger than a 4 or 6.My sister/MOH wanted to see a mermaid on me so she asked the consultant if I could try one. The consultant told my sister, and my whole bridal party, while I was in the dressing room but could hear, that “she doesn’t have curves. She’s just straight, so no, she cannot try on a mermaid dress”. UMM EXCUSE ME?!! I was shocked so I didn’t say anything, but my sister insisted and the consultant begrudgingly gave in.When I tried the mermaid dress, it actually looked nice, but the consultant immediate started insulting me. Saying that the mermaid dress shows every flaw and shows my stomach fat, whereas, ballgowns hide my stomach. MY STOMACH DIDN’T EVEN LOOK BIG. One of my bridesmaids really liked this style on me and when she voiced her opinions, the consultant visibly got angry and tried everything to show why it doesn’t look good on me and why I should choose a different dress. Mind you, this lady was like 6 ft tall, not a thin woman & like 40s, & smelled like cigarettes. So I didn’t take her seriously, but I just could not believe that she would say that to anyone, ever, especially not when a person is shopping for one of the most important days of their life, and especially considering her own appearance. Like seriously?Lmfao ok. So at this point I just really wanted to get out of there. It was just awkward. I told her I was going to hold off on buying anything because I had seen one at Charlotte’s that I liked, (but mostly I just wanted to get out of there) and she started attacking me and saying that they could get any dress for cheaper. She was very aggressive and clearly just trying to make a sale. She asked if I lived in the area and I lied and said I lived in Tualatin just so she would shut up and let me leave. But this did not stop her! She asked me which dress I had seen at Charlotte’s so that they could order it for me there. Then when they found out that it was the Madison James Allure line she was like “oh, yeah we can’t order that since it’s their Madison James line. That’s their cheapest brand so we don’t carry that here”. Ummm ok, because you guys are so classy? Charlotte’s was way classier & WAY more professional and they give you champagne. It was a beautiful shop, and the only reason I decided to look elsewhere is because I live in Keizer.Moral of the story, if you want to be called fat and ugly while trying on your wedding dresses, by a fat and ugly woman, then go to Bridal Gallery. If you want to have a fun experience with sweet consultants and a huge selection, go to Charlotte’s, it's...

Things to know for context:

1. While losing weight, I am a very plus size bride and was nervous about the whole dress shopping experience.

2. I have never been wedding dress shopping before.

3. I did pay extra to ensure we had the salon to ourselves (which I recommend every bride does)

Our shopping experience was reserved for a Sunday, and we made the trip down to Salem. It was just my Maid of Honor and I attending the appointment, however I did have my mom available on Skype to be a part of the experience.

Upon arrival we knocked at the door and was greeted by my consultant, Michelle. She honestly made the appointment. Her years of experience not only helped me find my perfect dress, but at no point did she make me feel embarrassed or ashamed of my body or the way I looked. While the dressed could not close at my back, I was able to get them on and envision how I would look the day of my wedding.

By the time I put on the third dress (yes, plus size brides, I had options!!!) I just knew that was the one. Michelle knew exactly what veil and belt would match my dress along with a tiara (per my mom’s request) and when it all came together, I was moved to tears. I didn’t ever want to take it off, and cannot wait for my first fitting.

I’m very open and honest with my experiences and have even taken some days to really reflect on my appointment and how the day went. It was so calm, so relaxing and reassuring. I honestly have no negative comments to report. There is nothing I wouldn’t have changed about my experience and wish I could do it all over again. Michelle was so honest and open, answered all of my questions, and was even present for any questions my mom had via Skype. She ensured we all were involved and having it just be my Maid of Honor and I, made for such an intimate experience which I appreciated.

Now, on to the things that made it extra special. My bridesmaids will be in burgundy and Michelle brought over a burgundy dress on a mannequin to stand next to me in my dress. It was so great o see the color next to mine and really made everything real. What was also beyond touching was the bridal swag bag that was given to me at my appointment. I won’t reveal what’s inside, but my goodness it made me feel like so much more than just a name in an appointment book.

Lastly, was the personalized, handwritten thank you note I received from Michelle in the mail. I will of course add this to my wedding scrapbook along with all the other memories I’ve gained through this experience.

Coming from a bride who honestly thought I would have to pick a wedding dress simply because it fits and not because I love it, (lets face it, bridal has come a long way for plus size brides, but there is still a ways to go) this experience was more than what I could have ever asked for.

I’d also like to add that this location is a wonderful spot for the budget conscious bride. Their prices are amazing for what you receive, so please know that it is possible for you to find the dress of your dreams here.

Thank you Bridal Gallery and Michelle for making me...

I wish I could give this place 0 stars. After choosing this location to get suits for a wedding we were not pleased with the outcome. Horrible service. At the initial fitting we had requested "slim fit" pants. Dave, a male tailor let us know that the pants would fit tight. Which we agreed to get regardless because we wanted the slim fit style. Coming in for the final fitting days before the wedding to which they had reassured us would be plenty of time to make any changes, the outcome was not at all what we had expected. The pants on all the groomsmen were baggy and not our size. I don't really understand what the point of the fitting was since the suits were clearly not ordered right to size. The pants were way too big and not slim fit. The jackets were all way too big and baggy. When we tried to tell Dave we weren't happy with the suits he said there was nothing he could do and that what we ordered was the slim fit. Dave tried telling us that the pants were all the same size and that he never agreed to order the slim fit because we're guys and they wouldn't fit properly. He called all of us liars and refused to offer any help on the situation. He tried saying that the pants only looked different on all of us because we were all different sizes yet he was also saying all the pants ordered were the same size. Which they were not. When placing two of the pants which he claimed to both be the same size one pair of pants was obviously larger than the other. Again, all we wanted was the correct fit and Dave insisted that there was nothing he could do that it was too late to order new pants yet he was the one that gave us the appointment to come in for the final fitting just days before the wedding. Not to mention the suits also arrived late. Rather than do anything helpful Dave did say that they would be able to charge us an extra fee in order to tighten the already slim fit pants. After some time Dave left us all in the fitting area and left for about 20 minutes and never came back. Still no answers or any updates on what he was going to do to fix this problem. After 20 minutes Angie the owner came out and rather than offer a solution all she did was offer a full refund. The fact that she didn't offer a solution is horrible. The appointment was 3 days before the wedding, an appointment the bridal gallery had scheduled and assured us was normal. There was no way we would be able to get new tuxes for the wedding in 3 days. Rather than being helpful all Angie said was that she's never seen Dave who also happens to be her husband so furious in over 10 years. Again, failed to offer any help. Afterwards we ended up going to Macy's after and bought FITTED pants in order to make the...