Xena's Bridal — Local services in Town of Colonie

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Started at David’s Bridal and had an awful experience. Their people weren’t kind or helpful at all. Ended up leaving and headed down the road to Xena’s. We called as we were leaving DB and they were happy to squeeze us in for a bridal appointment. I loved their system of selecting dresses on the iPad- I just “liked” the dresses that I wanted to try (every picture included the price). They brought all the dresses to me, and helped me get into and zip/button each one. Their set up allowed the stylist to come in through a second door, so I didn’t have to walk back into the shop exposed to get the dress zipped. She happily helped lay out the trains, told us about the dresses different features, provided information about discounts/shipping/alterations/etc and was so sweet about it. The dresses were a bit more expensive but I’d rather pay more for such a great experience than save a few dollars and be treated like inconvenience at Davids Bridal. Love my dress and my experience with Xena’s.

*During the trying on of the dress I ultimately selected, the attendant said alterations would be between $300-$500 for a panel to be added to the top to adjust the color, straps to be added, hemming, waist/bust adjustments, and the bustle. After I selected the dress she helped me size it and i took her word for the size to order, as she had far more experience than I did. She ordered me a size up. When I went back for alterations, I decided I was going to skip adding the panel to keep the cost down. For adding straps (which I had material for), hemming, taking in (because she ordered too big), and a bustle they told me over $700. We argued a bit and the man attempted to act like he was giving me a deal by getting it down $570. I was livid and ended up finding a friend of a friend through Facebook who did it for $175. Highly recommend Sew Many Things by Terri in Gloversville. I’m disappointed that what I thought had been a great experience at Xena’s turned into a complete rip...

Xena's was my 3rd stop and after being dissapointed by the first 2 stops canceling my appt crossed my mind. But with my mom, sister, and what energy I had left I decided to go. We entered and a lovely gentlemen greeted us, directed us to my own dressing room complete with my own pedestal and mirrors and gave us an ipad to mark which gowns I would like to try on. I was more than pleased with the bright lighting and elegant, romantic atmosphere. Also, not having to share pedstals and mirrors with other people all while trying to decide if you like a dress with the entire waiting room watching just like the previous stops. I chose 15 or 16 dresses from the ipad, then screened them through again and ended up with 12. My dressing room had 2 doors, one leading into my own "show room" and one that led to the center of the store and where all the dresses I had picked were hung on a rack next to the door. My sister was in charge of helping me in and out of the dresses so she was the one picking what order I tried them on. There was a girl who was working that evening who only appeared when I needed my dress clipped or unclipped. The first 2 dresses were very pretty on me but I didn't feel like I thought I would until I got into my 3rd dress. My sister knew right away and my mom cried when I walked out. It was the one. I didn't try on any other dresses after that 3rd one on that Monday evening. The gentlemen and young girl working didn't push or pressure or scare me into buying anything like at the previous stops that morning. I walked out happy. I left knowing that was the dress. I came back that Friday and ordered my dress. They remembered me and gave me a special discount that was offered to customers who had been to a bridal show I did not attend. Best experience I had while wedding planning. I would recommend to anyone who wants a quiet dress shopping experience without pushy...

If I could give them 10 stars I would! We had an amazing experience at Xena's after the prom shopping trip from hell. First store we went to the dresses were poorly made and VERY expensive. Second was David's Bridal, staff was extremely rude, no help at all and had zero fitting rooms available. Third shop was nice but had no selection at all. The minute we walked into Xena's we were greeted warmly, the dresses were beautiful and very reasonably priced! There was a wide selection and a dressing room was set up right away. Staff came back and took selections as they were picked to the dressing room. While trying on dresses staff pinned dresses to show how they would fit in my daughters size and were very attentive. She finally found THE dress and in her size! The price was great and the dress was very nicely made, we were given a discount for purchasing the floor model and decided to do alterations on site, she is petite and needed the dress shortened, so we set up a return appointment and went shoe shopping. When we walked in for her fitting we were again greeted at the door and taken back right away for her fitting, staff were friendly and attentive. Today was her final fitting, again we walked in to friendly staff at the door, waited on and taken care of right away. So VERY happy all the way around and thankful to Xena's Bridal for their excellent service, turning this into a great experience for my daughter and treating my girl like a princess throughout. We witnessed this same type of excellent service on everyone who were prom or wedding dress shopping throughout our experience. And we will for sure be shopping...