Stella's Bridal — Local services in Town of Pittsford

As a fellow small business owner, I am typically hesitant to post negative reviews. However, after my experience with Stella’s Bridal, I feel compelled to share my story to caution other brides as I feel utterly taken advantage of.

In August 2023, I visited Stella’s Bridal to purchase a wedding gown. Upon entering the boutique, I was asked about my budget, to which I responded $5,000. Looking back, I regret disclosing this information, as I wanted to ensure access to all potential dresses without limitation. The appointment proceeded smoothly, and I ultimately purchased a gown.

That night, I awoke with a strong feeling that I had been overcharged, especially when comparing my gown to those of friends who had paid significantly less for more intricate gowns. After some research, I discovered that the gown I purchased typically retails for approximately $1,200, yet I had paid nearly $5,000. I contacted Stella’s Bridal to express my concerns, and they assured me that the price was accurate, suggesting that lower-priced versions online were counterfeit, likening them to fake designer bags. Trusting their explanation, I buried my suspicions.

Several months later, during my first fitting appointment, I shared my feelings of being overcharged with the seamstress. The stress of the situation manifested physically, resulting in painful hives that lasted for over three days. I reached out to Stella’s Bridal to let them know I was “allergic” to the material and to inquire about returning the dress, obtaining a partial refund, or exchanging it, explaining my physical reaction and true distress. They declined these requests but offered me the opportunity to visit their off-the-rack sale.

Before making the hour-long drive to LeRoy, I sought assurance from Stella’s that the dresses at the sale would be of good quality. Upon arrival, I was disappointed to find that many dresses were torn, stained, and missing zippers. With my wedding approaching rapidly, I felt pressured to purchase another gown. So, I spent several hundred dollars on a dress with no zipper and a significant stain that my dry cleaner was unable to remove, indicating that this stain was present for a long period of time.

With only a few weeks until my wedding, I turned to Silk Bridal in Rochester, who provided exceptional service and a stunning, fairly priced gown. I highly recommend Silk Bridal to all brides for their remarkable selection and service.

Post-wedding, I am attempting to recoup some of my expenses by listing the original gown from Stella’s on Facebook. Within 15 minutes, a local bridal shop owner informed me that I had overpaid by more than four times its value, as the dress typically sells for around $1,599. This revelation confirmed my earlier suspicions.

The local seller also mentioned that it’s known in the Rochester area that Stella’s Bridal does not display price tags on their gowns and may adjust prices based on the budget information provided by brides. I share my experience to prevent other brides from encountering similar issues. If you have any questions or require further details, please feel free to contact me directly, as I have many...

I did not have the positive experience at Stella's that everyone else seems to have had. Maybe it's because I was a bridesmaid and not a bride.

Long story short, my dress did not fit. I did not try it in on in the store because I assumed that it would fit. My mistake. This dress did not zip up my back at all. I had not gained weight since my fitting and the dress didn't fit around my upper back and ribcage. It wasn't a matter of my weight. I truly feel that a mistake was made, not necessarily by Stella's--perhaps the dress was labeled wrong by the manufacturer.

When I called Stella's and told them the dress did not fit, I was told that they can only recommend a size, but it's not their fault if you pick the wrong one. At my fitting I was told I was between an 8 and a 10, and the 8 was smaller. Of course an 8 is smaller than a 10. I chose the 8 because I am usually an 8 for dresses. I didn't think this would be a problem because I was supposedly measured for these sizes. There is no way I would measure for an 8 now that I have this dress, and I doubt a 10 would be better, but I can't truly say because I do not have a 10 to try on.

Regardless of what I was told, I wish Stella had been more positive and willing to help. I feel that all she seemed to want to focus on was that I chose the wrong size. When I asked what kind of alterations could be made I wasn't given a straight answer.

Overall, I am not impressed by Stella's customer service. When I contacted her I was worried because obviously I needed my dress to fit, but I became increasingly more upset because of the way I was spoken to. A simple, "I'm sorry this happened, what can we do to help?" would have been wonderful. They're the people who deal with these dresses and brands every day. The option to get an 8, if this dress even truly is an 8 (I still think it is labeled wrong, it's at least 3 sizes too small), should have never even been presented to me.

Edited: I returned to Stella's today to see what could be done as far as alterations. Stella and the seamstress (I apologize, I don't remember her name) did fit me in on a day when they were booked with appointments so I much appreciate that. They went over some options for tailoring and we settled on adding some panels and a corset back. They also said they will cover the alterations at no cost, which is also much...

I am a 2024 Bride and visited Stella’s Bridal in June in search of my dream wedding dress, and let me tell you, it was an experience I'll cherish forever. After exploring a few other bridal shops without that "aha" moment everyone talks about, I finally found it at Stella’s Bridal. Setting up an appointment was a breeze.

My journey began with a conversation with Juliana, who was incredibly helpful and attentive. I had my eye on a few dresses, and she not only provided valuable information about them but also made sure they aligned with my budget.

The moment I arrived at Stella’s Bridal, I was blown away by the breathtaking setting. The entrance was elegant and welcoming and set the stage for what was to come. As I made my way up the stone path driveway, I was met with the magnificent historical structure.

Upon entering, I was greeted by Juliana and Stella who whisked me away to a private room. Inside, I was surrounded by an array of sample dresses beautifully displayed. It also had a large mirror and comfy couches for my friends and family to sit.

Zachary was my guide, I can't praise him enough. He genuinely listened to my preferences, taking note of the "do's and don'ts" I had in mind for my dream dress. His attention to detail and overall personable demeanor made the experience even more enjoyable.

After trying on a few dresses, it happened. I fell head over heels in love with a gown from the renowned Justin Alexander Designer. The dress nearly fit me perfectly. It embodied everything I had envisioned for my wedding day attire.

I wholeheartedly recommend Stella’s Bridal to any bride-to-be. The team there goes above and beyond to make you feel special and to ensure you find the dress of your dreams. Thank you, Stella’s Bridal, for helping me discover the gown that will make my wedding day truly...