Elegant Forever Bridal Boutique — Local services in Urbana

I started out with a great experience at Elegant Bridal, but it ended in disappointment. I went into Elegant Bridal with a dress that I bought elsewhere. It just needed alterations to the shoulders because they would fall off if I bent over. Brenda, the seamstress, was very nice and knowledgeable. She knew exactly what I wanted and didn't try to sell me on anything else. The alteration cost to bring the two shoulders up an inch each was $60. I thought that was a tad high, but I don't know because I didn't go elsewhere to compare. I knew I wanted to support a local business. While at that alteration consult, I purchased a dress garment bag for $10 because my fiance and I live in a tiny house and share a bedroom closet...I didn't want him to see my dress before the wedding! Brenda took my dress and gave me a date when it would be ready. Setting up the appointments were easy and they were flexible with my schedule. When my dress was ready, I tried it on for them with a pair of high shoes. It turned out I didn't need the bottom hemmed up which was great! I took the dress home with me and then decided that I wanted the lower back taken in just a smidge because when we took the shoulders up it made a little gap at the back. So I called and made another appt with Brenda and she fit me into her schedule, the charge was $65. I dropped the dress off with Brenda IN THE GARMENT BAG for her to alter. When my dress was ready for me, I went to try it on and it looked great! Then when they got it ready for me to take home, they had it in a clear plastic bag. I asked them where my garment bag was...they literally looked at me puzzled and said "honey, you never bought a garment bag from us. We don't have any record of you buying one." Are you kidding me?? If I didn't buy a bag from them, then how would I know it was $10 and pink? And I guess my mom and I are both liars since she was there with me when I bought it. And why would I save a receipt for a $10 bag that I KNOW I wouldn't return because it would forever protect my dress?? I am not upset over the $10, I'm upset because they acted like I was lying to them about a bag (that probably cost them $2). I already spent over $120 in minor alterations and I was a great customer. In customer service, the customer is always right, especially a good customer like me who got along great with them, came in early for my appointments when they wanted me to, and never caused any problems. I had even recommended them to a couple of my friends getting married. They told me I could buy another bag...why would I do that when I already bought one and my dress had been in it that whole time back and forth to them. I dropped my dress off to them in the garment bag and they returned it not in the garment bag. It's really sad that I had to leave there with my dress exposed and call my fiance and tell him to hide in the living room so I could put my wedding dress in a TRASH BAG to take it upstairs and hide it from him in our closet. That's really classy.

I can't really comment on the dress prices since I didn't get mine there. I did notice that there was a hair piece selling for $250 and I bought the same looking one on Amazon for $35. My wedding dress cost $250, I can't imagine buying a hair piece that cost the same amount as some...

Brides-to-be, make an appointment here for affordable dresses with a great experience and on-site seamstress! The owner, Laura, is so passionate, warm and welcoming. She was also beyond flexible with me. I still can't believe that she set up an appointment for me during a holiday weekend AND while she was busy because it was the weekend she was moving storefront locations! She took her time with us and when during that first appointment I found my favorite dress I had tried on (I had been to 3 other bridal shops before this!) but it was missing sleeves. Laura used fabric sleeves she has on hand to give me an idea of how the dress would look with them added and even thought of a goregous idea to combine veils but I still couldnt decide or visualize it, which is the way I am. So Laura suggested I come back to the shop the very next morning to meet with Brenda, the seamstress she works with, before a bridal fitting they had scheduled. They both met with me super early in the morning to accomodate my holiday plans and once I talked with them about adding a couple of special touches and custom making a veil, I knew it was my dress! I had my first fitting within a month and had my dress ready to take home soon after, and they were flexible and willing to start early for me and always planned plenty of time for me!

I would've been happy even if I had to pay a few thousand dollars for this dress based on my experience but the amazing thing is I didn't! every other dress at other shops would've cost me more than the one I fell in love with at Elegant Forever! The dress was super affordable which allowed me to spend money to buy extra fabric for the veil I chose and get Brenda to make the greatest hair comb to secure it (the cathedral length part can be removed for the reception without messing up my hair!) and also add a few...

MAKE. AN. APPOINTMENT!!! Listen, some people know exactly what they want and what they are doing when it comes to their wedding....I am not that person! I had no idea where to go, what I wanted, what my size was..nothing! Dress shopping is supposed to be one of the most fun parts of wedding prep, but it was what I was most nervous for. I am a plus size girl and chesty at that, and my fear was going somewhere that would have nothing in my size to try on. After reading countless reviews, I booked my appointment. The first awesome thing is the privacy. It is by appointment only for a reason...the space is reserved just for you! I LOVED this and it instantly made me feel SO much more comfortable. Laura and Joey had picked out several dresses that they thought I would like after reviewing my Pinterest board (WHAT A GOOD IDEA!). They showed me each dress before I tried them on, and even had picked some dresses I would never have picked for myself. They made me 100% comfortable throughout the entire time. They accessorized me for a complete look and to help me with my vision! We all had so much fun and I felt like I had known them forever! The very first dress I tried on, was the one I fell in love with! It was the first shop I had been to and they didn’t pressure me into make a decision right away, which made me love them even more! I decided to try on some other dresses just to make sure, But nothing has compared! Prices are very reasonable but the quality truly stands out. After being at other shops it’s obvious how much pride they put into their dresses, the shop and their business in general. Trust me when I say these ladies know what they are doing! Thank you so much for making me feel so comfortable, excited and beautiful! Can’t wait to...