The Collection Bridal — Local services in Winter Park

I married the owner of The Estate on the Halifax, an exclusive and stunning wedding venue. My criteria for a bridal gown was elegant yet unique as he has seen a thousand brides. I have also witnessed hundreds of weddings. I visited all my local bridal gown salons and so many were beautiful but they all start to look alike and similar to what almost everyone wears. Then I visited Orlando bridal shops and experienced the same feeling after my appointments. I found The Collection and Shainna was phenomenal. She understood my wishes. She found the most beautiful Randy Fenoli gown from a trunk show for me. After trying on so many beautiful gown that looked beautiful but had too many common elements, I found this gown to be classy, sophisticated and gorgeous. I worried because it did not have any of the "bling" I always imagined but it was the dress for me, my fiance, his family and our venue. She paired it with a cathedral veil that was embellished with crystals, an amazing bracelet that will be an heirloom. Then as a former dancer, I couldn't find shoes that would keep up with my desire to dance for the entire reception. She connected me with Angela Nunan, a former dancer, who designed shoes that were as gorgeously bridal and comfortable. I pick up the brides shoes from under the sweetheart table after almost every wedding and I wanted to wear beautiful high heel shoes until the end. I tore up the dance floor and they were comfortable to our last dance and sparkler exit! I found a gown that was almost identical with the satin, corset, drop waist, ruffle sides and it was $33,000! The wedding day....everyone raved about my gown and I could tell it wasn't the standard compliments that brides receive. They really thought is was classy and glamorous, elegant and stunning. The royal wedding was right after my wedding. I got text messages and calls that said the gown the princess wore didn't even come close to mine. One from a friend who once designed gowns as a fashion designer in NY. I have to say, while all the consultants at all the salons were wonderful, Shainna was outstanding. She made it so much fun that I was sad when I had my last fitting and I wasn't going to be able to see her anymore. She was a step above the rest. The others I sensed the sales interactions. With Shainna, I felt passion and joy in what she did, patience of a saint. She was truly professional and warm. I also had purchased with pressure at One and Only Bridal a gown that was not flattering and I wanted to return the day I purchased it. They would not allow me to so I sold it brand new when it arrived. The pressure I felt there, buyers remorse caused me to shed many tears. Shainna wasn't going to let me buy anything that I didn't love and she didn't use my wedding date in 5 months as a fear factor to make a decision and get a commission. She even showed me her favorite flowers and I changed my bouquet design. I loved it! As an older bride, she made me feel like I was a young girl again, giggling and caught up in the fairy tale. I had NO pressure like everywhere else that the gown would 1. not arrive on time for the wedding from the manufacturer if I didn't buy it that day or the next 2. the price would change. I felt like Cinderella walking down that isle and all night long. I wish I could go back and play dress up with her all over again. It brings a smile to my face when I think of how this experience was so enjoyable and memorable. The owner is also fabulous and supportive to both Shainna and me. She goes above and beyond the call of duty. It was like having family. I put more thought as a venue owner's fiancee into my gown and accessories so I could feel like the bride, not a client. The Collection Bridal made that...

I thought my first time trying on a wedding dress was going to be a special occasion. We drove almost two hours from Tampa because I thought I would have the best bridal gown experience here. My family was ignored, and only I was offered a drink (a tiny bottle of water). I asked my sister/Maid of Honor to come in with me to try on the dress and they stylist said no, that she was capable of helping. She never asked me what I was looking for, what my style was, or to show her pics. The gowns range from 2-14 thousand dollars. She didn't introduce herself to my mother or soon-to-be mother in law. It was just a very cold and awkward experience. After I told her I was on the lower half end of that range, she had an attitude and made me try things on I didn't like. Although I wasn't spending 14 thousand dollars, I still had a fair budget.There was one gown in particular that I slipped on and I told her I already know I don't like this and didn't want to walk out of the room to show my family. She said to just show them. So we did and I was trying to be nice and I said I would like it to maybe change into, but not as my gown. Rudely, she said, "Ok you don't like it, let's take it off." You're right I never liked it, which is why I didn't want to come out wearing it in the first place. The last dress was the one we liked out of the 5 that I tried. She asked me very awkwardly, "Are you saying yes to the dress? So that I can pop champagne?" I was like really? I was sort of expecting that as soon as we walked into the door. Anyway-- I said that I really like it but I wanted to compare it to something else that I also really liked. I asked what else they had with a low back and lace that I could try on at she replied with, "It is not good to try on too much because all you do is get confused." Then she said, "I also don't like to show gowns three times the budget because then the bride falls in love and doesn't like anything else." Well, that really does make a lot of sense, but I already didn't like the five options and I wouldn't have said that if I wasn't willing to wiggle up a bit on my budget. I never said three times my budget, but higher was fine. Had she made the experience amazing and even showed me something a step above my range, I would have most likely bought it had I fallen in love. To conclude, I wish I hadn't dragged my family and best friend out there to be treated like that, but then again I am glad that I did because had I not-- I wouldn't have known the difference between what wedding gown shopping should be like and what it should...

There are no words to convey the gratitude that I feel towards Christina, Roya, and The Collection Bridal as a whole. I moved to Orlando three years ago and discovered this salon by total chance while job hunting on Park Avenue. Their window display was stunning and I knew that if I were to ever get married I’d want to walk through their doors and try on their stunning dresses.

I was so nervous for my appointment, as I am not a shopper and hate trying on clothes. I was worried I wouldn’t find “the one”.

Roya greeted me and my bride tribe, welcomed us in, and took us back to a more private area — I very much appreciated not being in the spotlight in the front of the store. Christina introduced herself and took me aside for a consultation. She asked me some simple, yet important, questions and immediately got to work pulling dresses. She was mindful of my budget and pulled a specific Randy Fenoli dress I had found online. It was the first dress I tried on and, while it was beautiful, it just wasn’t for me. Next, we tried a ball gown just to see how I felt. Again, not for me, but it was fun to try on. When we went back into the fitting room, she suggested I try on a dress that she had pulled for me. I slipped it on and immediately commented on the neckline. It was something I would have never picked off the rack for myself, but I was excited to show the women with me. When I stepped on the pedestal, I was truly at a loss for words. My MOH told me that I was utterly silent. I stared at myself in the mirror and burst into tears. Never in my life have I ever felt beautiful. That dress made me feel stunning. After I composed myself, Christina led me into the main room so I could see the dress in all its glory. It was perfect.

I didn’t think I wanted a veil, but they put on this stunning chapel-length veil that had delicate pearls and rhinestones on it. I began to cry again!

I said yes to the Martina Liana 1137 dress and cannot wait to go through the fittings and alterations to see it perfectly tailored to my needs.

I am unbelievably thankful to Christina and Roya for their sincerity in wanting me to find the dress that I felt beautiful in as opposed to just settling for something I liked. The knowledge that Christina has in the bridal field is mind-blowing. She made this process, which seemed incredibly daunting to me, such an enjoyable and intimate time. I cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you, Christina and Roya, for making me feel like a beautiful and...