House Of Brides Couture

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! They do not follow up on their orders and they do not deliver products as promised. I ordered and paid for a dress in March, was told I would get the dress in June and did not receive the dress until August. I had to email battle with them the entire month of July explaining my fianc?es daughter would be leaving the state July 31st and I HAD to have the dress prior to her leaving only to receive the dress one day after she left because they shipped standard ground shipping instead of overnight. Thank you for absolutely nothing!!!! Not to mention one of the people I had to deal with so beyond rude-Joan is the worst customer service employee I have ever encountered. more

NEVER RECOMMENDING THIS PLACE BUSINESS!!! House of Brides has done nothing to help ease the burden of being a bride and wedding planner of my own wedding. I came to Chicago (I'm from Las Vegas) to go dress shopping with my mom in January and heard good things about this place, so we went. Honestly, they didn't have nearly the selection advertised on the website available to try on in the store, which made my heart sink a little after bringing in an entire list of dresses I wanted to try on but most of them were not in the store. I don't know about the average bride, but this one expects to be able to see what I freakin' will look like in a dress before I buy it. Anyway, I ended up picking a dress that I liked and they told me it was going to take 3-4 months to get since it had to be made. After 3 months, I called and they said it was going to be 4-5 months. I called again 2 weeks later and was told at least 6 months. My wedding is in Sept and I live out-of-town, so when I asked if I could have it expedited the day I paid for it over the phone, she said I wouldn't need to. Needless to say I still don't have the dress and when I decided to get another dress that I liked better elsewhere and knew I could get in time, I called House of Brides, told them my situation and asked them what my options were. The manager Nadia? told me that, ""your options are none. You will get the dress in time and we have a no-refund policy."" I told her I was upset and scared that I wouldn't get it in time to do alterations properly and she basically told me to stop worrying and that it would be fine. Now I have a dress that cost me 1/4 of the price that I like better and have in my closet currently, so I guess you'll be seeing my on Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist trying to sell this freaking dress...whenever it decides to get here. Thanks for making my wedding dress experience NOT special House of Brides! more

Sentence for tax cheat: Provide free prom dresses May 19, 2010 8:28 AM | 4 Comments | UPDATED STORY A bridal shop owner has been ordered to play fairy godmother to hundreds of teenage girls as restitution for cheating on his company's sales tax returns. Dale Buziecki, 64, president and owner of House of Brides Inc., pleaded guilty Monday in Cook County to filing fraudulent sales tax returns for his stores in Glen Ellyn, Norridge, Schaumburg, Oak Lawn and Chicago. As part of his punishment, the Wheaton man was ordered to donate 500 formal dresses a year for the next three years to the Glass Slipper Project, a nonprofit that collects and distributes prom outfits for Chicago-area high school students who can't afford them. ""The state will recover the sales tax owed and, through the required community service, many young women who want to attend their high school prom will have that opportunity,"" Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a written statement. Criminal investigators with the Illinois Department of Revenue estimate that the tax scofflaw overstated deductions and underreported more than $5 million in sales from November 2005 through June 2006. Buziecki could not be reached for comment. The court also ordered him to serve 30 months probation, pay a roughly $280,000 fine and perform 250 hours of community service. --Angie Leventis Lourgos Pros: free dresses for nice people Cons: the Buziecki's didn't receive a jail term more

I placed an order for my wedding dress in march on the House of Brides website and was told that if I pay rush delivery I would get it in may, 2 weeks before my wedding. On the day I was supposed to get my dress I called back and was told that my order was processed for a refund because they cannot deliver it on time. I called other stores to see if I can find that dress and one of them said they could get it in 5 weeks. When I told them what happened they said the designer is really good about delivering the dresses on time, and probably the House of Brides did not place my order in time. I called back House of Brides and I was told they cannot tell me anything about the order or if the order was place, except that it was processed for a refund. I asked to speak with a manager, but the managers are not available by phone, and I could not receive any more info about my order. They told me they emailed me in April about the refund, but I did not receive their email (although I did receive the confirmation for the order previously). My wedding is in 2 weeks and I do not have a wedding dress, and I didn't even receive an apology. In conclusion, I did not receive my dress, I have to find a wedding dress in 2 weeks, and I could not get any explanation why I did not get it in time. Cons: did not get my dress more

This is not House of Brides!!! It is a specialty store that specializes in Couture dresses. DO NOT CONFUSE this beautiful loft space in the city with the chain stores around the country. They have some lower priced dresses and a wonderful array of bridesmaids dresses. We were treated like queens there. Again this is NOT the chain stores of House of Brides!!!! They may be associated with them, but they do not operate like the chain stores. We received impeccable service and delivery times. Pros: Beautiful dresses, excellent service more

I ordered a dress from their website for my step-daughter's prom. The dress did not arrive in time for the event and I've been fighting with the company for three weeks for a refund. The order was placed and paid for on April 20th. I ordered the dress from the ?immediate delivery? tab on the website which had the dress in two or three sizes at the time I ordered it, which made it appear that this particular dress in stock was in the size we needed. At no point during my ordering the dress did it appear that the dress was going to be made upon order. Since it appeared that the dress was ?ready to ship? and I paid for express shipping with the initial order, but they still said it would take 5 - 6 weeks to receive it. Five weeks from the date of order would be May 25th. Six weeks from the date of order would be June 1st. We did not have the dress in our possession on EITHER of those dates. I spoke to a customer service person at the company in early May and was told that we would have the dress NOT that the dress would be shipped by the end of May. The dress was shipped ONLY after I requested a refund ON THE FIRST OF JUNE. This entire ordeal would have been avoided had the first customer service person to receive my request on June 1st just admitted to the mistake and processed a refund instead of ignoring my email and shipping a dress that was no longer needed. Furthermore, attempts to resolve the matter have been repeatedly ignored. It?s been more than two weeks since the last ""customer service"" representative said that they would speak to someone else and today?s email was the second time since then that I?ve tried to get a response from them. This is beyond outrageous. Buyer Beware! The company has quite a history of making similar mistakes per the reviews I?ve been reading online. I should have checked them out better before I ordered! Pros: Nice Selection Cons: Everything else! more

Michaelene was great at helping me find a dress that would be both appropriate for the occasion and that would make me feel beautiful on the big day. She also helped us work within our budget. She was honest, and didn't try to sell me something I couldn't afford and didn't want. I really appreciate what she did for me, and how she turned a normally stressful experience into one that was incredibly joyful. Thanks! Pros: Michaelene- a great service representative Cons: Not many options for informal weddings more

Need I say more? Yes, one more thing...why do they list designers on their website who refuse to do business with them or ship them. You should call the designer and verify that they still do business with HOB before purchasing from them. A lot of them will tell you that they probably did, but no longer do. They not only seem to have the worst reputation with the brides that purchase from them (less than one star!), but also with the vendors as well, obviously. Pros: not a thing! Cons: overpriced gowns you can find at Davids Bridal more

Could the house of brides get any lower ratings? I mean could we give them less than one star/ No wonder every one thinks they're the source behind all these anonymous letters about Eva's Bridals. I think we all should worry about them going out of business with all these horrible reviews. No wonder they have to attack their competition. What else do they have going for them? Most of the great designers do not even do busines with them any more, like Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, Jasmine...House of Brides website lists these designers on their won website just to lure you in, but if you check with the designers and check the designers' website, you'll see that the House of Brides is not listed. Pros: N O N E! Cons: E V E R Y T H I N G B A D! more

Has anyone read about the House of Brides closing one of its stores in Mobile and stranding hundreds of brides? I don't know if all he House of Brides stores are related and owned by the same people, but if they claim they are world's largest, then may be they are. There is a whole news special done on them and the brides that were left without their gowns. You can read all about it if you just google house of brides in Mobile. more

I am very dissapointed with House of Brides. I have 5 bridesmaids and they all ordered from House of Brides. It is in the neighborhood and they had a wide selection so I, the bride, decided we'd go there. They called me to say the dresses had arrived so I went topick them all up to save the bridemaids the trip. To my surprise the DRESSES ARE NOT PRESSED. The top and long skirt were in a long plastic bag but they folded the bag so the SKIRT WAS FOLDED AND WRINKELD. I asked the lady why weren't they pressed and she said that they would surely need alternations and the pressing price was included in that! Alternations start at $85!!! I said, ""What if they do not need altering or they want to take them to their own seamtress (all of us are over 40) and the lady at the desk informed me that we could PAY TO HAVE THEM PRESSED ($30) or we just take them to the cleaners!!!!!!! I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A STORE WHERE YOU PURCHASE A FORMAL DRESS AND IT IS NOT CLEAN AND READY TO WEAR. The have a no return policy which should have made me wonder but when you get measured for a dress, I assumed they were making it just for you. NOT! If they took correct measurements, why are they so sure they will need altering? It's a scam and a shame that they take advantgage of customers in this way. HAd they told me in advance that the dresses would come like this, I would have went somewhere else. I brought them home and unfolded the bag so that hopefully most of the big wrinkles will fall. They could have them hanging in the same manner so the wrinkes don't set in. But it seems they fold them on purpose so you have to pay the extra. Pros: I can't think of anything Cons: The bridesmaids dresses are wrapped so they are wrinkled and pressing is not included more

Call/contact Kevin Cararra 630 668 8500 OR Joan at 630 629 4062 if you have issues like I have. The house of brides is a bad company and only there to get your money. Once you have ordered they don't care about you and ignore your emails and calls. This business treats customers unfairly! more

This place has terrible customer service - we're talking worse than David's Bridal here! more

My Bridesmaids and Matron of Honor ordered their dresses from House of Brides. It was the worst customer service I ever experienced. They were rude and did not want to be bothered to help. I asked to speak to a manager and the girl informed me she didn't have one and hung up on me. Several of the girls called and had similar experiences - nasty reps and lost orders. I'm just hoping the dresses actually arrive at some point (ordered and paid for months ago for a fast approaching wedding date.) My advice is go elsewhere - even if it its slightly more expensive its not worth the hastle. Cons: They are horrible!! Don't order here!!! more

For a first time bride, you have visions of finding your dress is some beautiful boutique, whilst being served champagne...etc. If that is what you want, DO NOT come here. The dresses were horribly dirty and they actually had a not so pleasant odor to them. You had to dig for your own dresses through the jam packed racks and then the assistant tells you you look wonderful in everything when it is clear that the dress you have on is NOT for you or your body type. more

I order my bridesmaids dresses from House of Brides at the end of January, and they told me it takes up to four months for them to come in. I called near the end of May to see if a date had been set yet, and they said they should be in no later than June 8. Never heard anything from them so I called on June 8th. I spoke with both my consultant and the receiving room, and they didn't understand why I was upset my dresses werent in. They then told me I my wedding is not until September why am I getting so mad at them. They don't execpt responsibility for anything and blamed everything on the dress manufacture. The lady in receiving didn't think I needed my dresses until a couple weeks before the wedding. My bridal consultant was aware that the majority of my bridesmaids are from out of town and I wanted the dresses to pass out to them in mid June. They take your money, and don't know what the HELL they are doing after that. I don't recommend them. I don't trust them. NEVER GO THERE. more

I can't help but think some mixed up House of Brides Couture with House of Brides. Epecially those reviews that say 'gowns to fit any budget', as these are expensive gowns- you will find it very difficult to find a dress here for less than $1000, and most are far higher than that. In terms of service though, this place cannot be beat. My consultant, Jackie, was a true joy to work with. SHE actually found my wedding gown- the one I came in to try on only ended up being so-so, but when I stepped into the gown she suggested I try, the tears were rolling! lol... I didn't experience anything but courteous, hospitable service at this full service salon, and they were very accomodating to my needs, even when there was nothing in it for them monetarily. I appreciated their kindness and individual focus. Thanks for eveything Jackie! Pros: BEAUTIFUL couture gowns, LOTS of designers, courteous service, clean and tasteful ambiance, trunk show discounts. Cons: Expensive gowns! And the wait can be quite long, go at least 9 months before your wedding. more

Arrived on time for my appointment, I was told to register. Once I finished I figured I'd sit and wait. And that's exactly what I did for the next 30 minutes. There were 2 ladies behind the desk who never bothered to (a) find my consultant or (b) apologize for my wait. Once I finally did approach the desk to tell them I had other appts I needed to get to, I received a fake apology and was told my consultant would be with me shortly. My consultant did show up, brought me and my guests back to the dressing room. The rooms as decent, seating for guests, mirror and pedestal. Outside of the rooms there is a 3 way mirror and pedestal. She was nice and apologized for my wait, and explained she was with a first time dress hunter and it took longer than expected. I thought that's great and all, but I should've been made aware of this when I first arrived and given the choice to work with another consultant. She began to inquire on the type of dresses that I wanted to try and brought back 3 dresses. Only 1 somewhat looked like what I had requested. I further explained what I was looking for and she went and pulled 3 more dresses. They were beautiful. My friends were taking pictures, but I was told by another consultant that it wasn't allowed for some dresses. After trying on about 5 dresses, I had to go to another appointment. So I picked out my favorite 3, my consultant said she'd write them down and invited me to come back. Pros: close to train, selection, don't need to leave dressing room, they pull your gowns Cons: they pull your gowns, wait time more

I have heard a lot of awful things about House Of Brides Couture. But I still decided to give them a chance and I am so glad that I did. When you come in for your first appointment, they set you up with a consultant who asks you what kind of dress you are looking for. Then begins to pull dresses from their stock room of over 250 couture gowns! All of their gowns are beautiful. They only have designer gowns that range from $1000-$10,000. But they are so worth the money. They are nothing like David's Bridal, where I had a horrible experience by the way. You don't have to go digging through racks of gowns and the material doesn't look like a cheap polyester like all of David's Bridals' gowns. They were kind enough to spend a full hour with me with no interruptions. I made my decision that day and purchased my gown. They then placed the order for it and the dress arrived in a very timely matter. They also to amazing care of my bridesmaids too. And there alterations lady is so good and experienced. I also had a friend who had to get a new wedding gown in 2 days because another bridal salon never ordered hers! House of brides couture was able to get her a beautiful gown in less then 24 hours and also had it altered to fit my poor best friend perfectly! Amazing! Please take into consideration though that House of Brides Couture is different from House of Brides in Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn or Oak Lawn. They are all very good salons but the difference is that House of Brides Couture carries all of the designer gowns $1000 and over where as House of Brides in the suburbs carries everything under $1000. Either way I know you will have a great experience there! Pros: Amazing Service, Great Gowns, Very personalized experience Cons: Parking can be kind of hard to find sometimes more

Do NOT go here. I had nothing but problems the WHOLE time. In the beginning, I just thought the rudeness came with the job, but then I got problems to boot. The consultants are terrible, rude, disorganized, and blame all problems back on the customer. I am a size 2. I was ordered a size DOUBLE XL for a skirt that is supposed to go under my dress. I moved to CO and the alterer lady in CO laughed and wondered what I planned to do w/ it. She also said my dress wouldn't look good w/ a skirt. SO, not only did the consultant sell me something at the wrong size, she sold me something I didn't need. However, that's just one of the small problems. They never sent me a sample of the bridesmaid dresses (a swatch) until 2 months later?!?! HELLO! My wedding--the day I went in--was 6 months away. No time to delay--they understood that when they charged me the RUSH delivery charge!!! My veil came in separately but was floor length when I had specifically been measured to have it fall at the hips?! My fault, according to them?! How??? They never print off their orders so the customer never knows what is actually going to be done to the dress, veil, etc etc. Since moving to CO, they wanted me to fly back for THREE, yes THREE, alterations. I said no way. I found an AWESOME woman in CO. She is nice (shocking!), sweet, HELPFUL, intelligent, and an absolute magician. She made the dress--a size 10!?!!!--look great on me. The best part, she did it in ONE alteration appt. HOUSE OF BRIDES is a joke!!!! I was nice to them all along thinking again, it was my fault. They failed to remove lace...they failed to get the correct size...they failed in SO many depts. What did they say when I confronted them--AND had my fiance confront them---it's MY fault because I didn't check any of their notes. They do not make that accessible to a customer. IF you go there (I beg you not to), ask to see everything in writing. They'll get you otherwise. more