What impressed me the first go around was simply this - Simpson's didn't treat me and my best friend like foolish children. They were helpful when they were needed, and gave lots of tips. I found this dress I loved but swore to myself I would never wear ivory to a prom. I left, tried a bunch of other places. Still, I couldn't stop thinking about that Alyce design dress! Despite my better judgment about ivory, I set off to go buy it. When I arrived, I told them I needed the dress, and was a little put off by the ivory color. That is when Mrs. Stanley was kind enough to offer another option - the color smoke. It was this decadent smokey purple, and I fell in love with it. However, I was afraid it wouldn't look the same on the dress. She assured me it'd be gorgeous, and needless to say she was right.
Fast forward a few years, and as soon as I return from the beach, freshly proposed to, I set off with my best friend Shannon in tote to look for dresses. We start with David's Bridal who were rude because my fiance hadn't picked out a super nice ring yet, but a place holder. We tried Darlynn's after that, but I didn't get the help I needed (though they were nicer), nor did I feel very certain about their selection.
I was getting restless, and irate. It dawned on me then that I hadn't tried the very place that took care of me so well during prom.
The next few days I spent rounding up my mother, and little sister.
We rode down there together, and they let me try on dress after dress. Anything I needed, no appointment necessary.
They were attentive, full of ideas, and helped me cling to self confidence.
I narrowed it down from about 10 dresses to 4, then from 4 to 2. I liked the other, but Mrs. Stanley could tell I was drawn to the one, so we talked about it and she assured me that I was gorgeous, and she could tell I glowed in it. I had looked at the tags of both, and the dress we all picked was well over HALF the price of the other. To her, her client was far more important than the tag.
Her staff is just as helpful. They all communicate so well that when I brought my father in, they were prepared for him, and the tears.
I loved the way they handled my business that I even ordered all of my bridesmaid dresses through them - gorgeous two toned dresses, strapless.
Best of all, they work the payments out so well with you, which was my biggest fear.
I kept thinking ""how am I going to afford my dream dress?""
Now, I'm thinking that I saved so much on my dress itself, in combination with the payments, that I might be able to splurge for the reception dress I want.
The best advice for anyone coming here: Communicate! With Mrs. Stanley, with the staff. If you need something, ask. If you're curious about something, ask. They have an amazing drive to help, and I'll continue to suggest them as long as I can to people - especially like my fiance and I who are paying for their own wedding.
more