Ventura's Formal Wear

I was surprised by some of the previous reviews here. This store is a stickler for appointments, so you'll definitely need one to try on dresses. They did have a decent selection of wedding gowns and were very nice to me while I was there. Estella was my consultant, and I would recommend her. She left me alone to make my selections, but did come back often to check on me, and spent the whole time with me while I was trying the dresses on. The manager came over to introduce herself, and she was nice as well. There are no destination dresses here, but they are sorted by style so if you have a general idea of what you're looking for, it's a logical system. I would recommend! more

Unlike the other reviews, I actually had a positive experience at Ventura's. I did not get my wedding dress there, but I did order bridesmaid dresses there and found the employees to be quite accommodating and polite! I did not have an appointment. They said it may be a short wait as a result, but about 2 minutes later someone (Genie) came to help us. Ventura's carried the designer we wanted, but not the specific dress, so they ordered that dress just for us. She helped us find what we were looking for, we were measured for size, and even got free shipping. It doesn't look like the fanciest place in the world, but they have lots of choices and I found them to be very nice! more

I am in shock that a place like this is even open. I read several reviews before seeing it for my self, but ignored warnings of rude staff. I regret stepping foot in that old stingy, smelly place. How can a bridal gown shop have such rude employees and owner. The owner, Ms. Ventura, needs to take a few lessons in business and customer service, she was the rudest of all. I will however mention that the two times that I have stepped in there I was greeted with only one and the same one smile. Thank you to that employee. But for the rest of the unproffessional looking staff, just down right rude. Brides avoid, this is your day! Pros: Some pretty dresses Cons: Rude staff, warehouse like, dirty! more

Since day one Ive had horrible customer service with this place. My family and I went to find the ""dress"" one saturday. We did not make an appointment and wandered the store for awhile gathering a selection of dresses. We went into a open dressing room and started the ""once in a life time ""process. We were doing fine when the owner herself came to assist us. She expressed the fact that we shouldn't be in the ""dressing area"" with out a consultant. I apologized and she would help to ""hurry the process."" I actually found the dress! Its beautiful and amazing! Then the owner asked "" how will we paying for this today?"" I said I wasn't ready to buy it (wanting to do my research) - she shut down and walked off. I actually went back and bought the dress. Ive been in contact with them several times (4 times)- each time they have lost my file and had to ""call me back"". The owner insulted my under garment choice making me feel like a child and blamed my father for mis-placing my file. Is that possible? When we confronted the staff about my missing file - they accused me of ""changing my date."" I was also told I was not able to come see my dress - the were too busy. My aunt had bought her dress there a few years before me and did not experience this problem. Every encounter with them I felt like a 5 year old getting in trouble. I consider myself a fun -loving person who is polite. I was constantly offended by the way they treated me and my family. I took my dress and will never go back. I have a twin sister who will NOT set foot in the store. Pros: Great selection and pricing! Cons: Rude staff and owner more

The customer service was great. I was really impressed with how many bridal gowns they actually had there to try on, but was disappointed because they all looked the same. All strapless with tons of beading on the front. Very few simple dresses, no destination-style dresses, hardly any straps/halter styles. Hundreds of dresses, all the same. BUT if this is the style of dress you're looking for, you can't go wrong with Ventura's. I also noticed that prices here were very reasonable compared to other shops I've looked at. They have a HUGE selection of bridesmaids dresses in many designers. It was great to actually see so many of them in person after having seen them online and in catalogs that other shops had sitting on tables. Pros: Large selection, great customer service, good prices Cons: No variety in bridal styles more

This was where I finally found my wedding dress after who knows how many stores. I was really glad that my consultant was so nice, because I have had bad experiences elsewhere and was left feeling weary of all bridal salons. She asked me what kind of dress I was looking for and pulled quite a number to have me look at while my maid of honor and I were searching the various racks. I did like how the dresses were arranged by style, hadnt seen that anywhere else. There were a fairly wide selection to choose from in a variety of prices and they definetly had more dresses in the sales section than anywhere else I had seen. I didnt have alot of time till the wedding and they were very understanding about my needs and offered alot of advice. Also she offered her help in the dressing room as opposed to shooing out my MOH and dressing me. I wasn't offered to try on any veils with my dress, but admittedly I didnt think of it at the time. The place isn't the newest/freshest, but I was definitely more worried about the dress than atmosphere. Lastly the dressing rooms were not as spacious as some I have been to and the lighting in the dressing rooms was poor. Pros: service, selection Cons: atmosphere more

If you are a unique bride looking for a variety of dresses this is the place for you! My mother and I had been to several bridal salons in one day and this was our last stop- we were almost to tired to go! But are we glad we did! We found many dresses to love! The customer service was awesome! I was helped in and out of my dresses, was provided with hands on help and service! Felt like a princess. Would recommend this to anyone looking at dresses in houston, Pros: arranged by dress type Cons: Hard to get to, wierd nieghborhood more

I had a wonderful experience at Ventura's. They had alot of plus size sample sizes for me to try on, which I have never found at another salon. They also had alot of dresses with sleeves and different styles, not just strapless. The manager Genie helped me and she was a delight. My dress came in quickly after I ordered it. I've been back for two alteration appointments, and she's greeted us personally each time (even after the sale.) Yes, the building is run-down and hot, but I found the prices to be great. I don't live in the Houston area, but all the driving has been worth it to find my perfect dress. Pros: ""Genie"", Prices, Selection Cons: Not the best ambiance more

From the outside, this place does not look like much, an out of date warehouse perhaps. However, I have been to many so-called value bridal shops (total nightmares), this place was completely different. I walked in without an appointment and Kim saw me immediately (it helps to do this during the middle of the day on like a wednesday when they won't be busy). The variety of gowns was amazing! There was something there for every price range and the gowns I tried on were of a very high quality (I love organza and silk). They provided corsets and petticoats to try on the gowns with (common in nicer stores, but just try to find it in ""value stores""). They also offered to let me try on the dresses with veils, tiaras, and shoes (also common practice in nicer stores). Even though I did not buy my dress from there, Ventura's Bridal had me smiling and I will gladly send any of my friends there to begin thier search (I did send my bridesmaids to buy thier gowns there however, great Bari Jay collection). Pros: Variety, Value, Space of the dressing room area, Kim!! Cons: Atmosphere is a little dampening more

Hi all, this is my first time here and I had to comment on this. I was not impressed with Ventura's. As I pulled up and went inside I was discourage. Quoting the other writer, ""dingy"" is correct . I had scheduled an appointment three weeks prior and when I got there, they didn't have my name in the book. They assigned me a consultant anyway. Kim was pleasant. She took time to listen to what I was looking for and I showed her my clippings of dresses. I was only allowed to try on six dresses...""store policy."" They didn't have a large selection on plus sizes to try on. I was told if I didn't find what I was looking for, they would take me to the back of the warehouse to see more...they didn't do that. The dressing rooms were small, had curtins for doors, and the Owner and another bridal consultant just walked in my dressing room while Kim was helping me dress...how rude. I'm a bashful person; I don't even let my mother see me in my undergarments. They kept interrupting Kim and I and it dampered the mood I was in. I didn't have the one-on-one time with Kim that I wanted, but that wasn't her fault. The Owner and everyone else kept calling for her. Especially when I had a dress someone else wanted to try on. They were just swirming around me until I was done with the dress. The owner shouted at Kim and the other consultant that that was the dress she was looking for. I wasn't asked to try on veils or pettycoats just dresses. I wasn't to concerned with prices so I can't comment on that. I just didn't like the rudeness of the other consultant and the owner so I won't go back. Kim was great though.\r Pros: Kim Cons: they didn't have enough plus size dresses to try on more

Ventura's was the first place I went to look for my wedding dress. My first impression is that it is very much like a warehouse. There was also a funny smell - I think probably due to the dry cleaners inside. They have a great selection of dresses; however, I found the service left a bit to be desired. I had expected more guidance in selecting what to try on, but my consultant never really asked me what I was looking for or help me go through their racks of dresses (which I would have preferred). Once I did select the dresses to try on, though, she was great. I believe they are a little more expensive, but I did receive a flier from them in the mail for a 20% discount (I think they got my address from Bridal Extravaganza). I ended up not buying my dress there. They were just OK to me. Pros: Dress selection Cons: Service only so-so, atmosphere more

I just got my wedding dress and Ventura's and it was an amazing experience. I had been to the store earlier this summer as just a walk in and worked with Kimberly. She was very helpful and attentive and I never felt rushed. At that time, I didn't find the dress (they didn't have the one I had been thinking of). They got the dress I wanted it, so I went back with my mom two weekends ago on a Saturday with an appointment with Kimberly. Again, she was very attentive and helpful. I left but came back later that day to re-try my dream dress. Even though Kimberly had other clients with her and I wasn't a planned appointment, she was again very helpful. I walked around in the dress for an hour trying on different tiaras and veils. They never made me feel rushed. We shut the store down ordering my dress. They also gave us a great deal on the dress! I couldn't be happier with the experience. Even Mrs. Ventura came by and met with my mom and I. We just got star treatment all the way around!\r They have great mirrors, a great selection and attentive and helpful staff, especially Kimberly! They also let you take pictures! Pros: helpful staff, huge mirrors, great selection Cons: can be busy on Saturday- make an appointment! more

Caveat: I had read all the complaints here before going, and I must admit it wasn't my favorite shopping experience. I went on a busy Saturday, people were everywhere and the dressing rooms were hot. That being said, Kim was very pleasant. Once I filled out my pink card (be sure to do that as soon as you walk in, or they won't notice you or help you), she schlepped my dresses to the back. She was juggling brides as they seemed horribly understaffed, so I didn't have much personal attention, which really wasn't a must for me. The selection seemed about average, but I found more dresses I liked than normal, so that's what saved me from ranking it as ""average."" I can't comment on post-purchase care, but I felt a little dingy despite the beautiful designer gowns. The viewing area is nice, with special mirrors built in so you can see the train without twisting and turning. I found several beautiful gowns I hadn't seen elsewhere, so I had fun at least! Pros: Built-in mirrors to see the train, large designer selection Cons: Crowded, stuffy, cluttered more

i called them on the phone one saturday morning to see what time they opened and the owner was very very rude and i drove up there any way to look at there selection and the customer service there attitudes stinks i do'not recommend them and this is my first wedding and i did'nt like there attitude more

While shopping for bridesmaids dresses, no one would assist us. I asked to see the color swatches, and had to wait and wait. I finally ordered the dresses, picking the sizes according the the size chart. But when the dresses came in, they were way to large!! My bridesmaids were getting turned away from seamstress's because it would be too hard to alter the dresses! Some were more than 6 inches to large in the bust area! When I called to ask for help from Mrs. Ventura, she read me a clause saying that when I ordered the dresses they were not responsible for the outcome what-so-ever. She was very rude and even hung up on me in mid-sentence. I can't believe someone can run a business selling bridesmaids dresses, and not be able to order the correct size when a measurement is given! Unacceptable!! Pros: Good selection Cons: service, Dress sizes more

I found the staff at Ventura's to be incredibly helpful. They have a wide array of dresses, and will browse catalogs with you for styles they don't have in stock. However, I found that all the dresses were on average $100 more than the same dresses at other salons in Houston. I have no experience with the customer service after purchase. Pros: Selection, Helpful Cons: Price more

I've seen ventura bridal at several shows in Houston, and they have a wide selection at fair prices. At the shows, the staff is eager to get your attention and assist you. But when I went to the store to with 2 bridesmaids to look for dresses, we were completely ignored. We managed to spend 2 hours there and no one ever even looked our direction. Once we had finished tring on dresses and found what we liked, we just needed to see fabric samples to find what colors were available. But we still couldn't get any acknowledgement or help, so we gave up and went to the braidal connection (much more helpfull but pricey). Pros: Wide selection Cons: , Unorganized, No service more

I absolutely loved my Ventura's experience, I found the staff to be very helpful and patient. Mrs. Ventura phoned me at home several times to inform me of alterations progress and to make suggestions. I say bravo Venturas and highly recommend that you choose it for your wedding. Pros: great location , easy fwy.access, patient staff more

I completely agree with the review above. The services was very good until the dress was purchased. After that, the service in recieving the dress was non-exsistant. Also the alterations department were helpful in the first fitting, but managed to change the lines of the dress when adding the bustle. This is apparently how it is done according to them. Also the dress had spots on it and had to be repressed when I picked it up Ms. Ventura was less than helpful when this was brought to her attention more

After visiting many ""pop & pop"" bridal stores, I decided to purchase my wedding gown from Ventura's. They were very helpful and the owner took time to go through catalogs of all the designers they carry, not just those dresses hanging on the racks. After my dress came in, the alternations department was extremely helpful and patient and did exactly what was asked of them! A+ service! more