Let's be honest: if you've watched an episode of Say Yes to the Dress, you know how you expect a bridal appointment to go. My first experience at a local store in my hometown was so terrible, I didn't bother looking for a dress again until my mom suggested shopping while we were in Oregon, about a year and a half later. The store I initially wanted to go to was closed and, on a whim, my mom found Bridal Exclusives. She spoke to Andrea on the phone and booked us a same-day appointment.
I was definitely apprehensive and initially approached the experience defensively. Andrea had a few phone calls to make and encouraged us to look around at the selections. We pulled a couple options and after we accumulated a few, Andrea asked me what style I was looking for and what I was drawn to. She kindly nixed a few of the dresses we'd pulled and suggested other options, even ones I wouldn't have looked twice at.
I'm a curvier bride and my confidence was pretty beaten after that first time dress shopping, but Andrea made me feel awesome, and her selections were so appropriate for my shape. She was funny, kind, patient, and intuitive. When I couldn't decide between three dresses, she told me that we could spend all day trying them on until I made a decision. In the end, it was one of Andrea's selections that I ended up falling in love with!
I spent my entire appointment feeling like a VIP. I purchased a beautiful ball gown for about $2000 with all the accessories and additions, which was the number I originally stated when Andrea asked me my budget. I have to go back in September for my fitting and I truly can't wait to visit Andrea at Bridal Exclusives again!
more