A Visit to a NJ David’s Bridal Store

Have you considered shopping at the New Jersey wedding vendor, David’s Bridal, for your wedding attire? I’m sure you’ve heard about their extensive collection of bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, etc. Or are you leaning towards a smaller bridal shop with individualized attention instead?  If that’s the case, we suggest you give David’s Bridal a visit to search for your wedding gown. You just may be surprised and pleased with what you find.

NewJerseyWeddingVendors.com recently interviewed a bride-to-be about her experience shopping at a New Jersey David’s Bridal store for her wedding gown and we accompanied her on her latest visit to David’s Bridal to pick up her bridal gown.
 

On her first visit, our NJ bride arrived with her maid-of-honor without an appointment. Just inside the door was the David’s Bridal customer greeter whose responsibility is to answer your questions and to direct you match you with an available salesperson.  The pleasant woman explained to our NJ bride there would be a short wait, but in the meantime she could look through their photos of the bridal gown samples at David’s Bridal. It was suggested to our NJ bride that she begin by choosing 7 - 10  to try on first.  By the time she was done glancing through the wedding gown catalog, her assigned salesperson was available and introduced herself. Our bride showed her which gowns she would like to try on and was then directed to the dressing area where the saleswoman met her with the bridal gowns - it didn’t take long at all. The process was very organized, yet she didn’t feel rushed.

Our NJ bride was able to choose the order in which she tried on the gowns. The saleswoman provided an appropriate half slip and shoes, then assisted our bride in trying on the gowns by slipping them over her head. There are several large mirrored areas with raised platforms for the bride to view herself from front, side and back views. The David’s Bridal saleswoman was very attentive and listened to our bride’s opinion on the styles and fit of the wedding gowns. When she was finished, the saleswoman asked if she would like to look at the wedding gown book again or would she like the David’s Bridal saleswoman choose some gowns that she thought our bride might like. Our NJ bride felt comfortable with the saleswoman so she asked her to pick out the bridal gowns. When she returned she had 5 for her to try on. Out of those 5, our NJ bride found her dream gown at David’s Bridal  an Oleg Cassini gown. Her sister, the maid of honor, knew it was the one, too…tears came to her eyes for the first time.

The saleswoman also brought out bridal veils and headpieces for our bride to try on with her gown. When they were done, the saleswoman recorded which gowns she tried on and preferred. She then helped the bride and maid of honor search through the many bridesmaids dresses while explaining which styles looked best on which figures. Just about every size was available for sizing, even though it might not be the color chosen. The maid of honor tried several on, including those which the salesperson recommended, and was surprised to discover the woman was right about the styles.  This information was also recorded in the event they returned for another try on.

Our NJ bride mentioned that she would like to bring others to see the gown and to also look through the bridesmaids dresses. The saleswoman asked her to make an appointment with the front desk person when she knew the date and time she would be returning so that she could have the dresses waiting for her in the dressing room.  She did return to David’s Bridal, tried three of the gowns for her friends, and decided that she would buy one of the Oleg Cassini wedding gown, the one that brought tears to her sister’s eyes…it still made her feel as special as the first time she tried it on. Our bride didn’t buy it that day…she wanted her father to see her in it first…he did…and he had tears in his eyes…he bought it that day, along with the veil and tiara, shoes, and slip.

The father of the bride purchased the wedding gown with a David’s Bridal credit card which was offered to him with 0% interest and 12 months to pay.  Of course, if it isn’t paid by the time the year is up, the accumulated interest would be added to the total cost.  At the time of the bridal gown purchase, our NJ bride received a sale discount, and discounts on the additional items, too. In addition to that, the bridesmaids will receive 20% off the dresses and shoes, and the flower girl dresses will be discounted by 15%. For an additional fee, gown preservation was purchased. The post-wedding gown will be sent to the preservation company where, upon receipt, it will be repaired, cleaned, steamed, packaged in a box and mailed back to the bride.

Apparently, the store called when her gown was in - which took only a couple of months - but she must have missed the message on her machine. Our bride called and was told everything was in and she could come back, try it on again to see if alterations were needed. On this fourth visit, NewJerseyWeddingVendors.com accompanied our NJ bride to David’s Bridal. She tried on the wedding gown and really looked so beautiful…like a princess…we had tears in our eyes. Only a slight alteration will be needed and the bustle hooks will be added depending on which type of bustle she chooses. There are 4 types of bustles to choose from! That’s another post to come… David’s Bridal will also steam press the gown just before the wedding date so there’s no need to worry about the skirt and train being bunched up in the bottom of the garment bag.

NewJerseyWeddingVendors.com observed that David’s Bridal seems to have a full staff to assist their customers, allowing for a minimal wait time, plenty of dressing rooms which are assigned to the sales people so there is little hastle in that area, and 3 or 4 mirrored areas - each accommodating 3 brides at a time. There are even leather sofas from which moms and bridesmaids are able to view the bride when she models her wedding gown choices.  No pictures please, unless it is in the front of that viewing area away from the dressing rooms.

The next visit will be when the bridesmaids and flower girls decide on and order their dresses, about 9 months before the bride’s NJ wedding and then 2 months prior to the wedding date to begin her alterations.

Note their hours. The David’s Bridal store we visited doesn’t open on Sundays until noon. We assumed it opened at 11 a.m.  It seems other customers did, too. Customers arrived early and there was a line of brides, moms, and bridesmaids - a few men, too - waiting for David’s Bridal doors to open. When you enter, remember to stop and speak to the woman waiting inside the door - it will definitely help to save you time.

NewJerseyWeddingVendors.com asked our NJ bride what she liked about David’s Bridal. Here’s what she told us:

The saleswoman made it easy for me. She was helpful, and really listened to what I had to say about my likes and dislikes. I also liked the choices my saleswoman made for me. I felt I could trust her; she made me feel comfortable. The gowns are reasonably priced and they offer discounts for the shoes and accessories. Everything you need is right there, including invitations. I felt I received a lot of personal attention which I didn’t receive at a much smaller bridal salon. At the smaller salon, I had expected more individualized attention (I had an appointment) because it was small. But, I was very disappointed. I had to try on the dresses without her help. It was lucky that I had my sister with me. The saleswoman seemed to disappear after she hung up the dresses. When I had questions, I had to wait for her to send my sister to find her - in a small store, you’d think it would have been easy. I actually visited the salon a second time with my future mother-in-law so she could look at “mother” dresses. We found the same unorganized atmosphere: very little attention, only 2 saleswomen, and a very cramped setting - yet this was the bridal gown vendor that participated in most of the local New Jersey bridal shows we attended in recent months. It just goes to show you, you can’t always judge a NJ bridal salon by its exterior!

NewJerseyWeddingVendors.com recommends: Be sure to check out your NJ wedding vendors for yourself and don’t be shy to ask the NJ wedding vendors questions. Also take time to ask recently married brides about their NJ wedding vendor experiences. You are special, it is your special NJ wedding day that you are planning for - expect the best service, no matter what your wedding budget allows. Whether you are paying the minimum or the most, look for NJ vendors that have pride not only in the quality of their work, but also in their customer service. You deserve it!