This bridal salon is located on Benson Street in the Reading Bridal District. While it is not nearly as large as Bridal and Formal (which is right across the street), it was the only store where I found a dress I loved—a Ginza brand halter. The store was well organized, and it wasn’t as crowded as some of the other stores on Benson Street. I really liked that there were individual dressing rooms instead of the big open dressing room at Bridal and Formal. The staff at Cincinnati Bride was very helpful while I was in the store. They helped me try on all the dresses I thought I might like, and they helped pick out slips, veils, tiaras, etc. for each. The store is set up so that you change in the dressing room and then go back into the store to look at yourself in front of the big mirror. This was helpful since my mom and sister could see me without coming into the dressing room. The only complaint about the mirror is that, while large, it is only a wall of mirrors, so it is hard to see your sides or back very well. Once I chose the dress of my dreams is when things started going downhill quickly with Cincinnati Bride. This store is not cheap. They must charge the recommended retail price for everything, plus shipping (since I lived in Dayton). Also, they measured me incorrectly and convinced me I needed a size that ended up being at least a size too big when it arrived and made altering it even harder. Then, they said the pieces would be held at the store until everything came in, and then they would send it in one big box. I got three boxes at three totally different times. This was only frustrating because it was difficult to tell if the pieces would fit me well when all together, and I was worried they might not let me exchange a piece I’d had for months. The real trouble began when I moved before I got the last box. I tried over and over to call Cincinnati Bride, and every single time I got a recording stating that they do not answer the phone while they are helping a bride in the store. Basically, if anyone is in this fairly busy store, they don’t pick up the phone. I’m also convinced they often forget to turn off the recording when they’re really not busy. It seems once this place has your money, they don’t care what happens. All in all, my recommendation would be to see if they have your dream dress at Cincinnati Bride, but then buy it elsewhere.
more