After being engaged for just 4 days, I decided to begin my planning with a trip to some nearby bridal shops. With an hour to spare before my appointment at David's Bridal, I decided to stop in at Elegant Brides to check out their selection. My Mom and I went inside and found some pretty gowns to try. We took several gowns into the dressing room to try on. I knew that most bridal shops were helpful and somewhat catering to brides, but definitely not in this shop! My Mom and I struggled with getting things on and hanging them back up. I LOVED the first dress I tried on but left for my appt. at David's Bridal. Once my consultant met me at David's she told me to choose whatever I liked from their catalogues and she would get them for me to try. She literally got everything I could have needed (shoes, bra, slip, & veils to match each dress) and even put the dresses on me and helped take them off. Although the experience was WONDERFUL I still liked the dress at Elegant Brides better. We went back to E.B. with my camera the same day. The Blonde (Christie, I believe) was so rude to me and had negative comments about everything from my ceremony/reception site to even ordering the gown. My Mom and I were handed veils by the original attendant that I met earlier and the Blonde just sat and watched My Mom and I struggle to put them on. Finally, I said "Do you think you could help us with this?". Her reply as she got up off the couch was, "Can you tell I'm tired?". After leaving and finding out that they were the only Casablanca gown dealer in Wilmington, I drove 2.5 hrs. to Smithfield to get the gown at Carolina Bridal World. I actually thought since Elegant Brides was so convenient that I would just deal with them, but everyone told me they're AWFUL! By the way, the owner at the Smithfield shop says to tell Elegant Brides "Thanks" for all the business they send her. Seriously, don't even walk into E.B. unless you want to meet "Negative Nancy" for yourself!!
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