After a nightmare experience of rudeness at Bride Beautiful when trying to get fitted for a bridesmaid's dress a few months after my engagement, I was NOT looking forward to wedding dress shopping. I kept putting it off until my friend started freaking out, saying I was never going to GET a dress in time! So I begrudgingly made a few appts at bridal salons. \r
Had a GREAT time trying on dresses I could never afford at Bridals by Lori... the runway is definitely an experience everyone should have. But the people were totally impersonal, and I didn't have $5K for a dress, so that was really just for the fun of it. \r
Went to a few more salons and wasn't finding anything I liked when we literally stumbled across Bel Fiore. Had an appt at a bridal shop down the street that turned out to be horrible, and I said, ""Hey, let's check out that place over there."" Walked in on a Saturday afternoon when they were having a Winnie Couture trunk show and spotted THE DRESS. The store was slammed, but I begged Carrie to let me try it on really fast without an appt. I was starting to strip down at the counter, when she agreed to give me five minutes in the dressing room. The dress was FABULOUS. I made an appt to come back in a few hours when they had an opening, and I knew it was the one! \r
Carrie was awesome and helped me coordinate with the rep for Winnie to make a few changes to the gown. I got free veil & shoes as part of their anniversary promotion, too! The alterations lady did not do a spectacular job the first go-round... but the store paid to have them re-done and they turned out perfect. Who knew someone with no chest could hold up such a heavy strapless gown? :) \r
The store does not have an enormous selection, for sure, but the stuff they do have is gorgeous. I am thrilled that they actually made dress shopping ENJOYABLE. I definitely recommend Bel Fiore, and have heard great things back from people I sent there.
Pros: Beautiful dresses; warm, friendly and sincere service
Cons: Not an enormous selection, but what they have is gorgeous
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