L'atelier Couture

As an out-of-state bride, I was worried about how to choose a bridal salon that I knew would consistent in interacting with me via phone and email. I definitely chose the right place, because all my emails and phone calls were answered within a day at the latest, and usually within in minutes or one or two hours. These ladies were willing to be flexible within my tight and sporadic schedule when I was in town. Besides being great in the customer service department, they had a wide variety of gowns (essential to the non-traditional and picky bride like myself who doesn't necessarily want to look like a cotton ball on her wedding day), and were inventive and savvy when I wanted to modify my chosen gown to more suit my tastes. I couldn't say enough about how great this place is! The one drawback is that the dresses are expensive, but as somebody who looked for gowns in DC, MD, NY, and PA, I can tell you compared to the east coast, the cost is much more affordable for the same dresses! Pros: Friendly, efficient, creative staff Cons: $$$ expensive! more

I found this store in the The Knot Best of Weddings early summer 2008. I live in Kansas but wanted to find a dress in Minnesota so that my sister and mom could go shopping with me. Pros: Amanda, customer service, dress variety, designers available, atmosphere, room, attention, knowledge Cons: smaller parking lot, could have a bit more selection more

Wow. Poor service. Overall, just inadequate service for the high line items they are selling. I thought the selection was meager. They do carry several designers but only a handful of dresses in each. The building is beautiful but don't go in winter- no heat downstairs, including the bathroom! The sales girl never got back to me on some information regarding a dress I was interested in. And the worst was that they simply held the sample dresses against me. I am a size 16. I don't expect to zip/button the sample up, but to not try it on, I might as well used mail order. Pros: name is well known Cons: service, poor selection, price, no/little heat in basement (where 1/2 dresses are) in winter more

This is a gorgeous shop! Very classy and elegant- just like the dresses they carry. I did have a little sticker shock, though... I need to stay under $1000 so I found out quickly that this shop's dresses were far out of my price range. The owner, Amanda, was very accomodating, though- she let me know about a sample sale coming up and showed me dresses that would be in the sale so I could afford them. The gowns were BEAUTIFUL! If I had more money, I would have bought one! Pros: Warm and comfortable atmosphere- gorgeous gowns Cons: Pricey! more

From the second we walked in the door it was nothing but amazing! We came on a weekend when they were hosting a trunk show. They have it set up so that a local florist and a bakery gives them flowers and cakes as a way for advertising--seemed brilliant to me--plus my mom, dad, and I all got cake, we even had a seperate cake to bring home to the groom :) The sales people were more than helpful, everything was wonderful. It wasn't crowded, understaffed, or dirty..i couldn't believe it! I've been to every dress shop within a 50 mile radius of Minneapolis and Madison, too, and this was by far the best! Amy Jane, the owner is just a gem! She chatted with my dad while me and my mom were in the dressing room (which was huge and amazing)! A boutique in St.Paul actually wouldn't even let my dad upstairs, and here they gave him just as much respect and attention as me! I loved the shop and everything about it. The prices are fair, from 1900-5000. The designers they carry are amazing. I would give it an A+ for everything! It's a place to feel like a princess! Pros: Great selection, ample parking, WONDERFUL SERVICE, great location! Cons: pricier than most people want to spend on a gown--but it's worth the service! more

Incredible customer service and beautiful gowns. They were willing to change my veil order after I placed it (rare in this industry). They also helped me pick a dress for a 14 year old bridesmaid who lives out of the country and it fit her perfectly when she got it! They really go out of their way to satisfy their customers. Pros: Customer Service, Beautiful Gowns, Personalized Service more