The Bridal Garden

03/26/2008 Posted by MomSue

What a wonderful sconcept to have the proceeds go towards children etc. W e decided to visit this store first since it was a nonprofit and like the fact proceeds go to children's educational services. My daughters and I arrived at 11:00 with an appointment and were greeted by Gina who had just a wonderful customer service manner. The place was small but gowns were clearly marked by size covered in plastic bags with very reasonable price tags. The dressing rooms are very small but enough room for bride and one person to assist in helping. My daughter was very fortunate and had about five gowns fit her with no alterations needed. She had a wide variety of styles to choose from and they were top quality! My daughter was so pleased the dresses were not just the typical styles you see at a wedding store. Gina was very helpful with suggestions and helped my daughter numerous times. She clearly loved her job and it showed. My daughter wanted something that was a little vintage looking and not the typical white strapless white dress. She found a beautiful cream colored dress with drop sleeve cap and fitted bodice with jewels. The price was $1,100. and normally was over over $4,000! It fit perfect and only needed to have the train cut and be hemmed. ( outdoor wedding!)The seamstress was very professional and knew her stuff. She suggested a bustle on the back and it definatly made the dress complete being hemmed. Gina was very helpful selecting a simple short veil and made sure the color of lace matched the cream color of dress. I don't usually write reviews BUT I want others to know they too can support the cause for children and have a wonderful shopping experience. This place deserves five stars!

Pros: Great customer service and for a good cause

Cons: no men allowed

03/08/2008 Posted by DisappointedMother

Very disappointing experience. My daughter was so excited about getting her dress from the Bridal Garden. This website is beautiful. The idea of giving a gift to a charity and getting her dress for her wedding at the same time made this her only choice of where to buy her wedding dress in NYC. She made the appointment weeks ahead of time. I flew into NY from out of state, she had an appointment to have her hair and makeup done; and we anxiously kept our appointment at the designated time at the Bridal Garden. Only to enter a room jammed with not only an overwhelming supply of wedding dresses but several other brides and their entire wedding parties (all trying on dresses). When my daughter made her appointment she was asked her size and told there would be dresses ready for her to try on. Not only were there no dresses waiting for her, she was told there was no dressing room and she could try on anything we could find in the back corner among many storage boxes. Not a mirror in site. After helping my daughter into only one dress, we both were about in tears. There was no way we could even spread the dress out to look at it in the cramped space. This mother/daughter trip to buy her wedding dress was quickly turning into a disaster. Luckily my daughter noticed the name of one of the designers on the tag of a dress. We had walked past their showroom earlier in the day. We called them from the Bridal Garden and arranged an appointment that afternoon. She was treated like a princess at the designer's showroom. There were three attendents who helped her along with the designer himself. I again found myself in tears; but this time because of how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. If price is what is important, The Bridal Garden may be the place for you -- but even that worked out in our favor, the designer was having a sample sale!