The Bridal Garden

08/22/09

Happy Bride

by SleepyK2 at Citysearch

I found the Bridal Garden though this website and decided to go based on the glowing reviews I read. I was not disappointed. The selection of gowns completely blew me away. I am priced out of high end gowns, but I was able to purchase a stunning Ulla Maija gown. This gown makes all others I tried on look cheap and tacky. Every layer and underskirt is made from various silks. Top layer is beaded and sequined Chantilly lace. This is something I never would have been able to wear had it not been for the Bridal Garden. Initally I could not afford the gown, but when I told Gina my budget, she was able to meet it. Going anywhere else is a waste of time. These women are very helpful and friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy dressing brides to be.

• Pros: Gorgeous Designer gowns for fraction of price

06/24/09

Found the perfect dress here

by dht183 at Citysearch

The first dress I found was my wedding dress. It was perfect and what was even better was that the price was about 75% less than the retail price. Gina was really helpful and their seamstress Julie altered my dress perfectly. Highly recommend giving Bridal Garden a look before you pay way too much money somewhere else.

05/05/09

Hidden gem!

by Deborah12 at Citysearch

I had been to higher end salons, lower end salons, and DIY warehouses... I had even bought a dress already, but didn't really love it. I started searching for sample sales and other off-the-rack options as my wedding day is closing in. What a relief to find the Bridal Garden. While the selection isn't HUGE, it is definitely manageable for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of options out there. The quality of the gowns were mostly excellent with a few donations that may have been in a showroom for a while, or worn by a bride that had a ton of fun on her day! I saw so many beautiful options, and when I brought my mom back we knew that this dress would look amazing on our wedding day! The prices cannot be beaten, and I love that my money will be going to charity. It brings the whole focus of the wedding back to where it should be, not on the consumerism. I am so happy that I found this gem, and I wish that they sold evening dresses so that I could keep going back to support their cause! I will definitely recommend this place to everyne!

• Pros: Corinne! So patient, helpful, and honest!
• Cons: Can get crowded- go earlier in the day if possible.

04/30/09

WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

by ccromer at Citysearch

I AM NOT YOUR TYPICAL BRIDE. I had no idea what I wanted but luckily I stumbled upon The Bridal Garden. With 2 friends accompanying me, the selection at the bridal garden and Gina's help- I found a stunning KARL LAGERFELD dress. Need I say more?

Lovely lovely experience and Gina's input was invaluable!

Please go to the Bridal Garden before you make your final dress decision. You won't be disappointed!

• Pros: Gina is fantastic and the selection is vast
• Cons: NONE

04/15/09

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

by BREIDETOBE at Citysearch

This bridal shop has an amazing selection of gowns that are high quality, designers, clean, and beautifully kept.

Corrine is helpful, playful and really knowledgeable!

This is no ordinary bridal shop- they have such an amazing selection of designer donated and previous bride donations.

Plus you get to feel good about the proceeds going to nyc education!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

• Pros: Corrine and the selection

03/20/09

Brides looking to share the love!

by BrooklynBug at Citysearch

I had just come from an overpriced, overdone, bridal shop which I will not name, but you've probably seen it on TV - and walking into the Bridal Garden was a breath of fresh air. I found tons of great dresses at unbelievably low prices. Yes, I had to do a little work myself (what bride doesn't!), but the dresses were thoughtfully organized and the women working were so sweet. My dress was a steal!! and it's great to know I've made a contribution to a more than deserving cause. It's all about the love, right ladies? that's what Bridal Garden is circulating & thank you for all you do!"

• Pros: your purchase goes to charity; lots of dresses
• Cons: I think they're not open on Tuesdays?

03/15/09

Great dresses, amazing deal

by sarahhorvitz at Citysearch

I went dress shopping with my girlfriend who is getting married. The Bridal Garden was stop 4 in a weekend. We saw more interesting and diverse dresses amongst the Bridal Garden selection than we had seen anywhere else (including Kleinfeld's - where it seemed that things were very cookie-cutter and entirely strapless). The people were wonderfully sweet and as a bonus, all proceeds to charity!!

• Pros: Wide, interesting selection and great assistance
• Cons: Can't think of any

12/23/08

Great place- fantastic staff!

by neffa at Citysearch

This was a fantastic place to shop for gowns! It was a low-pressure environment, the staff was flexible and relaxed and did not put any pressure on you to buy anything that minute. In fact, the saleswoman even stayed a little late so I could try on my top 2 dresses. Love the fact that all proceeds go to a charity! I would recommend this place to anyone who has an open mind when looking for a wedding dress; if you have something extremely specific in mind, you may be better off going to a different store as their inventory changes day-to-day. I think I tried on almost every dress in the store and never got a look or complaint from the staff. I didn't find a dress there on my first try, but will go back and try again until I find "the one!"

• Pros: relaxed atmosphere, reduced prices of the dresses, the staff
• Cons: dim lighting, some dresses are used and in need of some TLC

11/30/08

Beautiful Gowns + Charitable Cause = No Brainer.

by stamfordanj at Citysearch

This was my first experience trying on wedding dresses, and to say that I was overwhelmed going in would be a serious understatement. I had no idea what I was looking for - color, style, etc. - and was completely intimidated by the process of finding the "perfect" gown.

I was drawn to the Bridal Garden by its charitable cause, and was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience. Yes, the place is small, no, you will not be handled with kid gloves but you will find beautiful dresses at prices that WILL NOT be beaten anywhere else and friendly, helpful, HONEST consultants that will help you hone down what you love and what you're comfortable in. I think the Bridal Garden is best for those of us who have not been dreaming about the "perfect" dress, and want to figure it out in a low-pressure environment with the help of a kind consultant. They will permit you to put a dress on hold for a week for $100. If you purchase the dress, the deposit is applied toward the dress. If you choose not to purchase the dress, the deposit is donated to charity (win, win!).

It's important to note that an appointment is required and that it will begin at the exact time it is scheduled (if you arrive early, you will wait outside of the suite). Also, men are not permitted in the space. Please keep in mind that as designer samples, some of the dresses need a little love. This being said, the seamstress at the Bridal Garden is more than capable of restoring the dress to top condition.

I wish Gina and her staff continued success and highly recommend the Bridal Garden to anyone in search of a gown.

• Pros: Fantastic gowns, fantastic prices, helpful staff
• Cons: Selection is smaller for size 10 and above

11/06/08

You can get a Designer's Wedding Gowns for a Fraction of what they cost!

by NelsyM at Citysearch

Whoa! why i didn't know about this place before???

I had a great experience here. It is not your high end bridal shop where you are greeted with a glass of champagne or your regular liar bridal store assistant in which they would find anything that you slide into the most beautiful peace they see...

Snap out of it girls this store is known for it's great charity for children and they are a nonprofit organization. All their dresses are donated and the profit is given to charity as well, also if you donate a wedding gown they give you a receipt and it is tax deductible for your next year's taxes.

All designers gowns are priced very reasonable, I purchased a $3000 for just a fraction of what it really cost about $1200 not to mention the dress was in prefect condition and from Rina di Montella what more can I ask for. O.M.G. the staff is very nice and helpfull specially Gina she is so sweet and understanding. I was in a situation in which nothing was working out for me and they did anything and everything in their hands to make me a happy bride, I love them.

I will recommend this place to everyone!

XOXOXO Nelsy

• Pros: You pay and get exactly what for wha you want and you get honest comments on what you are trying on.
• Cons: You have to pay for parking :(