My daughter began engaged last Christmas Eve and she and her fiance' decided on a September 21 wedding. With only 10 months, we visited several bridal salons (including House of Brides in Schaumburg) before deciding to purchase her Kirstie Kelly gown from Volle's in Lake Zurich. However, while there, we had seen on display a Kirstie Kelly couture "maiden's" gown that my daughter wanted me to wear for the wedding. To make a long story somewhat shorter, since the bridesmaids had purchased their gowns at House of Brides, Chicago, my daughter and I went there for the dress June 20th. The salesperson we were given barely helped us, merely pulling other dresses we liked for me to try on in addition to the Kirstie Kelly dress. Out of 8 dresses, we both liked that one the best. And, even though the sample was a size 8 and I straddle 12/14, we got a very good idea how the final product SHOULD look on me.
So, the salesperson explains she needs to take my measurements and says that they will need to order me a size 18. When I objected, she said that couture gowns were sized differently than regular and they always ordered 2 sizes larger. Even though I told her I was willing to take my chances with a 14, she insisted that would not work and I would be wasting my money.
This resulted in an additional charge for a size over 16. Additionally, I would need to pay extra for special shipping to get the dress within 8 weeks and approximately $115 (cash) in alteration fees (I wondered how they were going to make an 18 into a 14 without a lot of excess fabric).
Three days later, my daughter (not me) receives a voicemail message from the salesperson. They cannot get a size 18 in the dress before the second week in September, BUT they could ship a size 22 and they would have it within 3 days. I called her and told her I was unwilling to take something 4 sizes larger as there would be no way they could tailor it down to my figure. She put me on hold to speak with the alterations "department" and returned to tell me it was possible. I gave in and she said they would call me once the gown was received.
After not hearing anything for one month, she finally called that the dress was in. I made an appointment for August 14th to have the alterations done. I was strongly reminded that the $115 alterations fee was to be paid in cash PRIOR to the alterations being started.
I can't even begin to explain the attitude of the alterations person. She was a heavily accented foreign woman who repeatedly made sarcastic and flippant remarks. My cousin was with me and neither of us could tell if she was serious or joking. Upon donning the dress, I almost burst into tears. It was as if I was a little girl trying on my grossly overweight mother's dress. I persisted that I didn't see how the dress could be made that much smaller, but she just joked that if not, I'd have to wear something else.
After much pinning (length, width, etc.), I gave her the $115 cash and made an appointment for a 2nd fitting on September 4th (17 days before the wedding). That day, was the day of the flooding rain; it poured all morning and afternoon. We had to park 6 blocks away and walk to House of Brides. Needless to say, we were both drenched, but I was anxious to get this over with and get home with my dress. And, sure enough, it was still HUGE on me. The three tiers each had been shortened, they had inserted bra cups and done something to the straps, but there was no empire waistline, the bodice hung on me, the armholes were well below my armpits and too much fabric. I looked ridiculous and all the alterations person suggested was taking in the bodice with a couple stitches. I just looked at my cousin and then let the woman take the dress for this minor tweak.
I was too embarrassed to let my daughter see me in the dress and so I waited another week, all the while trying to decide what to do. I had spent $500 on this designer gown to wear to my only daughter's wedding and knew I would be humiliated for anyone to see me in it. Finally, after telling my sister of my dilemma, my daughter made me show her the dress. She was furious with what I had been sold and wanted to call House of Brides. However, I stopped her because I had read the "consumer complaints" others had written and could tell that the staff of House of Brides doesn't care. They have my money and I have a tent.
I ended up taking the dress to a local alterations person (another $75) the Tuesday before the wedding. While she was able to make it better, she said there was no way anyone could make a 22 into a 14 without completely disassembling the dress, recutting and resewing it.
I have only seen 2 candid photos of me in the dress and I look every bit as awful as I thought I would, even though family and friends were kind enough to say otherwise.
PLEASE, no matter how much money you think you are going to save by going to a House of Brides, consider the risk - do you want to look ridiculous for your special day or pay more to have a properly fitting gown?
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