Alyssa Bridal and Formal

So they say that one of the most exciting experiences that you will have during your wedding planning is purchasing your dress. Well let’s just say that Alyssa Bridal did not offer such a wonderful experience. On my first visit, we (my maid of honor and myself) were greeted by a lady who directed me towards the dresses that were my size. After that… she disappeared. I pulled several dresses and my maid of honor helped me to put on and take off all of the dresses. On my last dress, I felt I had found the one. at this point, the consultant actually came over to ask me a few questions but still did not offer any help in anyway. After trying on all of the dresses, we walked over to the second half of the store to look at bridesmaid dresses to where she stood around and talked to me about my information for the one dress that I loved. I wanted the dress so bad, that I made an appointment for the following Saturday to bring my maid of honor, my future mother-​in-​law, and my future sister-​in-​law. I was so excited… I knew that this was my dress. We were assigned a consultant, just so happens is was the same lady as the first time. We were the only customers in the store. She was much more helpful with two other employees there (I’m sure one of them was probably her boss). She let me try on the dress I wanted again, and I tried on some that my friends wanted to see as well. I ended up back on the same dress (3^rd time with the dress on). I was ready to buy. only thing was, I was unsure of the size I needed. If I purchased the sample it was 20% off but if I had to order the dress, it was of course full price. The sample almost fit, and as most brides know, budget is a must. However, even though the dress was over my budget (if I had to order is) we were going to make it happen. So to make my decision and figure out how much money I was going to need, my future mother-​in-​law asked the lady if she would measure me so that would see if I would fit into the smaller size or if I could just purchase the sample. She refused. The whole time, the two other employees are watching this entire exchange happen. My maid of honor then asked why not because we were purchasing the dress, we just didn’t know what size I would need. The lady, with a snooty attitude told me that they only measure brides if the purchase the dress (as in order the dress) and not before. That is their policy. So now I’ve been in your store twice, terrible customer service both times, and I want to buy a dress from you and you wont measure me? I was so upset, and angry that we just left. As we were leaving she wanted to know if we would be back for the dress… you have got to be kidding me. I would suggest that if you want a great experience when purchasing your dress, find somewhere else to go. She ruined my entire day, and I would never recommend this place to anyone.

In my opinion, great customer service is what sells the dress. The Wedding industry is very competitive and dresses can be bought anywhere. Why buy and dress from somewhere that has less than stellar customer service? My best friend and I were in this store twice. The first time, no one wanted to help us. The second time, we were helped, but the consultant was flat out rude! We will not be spending our money here and would not recommend this kind of bridal experience to anyone!

The wedding industry can be difficult to navigate but that is no excuse for poor customer service. I know this because I used to design high-​end weddings in New York City. I had a terrible experience at Alyssa Bridal/​Bridal Mart in Holly Hill Mall. I ordered my bridesmaid dress in February for a June wedding and paid the rush fee. They said that I was on the borderline but it would be safer to pay. Their contract states that they only have to deliver the dress by the date of the wedding (leaving no time for alterations and peace of mind). Expect them to wave that policy in your face when your dress is late. My «ship date» was April 27^th. They said it takes about 2 weeks to arrive. I began to call them a week after that. I had 3 phone calls go unreturned. My dress finally came in May 26^th – almost a month after the ship date. I calmly asked for my rush fee to be refunded but they repeatedly refused. The bottom line is this: saying that you are sorry does not fix the problem or the history of poor service. Good businesses return calls, follow through with the needs of the customer and make amends when things go wrong. If you care about quality service or that your wedding dress arrives in time, I would skip past Alyssa Bridal and go across the street to Elegant Bridal (I have no affiliation with them) or one of the other high quality bridal salons in town.