Vwidon

All of the dresses here are beautiful. I was looking for a dress that wasn’t covered in heavy beading, tulle or made of satin and found the most amazing dress here. The dresses are made of very expensive feeling and yet lightweight materials and the draping accentuates you in all the right places.
I liked that I was able to pick out the dresses I wanted to try on in addition to having some pulled for me and the sample sizes were closer to my real size so that I could better envision what the gown would look like on me. Carla, the designer, also does the alterations and fittings so you know it will look amazing in the end. It was also nice having a dress made in Chicago!

Got married 3 weeks ago at a resort in Cancun in one of Vwidon’s dresses.
High level summary: Highly recommended. Make sure you make Vwidon a stop of your bridal dress shopping rounds — you won’t regret it.
The dresses: Classically gorgeous, with the highest quality materials. No beads, sparklies, or excessive ornamentations. Carla is incredibly talented, and whatever style dress suits you best will look absolutely flattering on you. The one I ended up with waves very prettily in the ocean breezes… Simply perfect. We checked it 3 other places and 20+ other dresses, and none came close to multiple dresses Carla had.
The cost: Surprisingly reasonable, given how high quality the dresses are. Included in the costs are personal attention from Carla to ensure the dress fits your height and size best.
The service: Amazing. Carla and her crew make you feel so special; they are very personable and truly are focused on making you look and feel the very best for your big day.
I would choose Vwidon all over again if I could! These guys make your bridal dreams come true, and will absolutely put a smile on your face. Go now!

I found my wedding gown here and couldn’t be more happy about it! I went to 14 (yes, I said 14!!!) places before finding my perfect gown here. I really didn’t have high hopes for this place, it was out of the way where most of the other bridal stores are clustered together but I am so glad I made the trip! I didn’t think the gowns were that exceptional just looking at them on the hangers, they are definitely more on the simple side which was not what I was originally after, but it was once I tried the first one on that I knew i had found the place! Carla really knows how to drape fabric just so to showcase your assets and make you look slim and feel truly beautiful. The fabrics were so more more luxurious than all the other stores I had visited and the dresses were soft and light.
I loved how their sample size is a size 6 (I think this is really like a typical size 8 in wedding gowns). I am not super thin or anything but am pretty petite at 5’2″ and I was drowning in samples in other stores and those ugly clips could only do so much to help me envision what a dress could look like in my size. These samples ended up fitting perfectly. Yes Carla can be a little awkward but she is very nice and was willing to work with me to be able to buy a new gown rather than a sample gown and still stay within my budget. It was nice to have the actual designer doing my alternations and having the gown custom made to my measurements. She is more than willing to make adjustments to the gown as well. I had her add more tulle to the skirt and make a sweetheart neckline so it’s really a custom gown just for me and for a really great price. We had some back and forth with the alterations but in the end, the gown fit me perfectly and I was really happy. I’m so glad I didn’t settle for any of the other dresses. I know it’s stressful to go to so many stores and you feel like you should just pick something already but you don’t want to regret your choice so take your time and don’t feel pressured by salespeople because it’s not returnable! I didn’t feel any pressure here and that made me comfortable to think about it and make sure this was the ONE (well, i found THE one, but the dress is pretty important too)! Good luck!

All the dresses here are amazing. I found the perfect dress which happened to be a slight mix of two of the dresses. Not a problem for Carla — she was happy to create my dress. Not only was it not a problem but she did it all on an aggressive timeline!!!
I had one fitting there were only slight adjustments needed at that time and the dress was ready within 2 weeks — which was an entire month before I needed it and i had requested very quick timing to begin with.
The dress of course was gorgeous! VWidon is nothing short of impressive!

I had the perfect experience and found the perfect dress. I could not be happier! Thank you Carla — I’ve never looked so beautiful!

I used Vwidon for my wedding dress last May. Not only are the prices reasonable compared to other downtown Chicago dress stores, but they design and produce their own dresses. Plus the quality of the fabrics is remarkable. I was able to design my dress based on some of the model dresses I saw in store. Carla and her crew are so talented, friendly, calm and inviting, it was such a pleasant experience. Their show room is very clean and open, and they only have one person fitting at a time so it is very personal. So happy to have purchased my dress from this wonderful dress maker!

I cannot say enough great things about Carla (dress designer and owner of Vwidon). Vwidon was the first place I went to for dress shopping, and I fell in love with one of the dresses in the window. But wanting to make sure I didn’t make an impulse decision, I proceeded to try on about 50 dresses at other bridal boutiques (yup, I was THAT girl). In the end, I came back to Vwidon and got an amazing deal on the sample for the dress of my dreams.
Because it was a sample, I had to tailor the dress down several sizes, which proved challenging at first. That is why I’m so glad that I had Carla, the actual designer of the dress, handling my fittings. She was so patient with me as I tried to make decisions and make very subtle changes that I bet nobody else noticed except me. She even allowed me to come in for extra fittings to make sure that I was happy. In the end, I absolutely LOVED my dress and only regret that I can’t wear it again! Even when I look at dresses at significantly higher price points, I think the end product of Carla’s design and custom tailoring made her dress the best. I would not pick another dress, even if I had a limitless budget — that’s how much I loved it. THANK YOU, CARLA!
(Also, the quality of the fabrics that Carla uses is AMAZING. If you look at dresses at a lower price point, you WILL notice a significant drop in material quality. The silk and organza that Vwidon uses is so fabulous and a great deal compared to how much other places charge for similar quality dresses).

I bought my wedding dress here and everytime I see it I get butterflies.
At first glance when I walked into the store, I thought the dresses looked a little plain. But there were a lot of selections (keep going towards the back) and there were enough different styles, colors and fabrics that I was able to pull a diverse set of dresses to try on.
Once I started trying on dresses, I was in awe. They look so beautiful, classy, elegant and modern. The quality in the design and in the fabrics there really come out. Handmade at its best!
I found THE dress, which I would have never thought would be the one. It fits me like a glove, makes me look beautiful and is made of Italian-​imported satin.
Ladies, add Vwidon to your list and make sure to make an appointment. They won’t disappoint!

If you’re looking for a beautiful wedding dress, go to Vwidon! I went to many wedding dress shops around Chicago and the service/​experience you get at Vwidon is the best! Carla is amazing and makes the most beautiful gowns. Her store is every girl’s dream with beautiful dresses everywhere and she offers a very intimate/​private experience. I honestly felt like I was Carrie Bradshaw walking around her store choosing which dresses I wanted to try on. To have the designer personally help you find your dream wedding dress and then alter it so it fits you perfect is very rare. I also noticed how much lighter and easy to move in her dresses are than all the other stores we went to. They work with your budget and are very patient– I couldn’t decide between two dresses and she let me try them on about six times each until I made up my mind. It’s a very long story but I ended up buying my wedding dress three weeks before the day and Carla was so accommodating and easy to work with. She let me buy the sample for a great price and it didn’t freak her out that the dress had to be ready in such a short time period. You can tell she’s a pro at what she does and has tons of experience. I would definitely recommend Vwidon to all my friends and family!

The store is now located on Superior. They are in the same building where a design firm is located. The space itself is cool. The experience was lacking in every way, however. The service was a joke, literally. My friend and I kept stealing glances at each other as if to say «…huh??» Nevermind being asked to remove shoes before walking around. Doubtful they’re protecting the floor, as it is painted/​treated concrete. Must be the Asian thing. I understand this tradition as it applies to people’s homes, but c’mon. In a retail setting where a customer is going to spend thousands on a dress? Anyway, there was so little dialogue, so little care taken, we were unsure as to whether they understood we were actually there to BUY a dress. The experience aside, I will say the dresses are better seen on a body, as they are tailor-​made to whip in the waist and accentuate female curves — however buyer beware, the samples are tiny. Size 2’s and 4’s — which for the size 6 in this example, ok fine. Just didn’t zip/​fasten at the back. If you are bigger than an 8 or 10 you will feel like a cow. Plus-​size? Forget it. My heart aches a little for that bride if she were to try this place.

So happy I bought my dress here!
The other reviewers are right: if you’re looking for a classic but beautiful dress made with unmatchable fabric quality, this is the store for you!
Carla is a genius and you can tell she really takes pride in her work. For example, I asked if I could take a picture of the dress I ended up buying, and my associate asked Carla. Not only did she allow it, she actually posed me, positioned the dress so it would look its best, and took the pictures FOR ME. Amazing service!
Also, they really encourage you to buy sample dresses and accessories to save you money, something I’ve never encountered anywhere else. With that, I saved at least 1,000 dollars!
Only thing to know: bring your own strapless bra, they don’t have any for you to use at the store. GO TO VWIDON! You won’t regret it.

found this place on Unilocal — made an appointment, and checked out dresses online. i am having a beach wedding, so though these dresses were a little dressier than what i was looking for, but wanted to keep my options open.
so glad i did. the space is sleek and open, great light, dresses are presented very well, you can easily see them — most are simple but classic and modern. i picked out a few dresses that looked pretty — when you change, the designer carla comes and pins you. i looked in the mirror, and was completely blown away.
the dresses are made of amazing, high quality fabrics. carla’s designs are gorgeous and ridiculously flattering. compared to the other dresses i was trying on, vwidon dresses are in another league.
she nips you in the waist, creates curves at the bust and waist — and makes you look amazing. you need to get a dress 6 – 8 months beforehand, and carla does all the alterations — a couple months ahead, then 2 – 3 weeks ahead — so the dress will fit perfectly. she can also make changes to the designs if you want, which is nice.
most dresses are 3−4k, but samples are 20% off. theses are treated very well, and in impeccable shape

I bought my wedding dress here and couldnt be happier! LOVED my dress and everyone working there, including the designer Carla were absolutely amazing! I visited several highend boutiques and they were awful both the dresses they had availalble and the salespeople. This place is a must go! you will not be disappointed!
Yafa

This was my first experience bridal gown shopping since I got engaged and it was a perfect start. Although I told them upfront that my budget was under their gowns (most dresses are around $ 2500-​$ 3500) they were still completely helpful. Natalie was so nice and so great at suggesting different dress options. And there are many beautiful dresses in pristine condition that can be bought at 20−40% off (sample dresses). I tried on about ten dresses and really loved about three of those. They are great quality with interesting and unique styles. Highly recommend for an enjoyable experience for any budget.

My sister bought her wedding dress at Vwidon seven years ago and now I know why my mom and my sister raved about this wedding dress boutique and Carla, the designer. Vwidon has beautiful wedding dresses that are so unique! I tried on a handful of wedding dresses and what sets Vwidon apart from other designers is their attention to detail and use of fabrics. When you try on any dress at Vwidon you feel like you are walking on air because the fabric is light and the designer will help you style your dress to your liking. I also like how the designer is there with you every step of the way during fittings. At Vwidon, you learn that the bride wears the dress and the dress should not wear you. I also like how all the dresses are made in Chicago.

I absolutely loved the dresses, the service, and the designer! Vwidon was the first dress shop I visited while looking for my bridal gown. I fell in love with one dress, but decided to look at several other dress shops to see if something better would crop up. It never happened, and I went back to purchase the dress I originally fell for.
All of the gowns are made from high quality fabric. No beads, crystals, or ornaments; the focus is more on lines, creases, and artfully shaped fabrics.
As a customer, you get the movie star treatment — the original designer does both of your fittings, and tailors your dress to your body and height, while preserving the dress’s original fashion statement.
I bought the sample dress and a matching veil at a discount. Given the style and quality of the dress and veil, I felt that they were reasonably priced.
I loved my dress, and couldn’t have picked a better designer!

This is a TRUE couture dress, made especially for you and your measurements. All of the other dress designers claim you’re getting a couture dress, but then buy a stock made dress to your largest measurements and then have to have expensive alterations to size down what is too large. So, for someone like me, I’d have to buy a size 8 for my hips and then tailor down my chest area to a size 2, which completely changes the style of the dress. But at Vwidon, they create the dress to fit your measurements from the get go! The dress is truly made for YOU! They make someone with big hips like me look slender and feminine. I don’t know how she does it, but I love it!
I saved 20−30% by buying a dress off the rack, which really helped my budget. Her alteration fees are very reasonable, about half the price elsewhere! Plus, the alterations were done by the same person who made the dress… unlike the other bridal shops around the city who order the dress from the manufacturer and then have some random local person size down to what they think will be appropriate.
One of my girlfriends bought her dress from Vwidon about 3 years ago, which is how I found out about her. You should defintely check out her bridal showroom! I love that I can say that my dress was made just for me and that I supported a local designer (who by the way, has won several bridal fashion contests).
She used to be located on Oak St., which was nice that it was near the other retailers, but now that she’s on Superior, parking is SOOOOO easy and convenient right out front her door.

Went to Vwidon to try on wedding gowns. A lot of people that I know purchased a dress here so I gave it a shot.
Most of the dresses were about $ 3k. The great thing was that you were able to walk through the store and pick out dresses that you wanted to try on. While the dresses looked great on my friends, these dresses just didn’t look good on my body.
While the saleslady was definitely helpful in getting me in and out of the dress, the designer watched the entire time and was a bit awkward. The designer didn’t say anything to us other than adding up the costs of the dress. I think it would have been easier to do the appointment without her.

These dresses are all stunning and very fairly priced. I was obsessed with Jenny Lee dresses but couldnt stomach the price. The dresses are very similar at Vwidon (modern and many have a fit and flare/​mermaid cut) but with the convenience of having the designer there to fit it precisely to your measurements AND with a much more reasonable price tag.
The service was also great. You can pick out the dresses you want to try on instead of having the saleslady guess your tastes. Plus, they actually encouraged me to buy the sample, which saved me an extra 20%!
I would encourage any bride to check this place out soon!

I walk down this street a few times a week yet have never noticed this bridal store. It’s funny how bridal shops seem to be on every corner ever since getting engaged a few weeks ago. And of course I feel the need to check them all out… including Vwidon this afternoon.
Vwidon is located between a heart scan office and brite smile. Finding the entrance to this bridal shop proved to be very tricky– it took us about 10 minutes to discover the hidden elevator that leads up to the shop!
Once inside we were told we had to make an appointment (which seems to be the case with every bridal shop). I took a few minutes to glance around and was impressed with what I saw. The owners of this store, Carla & Kenneth, design all the gowns and they are very talented! Most of the gowns I looked at were under $ 3000. These gowns are a bit contemporary for me (I have my heart set on the princess ballgown), but highly recommend for all those modern brides out there!