Pittsburgh Wedding Vendor Reviews

J.Crew

My two bridesmaids decided on a dress from J.Crew - www.jcrew.com. The dress was a simple strapless black dress that they ordered online for $68. They looked beautiful, they can wear the dress again, and they didn't have to spend much. J.Crew now has an entire line of wedding gowns and formal dresses for bridesmaids - definitely worth checking out.

Alfred Angelo Bridal - C-

AA was my most consistant problem vendor. I think my number was on their speed dial. From ordering 2 dresses for my sister, then cancelling the order completely, to ordering the wrong sizes, to putting in the order earlier than I asked them, to constantly losing my file and having to call to
ask the same questions over and over, to the groomswoman dress coming in the wrong color, to a myriad of other things, they were pretty much a nightmare. I do have to say that the employees were very nice to me all the time and I appreciate that a lot. They dresses did all end up coming in and looking nice the day of, so that was good too. As you all know, with chain bridal stores, you never know what kind of experience you'll have. Some people have great times where others had nightmares. Mine just wasn't good.

Deborah's Bridal Traditions

Deborah's Bridal Traditions(A)

This is the place where we bought the bridesmaids dresses by Bill Levkoff. Deborah’s is a small store in Monaca, PA with excellent service. They are fairly priced and alterations are included and done well. My only complaint is that the one point bustle for the dresses did not stay. It was a hook and eye bustle but with movement the fabric was too heavy to be held by it. If they had a done a different bustle they would have been perfect. I would recommend them, though.

advice from LisaBe

Well, I'm always full of advice, so I have no idea how I'd ever put it all in one post, but here's a bit as I look back through my wedding pictures.
1. Look like you, only better.
2. Spend the day with people you love. Not just the ceremony and reception, but all the getting-ready parts, brunch, whatever. All of it.
3. Wear comfortable things from the skin out, from head to toe. And the only way to know things are comfortable is by doing trial wearings of everything, for a whole day, on a day that has a climate much like you expect your wedding day to have. Of course, you can't wear your wedding gown all day, but everything else--undergarments, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup--do a test run. If you can feel it in any negative way by the end of the day, find a substitute for it on your wedding day. Because you'll feel everything more that day.
4. Love everything about that dress. The way it feels, the way it looks, the way it hangs, the price you paid, the place you bought it, and the person who altered it.
5. Love your shoes. If you want to wear slippers, wear slippers. If you want to wear sneakers, wear sneakers. If you want to wear red shoes, wear red shoes. If you want to wear heels wear them. Love your shoes.
6. Before your wedding day gets here, pack a bag of things to take to the ceremony and reception. Don't wait till the wedding day, even if you'll have time. Your hair will frizz and your makeup will spoil.
7. Put someone in charge of pinning on corsages and boutonnieres if your florist can't do it.
8. Enjoy every minute.
9. Hire a great photographer to capture you enjoying those minutes.
10. Carry a hanky.
11. Love the ones you're with.
12. Turn off your cell phone before you go into the ceremony.
13. Reserve a parking space outside the ceremony for whomever is dropping you off, if you need one.
14. Before you begin your processional, pause and look at everyone gathered to celebrate and witness your union.
15. Before you begin your processional, lock eyes with your husband-to-be, and don't let go.
16. When the unexpected happens, and it will, laugh. Smile. Roll with it. It's a party, all for you, and no one wants to see you unhappy. No matter what, never let anyone see you sad, pouty, angry, or hurt. It shouldn't require any effort at all, if you're focused on what matters. :)
17. Listen to the vows you're making.
18. Enjoy the trembling, the crying, the laughter, whatever comes out. Everyone else will, too.
19. Hire a coordinator to take the details off your plate.
20. Let your friends help. They will.
21. Embrace the spontaneity of children. Hire child-care help if you can.
22. Kiss with joy.
23. Run into the arms of your new family.
24. Thank your vendors like they're the most welcome guests there--they are among them.
25. Spend time with every person there. If you can't, you've invited too many people.
26. Eat, drink, and dance. In whatever proportions you like best.
27. Choose vendors you like and whose work you trust, then let them do their jobs. Remember: *your* job is to be the bride. You wouldn't want them doing that, would you? ;)

David's Bridal - McKnight Road

My girls and I went to the shop on McKnight to browse around.  Everyone was courteous, and neither suffocated us nor ignored us while we shopped. My girls got to choose a bunch of gowns in their size and try them on until we found the one we all loved!  All my girls bought from their local DB (two in Philly, one in Seattle), and we had no problem with dye lots or anything like that. I went to the shop again to buy BM dresses for my cousin's wedding I bought two dresses off the rack. Again, I had a positive experience.

BM totes: ebay seller alexisludesigns

I ordered customised totes for my bridesmaids from this seller on ebay. They were really great quality and very cute. They had each girl's initial stitched on them. She allows you to choose the colour of the bag and the stiching, and the ribbon trim. She also shipped very quickly. Most importantly, my girls LOVED them! They carried them around all weekend.

BM Jewelry - Wedding Sparkles.com

BM Jewelry - www.Weddingsparkles.com - this was a great suggestion from the Pittsburgh board (you ladies are THE BEST). The jewelry was so affordable and matched perfectly. They loved it.

Bridal Beginings

MOB and BM Dresses - Bridal Beginnings - My sister and Mom both got their dresses there. Their prices are a little high, in my opinion, and the staff wasn't always the friendliest. My mom and sister both had complaints about the alterations but all in all everything worked out OK.

412-343-6677

Netbride

I would grade netbride.com A+. They were quick, provided an awesome product at a great price, and gave really great and quick customer service.

My girls wore dresses that were $160+ in salons, but we got them for $128 each. They shipped them to each girl at her own address (one of them at work), all over the country for only $10 shipping. They sent some advice about what to expect to pay for alterations.

One of the bridesmaids moved after we ordered the gowns, and didn't change her address with netbride until after they had tried to deliver it to the wrong address. The lady at netbride changed the address and sent it out again after just one email from me, then just emailed me to let me know it was taken care of-- and sure enough, it was. She was quick and competent.

If you have girls spread out or all in one place, netbride is a great option. Try on the dress in a salon if you need to see it in person, and then get a quote from netbride. They're fantastic.

Shoes (www.shoebuy.com)

Shoes (www.shoebuy.com)  I bought my white, silk Capparos brand shoes from them for 35.00 bucks (originally 70.00)!  Most of my bridesmaids ended up buying shoes from them because they were all wearing silver (but in the style of their choice) and Shoebuy had a great selection of silver shoes!  Free return shipping if they don't fit and no tax!