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| - The Brides' Project was the final of four stores that I visited this past week for my gown hunting adventure with my family (who flew in specifically for the purpose of helping me find the dress I will get married in).
I don't think it's fair to write a review on a bridal store based on whether or not it is the location where I will purchase my bridal gown, so I am going to focus on the dresses themselves, the service, the prices, and any other tidbits that may be interesting for brides-to-be (and in some cases, members of the bridal party as well). My hope is that my review will help you make an informed decision about whether or not this store is worth visiting during your own bridal gown adventure.
PRO:
The store is really quaint. Set in an old home on Broadview Avenue, I didn't even know this place existed before I started my wedding dress research even though I've probably passed it on the streetcar 100+ times. The setting just adds to the overall charm of the project, creaky floors and all.
CON:
Old and quaint also equals cramped. They ask that you bring a maximum of two additional people with you to help with your decision. I had three that had been shopping with me, so I had to make a cut in order to look around. Don't forget to bring indoor shoes or you will have to wear a pair of borrowed crocs. Socked/bare feet are a no-no.
PRO:
You really can't beat the prices. At one point I tried on a gown that would have originally cost $3000 in stores. The Brides' Project was asking for $800. If your budget for the dress isn't huge, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how far your money will go for a beautiful gown AND accessories. The store also had a selection of veils, shoes, headpieces, and sashes.
CON:
You do have to be creative when it comes to alterations and dry cleaning. Some dresses were better cared for then others prior to ending up at The Brides' Project. While some gowns could get away with a simple dry clean, other gowns would need to have smudged and blackened trains shortened back to their original glory. Great for shorter brides, but taller brides might have trouble if their dream dress needs to be shortened any further.
PRO:
You can wander around the shop and pick dresses to your hearts content! The whole process is basically 100% self-serve, so you don't have to feel bad about trying on a wide variety of styles, shapes, and textures to get an idea of what works best for you. You might end up surprised to see what looks best on your body! The incredibly lovely volunteers popped their head in from time to time to make sure that I was doing well and offered suggestions for alterations, some of which I wouldn't have though of myself.
CON:
Since the dresses are pre-loved, they have often been altered to fit the previous bride's measurements and height precisely. This meant that after I picked all my favourites from the 4-8 rack, only about 50% of them fit properly (without having to be taken out). So although I am a size 4 or 6, I ended up taking a trip to the 10-12 rack to see if any of the larger sized gowns had actually been taken in to fit a smaller bride. It's not a big deal, it just means you have to have a sharp eye and be willing to try something that may not be size you are used to. Don't forget - size is just a number, and the important thing is how the dress feels and looks.
PRO:
The money raised goes to various cancer charities. The volunteer that helped us mentioned that they've topped out at $100,000 for the past few years, which is so awesome to hear. The change rooms are sizeable, and there are hundreds of dresses to choose from. Sweet touch - I noticed that some of the gowns had sealed cards attached to them that were labeled "to the bride." The idea of the previous bride writing a note to the next bride warmed my heart like you wouldn't believe. I'm a little jealous of those brides that get to experience what is contained within those envelopes. What a sweet thing to include with a wedding dress donation.
tl;dr conclusion: I didn't find "my" dress at The Brides's Project, but many brides will, and at a steal of a price. Keep an open mind and be willing to try anything. And come back at a later date if you don't find your dress because the stock is constantly changing. And even if you don't find your gown, you can still support the project!
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