Sash & Bustle was the second 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 selection is clearly put together with love and is carefully curated to show off a variety of beautiful and fun pieces. I saw styles here that I didn't see in any of the others stores I went to (including a very unique and highly memorable tea-length blush -coloured dress that was covered in hundreds of hand sewn pearl-like beads). The shop is quaint, and well-decorated in addition to feeling welcoming and comfortable.
CON:
Everything is sample sized, so you might not necessarily get the clearest idea of what the dress will look like on your body type since there is only one size available to try on. The store is also quite tiny (I've lived in the neighbourhood for 5 years and had no idea it was even here until I began my research) which means fewer samples overall. I personally exhausted everything that fit the criteria I had in my head about what kind of dress I wanted quite quickly.
PRO:
There was a decent selection of off-the-rack dresses in the $1000ish price range in a multitude of different styles. If you are okay with purchasing a dress that has been worn a number of times and may have some minor signs of wear, you potentially could walk home with a beautiful and formerly expensive dress that day. As well, the consultant even encouraged me to try on dresses that were out of my price range so I could get a feel for what looked good on me even though she knew I would likely not be able to make a purchase of some of these higher-priced gowns. She actually made me feel like she cared about my bridal journey more than she was concerned with making a sale, which was highly unexpected.
CON:
Personally, didn't find that any of the new, made-to-order dresses that fit my criteria fell into my price range. I was trying to keep my budget around $1000 before alterations with the willingness to go a little bit over that number if I found the PERFECT dress. The consultant encouraged me to pick what I liked, but everything I ended up trying on was well over where I wanted to be in terms of price, even though I was told that some of the gowns did in fact start at $1000. I felt badly because I don't like the idea of a) wasting the consultants time or b) taking a time slot away from a bride with a healthier budget. Mostly, I wish that the dresses had tags attached with the prices on them. As it was, I would have to ask about the price any time I saw something that interested me. As much as I wish money wasn't an option, I do have to remain budget conscious with this decision. As the appointment went on I felt a little embarrassed that my budget wasn't larger and that I shouldn't have been here in the first place. That being said, consultant never made me feel badly about it (which is why this store still gets a solid 4-star review from me). Throughout the appointment I felt myself dealing with an internal struggle of trying on a beautiful gown and wanting to fall in love, but knowing that no matter what I was willing to give up at my wedding, I just couldn't justify purchasing a dress that ran $1500 over budget!. And when you're thinking about dollar amounts, it's tough to stay in the moment and just enjoy the experience. I guess I went in believing that there would be more that was within my budget, and there just wasn't. If the dresses had been marked with prices, it would be been easier to make sure I was only trying on stuff that I could see myself happily wearing AND paying for. So more than once, I would get a stunning dress on only to find out it was a little further out of my reach than I had anticipated.
PRO:
I was the only bride in the store, so all attention was focused on me and my family, and my wants and needs. I never felt rushed or hurried to get in an out of dresses or make any decisions right then and there. As well, photos were allowed! YAY!
tl;dr conclusion: If your budget it tight, you might end up like me and not find what you want. If your budget it healthy, you will be delighted not only the beauty of the dresses in the collection, but also overjoyed with the one-on-one attention.