Going to David's Bridal, you have to recognize that you are dealing with a corporate entity with retail employees who may or may not like their jobs. Just like going to Walmart, Abercrombie, or any other retail clothing store that is a national chain. These are not designer or high class dresses, but they get the job done.
I went into the store under unusual circumstances. I am not a bridesmaid, I am a "groomschick" because my best guy friend is getting married to an awesome gal, and he asked me to be a part of his wedding. I also live in Dallas while the bride and groom live in Houston. I initially tried on the dresses in Houston, and the staff there was wonderful, doting over the Bride. I had to purchase the dress at the location in Lewisville at a later date because of how my finances worked out.
The staff in lewisville seemed to not know what to do with me because I came in with another guy friend, and I was rocking the "camping" look, in hiking boots, jeans, and a hoodie. They were very polite, but since I only knew details of the groom's side of things, it took a long time to figure out what event in their system they needed to find because I didn't even know the bridesmaids names. I knew they were busy so I tried to be understanding. There were about five groups of women all needing assistance, and I was trying to order a dress at the last minute and looked like I'd probably never worn a dress in my life.
The staff didn't make me feel uncomfortable, the clientele did. My friend Travis and I ended up sitting around, browsing dresses for fun, and making fun of some really stupid dresses for about 2 hrs. We were tired and losing patience, but it was fun over all because David's Bridal is not really a store where we usually loiter. We were quiet and making sure not to be obnoxious, but the female customers everywhere kept eyeing us and saying judgemental things under their breath.
I decided to come back the next day, this time with my boyfriend, and we were all dressed up for a date later that day and being lovey-dovey. The management didn't even recognize me... it amused me the difference in enthusiasm I got when I no longer looked like I was about to go hunting. :)
Kathryn, the associate who helped me the most on the previous day DID recognize me and was just as helpful and less stressed because she didn't have so many groups of people being really demanding. She helped me get my order taken care of, even gave me a helpful discount, and answered every question I had.
IN A NUTSHELL: The retail employees for this chain are just like any other. Some of them are wonderful and some are less attentive and careful. The clientele (at least in Lewisville) seem to be predominantly lower class, disrespectful, and overly demanding of the staff, so you should keep this in mind when you are dealing with a frazzled employee, she's smiling at you and WANTS to be helpful but some brat just chewed her out for no good reason in the next dressing room, so she's trying really hard not to take it out on you. If you want more individualized attention for your big day, go to a designer or a boutique, not a Wedding-In-A-Box store. But if you just need a dress for a wedding, and need it fast and fairly cheap, David's Bridal is the place to go. read more