Brides-to-be, visit this slice of awesome because this place is AMAZING. It makes me want to throw a wedding where I marry myself just so I can be taken care of by Josalyn.
Wedding dress shopping is it's own special, special hell, and visiting those big, cavernous bridal shops is overwhelming and full of all kinds of crazy. Why put yourself (and your party) through that kind of stress?
I Do I Do is an oasis of calm, with incredible variety of wedding dress choices (both new and consigned), truly nice and enthusiastic staff (Josalyn, for reals, you are fantastic), and a quiet, intimate setting with (this is important) GOOD LIGHTING, and spacious fitting rooms.
Our bride-to-be friend made an appointment for 4 pm on a saturday, and we got there pretty early after a disheartening trip at the warehouse bridal shop where you competed for floor space to stand on, let alone a mirror. She had found a dress that was "fine," but who wants fine when it comes to a dress that you're gonna spend a grand on? So when we got to I Do I Do, after being greeted graciously by the front desk lady and who got us settled to wait for the consultant, it was a relief.
The best part? We were encouraged to actually handle the dresses to get a feel for the fabrics and pick out stuff for our friend. Josalyn also pulled some dresses that were in the style/price range that our friend had specified.
We found THE DRESS in the consignment area: it was a sample, unworn, and absolutely perfect. Our friend didn't want to take it off: I couldn't blame her because she looked like a million bucks. Even better? The price was on point (and honestly looked like something that cost 10x as much, it was that elegant). It was the second dress she tried on, and it was love at first wear.
So, here are some tips/quick info:
1) Make an appointment and ask for Josalyn. Seriously, Josalyn will take care of you and make you feel like a person, not a commission.
2) Don't bring a gigantic entourage: I Do I Do is surprisingly spacious, but having no more than 3 people with you is best.
3) Call ahead and find out how many other brides are trying on dresses during your appointment period: we lucked out and there were only 2 other brides (and I think it's because one of them was running over her appointment.) -- this is important as there 3 mirrors, and only 2 with a pedestal or whatever so you can see how the dress falls.
4) JOSALYN - who really cheered up our friend with her positive attitude, excitement, and all around niceness.
5) Price ranges vary: we found some fantastic deals in the consignment area, but the new/special order section had gorgeous dresses that were only a few hundred dollars up to several grand. Again: price points for every budget.
6) Go in with an idea of what you like/suits your body, but be open to suggestions: this dress was nothing like what my friend had originally planned on getting/tried on previously, and I know she was thrilled with how this dress looks on her.
7) Don't be freaked at how I Do I Do looks from the outside: reviewers have mentioned that it's a strip-mall location, but the inside is VERY nice and oh man, truly excellent consignment quality. read more