I can't rave enough about Kristine and her shop. She is incredibly knowledgeable and has curated the most breathtaking collection of vintage bridal gowns and accessories. I knew the moment I walked in that I was going to be leaving with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind wedding dress. Kristine was very accommodating in scheduling an appointment. She was so warm and welcoming and treated me and my MOH like family. She talked through my vision with me, and selected a few gowns that she believed matched what I was going for. I ended up purchasing the first one I tried on. And I can't say enough about how reasonable her prices are--my entire wedding budget was $7,000 and my gown fit well within what I'd allotted for it. Such an amazing experience overall. read more

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I did not end up purchasing my wedding dress at this shop, but Kristine was absolutely wonderful and my mom, sisters and I had a great experience. There was a beautiful selection of dresses, and she was very knowledgeable about vintage style. The reason I give this shop 4 stars instead of 5 is because I typically wear a size 8, and just about every dress I tried on would've required some significant reconstruction to be able to fit my body (which is totally doable, I just didn't have a large alteration budget). Otherwise, I would highly recommend this shop if vintage is your style! read more

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This shop is super cute. I stopped in a few months ago on a whim to look at accessories for my wedding - headpieces, veils, jackets, jewelry, not ready to buy anything. Kristine was extremely warm and helpful in allowing us to play dress up. Yesterday I decided I was ready to buy one of the pieces I saw - I called and she remembered me and the exact pieces I had been interested in, even though it had been a few months. When I stopped by to buy the beautiful floral hair accessory she was having an open house with champagne and chocolates from Katherine Anne confections, mini makeovers from JGM Makeup, and invitation advice from Village Paperie - very fun! Kristine really knows her stuff, from vintage gowns and jewelry to also some new stuff like veils and some accessories, and she has fantastic taste. the prices are in line with what I would expect from a boutique like this - not cheap, but also not over the top. I highly recommend checking out this neighborhood gem if you are getting married or have other occasion to look glamorous. read more

I purchased my 1950s tea length dress from Kristine for my wedding. She has been very helpful since the first appointment. She was well prepared and showed me several dresses that I fit my style based on our conversation on the phone. Her collection is absolutely stunning and I wished I could have chosen multiple dresses... Because I trusted her taste, I ended up going back to her store to purchase my jewelry, headpiece and sash. Choosing a wedding dress and accessaries can be overwhelming, but thanks to Kristine, I had the best experience and I cannot thank her enough for her support throughout the process. If you like vintage and want to find a one-of-a-kind dress, I highly recommend Meringue! read more

Meringue - Bridal Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I loved everything about my experience with Kristine. I purchased my wedding dress in Oct of 2014 after being engaged for over a year with no wedding plans in place. I was nervous about purchasing a wedding dress since I had no idea when and where I would actually get married. Kristine helped me find my dream dress. I can be very indecisive which can be very annoying for someone trying to figure out what type of dress you want. She took her time listening to me, asking questions, and showing me lots of different options until she found my dress. I went into the store just looking since I had no wedding plans in place but left wanting to plan my wedding around my dress. My husband and I decided to elope in Seattle on May 1, and I emailed Kristine letting her know. I scheduled a follow up appointment to look at hairpieces and discuss if I should have my dress hemmed. I had to reschedule my appointment 3 times because of weather/car troubles. She was very understanding and accommodating. When I finally made it in, I was 6 weeks away from my wedding date. During my appointment she showed me different hairpiece options, and since I'm so indecisive I wanted to think about everything. Being I was 6 weeks away, she let me know how long each option would take so I knew when I needed to make a decision. When I say I found my dress, I mean I found my dream dress. It fit perfectly. We debated on if my dress even needed to be hemmed at all. She put pins in my dress showing me different ways I could hem the dress. I decided I wanted it hemmed an inch only in the front. She recommended a place and told me I needed to call them right away since I was 6 weeks out. Davis Imperial Cleaners did a wonderful job on my dress and had wonderful customer service. I went to pick up my dress and when I returned home I realized the lace near my neck had a small tear. While having a small panic attack, I emailed Kristine letting her know I was freaking out. She quickly replied telling me to take it back to Davis, and it is something pretty easy to fix. When I took it back to Davis, they let me know Kristine call them letting them know I had an issue, and she wanted to make sure they took take care me. I am thankful I had such a wonderful experience finding my wedding dress, and I would recommend Meringue to anyone that wants a great customer experience. read more

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This store is wonderful and Kristine is amazing as well! I knew I wanted a less traditional dress and possibly one that wasn't white, and Kristine helped me find it on my first visit. I didn't want to get my hopes up the first time I went, but was so pleased to find my wedding dress that day. She had so many different styles and colors that it was a breeze and so much fun! Kristine was on my team through the whole process, and she was always available for questions. Just a genuinely wonderful person and small-business owner. Once I found the dress, Kristine suggested accessories that were the exact ones I had in mind, but had not mentioned to her yet. It was perfect! She added a modern beaded belt which enhanced the dress in just the right way. People even thought it was a part of the dress to begin with! The dress was not a perfect fit at first, but she assured me that Davis Imperial would be able to help me alter the dress. She was so right! I also needed a crinoline with the perfect amount of poof and Kristine helped me find it as well. I received countless compliments on the dress and accessories. It looked great and I felt great in it! She went above and beyond when I asked for some vendor recommendations, and I could not have been happier with them. They were all as kind, calm, and accommodating as Kristine. A diamond in the rough of wedding dress shops. Perfect for something one-of-a-kind and memorable. read more

I had 3 wonderful experiences with Kristine, the owner. She is incredibly knowledgeable and generous with her time. I can't wait to get married in the gorgeous vintage and new accessories she decked me out in. I'll definitely recommend to anyone looking for unique vintage and new pieces for weddings and other occasions. On top of the great merchandise and wonderful service, the shop is adorable. GREAT shop and GREAT experience! Two big thumbs up!! read more

Kristine is the best! She created a custom headpiece for my wedding and it is gorgeous. She is so sweet, incredibly talented, and extremely creative. Working with her has been a dream. Shopping at Meringue has been a wonderful experience, I encourage everyone to stop in. Even if you're not a bride, you'll love her store and you'll love chatting with Kristine! read more

This place is amazing! Don't go anywhere else, stop with the cookie cutter bridal shops! Kristine is great and her selection is amazing. I purchased my one of a kind wedding dress there (and a beautiful necklace). At Meringue, no one is pushing you out the door because your appointment is too long, no one is having the exact same dress made for them in a factory, and no one is trying to sell you the trends that are going out the door next year. There is nothing else like my dress and, this is all going to sound over the top, Kristine's vision of how these vintage dresses can look updated and gorgeous brings the confidence that you will look amazing in a vintage dress. read more

Meringue - My finished dress! Kristine helped me choose the alterations that makes it modern, funky, and still elegant. - Bridal Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kristine and her store are both incredible! Kristine took so much time to meet with me, to discuss my ideas, likes and dislikes. She treated us to champagne and showed us the gorgeous gowns she thought would fit my vision. I tried on so many beautiful dresses and felt very conflicted because they are all unique and special. Kristine was so incredibly generous with her time and energy and for that I am so grateful. Dress shopping can be an overwhelming experience, but Kristine did everything she could to make me feel comfortable and happy. I cannot recommend her or Meringue more. The store is a dream. read more

Tried to go here three times (during their posted hours) and they were closed with no explanation. Called the store and the automated response said they were open all three times. It's the weekend after Thanksgiving... you're retail...at least post on your website that you're closed. Really disappointed and won't be going back anytime soon. read more

I was referred to Kristine, founder and owner of Meringue, by two of my closest friends. I met her for the first time today at her beautiful boutique and I was very impressed. Not only does Kristine have amazing vintage jewelry, purses, hair pieces, and veils, but she is extremely knowledgeable and wonderful to work with! She sees clients by appointment so that she may give them her full attention and focus. I am a happy new customer! read more

A friend recommended the shop when she knew I was looking for a vintage wedding dress. It was my first stop for wedding dress shopping, so I was still pretty open to lots of looks. Kristine took a LOT of time to put me in every dress she thought I might like. Her store is so well curated, even the dresses that weren't my style were fun to try on because they're in such great shape and ready to wear. I didn't end up buying anything, but her consultation helped me zero in on exactly what I wanted, which I ended up finding online. She recommended other shops and resources as well, which is just so classy. I will definitely be back for future formal occasions! read more

Not only did she match my veil to my dress so perfectly that the alterations department thought I had purchased the veil from them but she hand beaded a belt using vintage beads. The design is gorgeous and worthy of multiple exclamation points (an honor I generally reserve for posting belated Facebook birthday wishes)!! I am very much looking forward to wearing both in a few weeks! read more

Oh my gosh, I love love love this place. I was looking online, other stores, just to find that one dress. I can't find it. So I decided to just come here and see. We were both red heads, ironically which is awesome because she knew what shades or tones of white looked better. She has this amazing eye for everything either way. And her store was so cute, pretty, warm, just lovely! I tried on about 4 dresses before I found the one! I found a rare dress that she believed she wasn't sure she would ever see one like that again. It seemed like it was a special made dress for someone in the 1970s. A high-low lace dress (with train) that was perfect, I mean perfect...with my frye country girl boots for my hippie but classy barn wedding! Haha. My mom is going to work with the owner, Kristine, as we take on the project of altering and taking off the sleeves but using that lace for wrist cuffs and other things. If you want to look like a unique and beautiful bride unlike anyone has ever seen, come here. If you are artistic and creative, this store is for you. I also got to drink some champagne...so she offers you that, too! Seriously, do not go anywhere else. I'm in love! read more

I went to Meringue today and met with Kristine - she was so wonderful and welcoming! She prepared for my visit by looking at the pictures and information I sent her about what I was looking for before I got there. She really worked with me to find dresses that fit my style, and I tried on a number of beautiful, viable options. This is such an amazing, unique boutique with a niche vintage selection that is like nowhere else I have been to. It was by far my best dress shopping experience to date. What a gem! read more

I ended up getting my dress from another retailer before my appointment here, but Kristine worked tirelessly with me to find an appointment time that worked for me. I was visiting from abroad and had a ton of restrictions on when I could come in--and she was so friendly and helpful throughout the process. Out of this world customer service. read more

My recent visit to Meringue, in its new location in Old Town, was wonderful. I live in Michigan, and Kristine was able to accommodate me on relatively short notice, as I decided 2-weeks-out to add the appointment to a family visit over Christmas weekend. I came in knowing I wanted a short, vintage wedding dress for my courthouse wedding. Kristine was so kind and generous with her time. She carefully listened to everything I had to say and incorporated those thoughts as we went along. She had me try on a variety of styles, both what I thought I wanted and some things I had not considered. She explained how each could be altered to fit my body and tastes. All of them were lovely; a few I still think about. But none were "the one." I didn't find my perfect dress at Meringue, but I did not leave empty handed. My appointment with Kristine helped me narrow down what I was really looking for in a wedding dress. I left with both a parting/holiday gift of tasty meringues from nearby French bakery La Fournette and a recommendation for another vintage bridal shop in the city, where I ended up purchasing my dress! read more

I came to Meringue not knowing what I wanted or even what I was looking for and the owner Kristine completely exceeded my expectations. I could not possibly say one negative thing about my experience here! I began to search for my bridal gown with no vision of what I wanted, all I knew is that I love vintage attire. I couldn't envision myself as a bride and other vintage gowns I tried on didn't feel right. The moment I stepped into Kristines studio I was immediately comfortable. Her collection of vintage gowns is vast, beautiful and impeccable, the studio is spotless and well lit and kristine is so knowledgeable and easy to work with. She actually cares about what she does and asks the right questions to make sure she puts you in the perfect gown. I began with no vision, kinda bummed because I didn't feel comfortable in a brides gown. I actually ended up falling in love with the third dress I tried on, Unbelievable! After working with Kristine I absolutely can not wait to get married! Seriously, I could sing her praises all day but if anyone is looking for a gorgeous, perfect, one of a kind vintage brides gown? All you have to do is make an appointment and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed! read more