Pearl's Place

[megabeth]

I realize that this is pretty late, but I'll post anyway. I shopped there with a friend for her dress a few years ago. I remember that all the lights were off and the dresses were packed very tightly on the racks. It appeared that this was done so you couldn't go browsing on your own very easily.

[adri_o]

Someone told me Pearl's Place was a great place to get a great dress at a discounted price. Has anyone been there with good or bad results? I'd have to drive in from out of town if I go there so I want to hear some feedback before making the trek. thanks!

[michigangal]

Just an fyi... I'm not from the area, but I used bridalgowns.com to find a price quote on a dress by Forever Bridals. Dori Anne Veils and Pearl's Place both wrote me back. Dori Anne Veils gave me a great quote of $350 for my dream dress... and Pearl's Place wrote back and said that they aren't allowed to give the quote over email, but they'd be happy to schedule an appointment... just thought that was interesting!!! They don't sound like a great place to trust with something as important as your wedding gown.

[loralienola]

I loved everything about my experience at Pearl's. In fact, I decided to buy not only my dress but also my BM dresses there. The service was great - I adore the woman who helped me. But then again, my main requirements were (1) reasonably priced (2) friendly service and (3) no hard-selling - I was in the market for a wedding dress, not a used car. :love5:

[loralienola]

I realize that this is pretty late, but I'll post anyway. I shopped there with a friend for her dress a few years ago. I remember that all the lights were off and the dresses were packed very tightly on the racks. It appeared that this was done so you couldn't go browsing on your own very easily.
Oh, and the thing about the lights being off - I think I can explain that one. When you're trying on wedding dresses that have beading or crystals on them, they turn off the regular lights and use a light that kinda mimics the lighting at an indoor wedding, so you can see if you like the way the dress sparkles.

[caseymargaret]

I joined this forum just to state my experience with Pearl's. My sister bought her dress there 25 years ago, and it's a well known place in New Orleans, so O figured I had to go there. Even then they screwed up, but I thought all that time passed, I will go.

I found an unbelievable dress there, $400 and stunning. The woman who assisted me was very sweet. We even stumbled on some beautiful bridesmaids' dresses. Everyone was happy! We placed the order, paid deposits and left.

Then, I get a call saying the wrong bridesmaid dress was ordered. I now live one hour from New Orleans, so I had my bridesmaid run there to fix it. Fine.

Then, I get a call that my wedding dress order wasn't placed, because they "can't remember what color I want." We fixed that, as well.

The dress comes in and I go to pick it up. I get a snappy woman at the desk who tells me I am in the wrong place. My dress is practically thrown at me after waiting half an hour and no one offers to help me into it. It's a corset! I needed them to show my maid of honor how to tie it up! The woman finally helps me and barks at me to walk, turn, move. I finally take it home after much aggravation.

Then the bridesmaid dresses come in. They snap at us because my bridesmaids want to try them on before paying the balance. Everyone was rude!

The place is tiny. People bring entire families with them, including screaming children. The dressing rooms are miserable. It's difficult to find a dress, because they are packed so tightly and the prices are hard to find. Not everyone can afford whatever they want.

The turn the lights down so you can see the dress in reception lighting (to answer the concern about that above). Nothing wrong with that, fine.

So, anyway, I refused to go back there for alterations as I have heard awful things about the seamstress. I opted to pay $140 to have it tailored closer to my home. I went in yesterday for my first meeting with them and the bustle threads are broken, there's a black mark on my dress underneath the rouching. I couldn't believe it! I have to have the bustle repaired completely!

Sorry so long, but in short, do not go to Pearl's unless you have no other options!!!!

[caseymargaret]

I may not have been clear: the tailor did not break my bustle. It was like that when the dress left Pearl's, as well as the black mark. I did not notice because they rushed me out, and didn't want me to even try it on before I paid for it.