| Recommended: | yes | 0 | no | 0 |
If sample dresses tend to fit you well (street clothes size 4-10ish, or some plus-size samples available as well), this is not to be skipped... Lucky me, almost every sample fits with minor alterations. I can see that it's definitely hit-or-miss and I happened to find the dress of my dreams (and some pretty fab runners-up as well). Very high-end designers represented at AMAZING prices. These are samples so they have been tried on (and on and on) - some are in better condition than others but the store cleans and makes all possible repairs for free (alterations by their seamstress are additional). It was pretty quiet when I was there so I had a lot of attention from the sales people but they weren't pushy at all. I have absolutely no idea what the other reviewer is talking about re: their 'signature line'... I certainly didn't see a preponderance of any single designer (although, if you love the dress, who cares who designed it?).
I didn't see my dress online, so don't just go by their online inventory. Their posted pictures certainly don't do the dresses justice either, I was pretty skeptical before actually going in. If you love designer gowns but are on a budget, definitely give this a shot, you may very well find exactly what you were looking for!
Posted 05/28/08 | Report Abuse
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All I can say about Vows is that their designer line that they carry, Liv Harris, are basically Mikaella dresses. I have tried Mikaella dresses on at other bridal shops and I think they are decent, price wise and the styles. However, when I went to Vows I tried on a bunch of dresses that I thought were Mikaellas, some I thought I tried on before and thought I was trying on again, and they ended up being Liv Harrises. I suggest if Vows wants to create their own line and become respectable designers, they should start with their own ideas.
Posted 04/03/08 | Report Abuse
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Vows is a hit or miss shopping experience depending on how recently a new shipment of dresses has arrived. I found the staff to be friendly, helpful, and did not feel pressured to buy anything. The day I visited there were many great dresses although I ultimately did not end up buying there, I would still recommend them. Designer dresses at a fraction of the retail price!
Posted 11/09/05 | Report Abuse
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Vows Bridal Outlet sells sample designer wedding gowns at marked down prices. They don't have a wide range of sizes, but it is worth checking out if you want a deal on your wedding gown. They also have a web site bridepower.com where you can see the selection and prices of what's available.
Posted 11/06/05 | Report Abuse
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While I have heard many success stories from other people about Vows, I did not have a great experience there. Don't expect very much help from the employees in finding dresses to try on. You just have to look through dresses grouped by style. This is an outlet so many of the dresses are damaged, but Vows states they will fix anything that needs to be fixed. I also found that the prices were still very high because of the designers of the dresses, so don't go if you think it is bargain shopping. Also, try not to go on a weekend or holiday. I think they would have been more helpful if it was less crowded.
Posted 08/12/05 | Report Abuse
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My experience was very pleasant at Vows Bridal. Sara was extremely helpful and patient as I tried on about 20 dresses, going well past the alloted time of 1- 1 1/2 hours. I was looking for dresses under $800 and did find quite a few, but several had stains or were torn, particularly under $600. I didn't end of buying at Vows, but I had a good experience there.
Pros: great service
Cons: dresses not in great shape under $600
Posted 11/28/09
I heard great things about this place so I checked it out, but it's not for me. I don't particularly care about designer name dresses, and didn't really know that's what the place was about. Dresses start at $1,000, but the majority are mugh more expensive. Dresses are organized by style - sheath, A-line, etc, because they pretty much only carry 8 and 10s, being once samples. And since they were samples, many dresses are in iffy shape. I had a weekday appointment and was constantly rushed. Saleswoman was nice enough, but kept bringing my dresses that were too small or not what I described as liking. Must put 10% down if you want them to hold it for 5 days (not business days). If you decide you don't want the dress, you don't get your money back - it just goes toward some other product they carry (invites, save the dates, veils, another dress). And if you don't spend the money in a year, they don't give it back. I only found one dress I liked at all. It was really fabric but I wasn't crazy about it. And I certainly wasn't willing to hand over 10% right then and there. Basically, if designer names are what you're looking for, might as well try here. If not, look elsewhere.
Cons: selection, dressing rooms, policies
Posted 06/25/09
The service was wonderful. Geraldine only showed me dresses in my price range. When the ones I picked out didn't really work for me, she picked out a beautiful Ulla-Maija gown that I would never have chosen for myself...but when I put it on all the other brides and saleswomen crowded around saying, "That's the one..." And, it was 100% silk, originally retailing for over 5k.
Pros: Excellent value, quality, beautiful dresses
Cons: Limited sizes and styles
Posted 11/09/08
Hopefully my sister doesn't see this! We were shopping for months and I've been going crazy, I like weddings and want her to be happy but I can only tolerate shopping for a little bit.
Thanks having a large selection and affordable designer wedding gowns - it's been a rough couple months but now it's over and she's found a great dress.
Pros: selection, service, pricing
Posted 05/16/08
Vows should be renamed to Wows! I was getting discouraged while searching for my wedding dress but Vows turned everything around. The customer service exceeded all of my expectations.
Pros: Huge selection, great customer service
Posted 04/28/08
All I can say about Vows is that the place is overall a rip off. Though they have some good designer names, they are older styles and many are in really really bad condition not to mention they have nothing above a size 4 that doesn't look cheap or tacky. I also noticed their designer line that they carry, Liv Harris, are basically Mikaella dresses. I have tried Mikaella dresses on at other bridal shops and I think they are decent, price wise and the styles. However, when I went to Vows I tried on a bunch of dresses that I thought were Mikaellas, some I thought I tried on before and thought I was trying on again, and they ended up being Liv Harrises. I suggest if Vows wants to create their own line and become respectable designers, they should start with their own ideas.
Posted 04/02/08
People who say that VOWS doesn't have great prices have never shopped at real designer stores and gotton perspective. I got a $7000 Carolina Herrera for $1800 at VOWS. I realize that is still a lot of money compared to maybe a David's Bridal, but if you want a designer gown, this is the place to go.
Pros: Savings, selection, service
Cons: not enough dressing rooms(can be busy)
Posted 01/13/08
I had the best experience at VOWS! I couldn't have dreamed of better.The staff was so friendly, helpful and professional. The gowns were marked at fabulous prices. The store was clean and nicely organized.
I highly recommend this store!
THANK YOU VOWS!
Posted 11/30/07
Very nice materials are used in these designer gowns. You need an apt on the week days. When I walked into the empty store on a Friday and told the first woman my name and that I had an appointment she was very nice helpful and told me the lay out of the store. Then another woman rudely came up to me and asked me if I had an appointment. So, their service was a bit disjointed. If you are looking for a designer gown, I would definitely check it out, but do not bank on it.
Pros: discounted merchandise
Cons: still expensive, unfriendly service
Posted 09/27/07
The vast vast majority (I'd say 90%) of the dresses at Vows are the standard "6" sample size. You buy the dresses off the rack(room) here, so if you can't fit into sample sizes, it's probably not worth going. Their isn't much of a selection of their dresses that are size 8+, and the majority of those were more like size 22. That said, its an place worth experiencing, just don't go on a Saturday. You best bet is during the week, when they actually do take appointments. If you do go on a Saturday be prepared for a wait to use the dressing room, so you'll want a good idea of what kind of dress you are looking for before you go in.
Posted 02/21/07
Didn't really think prices were amazing (as rumored - "rackroom" seems to be overstating it), just less than full. Went on a Saturday, when they don't accept appointments and the process was a little crazy. Good selection of dresses, service was okay, but they didn't have the real eye for dress matching that other shops seem to have.
Posted 09/23/06
very nice staff, no pressure but helpful. know that the gowns haven't been cleaned yet and most are sample sixe 10, but can all be taken in if you're smaller. i would suggest going there having already determined what type of wedding dress looks good on your body type, as most dresses won't fit unless you're a 10 and you won't know what it will truly look like until after it's been altered. amazing markdowns, definatley check this place out for discount designer gowns.
Pros: no pressure, discount prices, nice staff
Posted 01/04/06
Vows was great! I knew I wanted to get a sample because I love designer gowns, but couldn't get one on my budget.. The prices were great- the lowest I had found.. and they had Vera Wangs and Moniques... I thought that the staff was very helpful and not pushy-at all. The woman I worked with had a ton of great ideas. They also include the cleaning and repairing of their gowns. My mom and I had a great experience there- I would definitely recommend that you check them out! I am planning on using their seamstress as well- I have heard great things about her too! Try to go for an appt during the week if possible, if not you can go on a Saturday!
Pros: great dresses, great staff, great prices
Posted 11/03/05
I approached this place with some skepticism, but I was NOT disappointed. A much larger selection than I expected, with elegant designer dresses well-organized in categories (sheath, ball, a-line, etc). Staff was not snooty but very knowledgeable and helpful - who cares what they are wearing! As for the dresses being dirty - they are store samples which is why they are over 50% off. The store has a cleaning guarantee - they clean the dress for you and if it does not end up perfect, you get your deposit back. A great resource for a budget-conscious bride. Two notes: Most dresses are a sample size 10, so if you are a lot bigger or smaller, it is harder to find something that fits. Also, go on a weekday when you can get a private appointment - saturday is very busy and there was a wait for a fitting room.
Pros: selection, service, price
Cons: crowded on sat.
Posted 09/11/05
There was little that was appealing about the 'designer' bridal outlet. Aside from the Vera Wang gowns, the dresses were plain and over priced. The system of changing rooms and choosing dresses was extremely disorganized resulting in misplaced dresses. The staff was less than helpful, inexperienced, and dressed like cheap mall store clerks, as opposed to designer handlers. Not to mention the dresses were absolutely filthy. Were they white or gray? I couldn't tell because they were so handled.
Pros: Good parking
Cons: Overpriced, Poor Staff
Posted 07/08/05
"Going to Filene's Basement, especially on the weekend, is an experience. For ..."
