Mecklenburg Bridal

I was a very serious shopper when I went in to this bridal shop. I waited 15 minutes for the employee to get off the phone only to find out I couldn't look at the dresses unless I paid a $25 fee. I understand the wear and tear of the dresses is at stake, but really? Could they have made me feel less important? I wasn't able to go with my mother and I was in a huge time cruch so I brought a friend with me. They wouldn't let me take a picture of me in the dresses to send my mother to help me decide. It was horrible. I told the associate I wanted to leave and she could have cared less! Also, I have a dear friend who did actually purchase her dress here and after alterations, she had to purchase a longer veil to cover up where the dress had been distorted in the back. The same day, I purchased a beautiful gown at Hayden Olivia bridal uptown where every customer is treated with respect and the gowns are to die for! That is where I would send any bride looking for the ultimate bridal experience!

Pros: non

Cons: rude employees, can't take pics of dresses

Posted 11/16/09

You have got to go to Mecklenburg Bridal! As the mother-of -the-bride and a very picky person, I would highly recommend Mecklenburg Bridal for all of your wedding needs. My daughter and I found her bridal dress & veil, her bridesmaid dresses, my mother of the bride dress, and my mother of the groom dress there. They are BY FAR the nicest, most accomodating people and have the best selection of gowns for all bridal party needs. We tried on over thirty bridal dresses and they never made us feel like we were hassling them. We have had a very positive experience and think you will be pleased, too. They have a wide selection of everything, reasonable prices, and the people who work there aren't snooty! The other shops just seemed really stuffy and snobby. Weddings should be fun........ shopping for them should be fun too! We used Susannah Funk at Mecklenburg Bridal. Our experience couldn't have been better! :-)

Pros: Best In Charlotte

Posted 11/09/09

My daughter and I purchased her wedding dress and my m.o.b. dress at Mecklenburg Bridal. We loved working with them. When we got it narrowed down to three dresses for my daughter, there was quite a range in cost. There was no pressure to go with the more expensive dress and, in fact, we ended up with the least expensive. Staff were always courteous and helpful. The $25 fee is a drop in the bucket and, of course, it is a "credit" toward a future purchase. I would highly recommend working with this shop.

Posted 07/31/09

I have never been to this shop, but I do have friends in the bridal business and have been a bridal shop owner in the past. I can tell you why some shops have started charging a fee to try on gowns. Some girls are not serious shoppers and they go to bridal shops because its fun to try on the gowns or they are just price shopping with no intention to buy, taking up the sales girls time. Not to mention the wear and tear on these delicate gowns. You would understand it if you were a shop owner and had money invested in this expensive inventory. It;s not WalMart !! If dresses are soiled, beads start falling off or if the zipper gets worn out from so much wear, you can't sell it and will soon go out of business. If you purchase a gown, the fee is considered part of the down payment and is not an additional cost. Most shops now charge this fee and the ones that don't most likely will in the near future. It's becomming a more popular thing to do and if you read the bridal magazines you will see that they tell the brides to be awair of this fee.. Just a thought

Pros: reason for fee

Cons: don't know the owners

Posted 07/29/09

I went to Mecklenburg Bridal as the first stop in my bridal gown search. I was drawn by their sample sale that was advertised to me by word of mouth. Given the other options for bridal boutiques, the $25 consultation fee is nothing! Most stores want you to sign your life away before trying on their items. I tried on something like 12 dresses and was allowed all the time in the world to make my decision. Although it was my first stop, Mecklenburg Bridal had exactly the gown I was looking for, and it was at a fantastic price.
I can't believe what some of the other people are saying here. The consultation fee is something I came to expect from vendors while planning my wedding, the staff was patient and knowledgable, and the store was well kept and had a large selection of beautiful gowns.
I continued to recieve great service throught the fitting and pressing process up until the wedding day!

Posted 07/29/09

WOW!!! was the impression when I walked through the door!!! The people are friendly and professional the place is beautiful and they have the BEST selection of dresses. Being the prepared person I am I had looked into Mecklenburg Bridal on their website and called for an appointment where each explained to me about their $25.00 consultation fee and what it was about?. I had never thought of it like that before but it totally makes sense, so I was ready for it when I walked through the door (I wish some of the other brides on this site had done the same so that they could understand instead of their petty responses to the fee) I worked with Kay and she was amazing! I was not pressured and I felt like an old friend. They have everything from the guest books, the alterations, even a veil designer. The one stop place for all your wedding needs, they also have great recommendations on photographers etc? I made a two hour appointment for a Sat. and came back later in the week to try on my favorites, they already had them ready for me when I got there!! I found the dress of my dreams and am now happily married and the ENTIRE experience from the first time I walked in to portrait time to on my way to the church was so SMOOTH. Thank you for making it so EASY and FUN!!! I hope everyone is as lucky as I was to buy their dress with Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery!!!

Pros: AMAZING

Cons: none

Posted 07/14/09

I was actually very pleased with Mrs. Kay's "old ways"... what I would give to meet just ONE person daily who is kind, understanding and has the"old" fashioned values such as her. Maybe some of us should learn from example.

My experience was truly one of a kind. Mrs. Kay & Chase listened to the things I did and did not want in a dress and made a few suggestions and then brought me some very beautiful dresses. The one I ended up picking was actually one that had something that I didn't initially like but looked very different ON my body. For 2+ hours of her time, lugging around countless heavy dresses and being so attentive I was more than happy to pay $25. I personally think it's a smart way for the bridal shop to make sure their brides are serious customers instead of some yahoos trying on $1K + dresses just for the heck of it.

Even if it was free I still would have taken them both to Rusty's for all their help!

Thank you Ladies I'll be referring every bride I know to you!!

Pros: Staff, Fitting Rooms, Customer Service, Knowledge

Posted 07/14/09

Mecklenburg bridal is the best store that I shopped at in Charlotte. It has the most helpful staff. The staff made this experience for me as magical as I had ever wished it to be. The selection of dresses was absolutely amazing and beautiful. Everything was very clean and organized. The staff was very helpful in every aspect. Most definitely the best bridal shop I have ever been to.

Pros: Great and friendly staff. Beautiful selection.

Cons: NONE!

Posted 07/14/09

I am a New York bride and was visiting my mother in law in Charlotte for a few weeks and we decided we should go shopping I had already been to quite a few stores in New York so I was familiar with (and totally understand) a consultation fee, $25.00 for their great selection was a deal!!! This was actually the last shop I went to in Charlotte and was wonderfully surprised at how beautiful the store is and how amazing the people are, much better than any of the other stores in Charlotte (I was very disappointed in the rest!) I was welcomed with my party of 4 with open arms and was able to find EVERYTHING for the girls in the wedding! My dress, veil (Jet is great), dresses for both mom and mother in law and all the bridesmaids!! Mecklenburg Bridal is a place when you walk in the door you really want to be ?your bridal shop? I was so happy to find the perfect dress at the perfect place!!! I could rave about this place forever, and just a tip for other out of area brides they have AMAZING seamstresses, it is worth the trip back to have your dress fitted instead of chancing the most important outfit of your life on just anyone. (the also will atler dresses that come from somewhere else, so even if you already boughtyou should go there to have it fitted!) I will tell ALL my friends about this place, Charlotte is lucky to have such a great run shop!!!

Pros: Amazing people, selection, atmosphere

Cons: none!

Posted 07/14/09

I enjoyed my experience here. I looked at Bridesmaids dresses with my maid of honor. We worked with Kay and she was extremely nice. She was not high pressure at all. My maid of honor and i took our time. We had plenty of selection and we ended of finding a dress. My biggest concern was my other bridesmaids. They are all out of state. But Kay advised that i buy all the dresses at the same time, that way they are all from the samel lot and will match exactly. So i sent my girls measurements to Kay and sure enough, a few weeks later, they all received their dresses to their homes. It was much easier for them, and i didn't have to worry that they found the "right dress". I chose not to wear a vail at my wedding, but i did sit down with Jet anyway and she was a doll. She does do beautiful work, so don't forget to meet her while you are there.

Pros: Selection, Staff

Cons: Fee - it was initially a turnoff, but after the valuable consultation i received - i would have paid double!

Posted 02/16/09

I went to Mecklenburg Bridal as my second shop that I visited on my day of trying on wedding dresses. I was initially taken aback by the $25.00 consultation fee which I felt was extremely tacky. When I got to the store, I had my mother, two friends, and my mother in law with me and we had to wait for 30 minutes before anyone even said hello to us even after I had made several attempts to get someone's attention at the front desk. FINALLY, I was able to get someone's attention and she finally took me to the back to look at the dresses. They were HORRIBLE. I guess if you like pink ball gowns that look then you are in business, but if you want something classic and tasteful, then you may want to look elsewhere. The lady I worked with was extremely rude and would not let my mother come in the room with me to change. She actually started bad talking my mother in law and said that she did not think it was necessary for me to bring her along!!! WHAT?? I could not believe it. After about two dresses that I felt obliged to try on to get the use out of my $25.00 consultation fee, I was out the door. NEVER AGAIN! I am glad that some brides had good experiences here, but I think that there are other shops in town that are much nicer and have a better selection.

Pros: Parking I guess

Cons: Service was Bad. The Staff was Extremely Rude and the Selection was Bad

Posted 12/28/08

I had the pleasure of puchasing my gown at Mecklenburg Bridal with the help of a very qualified and delightful saleslady. She knew her Bridal gown designers and gave me much more information than I found in bridal magazines. I felt no pressure, even though my wedding is in February! I needed a gown to walk down the aisle! My consultant was patient and I felt all the attention was on me. I am a size 18, (thanks to my Italian genes) and found the perfect gown for me.
Twenty-five dollars??!!!? Geez. Come on! Grow up! How much do you pay for a manicure? Hair style? A pair of shoes? The video and photographs of your wedding day are forever!!! Give Mecklenburg Bridal another chance, gowns look very different on a body than a hanger; attitude.

Pros: Beautiful store! Knowledgeable sales ladies! Cannot wait to see MY gown!

Cons: Nothing!

Posted 09/09/08

I visited Mecklenburg Bridal after two very disappointing experiences. One at a local bridal chain, and one at a higher end salon. I did not have an appointment and was caught off guard by the consultation fee, but the consultant encouraged be to look around at their selection to see if I though it would be worth it to pay.
(She explained I would later be able to use it as a credit towards my gown, my bridesmaid dresses, or my mother's dress.) Boy did I! I had no idea how many gowns they had....it was hard to pick. And the prices were unbelieveably affordable!
Fortunately, I had gone during the week. This proved in my favor, although I did not have an appointment, I was able to take my time trying on several gowns. I found my gown after trying on the 1st one! But the consultant encouragement me again to give them all a try before deciding. Which I did, and still loved the first one! I was pleasantly suprised how easy it was. I made an appointment for that Saturday with my mom and maid of honor to purchase. My mother was so impressed with the service she too found a dress. My maids will be getting 15% off. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bridal shop. Save yourself the hassle of going from store to store and get everything done at Mecklenburg Bridal!

Oh and by the way, I put my credit toward my maid of honor's dress...

Pros: Selection,Prices, One stop shop, great service

Cons: none

Posted 09/08/08

My mother and I had the most wonderful experience here and I feel the story should be told! Yes, they do have a consultation fee.....BUT you have 3 opportunities to get it back as a credit! (I am from the north where these fees are not uncommon!) And I was informed clearly about this fee when I called to schedule my first appointment. Their gown selection is AWESOME.....I did not find a selection like this ANYWHERE else!!! The entire staff was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to assist us with whatever our needs were! My gown came in right on time and the alteration process was a dream.....both seamstresses were more than happy to make suggestions to accomplish the look that I had envisioned! This store comes highly recommended by many of my friends who also had nothing but GREAT things to say about their professionalism and willingness to follow the entire process though! I could not have been more pleased with my entire experience at Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery!!!!!!!! THEY ARE GREAT!!!!!!

Pros: Service, Selection, Awesome customer service!!!!

Cons: NONE

Posted 09/05/08

I recently purchased a Mother of the Bride gown and can honestly say I have never been railroaded into a purchase like I was here. The dress cost twice what I planned to pay but I succumbed to a high pressure, fast-talking sales pitch by a salesperson who took advantage of my unfortunate timing. While I'll admit the dress was nice, it was not worth what I paid. What really got me was the shady method of calculating alteration costs. At my first fitting I was told the dress needed a hem, a bustle, and the top taken up. At the second fitting I was told the dress also needed to be taken in. This should have been determined at the first fitting. To make matters worse, the first alteration fee assessment did not include a price for the bustle despite the fact that I was told this would be done. Never was I told that the fee assessed at this time was to be increased at the next visit. Had I been leveled with from the beginning, I would have had my alterations done elsewhere. After spending an exorbitant amount of money on the gown itself, I was soaked for $140 for relatively simple alterations that could have been done for much less by another competent seamstress. I am extremely disappointed in this shop and will never do business here again.

Pros: None

Cons: Prices, pricing practices

Posted 09/04/08

This place charges 25 dollars just to try on dresses. They are very rude and do not help you pick out dresses. So what is the 25 dollars for??? Who knows. Probably because they can't sell wedding dresses. There wedding dresses are way over priced. Other shops have the same dress cheaper (ex. bridal mart, impressions bridal and formal wear in Concord). The only reason to go here is to visit Jet Taylor. She makes handmade veils and is independent from the ladies that sell the wedding dresses. Jet is amazing and does high quality work. She is able to make a veil quickly if you need it in a hurry. Just remember do not go here to get your wedding dress only your veil. You don't have to pay Jet to look at her veils!

Pros: Jet Taylor who makes veils, She is amazing!!

Cons: Charge 25 dollars, rude, snobby, won't help with the dresses, won't refund your 25 dollars

Posted 07/10/08

Going to Meck Bridal was a waste of time and energy. They were extremely rude from the minute I stepped into the store. I was looking with a friend and they still wanted me to pay money to view. Are they kidding? Do they really need that much extra $$? Try getting some good dresses then so they can sell some merchandise.

Oops...they may need to be helpful and nice to sell a dress though. And that they can't do.

Don't GO!!

Pros: There are none

Cons: Bad service, unfriendly.....

Posted 07/07/08

I had a pretty bad experience as well here, I drove 45 minutes to get there and came with a long list of dresses both bridal and bridesmaid that I was interested in and not one of them did they have in the store even though they carried the designer! I was told they couldnt order a sample dress so I could see it in person, I had to buy the dress to even try it on! Not to mention they dont tell you when you book your appt. about the 25 dollar appointment fee, which is just ridiculous who pays money to try on dresses especially since they didnt even carry anything I was interested in!

Pros: nothing

Cons: location, appointment fee, no selection

Posted 06/27/08

Personally we had a pretty bad experience here, though I?m glad some of you found them helpful and welcoming. We were completely ignored when we came in for our 5 o?clock appointment, and two other girls who came in after us were immediately taken back. Maybe we didn?t look well off enough to bother with? I don?t know, but honestly has anyone ever heard of a fee to simply try on a dress?? Not only that, but since they won?t quote you a price for a dress over the phone, you don?t even know if the fee is going to be worthwhile. I guess that?s the idea? you have to pay to even get information. I?ve been to much nicer bridal shops with better variety that didn?t charge and were more polite. I would also like to know why the ?no cameras allowed? rule? I?ve always been able to take pictures of gowns I try on so I can share them with my friends and get their opinions? Again, if you have to pay a fee you should at least get the basics. Sorry to say, I would not recommend this store.

Pros: none

Cons: consultation fee, rude front desk, no cameras allowed

Posted 03/11/08

I had a great time trying on gown here. I read a few reviews on other sites that didn't speak so kindly of it. Some mentioned not having dresses for girls that weren't a size 2! well I'm a size 8 (in normal clothes) and all the gowns I picked out were not a size 2! I personally enjoyed it. I felt as though I was thouroughly taken care of and was not rushed. My 2 hr appt last 3 hrs! I even got to try on my favorites a second time after I tried on a ton of gowns of various styles and by many different designers. I was however not aware of the consultation fee ($25) but as a service provider I understand and I think it was worth it plus if you get you gown from them they take the $25 off the price of the gown.

Pros: Selection and service

Cons: Consult fee

Posted 02/10/08

I love Mecklenburg Bridal! After shopping at many different bridal shops for the perfect dress, I realized that this was the place for me. I loved the one-on-one attention and the fact that they are honest with their opinions. Yes, you may pay a little more than you'd expect for your dream dress but I would gladly pay double that amount to get the wonderful service. Kay and Alice are so nice and helpful. I had an issue with several "picks' in my silk dress and Kay took care of it like a true professional.

Posted 08/15/07