06/30/09

Great dresses - for realists!

by Dankins03

This was the first place I went and I tried about 4 or 5 other stores in Austin and ended up getting my dress here. I think the woman mentioned before (the tall smoker) was great. I don't remember her name (Terry or Sherry?), but I do know she's been in the business for about 2 decades or something like that. She's knows her stuff and I appreciated her honesty. (If a dress wasn't for me, she told me). I showed her a couple of dresses and she brought tons of extras over for me to try on. The dress I bought could have been custom made for me - I'm very thin and most of the dresses there are larger sizes and she said 'I have an idea...'.

She then brought my two sisters white wine and was laughing and joking with us! I think the women that complain about her aren't realistic about their expectations. They are probably the type who 'need everything to be perfect and it's all about them' AKA bridezillas. Sorry to break it to you, but weddings are an industry, they have hundreds of gushing brides seeking perfection every week. It must get old when you work in that industry.

She did her job and I appreciated it. They have the best dresses in town.

• Pros: Best dress selection in town, great quality
• Cons: Not for the bride with unrealistic expectations

05/14/09

Austin's Best Kept Secret

by ELJ117

Cons:

The Building is not in the best section of town. It is very seedy looking from the outside, but don't be discouraged by that. -It is well worth it.

Pros:

Despite some of the others reviews I have read I had the nicest experience with their staff. It was a breath of fresh air. Ask for Amelia.

They have a GREAT selection of gowns- one of the best in Austin. They also carry mostly Spanish designers, so they really know how to fit a curvy woman (big chest, small waist, and big booty). They will work with you to find a shape that flatters you most.

I was about to purchase a gown from Serendipity, which is 1 block away from Balina, and am so glad I stopped at Balina. The prices are very reasonable. They are designer gowns at an everyman price. They also happened to be having an awesome sale when I went in! I estimate my choice to go with Balina saved me roughly $ 2,000.

I stand by their decision to ask clients to not bring loads of friends or mothers to their appointment. They really stress that the people you bring should be positive people that won't try to push their ideas on you. Don't bring any Debbie-Downers or Jealous-Jessies. I would have felt comfortable shopping alone there because I didn't feel intense pressure to buy.

The only advertise by word of mouth, so I thought I would give them props for being one of Austin's best kept secrets.

• Pros: Great selection, Knowledgeable Staff, Reasonably Priced
• Cons: The Building is not in great shape

02/05/09

One star is too many.

by mujerboricua

I too had a horrible experience there. The appointment started on the wrong foot-she insisted she go out for a smoke before we got started. So I waited and when she comes back she looked at printouts of dresses I like and wondered why I didn't go to Belle Saison since they carry a lot of Maggie Sottero dresses? Huh? She wanted me to go elsewhere already? Anyhow, she then picked out dresses nothing like the ones I liked. I figured, hey, she knows best. Not likely. I specifically asked for nothing puffy and that's all she gave me to try on. I tried on 6 dresses in about 20 minutes! I couldn't believe how rushed the appointment went. She then claimed that's all she had to show me. There are hundreds of dresses in the store yet only 6 were right for me to try on. As soon as she gave me some information on the dresses I tried on she walked me out and lit a cigarette. Makes me wonder if she rushed me so she can take another ciggie break.

I loved working with Kim at Belle Saison Bridal. She was really nice and not rude or pushy. I guess the Balina lady was right in one thing, Belle Saison was for me.

• Pros: The layout is nice.
• Cons: The salespeople