Alfred Angelo Bridal

As a plus sized female, I experience plenty of prejudice on a regular basis due to social constructs and general perception about plus sized bodies. Being in my friend’s wedding should be an exciting and fun time, but walking into Alfred Angelo really crushed my spirits.
First of all, I was not acknowledged as a person or customer because I’m not straight sized. The stylist, Julie, who was waiting on us, knew that I was a bridesmaid due to the conversation I was having with the bride and the other bridesmaid who was there trying on dresses. However, she did not ask me if I wanted to try on any dresses and only took out dresses for the straight-​sized bridesmaid I was with. I had to personally stop her and ask her if there are plus-​sized dresses in store. Only then did she even say hello to me, acknowledge that I was a human being and a potential customer, and head off to find some dresses in my size.
Julie’s word choices and actions made it clear that she has no tact when dealing with plus-​sized females. I am a size 22 and she brought me some appropriate dresses, along with a size 16 in case I wanted to try it. That is the equivalent of bringing someone who is a size 8 a size 2 and asking them to put it on. She had to ask Hector, «with the strong man hands to zip you up, otherwise we’ll be in here forever.» She only brought in a straight-​sized measuring tape to measure me, and then left to «get a bigger tape» when she couldn’t measure my hips. She then brought in her manager to «double measure me.» The manager was nervous and kept dropping the tape, making sure it was super awkward in the fitting room.
I apologized to them for having made their day so challenging. As usual, me being plus-​sized put someone else out. As usual, me being plus-​sized had to become an obstacle and turned into an uncomfortable issue. The staff at Alfred Angelo did their best to make me feel like a second-​class citizen because I’m not a size 8.
I don’t usually take the time to go off on tangents about every time I’m mistreated or someone tries to make me feel less-​than because I’m plus-​sized. If I did, I’d probably never get off of the computer. However, seeing the Alfred Angelo makes a *POINT* to emphasize their plus-​size guarantee, maybe there should be some sensitivity training around working with plus-​sized customers and trying to dispel some of the ignorance that clearly exists with their staff in this location.
If you don’t want to cater to plus-​sized females, don’t offer plus-​sized dresses. Simple.
What an emotionally trying morning.

I have to be up front, as I ultimately didn’t purchase my dress from Alfred Angelo, but I did work with an amazing salesperson, Ashley, and want to give her credit. She was patient and kind throughout the entire process and did not pressure me at all. I thought the selection and overall experience was great!

Marey Jane was so helpful! She was efficient, knowledgable, and fun to work with,

Writing with an update–
After my previous review was posted (and I also emailed an identical letter to customer service on their website), Amy from the Dedham store reached out to me. She offered to refund the cost of my bustle alterations. She was very apologetic on the phone and was a pleasure to speak with that day. I appreciated the gesture and acknowledgment of the unfortunate circumstances.
I do wish that more attention was paid to this seamstress’ work during the actual process, and I hope that the store managers seek feedback from other customers as well. By observing other girls’ interactions with her on the day of my last fitting, I know I’m not the only one who left feeling dissatisfied with her work.

Good luck getting any service after they take your money. Milk your visits and take your time making decisions. Because once you select a gown and pay them, you will not get anymore help and the scams begin.
I went to get my wedding dress in August. I was showered with attention and the whole 9. Everyone was soooo nice. Then I picked my dress and the upselling and being overbearing began. I said I would only get the dress and undergarments because I wanted to shop around for accessories since I found theirs to be overpriced & the collection slim. The manager ordered my sales person to tell me that if I bought my accessories with my dress THAT DAY and only that day I would save 20%. Except that you save 20% on your accessories anyway because it’s part of their «incentives» for you to do all your shopping there. But I guess they had sales goals to meet that day so they had no qualms about being dishonest. I decided to overlook it because it was a petty thing to cancel a transaction over.
The next sign was when I came to pick up the dress they didn’t have my sketch. They promise you a sketch of your dress when it comes. It’s even advertised in their fitting rooms. The lady said maybe the sketch got mixed up in the back but I could call the next day and she would look for it. I called a couple of times that week and she either wasn’t there or she hadn’t «found it yet». Eventually it wasn’t hard to figure out she didn’t look at all.
I decided to ignore these 2 very small signs and go there with my mom for her MOB dress. As we picked out my mom’s dress, I asked if I could set up an appointment to steam my dress. The store’s assistant manager told me it would be $ 50. I said: «why would you charge me $ 50 to steam a dress!»
AM: Because it’s not part of the dress cost
Me: but you gave me a wrinkled dress in a bag 9 months before my wedding. Were you expecting me to wear it like this? Did you think all wrinkles would magically go away?
AM: no but it’s part of alterations. It’s free if you do alterations.
Me: I don’t need alterations.
AM: most people (IMPORTANT*). If you don’t you have to pay to steam.
Me: never mind
When we began talking to the store manager about ordering my mom’s dress their pressure tactics began:
1) «dresses are taking 6 months to come in and you won’t get it before your wedding if you don’t pay for a rush order.» There were 3 pieces to the dress and they charged for each separately although the dress comes together as one Lol. (more than $ 90)
2) «if you gain weight we can’t let the dress out. So we advise you order it bigger than you are.» This is where my conversation with the manager comes in.
My mom’s dress came within a month (3 months before the wedding) and it was huge! We spent over $ 100 taking the dress in and shortening it. Buying the dress in her size would have been perfectly fine but it wouldn’t have yielded them any alteration money.
Ultimately after all this trouble they gave us a clear plastic bag. It was so ridiculous looking and sloppy I asked if they had a different bag. They told us they would sell us a garment bag for $ 10. Again never mind.
So in summary:
1) they lie about giving you special discounts if you buy everything on the spot. In reality the discounts are available from the time you buy your dress until 60 days after the wedding date on record.
2) they will give you a wrinkled dress and ask that you pay them to steam it.
3) they will size you and ask that you order your dress larger so they can have an opportunity to charge you for alterations.
4) Their accessory selection is slim and overpriced.
5) they will nickel and dime you.
I could have gotten crap treatment like that from David’s bridal. At least it would be a bigger selection of gowns.

I am very newly engaged. So when my best friend and I found ourselves in the plaza where Alfred Angelo is, we couldn’t help ourselves, and went inside. Upon walking in, we were asked how we could be helped. I said we were really just looking around. We proceeded to check out some wedding gowns. After maybe only 4 minutes of looking through the gowns, we were asked again «is there anything we can help you with?» This time sounded less friendly. This time I said «I’m VERY newly engaged. We were just at a store right next door and got excited when we saw a bridal shop. Thought we’d come take a look at a few things.» The sales girl very rudely said «well you can’t really get an idea for the gowns through their plastic bag so you can take a catalog and make an appointment if you’d like».
Immediately we felt like we were asked to leave. I took our catalogs but do not plan on returning to this shop. I and my bridesmaids could’ve bought all 7 of our dresses here. But we would rather visit somewhere that makes us feel welcome.

The friendly and helpful staff made our visit fun and memorable. It makes all the difference when the people at a store make you want to come back. Pricing was fair, merchandise was quality and overall our experience was enjoyable. My wife and I will be referring anyone who asks!

My wife and I came in just before our wedding in May, and purchased our veils and all of our hair accessories for our wedding here. I wish I could remember the girl’s name who helped us; she had helped me several times before as well. anyway, she was awesome — super friendly and helpful in showing us everything; we enjoyed looking at our options and talking to her. … Prior to that, I had also stopped in one day and lucked into a last minute cancellation; so I got to try on some of their dresses with no wait. the girl who helped me was super friendly, and asked me questions to see what styles I might like; she was very patient, had good recommendations and advised on dresses I ended up really loving. I especially loved the Disney Princess collection — they were all stunning and at very reasonable prices. Thanks so much for making us feel at home!

Visited Alfred Angelo this past weekend, and found a dress! Cassandra was very patient, asked a lot of questions, and really tried to focus on what I wanted in my wedding dress. Even when I tried on a dress that I didn’t like, she would ask «what would you change about this one?» so that she could find a better suited dress to try next. Halfway through our appointment, I found out it was only her 5^th day working, which you wouldn’t have been able to tell by the way she was handling the dresses! She genuinely wanted to help me find the perfect dress, and made me feel so comfortable through out the entire process!

Went in this Sunday to shop for Bridesmaid dresses, booked an appointment and everything. The customer service was horrible. I’m letting my girls pick any dress they want in a single color. After telling the consultant this she did not ask for styles and she left to pick up about 14 random dresses. About half of those dresses were strapless and none of my girls wanted to wear strapless (which would have been known if she asked first.)
I took it upon myself to grab a few dresses that I knew were more my friend’s styles, but overall the experience was awkward and very uncomfortable. I felt a bit like I was being watched like a hawk while picking up some dresses as well. We would have done much better if we could have browsed ourselves or the consultant actually asked us what we liked and didn’t like. I was very unhappy with the experience and I would never recommend this store to anyone.

One word: Scam, this place is a total scam. The whole way Alfred Angelo works is a scam and their less than satisfactory employees are the scam artists.
Brides: DO NOT GO HERE FOR BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES!!!
We went in for my cousins wedding. We went in January and the wedding just happened at the end of May. We told the staff this and they told us we didn’t have a lot of time and if we didn’t order soon we would have to rush. My sister ordered hers that day, I wasn’t sold on anything and came back the next weekend and found a dress. They said I would have to pay an extra $ 15 rush the dress so it comes in on time… one. week. later. My dress came in at the same time as my sisters but mine «had to be rushed».
My cousin wanted plain dresses no bling or flair or anything. The dress I liked had some beading and the sales rep said they could have it removed and have a sash added, I then had to pay another $ 30 for the sash to be added for the dress. When I went to pick up the dress the beading was still on it and the sash was just hanging on the dress separately. When I asked them about it saying it was supposed to be removed they said that’s considered and alteration and would have to be done separately at an extra cost. I asked why I paid $ 30 they said that was just for the sash, the alteration would cost me another $ 50-​$ 100. Also the dress was HUGE in the straps. They also order all the dresses a size up because they want you to alter them to be smaller. AND they cut the hem crooked on the bottom of the dress and they are REALLY poorly made.
I was in another wedding and bought my bridesmaid dress at Target for $ 70 and it was better made than this dress.
I ended up keeping the beading, much to my cousins dismay, and I took the dress to a dry cleaner to adjust the straps which they did for about $ 20 less that Alfred Angelo.
In short don’t go here, they are snobbish and elitist and want all your money. Every single bridesmaid in our bridal party hates this place and all their dresses had to be altered.
On a lighter note, anyone want to buy a $ 30 sash?

I really wish I could give zero stars– Brides save yourself the aggravation– go somewhere else. Below is the letter I have written to the corporate office
To Whom It May Concern;
I am writing because I am absolutely disgusted by the experience I had with your Dedham Massachusetts store. I made an appointment for the evening of Thursday January 8^th for bridesmaid dress shopping. We arrived at the store, no one greeted us. We proceeded to wait for 15 – 20 minutes and then took it upon ourselves to start choosing dresses off the rack and trying them on. We were there for over 2 hours and finally someone came over to us. She stated that there was «an emergency with a bride» ok i understand that but I am a bride too so is my appointment not important? So we proceeded to choose a dress. The sales person measured all of the girls. I asked 3 – 4 times if this dress would fall at the knee, I was assured each time oh yes they will. Also the color was a little lighter than what appeared online. I was also assured the color would be darker when the dresses came in. «this was a sample after all» Ok, i figured she must know what she was talking about she works there.
The dresses arrived at the time they were promised. The girls went to try them on and they are the same light pink that was present in the store even though I was told that the actual dress would be darker AND the dresses all fall well below the knee on each of the girls. The girls mentioned this and were told that chiffon is lighter in color and they could have them shortened. This was never expressed to me not once. The dresses are also too long and the girls went to have their alterations today and were told the dress can not be shortened because of the way it falls. I am now stuck with 4 dresses that are the WRONG color and too long and unable to be altered. I have never dealt with such incompetence and unprofessionalism in my life. I understand the final sale policy of the dresses but I was completely mislead about these dresses. Because of this I am now searching for new dresses and incurring the cost of rush shipping etc. I have 6 weeks until my wedding and this is unacceptable. I should not have to be dealing with this issue this close to my wedding. I think your sales team at this particular store needs serious retraining. I had much higher expectations for somewhere that specializes in bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses and this is worse than sub par service.

I wanted to second the review below me by saying that the experience was wonderful and Molly was great. I went in on a busy Saturday morning and had enough time to try on maybe 7 dresses or so– all quite beautiful and well-​made. There was plenty of space for my parents to sit as we talked about the wedding venue and what I was looking for. Molly was quite determined to find me something perfect– and although we didn’t find exactly what I was looking for it was a lot of fun.
My mother has been a little invasive in the process of dress-​buying by speaking for me and being a bit rude to whoever is helping us. She was a little toned down this day but was still not the mother weeping next to our party out of joy at every dress *her* daughter tried on. Again Molly handled the situation with grace by emphasizing what I wanted and asking a lot of questions.
I personally like that they ask you a lot of questions, throw you in all the right undergarments then show you a nice variety. Especially useful at the start of your dress search.
Everyone in the store genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. One bride bought one of their huge beautiful red Disney-​princess themed dresses and totally rocked it. Good vibes.
One small complaint to ALL bridal shops: use better lighting! Seriously I look back at pictures and have no idea what color anything was. Ok, ending my artist rant.

I would highly recommend this bridal store to anyone in my family! I went shopping with my bridesmaids for the dresses on a Saturday afternoon in April. All of the ladies running the shop were super sweet. We had a large group of girls (7 of us, plus two moms) going so I was concerned about how much we would be able to keep everyone in a group and keep it organized. Our specialist was Melissa and we also had some guidance and help from Elana. We were very quickly able to pick a dress and get everyone measured. Elana and Melissa really made is a wonderful experience and made sure that the group of girls stay focused on the task at hand. They even double measure everyone to make sure the measurements are correct.

While I didn’t buy my dress here, I want to write a review because I had a lovely experience. My visit here was my second time trying on bridal dresses. The first time (at a different store) was absolutely terrible, so I came in with low expectations.
First, the store is clean and easy to find; the fitting rooms are large and clean, the couches in the viewing area comfortable and stain-​free, and the large viewing mirrors are well-​lit. It is a very inviting atmosphere.
Second, Molly was amazing! She sat down with me, talked to me about what I wanted in a dress, what I didn’t want, how I wanted to feel, what our venue was like, etc BEFORE pulling a single dress. And the best part is that she LISTENED to what I wanted. She only brought me dresses that either had sleeves or could have sleeves added to them, wasn’t afraid to bring me bridesmaids dresses to try on, and was very respectful of my budget. She even made my fiancé feel welcome there. I felt incredibly comfortable working with her.
I feel bad that I didn’t end up purchasing my dress here, but I won’t forget my experience with Molly when it comes time to look for bridesmaids dresses!

Don’t bother. Went in asking to see wedding dresses and was told they cannot help because the wedding is in sixty days. No we couldn’t look at racks of bridesmaids dresses. No we couldn’t look at bridal dresses. Okay to look at catalogues… Really?! Snotty attitude. There are many options out there. Who needs this one?

I had such a fantastic experience, found the dress of my dreams. I had Ghia and she was absolutely perfect. She was so accommodating and she made the experience so positive and comfortable.

they have very nice bridal dresses! But horrible service. They messed up the size of my bridal dress.
Ordered the wrong color of wail. They didnt let me know right away when my dress arrived I called to figure out it has arrived. over all not a pleasant experience as a bride!!!

I was referred to Alfred Angelo by a friend because I was looking for some price efficient bridesmaids dresses. I had a weekend approaching when several of my bridesmaids would be in town so we made an appointment to look at dresses. One bridesmaid and I went into Alfred Angelo about a week before to narrow done some options so it wasn’t a free-​for-​all when I came with the crew. Anita helped us out the first time. She was very sweet and allowed us the flexibility to peruse and try on a multitude of dresses without putting any pressure or time constraints on us.
The second time I went to Alfred Angelo was not nearly as low key. I was traveling with an entourage of 8 lovely ladies all with varying opinions and wild senses of humor. Hector not only accommodated all our bridal shopping needs but was able to enjoy and share in an hour of laughs with us. With Hector’s help we were able to decide on some bridesmaids dresses that the girls could agree on and work with some color choices.
We are very much looking forward to coming back!

I am in the business of constructing custom window treatments. Yet, my professional training was in fashion design/​merchandising. I have constructed, designed and altered numerous, numerous dresses over the years.
I have recently encountered two bridesmaids (my niece and her friend) that purchased their dresses from Alfred Angelo. The dresses that the two of them were measured/​fitted for and ultimately purchased were completely over sized. In order to alter these dresses I am almost re-​making the dress.
One of the bridesmaids is a size 2 and she purchased a size 6 dress. When she went back to Alfred Angelo, the alterations were going to cost more than the original dress. (ie .advise them to buy their actual size!!).
This is such a scam!!! With the amount of money they have to put out participating/​attending their friends weddings these days, do you really need to glut them with your over-​priced, unnecessary alterations? Let alone the complete waste of time they have to spend going for the unnecessary alterations. Wouldn’t their time be better spent working, to pay for these weddings?
I am in contact with many brides-​to-​be and wedding parties and I will not be sending them to Alfred Angelo.
Most Bridal Operations have an on site tailor/​seamstress. You might consider having a little more oversight/​training for your wedding consultants.
Like I said, I have fixed many a bridal dress. I have never seen such a gross over judgement in size as I did with these two.
BUYER BEWARE: If your bride chooses for you to purchase a dress here. Go with your own measurements and insist on the size you know that you are.