Outstanding
I am so surprised by some of the reviews on here. If I had seen them prior to going to the store I might not have gone, and then I would never have found my wedding dress.
Due to personal circumstances, I desperately needed a dress; I didn’t have a lot of runway between getting engaged and when we were going to be married. So with my mom’s help, we called different places asking whether there were dresses that I could get off the rack with little to no alterations. Lynn, the owner, assured my mom they had a decent selection of dresses that could be bought off the rack, and encouraged us to come and visit their store to try some on. I followed up separately to book an appointment. I went alone and met with an associate, Carol, when I arrived. I was a little intimidated that I was the only one in the store, but Carol was very friendly and immediately asked me what I was looking for and what my budget was so she could assist me. I hesitantly showed her 3 photos of dresses I liked, nervous that they wouldn’t have anything readily available let alone one that I liked. Carol proceeded to pick out a handful of dresses in my size (which she never actually told me) and with each one I tried on she asked me what I liked and didn’t like. Her experience was evident when she provided me with her own opinion after I asked for it, about what looked good and what didn’t on my body. After the first two she confidently pulled out a couple dresses that were more suited to the simplicity I was favouring. It was the fourth dress I tried on and I liked it immediately; although I started gaslighting myself thinking there’s no way I had found my dress within the first 30 minutes of stepping into the store. Carol was so experienced, kind, and could see I was second guessing my gut feeling, so she encouraged me to try on a few more, each one aligned with elements or features I had told her I liked. I didn’t love any of them as much so it was clear I had found my dress. When I came out of the dressing room holding the dress she assisted me with purchasing and walked me through next steps: Carol stated I could take it anywhere to be altered since I only needed minor adjustments (a tuck at the hips, shortening the straps, hemming the bottom of the dress) but if I wanted, I could bring it back to the seamstress they were partnered with (they have a small office in the back of the store). Carol clarified that it was a separate business, and that I could book an appointment with Kay for a different date/time. So an hour after I walked in, I walked out carrying a dress I loved that fit me nearly perfectly. Promises and Lace was the first bridal store I went to. Two days later, I had another appointment at a different bridal store (in downtown Toronto) and did not find anything else that I liked. The other store had 1 on 1 service, however Carol’s experience spoke volumes as the associate from the other store was not as helpful in showing me styles I liked, or showing me options in my budget. A week later I was back at Promises and Lace to meet Kay for minor alterations. Kay was also wonderful and knew exactly where it needed a little here and there, she pinned it and I was so happy with it. After that I only tried it on once more to make sure the alterations were what I wanted and the rest is history! On wedding day I received so many compliments on my dress and I felt beautiful and like myself the whole time. I had also practiced our first dance with a longer skirt similar to my dress, and in my heels, so our routine went off without a hitch. I would recommend Promises and Lace anytime; the experience and professionalism in the service I received from Carol and Kay was far above the other store I went to. They made me feel looked after, listened to, and were totally accommodating to my needs and circumstances.
Photos courtesy of & copyright Mango Photography