Testimonials
Finding Inspiration From Other Brides
Freedom Brides was awesome! They have a beautiful dress selection, veils and in house alternations. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for something beautiful and affordable. Customer service provided by Jenny was top notch
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-Diana A.
Review featured on theknot.com
Jenny was absolutely amazing! She had a wide selection of dresses to fit anyone's budget, as well as dresses to rent if that's what you're looking for! I wanted a long sleeve dress that looked as close to my mother's dress as possible. After 3 dresses, we found THE dress! She had it sent away for customization to add the sleeves and when my fitting came, I was shocked! Not only is Jenny incredibly kind, she is very skilled in the business and has been for over 15 years. Thank you for everything, Jenny!
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-Bianca D.
Review featured on theknot.com
I had the best experience at freedom brides! When I came it was our last appt for the day and I was feeling down because I couldn’t find anything that was me. I was looking for something less traditional and also my timeline was getting short.
Jenny was so wonderful and patient with me. She really tried to help me find what I was looking for and then she suggested they could make something for me! I showed some photos of what I wanted, we picked out swatched and colors etc. She was always timely getting back to me or letting me know next steps. And she was able to help make my dress dreams come true within my budget! I’m so happy I came to freedom brides!
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-Rachel R.
Review featured on Facebook
I couldn’t be happier with our experience using Freedom Brides. Jenny was punctual, honest, fair with pricing and every step of the way performed beyond our expectations! Besides being a wonderful woman personally, she had the skill and expertise to make my daughter look absolutely flawless on her wedding day. She puts the bride instantly at ease and makes you feel as if you’re family. Driving to her location is relaxing and so beautiful. Forget the large bridal stores—THIS is the experience you want and need. Her inventory is ample and she zeroed in immediately on what my daughter wanted…literally the second dress she tried on. She even ordered it to be made with an omission of one appliqué in front and she also created a custom veil that was simplistic and yet perfect. It allowed the gorgeous dress to shine through. Jenny is such a beautiful soul…and truly cares about making your day special and carefree. She has been in the bridal business for many years and understands how to serve her clientele flawlessly. I can’t recommend her enough!
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-Kelly C.
Review featured on theknot.com
Jenny is one of the most professional, honest, compassionate, and level-headed business owners I have had the honor of meeting. I booked a last minute appointment to look at budget friendly dresses 6 weeks before my intimate wedding. Her bridal salon was the only one willing to work with me on such a tight schedule. The initial appointment was so delightful and I felt inspired by Jenny's strong work ethic and dedication to her clients! I ended up having a severe issue with an independent contractor seamstress the same week of my wedding (I know right) and Jenny swooped in saving the wedding day by giving her time & effort to make sure I had the ultimate bridal attire I looked beautiful in. I am forever grateful for Jenny as a hard-working business owner, she reminded me of the authenticity and kindness the wedding industry should be known for. My dress and veil looked perfect for my desert wedding and my photos (shot by It's Dope to Elope) are the proof of it!!
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-Shelby M.
Review featured on theknot.com
The most magical bridal gown experience! The drive is beautiful and although it is off the beaten path, it is way worth it!! I brought my two besties, my mom, and my mother-in-law-to-be. We got started with champagne and charcuterie which really set a fun atmosphere. Jenny was sooooooo amazing! She was so patient and sweet. She has so many stunningly beautiful dresses to choose from. She helped me find the PERFECT dress. She knew it would be “the one” and it literally brought me to tears. She worked within my budget and took her time with us. She truly made me feel like a queen. She took my measurements for alterations right there on the spot. She was like an Angel to me. This was the best bridal experience and will be a memory I won’t forget! Every bride-to-be deserves an experience like this!
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-Jenny L.
Review featured on weddingwire.com
Policies and Procedures.
MY TESTIMONY
As I read reviews for San Diego bridal salons, I feel the need to be upfront about the bridal experience. I like to say things clearly as I see them and hopefully avoid problems. I have been in the industry for many years and some things need to be said. This will be helpful in yout wedding dress journey.
There are many people involved in a wedding dress going down the aisle. Consider the people involved in each of these processes: selection, purchase, design creation, re-patterning, manufacturing, quality control, packaging, shipping, delivery and alterations. About 15 people will handle your gown before you receive it. Salons work with their vendors closely and create policies and procedure to avoid anything going south. However, some situations are completely out of the salon's control. Therefore: Policies and procedures are subject to change.
Seamstresses are getting harder and harder to find. Sewing is no longer taught to young girls. Those with talent and experience are rare, expensive - and deserve their wages. Our society has become more volatile and frustrating. We are bombarded with negative information and divisive content. Traffic can get us really upset. More and more brides are arriving with a heavy burden over finances. Our precious seamstresses are deciding to get out of the wedding industry because they are not treated very well. Make sure your seamstress is competent, and then treat these dear women with the greatest of respect.
I encourage every bride to be fair and honest when writing reviews. Even though a response can be written by the salon, the 5 stars those salons have faithfully earned with great service can be unfairly diminished with one review. It takes 5-10 good reviews to negate those lost points. Many brides are so busy and excited in their wedding celebrations they don't leave great reviews. But upset brides will leave a negative review, so the star system is flawed.
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I therefore encourage brides who are reading reviews to analyze the situation carefully and give credit where credit is due. Read between the lines and try to see what the bride is carefully leaving out. Use your intuition and do not pick up a grudge that is unwarranted. Granted, caution must be exercised when purchasing a wedding dress. A bride can fall in love with a dress but not the salon. Consider your options.
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KINDNESS RULES!
Work things out diplomatically and honestly. Tne industry has exalted the bride to be queen of her day - and so she should! However, the best queens are those who are pleasing to work with and reward their servants. Salons are doing their best to serve you, try to go along with their firm policies and practices. Salons have experience and they have created those policies for best possible outcomes. Policies will change as the world changes around us. Respect those changes that protect the salon as well as the bride.
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Some salons no longer offer economy dresses because the cost of dresses has risen, almost doubled recently. Tariff and duty charges are adding 54% to the cost of a dress, which often the salon is absorbing. Getting a dress under $1000 is unrealistic. When discounts are offered, please honor the deadline.
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If you feel dis-honored at the door, leave.
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FIRST VISIT
How are you being treated during the try-ons and the purchase?
Are you being limited on the number of dresses you can try on, or offered a second appointment?
Are you comfortable and treated with respect and patience?
Are your guests treated with honor?
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MEASURING
Are the retail sales team qualified to take your measurements properly?
Are they ordering by a set size, then requiring you to pay a fortune for alterations?
Are they considering your unique size? Petites require special measurements in the bodice and hem. Larger brides need structure in the bodice to hold up the girls. Do not assume that ordering a larger size will support your bust. Larger busts need mote support. It hard to go backless and support the girls.
Even "regular" size brides. have unique measurements.
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ORDERING
Make sure you sign a contract.
Who is ultimately responsible if there is a problem? Note: It is not always the salon owner.
Use a credit card which will give you a refund if the salon does not.
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ALTERATIONS
Alterations are the responsibility of the seamstress, not the salon. Select your seamstress carefully. You are under NO OBLIGATION to use the seamstress the salon refers you to. Do not select your seamstress by price. Factor in their experience.
Always have a signature from the seamstress that states what the resolution will be in the event of someone ruining your dress! If a credit is promised, don't leave without knowing exactly when it will be given. Get a signature.
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It the "could you just" that drives up the price and timing of delivery. Some adjustments look easy but are not. When adding a request, ask how much it will cost to avoid a surprise invoice. Every seamstress deserves her time to be paid.
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RANDOM STUFF!
Some wonderful experiences are ruined by a family member who got in the way. Maybe they don't like the sales person, or they are just in a bad mood. Unfortunately some close loved-ones can even be jealous and veer everyone away from what looks great on the bride. Big personalities are sometimes able to influence everyone. Some moms are wonderful but controlling. Don't cave into what you don't like. Your photos will be on the wall forever. You must love your dress.
Lean on your people but ultimately YOU are the bride and YOU are responsible for finding and keeping your dream dress.
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I've heard of a grandma ruining a dress by doing a last minute alteration. Don't let unqualified people touch your dress, even if they say they can do it.
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Wear appropriate clothing. Granny pantie are not fashionable, but definitely preferred by retail sales and seamstresses. Dresses are much easier to zip up when the zipper is visible. Often those string panties ruin the look of tight mermaids.
Skims, corsets and Fajas add 1-3" to the size of. your dress. If you will wear one on the day, bring it to. your fitting.
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Bring shoes with the same heel you will wear on the day.
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Not too much make-up, it stains the dresses.
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Clean hands everyone!
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Be on time! It stresses the rest of the day when one bride is late, or early.
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Try to not stay beyond your scheduled appointment time, unless you are welcomed to do so. Again, it sets the rest of the day back and other brides with set appointments may be frustrated.
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Have fun! Enjoy your experience. If you feel overwhelmed or undecided, do not buy. Return with a clear head.
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