Stella Maris Bridal Boutique & Tuxedo Inc

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

This is one of the managers at Stella Maris, and this is a reply to Mary Kates experience. Stella Maris does not force anyone to get a size a customer is not willing to purchase. To reassure sizing, customers are professionally measured by Stella herself, whom is a seamtress of over 40 yrs, or another qualified seamtress approved by Stella will do so. The measurements are then compared to Manufacturer Size Charts which are all different and depends on which dress the party has decided on. And Yes sadly, these sizes do run smaller than your regular deparment stores(i.e. if you are a normal size 8, you will possibly be around a size 12). Furthermore, with the measurements that are received, we must considered the largest measurement in order for the dress to fit. Very rarely these dresses fit perfect, and require alterations, which are also available in the store and are not manditory by any means. It is possible that one may feel like the are swimming in a dress, but if one portion of the dress fits, than the others need to be taken in everywhere else. Sizes are only ordered when the customer and the store agrees on a size, or if the customer signs/initials that the want a different size than what was recommended by the store. This way there can not be any disputes. As for dress samples, the store usually does not get to pick bridesmaid dress sizes for samples. Instead it is up to the manufacturer, and it is physically impossible to carry multiple sizes of one dress. Stellas is one of the largest private retail shop in the area with aproximately 40 different brands. Which means, restocking for 40 brands is very difficult to upkeep. Extra size charges may seem unfair; however, Stellas does not profit on larger sizes. We charge the customer, what the manufacturer charges us. Many places will often triple cost on sizes alone, lower regular dress prices, and charge for shipping so it seems like you are getting a deal when you are really being duped. The intent of buying the size 18 was to save you the cost of buying extra material where you are required to buy a minimum at a costly price. Example: Even if you needed 3 inches you would still need to buy a yard or 2 because manufacturers will not sell less then their minimum. So by spending alittle extra to get the proper size you actually save money rather than spending more with extra material. As for your comments of fighting to try the dress on again. There is never an argument of when a customer needs to try on a dress. I can not comment on if there was an actual argument because I was not there. But sometimes trying the dress may not benefit the customer due to your statements below saying, "half the girls tried the size ten on and were swimming in it." Which gives us more reason to follow the manufacturers size chart. I am truely sorry for experience at Stella Maris because I know that our service is much better than how you described. Stellas has been in business for 18 yrs and intends to keep on going. We really do appreciate your business and hope you stop by again. Thank you.

---

A

A Private User

Bad Business!! I recently purchased two flower girl dresses from Stella Maris. I ordered the dress in "tea length"; which mean the dress should fall about midcalf. (This was an extra charge). When the flower girl had her first fitting Stella physically held the dress to where "tea length" would come (which was midcalf) to demonstrate for me. When the dresses arrived I had one of my flower girls pick up the dress and try it on. The dress was clearly not tea length to my standards or what was described to me, falling at the girls ankles, although the paperwork confirmed that the dress was ordered in "tea-length". When I called Stella, the owner, I was basically told that the dress was ordered correctly and there was nothing that she would do about it. She would not refund the extra money we paid to have the dress come in tea length nor would she hem the dress at no charge. I was told by Stella "We do nothing for free" and was basically hung up on. I called again later to discuss the matter with the co-owner, which is Stellas husband, who could not be bothered to get on the phone. I was told by a sales associate, after picking up the girls dresses and paying the extra fee for "tea length" that "tea-length" does not fall the same on everyone. If they would have told me that before ordering the dresses in tea-length then I would have just ordered the dress and have it hemmed accordingly. Even the girl answering the phone was rude.When a problem arises neither Stella nor her husband were helpful! They did absolutely nothing to resolve the situation. So on top of the extra money that was paid to have the dress ordered in tea length now I have to pay more to have the dress hemmed elsewhere!!! So needless to say I would not recommend this bridal salon to anyone!!

---

A

A Private User

AWFUL -- this place is TERRIBLE so bad, in fact, that i wish i could give it negative stars because i would. dont get me wrong, im sure for prom dresses the pace does a great job but if you need any sort of bridesmaids dress FORGET IT. 7 of the bridesmaids im in a wedding with went in to try the dress on that the bride picked out -- first off they had ONE dress to size everyone in and it was a size 10 -- bridesmaids dresses run small to begin with -- half the girls tried the size ten on and were swimming in it -- stella maris went on to order them a size 12... which makes NO sense. We had to fight with them to get them to let the girls try on the dresses again. The size ten did not fit me and one other girl so they measured us -- and ordered us sizes based on a chart (i normally fit in a size 10-12) they went on to order me a size 18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anything above a 16 required more money for the "extra fabric" despite my efforts arguing with them they wouldnt order me a size smaller. another one of the bridesmaids whos usually a size 6-8 -- they ordered her a size 12!!! when we went back for our fittings to pick up the dress we were literally swimming in them. on top of the dress prices almost all of us had to pay $100+ for alterations. (all of us went elsewhere for these as we were not giving them any more money) do yourself a favor and skip this place.

---

MI

Missy Friel

Stella Maris is one of the worst bridal/gown boutiques I have ever had the unfortunate "pleasure" dealing with. My bridesmaids dresses were purchased here and two months before my wedding, they were not in (We ordered them on December 10th and by May 1st they had still not arrived. When they did arrive - we found out Stella never ordered one of the bridesmaid’s gowns. She blamed it all on my bridesmaid - never once accepting responsibility of knowing I had 7 bridesmaids and she only ordered 6 dresses! So we had to rush to get the dress ordered over the phone (bridesmaid was from out of town) - she made us pay extra for rush delivery - and when the dress arrived one week before my wedding - IT WAS THE WRONG SIZE! My bridesmaid ended up having to wear a different dress then everyone else (which she pulled off in amazing style!). Obviously not learning my lesson, two years later and I am in a wedding in one month. The bride lives out of state and when I searched for the dress she picked - Stella was the only carrier in the area. I could have driven an hour away, but figured since we had 8 months until the wedding, I would just go for it. Now here we are, less than two months until this wedding I am in, and they don’t know where my dress is. DO NOT USE STELLA MARIS - THEY ARE AWFUL!!!!

---

---