Had the BEST experience with Emmie!!!! It was amazing and I said yes to the dress ! She was awesome read more

Bella's Bridal & Formal - Bridal Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

The dresses there were beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the staff was absolutely judgmental and snobby. As soon as my friend and I walked in, we were looked at up and down and given snarky looks. They were very rude, and at one point they were all huddled up and laughing. It was very unprofessional how these girls acted. read more

I came to Bella's on a tight budget, with a very specific style/look of dress in mind. The girls were able to find me the exact dress of my dreams on the friggin clearance rack!! Eek! Only one problem... The dress was a size 12 and I am a size 4. Fortunately, their seamstress is an absolute magician (along with being very sweet and a pleasure to work with). She was able to alter my (very lacey) dress to lay perfectly and fit my every curve. This whole process took 6 (or maybe 7?) alterations, but she was so patient and just as concerned with getting it perfect as I was. I would be willing to pay much more for a dress just to get to use her for alterations. Everyone who works here is very sweet and accommodating. What an excellent experience! read more

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We are always greeted with a smile. Ashley was the best consultant when we picked out the dress!! All visits for fittings have been amazing as well. I would recommend Bella's to any bride! read more

If there was a way to give more stars, I so would! I couldn't be more pleased with how kind and helpful Bella's has been leading up to my wedding. The first day I went, I had NO clue what I wanted to be in. The sweet girl that worked with some of my bridesmaids and I, was so patient and helpful throughout the whole process. Good news, I found literally 3 PERFECT dresses I couldn't decide on! They were all beautiful. I scheduled my alterations that day and was in and out with the AMAZING seamstress, who did an amazing job making my dress perfect. I simply cannot recommend Bella's enough, they made everything so easy and stress free!!!!!!!! read more

So disappointed. Drove from Gadsden on December 1, 2020. Found the perfect dress. Only needed a slight strap adjustment but the alterations person wouldn't see us at 4:00 pm. Wanted us to drive back the next day and then back again to pick the dress up. This is two hours and 20 mins round trip. They wanted us to do that trip THREE times. Very disrespectful after we drove so far to buy here. read more

Olivia was assigned to me and she was truly the sweetest young lady. She was really pleasant. She was really understanding and helpful. She listened to me and wants. She made sure to try and give me what I needed in a dress. I appreciate her being the one that adhered to my budget even though my butt picked dress over. She helped reel me in. Great experience. I only went to browse after another appointment and someone had cancelled their appointment and they offered it to me. I was super excited. Can't wait until my dress comes back. Can't wait until everyone gets to see it. read more

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This is hands down the best bridal and formal boutique in Birmingham. The selection is enormous and the amount of designers (including ones exclusive to Bella's in all of Alabama) is incredible. The store is huge, well laid out, and SO clean! A few weeks ago, I visited to try to find a unique red gown for a military ball in December. Shelby helped me and went above and beyond. I brought my 3 year old and 5 year old which was a gamble and I fully expected to browse and have them both have meltdowns. Shelby helped keep them contained, got us waters and was all around hospitable. I fell in love with an Ashley Lauren dress but would have loved it so much more if the cape on it was shorter. Shelby helped me imagine it shorter and even offered to contact the designer to custom make the dress specific to my needs. BEYOND amazing customer service and I will NEVER shop anywhere else for bridal, bridesmaid, or formal needs EVER again. Bella's is my absolute favorite! read more

Me and my granddaughter who is 10 years old went in to look for a dress for her daddy-daughter dance. On entering the store I immediately received the looks of the ladies at the front desk "Like why are you in here" I explained to the lady what we were looking for and why she immediately said they didn't have anything that would work for her age not once didn't she suggested we go and just look to see if possible something could work or that she may like. All she said was thanks for coming into Bellas. I felt completely discriminated against because all they saw was a black woman with two black girls. I received a nice nasty look down upon experience at Bella's very judgmental and snobbish. I was quite surprised because I have shopped and bought from Bella's before for both of my daughters doing the prom season and both experiences were very nice and helpful when they were in their old location but I will not be going back there the dresses are beautiful but the staff is awful you can't judge somebody immediately before words or even spoken just by them walking into your establishment and the color of their skin. read more

I went to store one week and was told if I needed bridal shopping I needed to book appt. I booked appointment following week online. I go into the store for bridal appointment and they said that I did not have an appointment just because it was booked online means you just requested an appointment so I could not be seen. Immediately when you enter the store you are judged and the staff is rude and comes off as if you can't afford what they have in that store. I would never recommend anyone to this store. I feel like being a bride should be one of the best experience in your life but this store definitely makes the experience feel awful. Worst experience ever! read more

We had a situation and needed a dress that day! Chandler Mortecai was amazing and we left with the exact dress we needed. The prices were excellent! It was a wonderful shopping experience. read more

when I went to Bella's bridal i was greeted by very professional nice lady's. to my knowledge the store was good but i was very very disappointed in the service i received. the lady's that worked the formal section did not ask me if i needed help and they did not ask me if i needed a fitting room. this is by far the worst service i have ever received. read more

Much like other people I would love to give it even fewer stars. I read terrible reviews and tried to avoid but they had so many dresses and designers I wanted to see in person so I finally gave in and made an appointment. Making the appointment was horrible. They had a way to make the appointment online so I did for a specific time it went through no problem. They then called me and said that time was unavailable and offered me a different time. It was frustrating but really made me angry when they required a deposit over the phone. They should have a secure system online to do that if they really require a deposit. But no, just giving out important information over the phone. When I arrived the three women at the front desk seemed annoyed told me to wait and immediately went back to talked about their college classes and parties. When my consultant finally came to get me she asked me what size I am. I am not plus size in regular clothes but because bridal runs small she considered me plus size. That's fine. I actually think one of their maybe redeeming qualities is that they have plus size section. I look at the dresses. I am open to a lot of styles and options and have a high budget. They have warehouse full of dresses and we could only find three that I would even consider. I tried them on in a private fitting room which was nice. But then I was not allowed to take pictures which is so frustrating. I am thoughtful and about to spend a lot of money at your store. Why can't you let me take a picture to make sure I like it before I buy it? It all seems like a ploy to rush you into a decision. So the three plus size dresses (which are huge and need to be clipped to me) don't work. Rather than suggesting we look at some regular size dresses that can be ordered in my size, she tells me she's sorry they didn't have what I was looking for and shows me to the door. I was stunned. I understand I might not be able to zip all of the dresses all the way, but at every other bridal store I have tried on dresses that were too small and was able to see if I like it. That's how the bridal model works! I can't believe what an awful store and experience it was. Yes, they have lots of dresses but they aren't available to everyone. Yes, they have a huge staff but they're unprofessional and unhelpful. I can not recommend anyone going to this store. read more

I had a wonderful experience picking out my wedding dress! I brought some family and best friend. My consultant was wonderful! She let me pick out what I liked. There was no pressure. I was very anxious going into my appointment, but everybody me feel made so comfortable and at ease. I highly recommend Bella's! read more

DO NOT buy anything from this place!!! We spent thousands of dollars here on a wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. One of the bridesmaids dresses was too small, which they tried to blame on the bridesmaid. WRONG... I was there the day the young lady was measured, not by one but two of their employees. They wrote down her measurements, compared it to their little chart, and TOLD her what size they would be ordering. Now, months later, when it finally comes in and doesn't fit, they refuse to take responsibility, refuse to order her another one, and refuse to let her see the alterations lady after she drove a freaking hour to get there! They are rude and highly unprofessional!! If I could give them ZERO stars, that is what they would get from me!! They need some lessons in good business and customer service!! read more

This is long, but please read if you are considering Bella's. My appointment was July 23, 2017. If I could get 0 stars I would!! I had the absolute WORST experience at Bella's and will NOT be stepping foot in the store ever again. I brought my family and friends here to find the dress of my dreams, and great news, I did! (Or thought so at the time.) I worked with a consultant, I won't say names, and she pulled about 8 dresses for me to try. I got to the 4th dress and I fell in love! It was beautiful. My MOH asked if we could see the veil with it and my consultant said, we dress it up at the end, let's finish the rest of the stack first. I had no issue with that. Well a different consultant comes in my room and secretly asked if my consultant has this certain dress. I saw her take it out of my room and asked if that was my dress, my lady said yes but she promised to bring it back because another bride wanted to see it. I said as long as she brings it back because that's MY dress. Well my lady disappeared and I heard cheering and clapping and my heart sunk. The other bride said yes to my dream dress and my lady has the nerve to tell my MIL not to tell me that was my dress. My consultant returned with about 6 more dresses in her hand that she had pulled for me without my okay. I was in tears as my consultant took me into my dressing room, shut the door, and attacked me for getting upset because I "didn't know her or when her wedding was." The other lady came back and said "this happens all the time. We share dresses among brides. But I'll order you a new one and bring it back for you to put on and have you yes moment." I tried on a few more dresses and the lady that took my dress comes in and says "my bride wants to pay cash for this dress therefore you can't try it back on again. I'm sorry. Based on the pictures she showed me, that was HER dress." My family was so upset, I was in tears. This was awful. I begged her to let me see it and she said I can take it from my bride and follow me to alterations. I tried it on back there and they tried to act like it wasn't fitting me correctly. They ripped it off of me after 1 minute in the dress and left me there, half naked, and disappeared! I had to get my friends to go get my clothes from the other side of the store! We tried to speak to a manager but there wasn't one there. I left devastated, in tears, as the bride that got there AFTER ME, left with my dress that was in MY dressing room, that I wasn't. Days later we call and speak to the manager and was told there was nothing that could be done. They wouldn't order the dress and just gave me empty apologies. I just don't understand how this could happen and they feel no remorse at all. They ripped my dream gown out of my hands and sold it to someone else. It wasn't fair. And all they say is that "this can happen." Brides, BEWARE of the rude and heartless employees that work here. They only care about making the dollar, not fulfilling dreams. I went to another bridal store in Birmingham and was treated with the upmost respect and they did everything possible to help me. They are even customizing my dress to make it perfect and my own. I recommend running from Bella's and going elsewhere if you want to be treated fairly. read more

Bella's Bridal & Formal is literally a dream come true! I drove four hours to get there and was not disappointed! From the moment you walk in there's rows and rows of beautiful gowns. They have a great selection of gorgeous gowns for plus sized brides, unlike David's Bridal who only has basic dresses for bigger women. I came with my MIL's sister and a bridesmaid and we got the VIP package with mimosas and baked goods. I was a little bummed that we couldn't take pictures of what I was trying on since my MIL and mom weren't with us, but I completely understand the policy and was able to FaceTime my mom instead. My bridal stylist, Sarah, really listened to what I wanted and helped me feel beautiful. I'm plus sized and very self-conscious about my body, but Sarah made sure we found dresses that were super flattering on me! She also found me the perfect veil and hairpiece to go with my wedding dress. I came in two years before my wedding so there's ample time to have all alterations taken care of. I'm happy I chose to go to Bella's before David's, because at Bella's I found my dream dress! read more

Bella's Bridal & Formal - Bridal Near Me - Hoover, Alabama

If you are going for bridal, request Ashley J! She is INCREDIBLE. She made me feel so comfortable and was so genuine during my entire appointment. She asked just the right questions about each dress, things I wouldn't have even thought about, to help me decide on my top 2. Even though I didn't leave with a dress on the day of my appointment, I never felt pressured to decided right then and there to buy & not be 100% on my wedding dress. Even though I was pretty sure of my favorite one, she didn't want me to make a sudden decision and regret it. She told me to sleep on it, which I am, and she was there if I needed anything or had any questions. I can't give her enough praise and a good enough review for how incredible of a stylist she is. I'm sure the others are just as great, but I'm so thankful she was my stylist for my first time trying on dresses. Even after the appointment at dinner, we just talked about how kind she is & how great she made our time at Bella's. I hope Bella's knows just how lucky they are to have her! read more

Went to Bella's for my daughter to find a homecoming dress for her first dance. Great selection and the staff was really great. It needed a few small alterations and when we went to pick it up the lady that helped us was super helpful except for my daughter wanted the straps taken in a tiny bit more because they were falling off her shoulders. The lady helping us said that she was afraid it would dig into her shoulders if we took it in any more. It wouldn't have and It was clear they were busy and homecoming was five days away and I was getting one of those feelings that they just didn't want to do it. I took the dress home and worked on it myself. It was irritating to pay for alterations that I didn't think were complete. Why have a fitting at all after the alterations are "done" if there's something wrong and they say they don't think it's necessary. They aren't the ones wearing the dress. Overall good experience. My daughter looked beautiful and the straps were perfect once I took them in! read more

I wish I couldn't give this place negative stars. Everyone in my friends bridal party including myself ordered dresses from here and I truly believe they ordered us all sizes way too big on purpose so we would have to get them altered. The staff for the most part is rude besides the ladies in alteration who told me I should have definitely been ordered a dress 2 sizes down. Completely dissatisfied with this place and would never recommend to anyone. read more

Brides, please spare your out-of-state bridesmaids the pain and trouble of dealing with Bella's Bridal & Formal. They may have fabulous designer dresses but the customer service is awful. Not only did the associate force me into ordering the wrong dress size, she also did not email me a confirmation. When I called to inquire, no information on record. Upon receiving the dress it was WAY too big and nothing they could do about the problem. Truly terrible customer service. Perhaps customer service is great in store but don't bother ordering anything over the phone! read more

this store has more size 0 dresses then they do size 12&14 combined! really sad and unwelcoming to girls who aren't 90 pounds!!! they have a ton of dresses though so if your a size 0-6 this is a great place for you! overall unpleasant and discouraging experience for me!!!! read more

Bella's fit me in last minute when I was panicked and shopping for a replacement wedding gown. The consultant was VERY patient with me, and the owner even came in and helped us. Plus they have a huge selection of gowns and accessories. Great experience with in house alterations too. I can't thank them enough! read more

I wouldn't suggest Bella's for the following reasons: 1. I went to Bella's during a trunk show and fell in love with one of the trunk show pieces. I "said yes" to the dress, which was within my budget, and after I had done so they informed me that the dress was mistagged. The dress that I said yes to was $2400, not $1000. I was very upset about this because of already "saying yes." They WOULD NOT honor the $1000 price tag. Instead, they gave me a veil and jewelry, which honestly I wouldn't have gotten it from them anyways. 2. After buying the dress, I come in months later to try it on for a fitting- it is the WRONG color. I explain to them that this is not the color I ordered, but with me not having a receipt of any sort there is not a thing I can do about it. 3. I come in to pick up my wedding dress on the day of my rehearsal (day before wedding) and they forgot to alter it! I couldn't walk in my dress and am in tears at this point. They were clearly embarrassed, but never made any effort to make reparations. This store has beautiful dresses, but I suggest going somewhere else. Glad to be done with that place. read more

I had the worst shopping experience at Bella's! The two girls up front were very nice and cordial but after talking to them the whole experience went down hill. I came into Bella's to find a black tie attire gown for an event. The sales associate working in the formal wear section was helping two girls find prom dresses. She did not greet me right away but I figured it was because she was juggling two other people. I stood in the door way and waited for assistance. I don't know what size I am because formal wear runs smaller I've noticed. She did not even measure me! She just told me to look through a small selection of dresses, maybe 15 dresses that were my size. I'm not sure if she didn't think I was a serious buyer or what the case was but she never came back to help me. I heard and saw her helping the other two girls but not me. I started to wander around the store looking at other sizes when she finally came up and asked if I found anything. I explained I was looking for a specific color thinking she would have some insight or help me, but I was wrong. She explained that rack in the corner was the only dresses I can select from. Then I was walked towards the exit. I waited in the door way to ask a few more questions because I was not finished, but she didn't come over. I waited awkwardly and patiently until she did. Once she came over I asked about specific designers I saw online on their website to order and she said they didn't carry them anymore. Whatever was in my size in the store is what they had. I know they can order other dresses in my size. I saw many dresses on the racks that come in my size but she made me feel like I was a nuisance. Driving 30 minutes and then being treated so poorly was completely shocking. I have friends getting married and I know many people looking for formal dresses this season especially daughters with prom season coming. I certainly will steer them clear from having the same or similar experience as me! read more

Bella's is my go to place for all of my prom and pageant dresses! I have gotten every prom and pageant dress I have ever worn from here. They carry the most amazing dresses and they are definitely up on the latest trends. Although I am not in need of the bridal section yet, I will be back when it is my time. My sister just got engaged and Bella's will be the place we go to choose her dress. I have seen their selection and it is phenomenal. I have always struggled with alterations not fitting me properly, but at Bella's they are always perfect and well priced. I have been helped by Anna Lisa and Vicki and they are both amazing! They are so sweet and really make you feel comfortable. Love Bella's - would recommend to everyone! read more

ATTENTION: ANY ONE OF COLOR OR ANYONE MARRYING SOMEONE OF OTHER THAN CAUSATION DO NOT GO to Bella's. In fact, this place needs to be closed down considering the comments and ratings I've read. I walked in behind a caucasian woman into the shop. There was no one at the reception counter so I (an African American) decided to follow the voices in the back to get both the other lady and I assistance. Before I could enter all the way two young blond sales associates walked straight past me like I was not there and asked the Caucasian woman if she needed help. Pissed I began to head for the door immediately. As I was walking out one of the sales associates asked if she could help me. I said no as I was walking out. Then she said really I can help you. I told her no thank you and walked out the door. I spent 26 years in the Air Force and have been around the world and have NEVER had treatment as blatantly racist as this. My real rating is NO STARS but I had to give at least one. Brown thumbs down Bella. read more

To be clear, this star is for me finding a wedding dress I love and for the help of the manager that helped me find it. Not for this store or its ability to fufill its job. DO NOT SHOP HERE UNLESS IT IS YOUR LAST RESORT. IT WILL ADD STRESS TO YOUR WEDDING. From the moment I walked out of this dress store it has been nothing but terrible communication. My dress was late, very late, 2 months. At first no one would would answer my mother or wedding coordinators questions, then finally they admitted there was a hold up on it. Once it came (last week) they said they would mail it.... After my mom having to cover the shipping cost (expensive) since I no longer had the 2 extra months to travel home for alterations, I now have to have the dress altered in a different city. And they did not mail it to me or provide the tracking number when they said they would and here we are 2 months from my wedding I am having to pay EXTRA for alterations as they are on a rush for time, and I don't even have my dress yet to get started, as they did not ship it when they said they did. For something that should be a fun experie, it has been the worst customer service and have they done nothing to help the situation. Do not trust their timeliness to have your dress in on time. The very least they could have done is provide free shipping as it is an inconvenience they caused. And we purchased the largest package with my dress to be preserved and cleaned with them, so as if they had not been paid an arm and a leg already they asked for more. read more

I have been a bridesmaid in several weddings and this was the worst experience and worst fitting dress I have ever had. The lady told me that the dress brand ran really small and the sample dresses was stretched out and not true to size, so she convinced me that I needed to order several sizes bigger. The dress fits awful: it is huge everywhere and looks like a large sack hanging off of me. It's going to be really expensive to alter too. The brown haired younger lady is very rude and don't trust her about dress sizes. I have had much better fitting dresses and better customer service at several other bridal stores in town. read more

I am writing with experience as bride shopping with bridesmaids for dresses. I've come to this location twice with two different sets of bridesmaids and our experience has been sub-par. The consultants are lacking, but not in number as there are several standing around doing what looks to be nothing. They are lacking in the sense of helpfulness and knowledge. The first time I went, a bridesmaid and I were trying to understand the different shades of one designer's dresses and the consultant had no idea what she was talking and didn't ask for help until finally one of her coworkers who was walking by came to answer our question. On both occasions, we were left to fend for our own; EVEN WITH AN APPOINTMENT! We pulled our own dresses, my bridesmaids had no one around to help them fit into their dresses or answer any questions. I ended up having to help them envision the way the dress would fit by pulling the dresses in for them because there were no clips to be found anywhere. I also had to walk throughout the store looking for a consultant to answer questions we had the about dresses. On my second visit, we were given a dressing room by one consultant and then a few moments later, we were asked to move dressing rooms by a different consultant. The ONLY saving grace with this store is that their dresses are moderately priced and one of my girls was able to purchase her dress off the floor. That was pretty neat. I'm just glad I am done shopping for bridesmaid dresses. UGH! read more

This review is for all the future brides out there. Since this store has no reviews I will post my unfortunate experience with them. I came in 3 weeks before my wedding. My bridal consultant which I will not name was very nice and helpful with helping me choose a gown. She asked me about what I envisioned my gown to be, my budget and when my wedding was. I told her all of the above information and was clear to her with regards to my budget. We went ahead with trying on dresses and she pulled a dress that was over my budget, I unfortunately tried it on and fell in love with it immediately. I asked her about their payment plan mentioning that david's bridal had a 12 month financing option. She then told me I would be able to pay for it in installment for the next 3 months. Keep in mind I had mentioned to her my wedding date. To make the long story short, i agreed, got fitted, altered and payed the downpayment. When I came in to pick up my dress a week before the wedding, to my surprise they demanded I pay for the dress in full before I take it out of the store. I explained to them what my bridal consultant had told me, but the manager was like ' what store will allow you take merchandise without paying for it? That would be stealing' in my mind i was thinking' what store tells you something different and when you make the decision to buy their merchandise they don't go by their word, that would be lying! I felt stuck, stressed out and trapped, my wedding was that week, so I had no other choice but to pay for the dress right then and there. To make matters worse they overcharged my alterations, the seamstress told me it would be 35-40 dollars for alterations, upon pickup they charged me 85 bucks! Wth! That had me shaking with anger right there. Anyways, this review is hecka long, I will end it by saying. If you do go to them, have them put it all in writing, do not trust what they say. My only hope is that no one goes through the same experience as I have had with them. We brides have enough stress! read more

I went to Bellas with my daughter to find her wedding dress. They have a huge selection of gowns with great customer service! Tiffany was so awesome with all of the help she provided! read more

I bought my essence of Australia gown here and my bridesmaids got their Mori Lee dresses from here as well. Carolyn Lauriello was my consultant and she was just a dream to work with. From the moment I met Carolyn I knew my experience was going to be completely different from any experience I had at other bridal shops. She was pleasant and gave me space while I picked dresses I wanted to try on. After trying on a few of the dresses I picked out, she looked at me and said I think I have the perfect dress for you. As soon as I put on the essence gown she had chosen for me, I knew it was the one! If you go to Bella's please work with Carolyn, you will be glad you did! She is so passionate about her job and really has a talent for knowing what will look good for a certain skin tone/body shape etc. She even gave me her cell phone number to call her if I ever needed anything and she wasn't there! Thanks, Bella's for giving me the experience that every bride dreams of having when shopping for a gown. You made it so easy to say yes to the dress!!! read more

0 stars. I had to get a MOB dress for my boyfriends daughters wedding, and my expeience was Horrible. first of all, the dress was to big and they had to alter the dress, no big deal, well the alterations were a disaster, and was not ready when I went to pick it up, had to come back a second time, the dress was ready but the alterations were not done properly, so they were going to put straps on the dress to help with the botched job. went to pick it up when they told me it would be ready. and it wasn't. so I had to go back again to get it. when I arrived, the girl at the front got on phone and said "that girl is here about that dress". I asked if it was ready and she ignored my question and walked off. i had to stand in the front and wait while the alteration person put plastic snaps on the straps, I was heading to the airport to leave for the wedding, and they knew I was on a time crunch. the dress was a disaster. I could not wear it, and had to but another dress at the destination and wear that one. So disappointed. spent a lot of money on a huge pile of material that will never be worn and they knew I wasn't happy and sent me on my way. I had another wedding to attend and my dress did not come from there. I shop at another boutique and absolutely love them!!! read more

Worst customer service. I went in with my sister to look at prom dress & was not even greeted. We started looking and no one asked to help when they saw us. I picked a bunch of dresses and had them in my hands, walked right by where all of the employees were standing and no one offered to help, they were all on their phones. Wth! But when everyone else after us came in, they all suddenly became helpful to them but they never said a word to me and my sister. We were absolutely furious, & will never go back. read more