We found my daughter's beautiful grad dress..BUT - They lied about when the dress would arrive, they secretly waited for more orders to send our order in, then arrived 3 months ( after the promised date - alterations were fine with Maria, BUT on the hem she didn't put the beautiful hen back on which is added character to the dress ..not the same. When you hem anything, it should come back looking the same as before hemmed, the only difference is length. - The owner has no people skills didn't care, didn't try to understand what I was saying, well yeah of course I'm going to repeat the same thing 3 times either she's playing dumb, or doesn't care to understand.. - owner never offered some alteration money back, $269 is way too much money to make simple 2 flat straps and remove a bit of puffiness and steam, just cut the bottom off with no hem ...I'm not making any of this up. I don't want this to happen to anyone else. Many dress shops around, go somewhere else read more

made an appointment to look for Dresses for a wedding for 10:30 am. we were let in the shop late and she proceeded to show us where the dresses are. So another family came in and they proceeded to help them and ignored us the entire time. then after looking she said she would not be able to help us and we should look else where. we went to David's Bridal and got the best treatment there and walked out with dresses! I would not recommend Helene's Bridal 0 stars!! read more

I decided to pop in for alterations that I needed on a bridesmaid dress that was sent to me. Regardless of the fact that the dress wasn't ordered from Helene's, Jackie in alterations provided great experience. When I first popped in, Jackie made time for me right away. After marking the dress for hemming (three layers) and pinning in a few spots, I was done. I was a little shocked at the alterations costs ($130) but I really didn't have anything to compare to and I know that there was three layers to hem and two areas to bring in (hemming alone was $75). The dress was ready in a week and everything was perfect - I'm excited to wear it at the beach wedding I'm attending upcoming! If you need alterations with a short turn around and done right, I could absolutely recommend Helene's and specifically Jackie from alterations. The store itself looks like it has a great selection and they're always changing up the window displays, showcasing even more dresses, including little girl dresses and plus size. I appreciated that the staff remembered me when I popped in again, making me feel extra welcome. read more

This was my first time in the store on the first day of wedding gown shopping. When me and my bridal part came in, no one greeted us, not to mention how dead it was in the place. We walked around and started picking out gowns to try on. We had about 3 or 4 when a woman started suggesting things. She basically randomly started pointing at whatever I assume, she liked. She did not ask me if I wanted a room started, what style I like nor did she even suggest how I should begin my search. She hung around awkwardly, not saying a word, as me and the bridal party looked through gowns. There were about 4 ladies and one man at the front desk, basically socializing. One of my bridesmaids had to ask someone to start us a room. They looked like we were interrupting. I tried on a few dresses before I actually found one that I really considered. I came out of the room holding the dress at my chest, expecting someone to help me do it up in the back. After standing around for about a minute, the lady that was sort of helping said "should i do that up for you" Excuse me? No, maybe you should just stand there, look like an idiot and wait for me to ask you to help me. How the hell do you expect me to tie up my own gown in the back?? This lady was obviously too bored to be there and not interested in what her job was. I got dressed and we walked out without anyone even trying to stop me. Wow, talk about TERRIBLE customer service when you're spending that much $$$$ on a dress!! read more

My bridesmaids and myself had a similar experience, (actually our experience was almost identical to Barbara S's), this summer when we stopped in at Helene's. When we came in, no one greeted us, it also was dead it was in the place and this was on a Saturday....all the other shops were fairly steady. We walked around and started picking out gowns to try on. There were about 4 ladies at the front desk, basically socializing. One of my bridesmaids had to ask someone to start us a room. They looked like we were interrupting. Nothing like making the customer feel uncomfortable. After about 15 minutes of trying dresses on.....one salesclerk came over and attempted to assist us, I think? She did not appear very bright....and I am not talking about someone who is fresh out of school without sales experience...this woman had to be in her upper 50's and has probably been in the sales field for 30+ years.. It was like she had no idea how to help a customer, she never even asked what exactly I was looking forward, instead she just started grabbing dresses off the rack and said "how about this one?" "or this one?" etc..... you would think that she would have had enough sense to ask us what we were looking for before making suggestions. All I can say is that store is a huge turn off.....even had we found anything there I would not have wanted to purchase it from them...poor service can make everything look bad. I think the owner, manager & clerks should take a day and go to other shops to learn how to treat customers. It is amazing how some people stay in business. read more

This was the first place I went to when i started dress shopping for a wedding gown. Unfortunately it was not a pleasant visit. Luckily I went with only my mother, because it was so busy the day that I went, there was staff rushing around the store the whole time. There was no help provided while looking through the racks of gowns, so it took quite some time to find the right size section. Once a lady finally came buy to help she didn't say hello, or asked what style I was looking for, she simply grabbed the gowns from my arm and shoved me into a small closet sized changing room. It would have even felt small if you were just trying on everyday clothes, but you have more than a couple dresses, and when I was trying to change, bending over slightly, my behind was against a wall. I just felt very, very rushed by the staff member. what bothered me the most was that I had to ask about additions such as a veil. She asked what style I wanted, and I knew exactly what I wanted, so I started to describe it, and I barely got 4 words out when she blurted "oh yes, you mean the birdcage style, very popular right now, we have a few" ... it was not at all what I was trying to tell her.. I was so displeased it inspired me to go elsewhere even though they had some nice gowns. And my grandmother made a beautiful veil for me! It seems they really need to work on customer service, and remember that in the specific field they work in, dealing with something so personal, they really need to listen to the person, and I'm sorry, if you keep making e feel rushed, well, I'm just going to rush right out of there. read more

Terrible, terrible, terrible customer service. We went to LOTS of bridal salons in Winnipeg and this one was by far the worst. Staff seemed more interested in sociallizing with each other than in listening to what I wanted/needed in a bridal gown. I felt like a giant inconvenience. Prices also seemed higher than other salons, and I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy a dress from Helene's, even their dream dress, with the service I received. read more

ATTENTION FUTURE GRATURATES!!! when looking for grad dresses, DO NOT go to HELNAS BRIDAL on Protage Ave. I had the WORST experience and so have other ladies (heard stories after going there) and was hoping it wouldn't happen to me and of course it did. In January my best friend, rhea, and i went to a few bridal places but fell in love with our dresses at this location, everyone there originally was super friendly and helpful. The first bad occurrence was my dress came in super late, May 12th. When i went in I knew something wasn't right, but couldn't tell what it was. while there i asked how much alterations were going to be and it was going to be $100 more on top of my dress which was already $616. I said sorry i'm not paying that i'll go somewhere else, they walked away from me and started talking about someone else's dresses alterations and plans who weren't even there. I went home looked at the original dress picture, and noticed it wasn't the same colour, i phoned right away and told them what happened, everything was okay the manager was super nice and told me he would take a trip to Toronto to pick my dress up personally( that was a complete lie) He was suppose to come back in a week (the following friday) but didn't end up coming back for two weeks. When finally back from his vacation ( since he never picked up my dress) I went to go try it on right away, and they COMPLETELY LIED and tired selling me the ORIGINAL DRESS!!!! They tried fighting saying he went all the way to Toronto, and bluh bluh. I tired fighting for $200 back but he said he would only give $100. I fought hard, but only got $100 and they were all talking about me right while i was still trying on dress. I work customer service and know and would never treat customers like that ever. It is a once in a life time experience to graduate from grade 12 you want to be happy in the right dress you choose not to mention the amount of money spend!! I share this with all of you so you don't have to be let down or disappointed in a purchase you make from a retail store. Absolute worst experience shopping in a dress store ever. read more

Please do NOT go to this shop. I took my very excited fiancé to see wedding dress at Helene's right after becoming engaged. A little taboo but whatever. We were greeted at the door and actually had pretty good customer service, until 2 other brides walked in. All of the employees seemed flustered with the 4 brides that they now were helping. I sat and read a magazine while she tried on dresses. Due to the lack of attention that we were receiving because of the "busyness" I started helping my bride to be with putting the dresses back into their bags. Which if I not mistaken is helping them with their jobs. Right at that time I was asked to follow the owner, and as we walked he proceeded to tell me that I was not allowed to return back in area where the brides come out to show everyone their dress. He told me that I was creeping out the brides and scaring off his business. He took me to the front door and told me that I could wait for my fiancé there. I am a very clean cut 26 year old reading a magazine and helping out when I could, how this results in business lose I don't know. I called my fiancé to explain that I was pretty much escorted out of the store. The owner was then a real dick to her when she asked him why I wasn't allowed in to help her decide on a dress. He then came back and was a total dick to me because she said something about the situation. I'm sorry, We will take our $1000 and shop somewhere else. read more

The service from start to finish was just awful. My actual rating is 0/5. Avoid at all costs! I was a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding, otherwise I never would have dealt with this shady business. read more

Out of all the women working, only one was nice to me and that was Shelly!! Honestly before going in, I would recommend that you find out what day she is working because she is one of the kindest women I've met. If this rating was based just on her it would receive 5 starts - but sadly the other women weren't nice. I commend Shelly on her demeanor and communication skills. Amazing woman. I wish she could help me at every bridal store! read more

My experience with Helene's couldn't be more different! The lady helping my had the experience and enthusiasm to get me into my dress within a couple of hours, start to finish. We tried on about half a dozen within my $ range and style choice, she helped set the mood with accessories and lighting....I felt so relieved that the potentially stressful situation was relaxed and comfortable. Joanne gets a rave review from this "northern girl"! read more

Barbara, i had the same situation like you did. On Tuesday afternoon, closer to 2pm I stopped by at Helen's and paid only 25 cents for parking since i parked in the front door and went just to book an appointment for a Sunday. I walked in and it was dead. There were only 2 girls there finishing up there, and the Sale's rep or maybe she was manager, who knows completely ignored me.... I just stood there at the front desk waiting barefoot. When girls were ready to pay, the sales associate came to the front desk and told me i will be with you in few min. I said okay, no problem. So i'm waiting there, she didn't apologize, nothing. About 10 min passed. My parking ticking and expired. I start to really worry and looking at the door. Someone else comes in and the bell rings. The same woman at the front desk finishes up with the girls, while 2 other woman walk out from somewhere in the back room... Both chewing something looking like hamsters.... What the hell? Could not she call them up to help me out just to book the stupid appointment? A min later she decides to ask one of them to book me in.... I booked in, but felt like never going there again. And i didn't go, because on Sunday morning they called me to cancel as they weren't opening store since employees were sick and manager was not going to handle everyone. I wouldn't go anyways. The worst service and attitude ever. The dresses they display are gorgeous but you can't rely business running only on that. These older employees must change their approach and stop going on lunch together, and learn how to apologize and put customers first. read more

I generally don't write reviews but I had such an unpleasant experience here, I had to share. The service is extremely lacking! I went in for wedding dress shopping and the consultant was obviously uninterested and at times outright rude. I would often be left standing alone for periods of time after I'd tried on a dress before she finally came over to help me do it up. When she finally came over she seemed very annoyed. When I was ready to leave, she wouldn't provide me with information about the dresses I was interested in. I'd been to a few other dress boutiques and I was shocked at how poorly the service was here compared to others. I don't intend to ever return. read more

i made the mistake my not reading the reviews prior to purchasing my dress. As soon as I got my dress I took it and ran. It took 8 months to get my dress in. When I phoned to enquire before receiving my dress, I felt the guy on the phone was rude and rushed me off. He didn't have much patience with me and as result scared me off. I will be getting my alterations elsewhere, happy not to go back. read more

i would not recommend ANYBODY goes to this salon. When I went in looking there was no excitement there was not energy or anything it was all about the sale. Around the corner you could here the owner telling this sales staff to make sure that she closes the sale. Then I came back with my bridal party to get their dresses, every single one of them said that the experience was a let down. Again there was no excitement no nothing. So this was all back in june. I live out of town so I was coming into the city in December and so I called to check on the status of my dress. It was not in, and I was told that it would be in in February. I was again in the city in February and had to take another bridesmaid in to buy her dress. These were two new girls with me and again they left feeling disappointed with the service. During this visit I again asked asked about the status of my dress. I was told that it would be in sometime in March. So on March 28th I called again. The lady on the phone had no answers for me. I asked her does she know if the dress has been made? If the dress has been shipped? When I should expect it. Not once has one staff member addressed the fact that my dress has taken three months passed the 6-8 month promise. I was told during the sale that my dress was coming from Italy. Now the lady on the phone was saying my dress is behind because of Chinese New Years. Im not sure how Chinese New Years would effect work in Italy.. and then she said that they only send my dress out for when I need it. Well, this left me wondering.. who is the judge of when I need it? Them, or me? I ordered my dress early so that I would have it early and now it is 2 months away and they have no answers for me. So at the end of the conversation she told me that the owner was out of town and would call me the following Wednesday. A week passed that date came and I still had not received a call so my fiance called. He spoke to the owner who said that we would check the status and call back the following monday. Again, we received no call. So I called back, I was trying to explain my problem and he just interupted me and forwarded me to the front desk. Again, I started out saying, "To be honest I am very unhappy with the service that I have received.." and continued to tell my story. I was again interuppted and asked how to spell my last name. By this point still nobody has even addressed the issue that my dress is 3 months late. They have shown me no empathy, no concern or customer service at all. They could not care less about me or what I have to say. They are just happy they have the sale. I still have no answers on the where abouts of my dress and again an waiting on a call back... read more

I am giving them one star because they made me and my bridal party feel extremely uncomfortable. It's a smaller shop so of course there were other families looking for dresses. That's expected. I tried on 3 dresses, each time the consultant would tell me how I could do payments and how much it would be with taxes blah blah blah... they didn't tell me if it was a good shape for my body, or if it honestly looked nice, etc. But what really got to me was that the other family in the show room felt uncomfortable because I had a male with me, who is my best friend, and they told him that he couldn't be in the room with me. This totally shifted the way I felt about the experience. This is my wedding, I am buying the dress, and I want my best friend to be a huge part of the experience. They told him to stand on the other side of the room. It was really awkward. Then the other family's mother said quite loudly "it's getting crowded in here" and all of the consultants immediately told me and my family and wedding party to move to the other room where they had ONE mirror! There was only 5 of us and I felt that maybe we had to move because we had the smaller budget. I immediately left and found a dress elsewhere. I don't recommend going here. They don't have a large collection either. read more

WARNING TO ALL FUTURE BRIDES: Here is a timeline of what happened and how it was handled by the store: Bride ordered bridesmaid's dresses on Dec 31st and date to leave for the destination wedding is March 10th. I called middle of January to get an estimate of when dresses will arrive and was told end of January to beginning of February. Absolutely no contact from store until I called them on February 26th to follow up again on the dresses. No one knew anything about them, or where they were informed me they would call me back first thing in the morning to let me know where the dresses were. I heard nothing all day Feb 27th, and had to call them back myself again on Feb 28th to follow up. I was informed the dresses left manufacturing in China and would be into the store today. The bride's mother had a message on her answering machine for me from Alfred Angelo which said, two of the dresses had flaws in the fabric and needed to be remade (March 2nd) they will be remade and shipped to the store for Monday March 7th or latest Tuesday March 8th. The store never contacted us directly only the dress manufacturer. Now because of this bridal store none of the dresses will have time to be altered. The owner of the store said "oh they are short dresses, they should be fine". I have never heard of a bridesmaids dress which did not nee to be altered. And to top it off we are expected to pay full price to this ridiculous store for dresses that may or may not fit. I actually could not be more disappointed in a store. I understand that shit happens, but the store could not own up to the mistakes they've made, or apologize or make the situation right by discounting these dresses, which I may add we still don't even have! read more

we were from out of town and went to pu dress girl put us in dressing room and NEVER came back to help us dress want;: EVEN pressed had to come back in 1hr to pu my daughter was VERY UPSET WITH THE SERVICE was to be a happy day and was NOT read more