Great experience! I made an appointment online & had filled out a form of what type/style of dress I wanted. There was a $25 deposit (which is later used towards if you purchase a dress). We arrived right on time and were the only people in the store. We were brought in the back dressing area. Rosemary was so sweet and helpful. She showed me what area had my dress sizes. I picked a few dresses & started trying them on. Rosemary picked out a few as we were progressing. Very relaxing, low stress experience. I found my wedding dress! The store is special because you take the dress home from the rack. This is great when the dress is your size and style. Highly recommend coming here once you've tried other bridal stores. If you find the one, you'll go home with it. read more

The Sample Rack - Bridal Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I had passed The Sample Rack many times when walking around the neighborhood. I always admired the gorgeous dresses in the window. When my daughter got engaged, I suggested we check it out. What a wonderful experience! Megan was amazing - kind, complimentary, and very good at understanding what my daughter was looking for. We ended up with the perfect dress at a price that was WAY below our modest budget. Can't recommend this wonderful shop highly enough! read more

The Sample Rack - Bridal Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had gone to several different bridal boutiques and was feeling so frustrated and defeated by the lack of dresses that felt like me. Then, I found The Sample Rack. I booked one appointment and worked with Bryan, who was so friendly and welcoming, and who helped me narrow down what style of dress I was looking for within my budget. I went alone, but working with him was like having a friend there with me! He was able to answer most of my questions about altering and design, which was so helpful to be able to imagine what dresses could look like with a little imagination! There were a few dresses that I liked but I wasn't 100% in love with anything I tried on that day. Bryan recommended I come back another time because they are always getting new dresses in. I booked a second appointment the next week to retry on one dress I had tried on previously. This time, I got to work with Gerardo. Thankfully, they had just received a bunch of new dresses the day before. After chatting for a bit, Gerardo helped me pick out more dresses to try on, saving the retry for last. I felt like I was in a rom-com: trying on all these gorgeous gowns, Gerardo dressing me up in lace gloves and different veils and accessories, walking me around the boutique so I could get the real feel. Even the owner stopped what he was doing to join in on the fun. And then, I was stopped in my tracks by the one. I couldn't speak, at first, I just stared at myself in the mirror. The dress was, is, exactly what I was looking for: Flattering, modest-yet-sexy, classic, somewhat vintage-inspired, and unique. I didn't even want to retry the original dress on. This was the one, and I could not be happier! If you are looking for a welcoming, tailored-to-you, supportive, and fun wedding dress shopping experience, go to The Sample Rack! read more

I wish I could give this store and Bethany 100 stars! As the mother of the bride, I was of course excited and nervous all in one. But Bethany (oh she is fantastic!) warmly welcomed us and put us at ease right away. She asked my daughter what she was looking for (she had no ideas) and begin pulling gowns that were just absolutely perfect for her taste and figure. And we were never rushed. We found the perfect gown (and veil) and after my daughter said YES to the Dress, it was a celebration (well, sort of). I can't thank Bethany enough for her professionalism, knowledge and friendliness. And the shop, oh my goodness, such an amazing selection of gowns in all different sizes. Anyone could find their dream dress here at a fraction of the cost of those bridal boutiques. And having the whole store to yourself for the appointment made it a comfortable and easy experience. Thank you again for making my daughter's (and mine!) dream come true! read more

I would highly recommend the Sample Rack to any bride. The shop is beautiful and the people who work there are so kind. The experience was great. The appointment was private so I had the shop to myself which was really nice and made it a special experience for me and my mom. All of the dresses were beautiful and they had lots of sizes. Rose was lovely and super knowledgeable about all the dresses. She really listened and helped guide me. The owner Jim is a very kind man. I cannot say enough good things about the entire experience and the staff. This place is a must go for any bride. read more

Gerardo was so helpful, kind and patient throughout our appointment & the dresses they had were all stunning. Working with the sample rack was an amazing experience. Definitely recommend!! read more

I had a great experience at the Sample Rack. Jordan helped me and she was very friendly and easy to work with. I let her pick dresses that she thought would work for me although I wanted a ballgown silhouette. She selected a few and was very understanding when I asked for more to try on. She was also respectful of my budget. I ended up finding a gorgeous gown that I got to leave with that day. Don't let the sample part scare you. The dresses were all in great shape. I was also pleasantly surprised at the selection-they had a wide range of dresses from different designers and in different silhouettes. Tips: These are designer wedding gowns that are discounted but that doesn't mean they're necessarily cheap. I've seen in other reviews where potential brides have complained about the cost of the dresses-they are discounted. -This is a sample store so if you're definitely interested in a particular dress or designer you might be better off going with a bridal salon. read more

I can't recommend the Sample Rack and Gerardo enough for finding your dream dress. This was my first bridal appointment and I brought my mom, and Gerardo listened to our differing preferences for dress types and helped pick out a great selection of dresses to try on. I tried on so many styles I would have never considered and ended up finding the perfect style to match my personality and wedding venue. Gerardo was amazing and so patient as I tried on the final two contenders over and over again. I left with my dress same day, can't believe it only took an hour to find the dress, and got it for a great price. I'm so excited to wear it on my big day, thank you Gerardo!! read more

I got my dress here ! Really good experience but you have to know generally what you want and what your going for. Otherwise it will be too overwhelming. This was the 3rd bridal shop we went to read more

I had a great experience at the Sample Rack and found my dream dress within an hour!! Gerardo was incredible, after just sending a few pictures of what I was thinking I got to try on one beautiful dress after another and it was so hard to decide, but with Gerardo's and my loved ones feedback I selected something that is great for my complexion, body team, venue, and budget!! On top of that, it was a really stressful free experience and fun time. Highly recommend. read more

Gerardo assisted me during my appointment and was absolutely wonderful. He was extremely helpful and kind and truly made my appointment stress-free! I'm plus size with only 3 months until the wedding so I assumed I would be stuck choosing whatever dress fit be best..I was wrong.. the sample rack had so my beautiful and different styled gowns in my size. With Gerardo's help, I left with my DREAM dress!! I am so grateful and appreciative for the sample rack and their amazing staff. read more

I want to start off by saying we had a really good experience at The Sample Rack. We called ahead and made an appointment. The shop is beautiful inside. I was asked about my wedding details, the type of dress I'm looking for and what I don't want. Carlene also asked if I had been to other bridal shops. Based on what I told her, she pulled some dresses off the rack. I wanted a modest dress and knew that this wouldn't be the easiest dress to find these days. However, I was hopeful that I could find something here since there is a great selection. One thing I didn't realize is that most of the dresses come in a size 12. I am a size 4 which means on top of any other thing I wanted, the dress would need major alterations. I don't have the time for that with my wedding time frame and also know it would be extremely expensive. Carlene did her best to try a variety of dresses and styles. One thing I didn't like is she asked me multiple times about other dress shops I've visited and it felt like she was prying for answers. However, in the end, I didn't find my dream dress here. I do think it's definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a lot of beautiful dress options and have the resources to do some alterations. They can't hold a dress but if you pay in cash on your first visit, you get 10% off. read more

The Sample Rack - Bridal Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Incredible experience at The Sample Rack. After learning of my fiancé's cancer diagnosis earlier last year, there was so much fear and uncertainty. I was treated with so much kindness and care from Bethany. She listened to all of my wants and pulled a few dresses for me. She had it right with the very first dress I tried on! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect bridal appointment. The shop was very intimate and Bethany gave us her undivided care and attention. I could not recommend the Sample Rack, specifically Bethany, enough. If you're not getting your dress from here, you're doing something wrong!! Thank you for making my experience so special read more

I absolutely loved my wedding dress which was a fraction of the price of if I bought it directly from the designer. My sister got her wedding dress here too. I recommend to everyone! read more

The Sample Rack - Wedding dress - Bridal Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Before I scheduled an appointment at The Sample Rack, I had visited four salons and grown more disappointed after each one. I felt sure I would end up settling for a dress, and never have that "wow" moment I wanted. Carlene called two days before my appointment to discuss what I was looking for. After explaining my taste, she said she had something I would love. To be honest, I didn't believe her, but was looking forward to visiting the store anyway. When my mom and I arrived to our Saturday afternoon appointment, Carlene had put some dresses aside for me already and asked me about a few others on the floor. Most of the dresses she had pulled reflected what I was looking for. When I tried on the Justin Alexander gown that Carlene had listed in her notes from our original conversation, I immediately knew it was my dress. Even better, it was priced lower than either of the dresses at David's Bridal or BHLDN I would have settled for and was much higher quality! Both Carlene and the second employee onsite made me feel so special by sharing in my joy. I can't recommend The Sample Rack enough, especially if you are looking for a unique gown and the made-to-order bridal salons have left you feeling discouraged. For fall and winter brides like myself, they had a much larger collection of long sleeved gowns than the traditional salons I visited. Be sure you arrive certain of what you want and ready to commit. I'm so grateful to Carlene for making an effort to understand what I was looking for, and for having an eye for what would look good on me. I can't wait to wear my dress from The Sample Rack at my November 2020 wedding! read more

The booking process was easy on their website, and I filled out a questionnaire. Bethany texted me beforehand to confirm and answer any questions I had. Not only did she pay more attention to my questionnaire than any other shops did, but she also has the most fun personality, and she really knows her stuff! Her selection is beautiful and in exquisite condition. The store itself is charming, organized, and smells great. :) I tried on a dozen gorgeous and unique dresses in different colors, materials, shapes, and styles. At the end of the day, when I officially decided that I was still in love with a dress from a previous shop, Bethany was so supportive of my decision and made sure I didn't feel any guilt for saying no to her. I can't wait to come back whenever my sister gets engaged!! :) THANK YOU Bethany!!! P.S. My sister took all the pictures but maybe I'll remember to ask for some for this review? read more

I was optimistic about The Sample Rack, largely thanks to other reviews. Unfortunately, this was by far the worst experience I had out of the four total wedding dress shops I visited. Carlene and I played some phone tag prior to the visit, and perhaps we got off on the wrong foot because I wasn't very excited to shop for a wedding dress and didn't have clear ideas about what I was looking for. Things got worse when I arrived at the store with my parents and best friend, who were expressly discouraged from looking around at the dresses and told to simply stay put in their seats. This was the only store where my "entourage" and I were not allowed to browse dresses on our own as soon as we walked in, and it quite frankly made us feel a bit unwelcome. I tried on a countless number of dresses, many of which were not my style at all. I'm not sure why this was, but Carlene + her two associates seemed determined to sell me on a style I really did not like; rather than adjusting as we went along and bringing me dresses that I liked more and more, they insisted on having me try what felt like countless dresses with features that I repeatedly stated I did not like. Some of those dresses looked even worse on me than they did on the hanger, and when I said as much about one particular dress while looking at myself in the mirror, Carlene suggested that I could solve the problem by wearing a corset. Ouch! At one point, one of the associates asked whether I was uncomfortable that my dad was present (the unspoken premises were that (1) it's a women's dressing room, and (2) you have to get practically naked to try on wedding dresses). I suppose the question was well-intentioned (sort of), but I thought it was a bit odd because I'd invited him to come along with me; it's not like he just wandered into the store randomly and I happened to be there trying on dresses. I assured her that he was there because I value his opinion, and he is certainly not a creeper. (Incidentally, no other shop batted one eyelash at my dad's presence.) One thing I will say for Carlene is that she is extremely persistent, which could be a good thing. Eventually, she and her team found me a $900 dress that would've worked pretty well with a couple of alterations and adjustments. I waffled on whether to buy it for a long time, and Carlene added to the pressure by telling me that she was completely booked up with appointments for the next two days and couldn't hold the dress for me past 5 p.m. that day (at this point, it was roughly 1 p.m.). Ultimately, I decided against the purchase since I still had one more shop to visit, and Carlene asked me to call her as soon as I left that shop to tell her what I decided. Fast forward to the end of the day -- I ended up finding an absolutely gorgeous dress at the final shop that I knew right away was it. Before I was even able to get all the way home (less than half an hour's trip), Carlene called me to ask whether I'd buy her dress. She was polite when I told her that I'd found another dress, but the conversation ended very quickly. Carlene is clearly good at her job and takes it very seriously, so I can imagine how some customers might really like her. But she might not be for everyone, particularly if you are not hugely enthusiastic about dress shopping and want to avoid strong pressure to buy. read more

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! After a less than stellar experience at The Wedding Factor (boooooo), we gave The Sample Rack a call, hoping they would have some availability for a walk-in. Luckily, there was a cancellation and Jim, the owner, was willing to stay a little late to let us look around. THANK GOD for that, because I found my dream dress after not even 10 minutes in the store! Jim and Rosemary were so kind and helpful and made me feel so much better about my whole wedding dress shopping experience. Beautiful store, sweet staff, gorgeous dresses, and very reasonable prices--what more could you ask for?? read more

I could not have dreamed up a better dress shopping experience. Carlene is amazing at what she does. First of all, she called me a few days before my appointment and asked me about my wedding and what I was envisioning for my dress. I was so impressed that she took the time to do that. I did not give her much to work with other than that I was picturing a non-strapless flowy A-line dress and I didn't want anything too fitted on the bottom. She worked her magic and knew instantly what to pull for me. Though she spent two hours (way past my scheduled appointment time) showing me a wide variety of styles, I ended up deciding between the first two dresses she pulled for me and went with the very first dress! The style was different from what I described or pictured myself wearing but worked SO much better for me than anything I pictured prior to coming to the Sample Rack. I ended up with a gorgeous, intricate Maggie Sottero dress for an unbeatable $1100. Though I fell in love with it pretty instantly, Carlene took time to pull many other options so I was sure it was the one. She is also extremely supportive and body-positive. I didn't know if I would be comfortable in more fitted styles but they actually ended up looking amazing because she knew exactly the type of silhouettes to pull. It made me realize how much my incorrect assumptions about what I could and could not wear have been limiting me in regular clothes shopping, which was another positive part of the experience. I couldn't believe how many of the dresses looked good and were strong contenders. If you have one style in mind, I highly recommend going out of your comfort zone and being open to anything Carlene wants to try, because she is a magician and will know exactly what to pull. I also want to emphasize how lovely a person Carlene is. She was so kind and never pressured me throughout the entire appointment. She made me feel amazing about my body and was so enthusiastic about finding me the perfect dress. At one point, I asked if it was time to put the two favorites back on and decide, and she said she still wanted to pull other dresses. I was so impressed that she took the time to make sure I saw every potential option because she definitely did not have to do that. She went out of her way in every way possible to make the appointment stress-free and extra special for me and the friends I brought with me. I could not have dreamed up a better day. Thank you so much, Carlene, for everything you did for me. read more

While I didn't end up purchasing a dress here I still received great service and the prices were reasonable. From what I remember however there were no prices listed on the dresses and I had to call back and ask afterward. I stated what my budget was when I entered and I guess they pulled dresses from that. Personally however I still like to see the price. read more

I had already decided on a dress at BHLDN but I wanted to visit this store, just out of curiosity. I scheduled an appointment with Carlene, and before my visit she contacted me to find out more about my preferences. I also sent her pictures of dresses I've tried on before. I went without an entourage (all family and friends on the other coast), but Carlene and Amelia made me feel comfortable and immediately at ease. It's not easy shopping for an expensive dress by yourself, and I appreciated their opinions, compliments, and honest critiques! Not only did they pull dresses that I thought I liked, after a few dresses they began pulling dresses they felt would look best on my body. I ended up finding a dress that I never would've picked out myself, but that I absolutely love. I immediately cancelled my BHLDN appointment and purchased the dress (and matching veil) the same day. Carlene, Amelia, and The Sample Rack perfectly matched me to the best possible dress for me. Future brides in the area: I would visit this shop near the end of your dress shopping. If it works out and your dress is there, you'll get an unbeatable price. If it doesn't work out, you'll walk out having the most pleasant, no-pressure shopping experience ever. read more

I scheduled an appointment and was excited to visit. There was unexpectedly a double booking but that didn't change the experience at all. Jim, the owner, was called in due to this and he was AMAZING! He listened to my requests and pulled various options. This was only my 2nd experience at a bridal shop and he made everything clear, as well as made myself and my mother comfortable. It was such a pleasure working with him! The best part is getting to take the dress home that day. I can't recommend The Sample Rack enough!! The dresses are of the highest quality and the employees are knowledgeable and inviting. read more

I had an amazing experience at this shop and was able to walk out with my wedding gown! I had tried 2 places prior but didn't have any luck (although I would recommend coming here after you know your size and have tried on a few different silhouettes). The Sample Rack has the best selection of high-end, unique gowns...every dress had something special about it. Rose was so helpful and made the entire experience easy and fun. I would highly recommend looking here for any brides-to-be! read more

I just got back from celebrating saying "yes to the dress" today at The Sample Rack. Let me tell you-- from start to finish, my experience was amazing, and I can't thank Carlene enough!!! For starters, when I made my appointment, Carlene called me the same day to discuss what I was looking for. I told her I was having a micro wedding, so I didn't want to spend to much on the dress. She was honest that she wouldn't have much in my price range, but said if I was comfortable spending $200 more, she was certain she would be able to find me something. She also suggested another dress store I should also go to that she thought would have options in my price range. This right here told me the most important thing about Carlene-- she isn't trying to just get you in and sell you something. She truly cares about every bride finding something they are comfortable with, even if they aren't at her store. She did say though, "I know when you come to your appointment with me, you're going to say yes to the dress and walk out with something you love." I went to the other store Carlene suggested and we had a great experience. I tried on a ton of dresses and actually paid to reserve one. My appointment at The Sample Rack was right after. Your appointment is private, the store is beautiful and smells really good as soon as you walk in. We were pleasantly greeted by Carlene and she made us feel very comfortable. She immediately started pulling dresses for me to try (being very mindful of the price range we had previously discussed on the phone). The first dress I tried on was beautiful, but the second dress BROUGHT LITERAL TEARS TO MY EYES. I couldn't believe how amazingly stunning it was. I'm talking high-fashion. For $200 more, it was MILES ABOVE the dress I had put on hold at the other store. My family that I brought with me were also in awe. I never thought I would be like those girls on those wedding shows but now I truly understand. Please try this store! Even if you are on a budget, call. Carlene is the real deal and will keep it 100% with you and make sure that you find the dress of your dreams. Thank you so much!!!! I am so excited to wear this amazing dress on my special day. read more

We made an appointment & unfortunately accidentally booked the wrong day. When the sales associate still accommodated us we thought we would have an exceptional experience due to this kind gesture--however, this was not the case. Throughout the experience the bride was constantly berated with condescending comments about her wedding timeline, her style, and so much more. It was an off-putting experience and we genuinely would have preferred being sent away at the door, rather than receive such unkind and unprofessional treatment. I would not recommend this dress shop if you are looking for a experience that is welcoming to all folks. read more

Great individualized service during my recent appointment. Bethany was a joy to work with and really listened and understood the look I was trying to achieve for my wedding. read more

Went here on a whim, a month before my wedding, upon realizing that I hate my original dress. I looked online and grabbed the only available appointment for 2 days later. You fill out a form online about the type of dress you're looking for, budget, and a day before my appointment I received a call from Carlene who chatted with me about their inventory and store policies so that I'd be prepared for my appointment. She warned me that they only had 2 dresses that fit my criteria (which was really nice to know in advance!) but had lots of ideas since I was open to different styles. Long story short, I had the best experience here!!!! Carlene and Amelia were so helpful and accommodating and had a fantastic energy that made it comfortable and easy to pick out a dress. This was the best wedding dress shopping experience I had and I said yes to an incredible dress. Thank you! read more

Carlene is an angel. I called on a Friday afternoon and left a message requesting an appointment. That evening, around 6:30 pm, (way after regular business hours) Carlene returned my call. Carlene introduced herself and then proceeded to ask questions about my fashion style as well as my body type and the location of my wedding. As I talked I could sense her excitement for my big day growing. As I shared my vision for my big day and the type of dress I was looking for, Carlene began to excitedly talk about the types of dresses she had in the shop that fit what I wanted. Indicating I was just about 5'1'' she said, "We want to make you tall. It's all an illusion, but we don't want you lost in a big dress. I have the perfect dress in mind for you and I think you are going to love it." We talked a bit more and when I got off the phone I felt like she got it. I didn't have the sense she was trying to make a sale. Conversely, I had the sense she cared about what I wanted and hoped to help me find the perfect dress. I scheduled my appointment for the following Monday. When I went to the appointment, Carlene and her assistant warmly greeted me. Together we walked through the shop, pulling dress after dress for me to try on. As I tried on dresses Carlene said, "If you don't like it, it's okay. We don't make the dresses, we sell them." This really put me at ease, and from there I felt comfortable saying no to the dresses that didn't suit me. After a handful of dresses, I found my dress. I tried the dress on in the back of the shop where everyone does. As I stood gazing at myself in the mirror, Carlene lowered the lights and allowed me to see the dress in showroom style lights. Next, she grabbed headpieces and jeweled belts, comparing each one and playing dress up with me. Next, she encouraged me to see the dress in natural lighting, and all but walked me outside to see myself in my wedding dress in natural light. Still in love, she encouraged me to sit down on the couch and feel what it felt like to sit in the gown. Still in love, she encouraged me to walk around and feel natural in the gown. I really just had the best experience here. I felt no pressure to buy and fell in love with a beautiful dress. Carlene and her assistant (I wish I could remember her name, but she's super genuine) made me feel so comfortable and special. I definitely recommend going here. I will also add that I chose to use the seamstress recommended by Carlene, and in doing so chose to leave my dress at the shop and pick it up at the time of my first alteration appointment (which was two weeks away). Earlier this week Carlene called to let me know she drove my dress to the seamstress herself (free of charge). I think this shows how kind and thoughtful Carlene is and how she wants her brides to be happy. I can't say enough kind compliments! read more

I've passed The Sample Rack countless times while driving down Pine Street. There are always gorgeous dresses in the window and they rotate constantly. I called to book an appointment and spoke with Carlene, who explained the unique nature of the shop (samples only; designer dresses offered at a discount, etc.). The shop is open by appointment only and you receive the undivided attention of the staff. Carlene and her colleague (whose name I forget - she was so sweet!) pulled a really lovely array of dresses according to my preferences. I tried on an incredible gown that was discounted by several thousand dollars. It wasn't quite what I was looking for but I'm sure the woman who purchases said gown will be absolutely thrilled with the find. Leading up to my appointment, I booked an appointment at another store just to get an idea of the styles that I would like. I wasn't expecting to find something that I loved at the first store, but that's exactly what happened. I kept an open mind for my appointment at The Sample Rack, and even found a couple strong contenders for runner-up, but ultimately decided on the dress at the first store. I called Carlene after I made up my mind to let her know and she was so sweet and genuinely happy that I had found my dress. I wouldn't hesitate to send a friend to The Sample Rack and will continue to sing their praises! read more

I had a mixed experience here. I booked an appointment, and the day before I was to come in I got a call from one of the employees asking about what sort of dress I wanted. I had some pretty specific ideas, and I was really impressed by how much she wanted to help me find the dress I was seeking (no bling, trumpet cut, maybe some lace, no flowers, no bows). I even sent her some pics of dresses I liked via email. She told me that she'd pick out dresses that were similar. But when I got there, I was disappointed. The dresses that had been picked out for me were really not similar to the ones I'd talked about over the phone and sent pictures of. I looked around the shop and found that there really wasn't anything I was interested in, and the sales ladies started to get rather pushy, telling me that they could radically alter one of the dresses they'd shown me to match the style I was looking for and that I should put down a deposit fast before someone else snatched it up. Why would I want to pay for a dress that is very different from what I'd like in hopes that hacking it up and sewing it back together will make it into something acceptable? In the end, I felt like they'd wasted a lot of my time -- since we talked on the phone and I sent photos, they should have easily been able to tell me that they just didn't have the sort of dress I wanted at that time. I was very clear about what I wanted but still spent about 2 hours at an appointment trying to explain why I didn't want this, that, and the other dress...that shouldn't have been necessary, since I was so clear and specific about what I was seeking. For discount dresses, I think Sabrina Ann (in Ardmore) or RK Bridal (NYC) or Bridal Garden (NYC) are much better choices. read more

I am so glad I purchased my dress from The Sample Rack. When I called to make my appointment the lady advised me that they wouldn't see me until I went and tried on dresses elsewhere so that I could familiarize myself with the styles I like. They warned that they only have one of each dress so if I found one I liked I would need to buy it but wanted to ensure I'd be comfortable doing that. I made an appointment for a later date and then tried on dresses at two other stores prior to coming to The Sample Rack. They offered a large variety of styles in my size. I found the dress I loved on my visit and purchased it that day. They also had a selection of veils ($40) which I purchased as well. They offer a 10% discount for healthcare employees and no dress is more than $1000. My dress only cost $900. The staff was personable and though the general air is a bit informal at first, they were very accommodating and helpful. I highly recommend them. read more

New to Philly and had no idea who would have gorgeous gowns to fit my budget! First off, I beg to differ on their employees.... these ladies are put together, eager to help, fabulous and have the Philadelphia attitude that's honest and straight forward. For me, there's nothing worse than when someone is fibbing to you just to appease you. This was bridal dress shop # 3 for me in my search for a gown. The first was a boutique in Kansas and the second was a David's bridal. Needless to say, my David's Bridal experience wreaked of smelly feet, stained carpets and tired looking employees. Nobody likes to buy your dream dress from a Chuck. E. Cheeses. I felt so pressured at David's that I left before saying "yes to the dress" and poured myself a glass of Merlot. This is a big purchase... but bride's shouldn't feel that pressured, ever. Flash forward to Sample Rack! Beautiful interior, fun and sassy employees and great dresses for prices that fit my budget. I gave them a tough order: under 600 dollars, trumpet or mermaid fit and not strapless. I realize that 600 may be considered low for most gowns (at David's it will get you a white or off white thing that fits like a lumpy pillowcase). But here? It will get you a designer gown that's been tried on before, but never worn on a wedding day. EVERY dress they pulled out for me respected my budget. The two ladies pulled a dress out for me that I wouldn't have picked for myself but then I tried that baby on. . . . . . . WOWZA. It was perfect. Brides; have your vision... but be OPEN to new ideas on dresses. These people put dresses on brides for a living. Lastly, I got a giant hug, a personal cell phone # and a genuine "Welcome to our city! ". I was gently reminded to call back as soon as I made my final decision, but I felt no pressure. Their job is to sell dresses, it's not personal! :D If you want to have your budget respected and feel like a goddess, go to the Sample Rack :) read more

It was clear that Carlene really paid attention to my preferences and style both before, and during, my appointment - every dress pulled for my appointment was really spot on (I ended up buying the second one I tried on).I appreciate that she really took time to get to what I liked during my appointment, and that I didn't feel any sales pressure while trying things on. My dress shopping experience was really easy, and I left with an absolutely stunning dress. Thanks so much! read more

The Sample Rack is awesome! It's small and by appointment only but the owner is amazing at what she does. I went with my friend today to look at dresses for her upcoming wedding. From a general description of the venue and what she had in mind for the dress we had three beautiful options pulled. All of the dresses are under $1,000 and the selection changes constantly. They also carry an array of vintage jewelery and accessories. My only complaint, and it's minor, is that they were pushing the sale which I understand is their job. They stressed over and over again that there was only one of this dress and if she wanted it she had to make a decision soon. We heard that numerous times throughout the appointment. By the 5th time it was a bit much. read more

I was so glad I finally made to the Sample Rack! All the dresses here are under $1000, and since I really was not interested in spending a ton of money on my wedding dress, this was a perfect place to shop. The selection of dresses, even with some of my specific requests, was pretty good. I agree that some of the dresses that were pulled for me were not what I had described, but I was willing to try on lots of things. I finally found one that I loved, but couldn't pull the trigger. The store was able to hold it for 24 hours for me, so I could sleep on it! Also they recommended a seamstress Nilah and Co., whom I used. I was thrilled with the final product. It fit perfectly. Thanks everyone! read more

This is where I bought my wedding dress! The prices here are reasonable, there is a great selection of beautiful gowns, and the ladies are so sweet! Now, I am not the princess type, but when I was here, the staff treated me like a princess and I loved it! I had the entire store to myself and two employees helping me with dresses. It was a wonderful experience. The store was warm and cozy. The dresses they picked out for me were pretty spot-on for what I was interested in. I had two dresses that I had trouble deciding between. The ladies let me change into each dress three times! Back and forth and back and forth and back and forth, so that I could be 100% sure which one I wanted. They never complained about how long I was taking or that I kept wanting to try on the same dresses again. In the end I chose the first dress I tried on! I didn't feel any pressure from the ladies about having to buy my dress right then and there. It was a great experience and I would recommend this store to any bride, whether or not you have a small budget! read more

I would definitely recommend the Sample Rack to brides-to-be. This was the 6th store I went to, so I knew what I wanted by the time I came here. I sent Anna pictures ahead of time, and she and Rachel had already pulled a number of great options when I arrived. The atmosphere is friendly and having the store to yourself makes the experience feel more relaxed. I came in with my mom on a Thursday and actually found 3 dresses I liked, but I couldn't decide. Rachel and Anna were very accommodating in letting me come back another day with my sister to make a final choice. One small note: if you have a firm budget, you will need to explicitly say that you don't want to see dresses above that price, otherwise they may bring you dresses that are a couple hundred over your max price. When I purchased the dress, Anna said that the designer was Marisa. I noticed after I purchased the dress that the tag had been removed from the dress (you could see where it had once been sewn in), so I didn't have any info about the style number or name. I called Anna, and she let me know that the dress was missing the tag when they got it, so the only info she had was that the dress was a Marisa. After combing the internet, I found the dress, and the designer was actually Paloma Blanca (Style #4415). The dress comes with a unique detachable flower attachment for the sash, which removes any doubt that it's the same dress. Given that they thought it was a Marisa, I was worried that the price they charged me might have been off, but I was relieved to see that I had paid a fair price (~$500 less than what the dress retails for, so a 25% discount). I'm happy with my purchase and again, would definitely recommend the Sample Rack to others, but I just wanted to share this experience so other brides are informed consumers. Buying a dress that has had the tags removed, without first verifying what you're really buying (including the style number/name), is not a savvy move, and it's easy to miss these details when you're making such an emotional decision- so always check! read more

The women at the Sample Rack are truly exceptional. They made you feel like family right from the start. Although, I did not end up buying my gown there, they provided me with the best experience during the process. They worked with me to understand my style and did not push any gowns on me. They allowed my mom and sister to look through the racks and gave us all the time we needed. I truly wished they had my dream gown in the store because I would have loved to purchase from these ladies! This place is a must stop when wedding gown shopping! read more

We came in on time and they weren't ready for us for another 10 minutes. We looked through the racks and I didn't see anything I liked. I can't remember who was helping me but she made me try on a "gorgeous" gown in her mind that was nothing like the pictures I showed her. It was terrible. And then she blamed my budget even though no matter how much it would have been they had nothing to offer that I would have liked. They were discouraging and said "that kind of dress will cost way more than your budget". Thanks for your help and encouragement for someone looking for a dress... Also, This place was much smaller than I anticipated and more expensive as well. I don't think the pictures they posted are really fair to what they have in stock because it's always changing. read more

I had a great experience at the sample rack. I made an appointment a couple weeks in advance of visiting the store. I had been to a couple other bridal shops, but the sample rack is where I found my dress :) It was under $1,000 which was great. The women at the shop were very helpful. I told them what kind of dress I was looking for and they pulled a bunch of dresses for me to try. The BEST part about the sample rack is that I acutally walked out their shop that day with my dress! I never expected that! read more