I cannot tell you how wonderful Suzi and her staff are! My daughter did not purchase her dress here but did have her alterations done here. The work was stupendous. The dress turned out beautifully. Suzi helped in every aspect and would not stop unless we were completely satisfied. I was comfortable entrusting them with my daughters dress. They also have the most beautiful dresses and accessories. Go here -- you will NOT be disappointed! read more

I had a bridesmaid dress tailored here for a wedding. They were very nice but snagged the dress after the final sizing. I picked up the dress, came home and took the dress out of the bag to find there were snags in the fabric on the front of the dress. I was mortified because I was leaving for the wedding destination that evening and there wasn't anytime to have it repaired. I hid the damages under a bouquet for the entire wedding!! It was awful! What was actually worse was how the staff handled their mistake. The day after the wedding, started to call, leave voicemails and write in to explain what happened. I wanted to make sure they knew immediately. One person apologized and offered a refund. The manager asked for photos, which I provided. It was clear the snags were a result of the final Alterations. In any case, to finish this up, the manager never issued a refund and did nothing but give a half hearted apology and seemed to be "apologizing" in the sense that she was sorry they damaged my dress and caused embarrassment but that they weren't issuing a refund. She came across like she was telling me tough luck without saying it directly. It was unprofessional and a clear avoidance to take responsibility for their mistake. I hope the amount I paid was worth keeping and losing a customer. I have other weddings later and I am never going back there and also let my friends know to stay away. read more

I had visited multiple stores before Weddings 826, which was my final stop. I had dresses I liked, but never had the "this is the one!" moment. I had an idea in my head, but couldn't seem to find a dress i loved. I told them about my wedding, and what kind of style it was, and the woman helping me grabbed a few dresses I had described, and some that I hadn't even thought of. I ended up trying on one that I hadn't even considered as a style I might wear, and knew immediately it was the one! I am so grateful they read into my style and wedding and found my perfect dress. And it was much cheaper than i anticipated! read more

At the end of the day I loved my dress and the process of picking it. However I did have issues with the service for the alterations. When I was there to pick the dress they let me take my time and really talked through everything with me. Once I moved into the alterations phase they were always rushing me through appointments - it seemed clear that they work for commission and prioritized the sales appointments versus the tailoring. Suzy - the main seamstress - was on maternity leave so I did not work with her for my dress. I ended up having to come back 4 times because I kept finding new issues that we didn't notice because they rushed through appointments. For example - I paid $250 to get the train removed before the dress was actually delivered to me. The seamstress never read that in my "file" and kept telling me I needed a bustle. I kept saying I didn't want one and it wasn't until the 3rd appointment that she realized I had already paid to get the train taken off. Also - at the last appointment I put the dress on and the staff looked for about 3 seconds, said it fit perfectly and rushed me out. I knew I didn't feel right in the dress so I asked another staff member if I could go back into a dressing room and try the dress on again -- when I did we noted the back was too long, the right side was not even with the left in a part that was altered around my shoulders and when the seamstress had changed the length of the shoulder straps - she had not blended them, so the back part of the strap was way wider than the front. Had I not insisted on trying the dress on again all of those things would have been there for the day of. I was not able to try on the final product before the day of and had to just trust everything would fit right. It did in the end - but definitely didn't help with the anxiety in the last week. Alterations also cost $300 more than they told me they would, ended up being about 50% of the cost of the dress. The pricing for alterations was also super confusing/not transparent - they had a pricing list posted in one of the dressing rooms and when it didn't match up with my invoice I asked why it was different - they said it was because of the material of the dress, which was not specified on the pricing list they had posted. In numerous appointments I heard staff asking each other what certain alterations should cost - it seemed like they just make it up as they go. Again - I loved my dress at the end of the day, but they definitely need to improve the alterations process. If you go here make sure to be very assertive throughout the alterations appointments and insist they take their time to make sure they catch everything. read more

This a great place for wedding gowns! If you are in the market for a wedding dress, I highly recommend adding this place to your list of wedding shops to visit! This shop has a plethora of gowns to try on in different sizes, colors, lengths and shapes. I felt that when I went in I had plenty to choose from. The staff there was incredible helpful, and I thought the overall experience was fantastic! I just didn't find THE dress there. I did buy a beautiful pair of teardrop earrings at Weddings 826 that I wore on my wedding day. Their jewelry selection is fabulous here as well, so even if you have found your wedding dress, this shop is a great place to go to for accessories! read more

Yay. Though I didn't end up getting my dress here, this was the best dress-trying-on-ing that I had. I came in by myself on a rare weekday off. I chose to leave the entourage behind because I was just exhausted with shopping at this point, but it would definitely be great for a group. All attention will be on you, since there is only one bride per consultant per time slot... so no strangers leering at you while you're in the salon. You can also sip on some bubbly. The best part is that all of the dresses are for sale, so if you find one you love, you can take it home. You also have the option of ordering if you don't fit into a sample size. They had a decent selection of pretty popular designers -- Allure, Mori Lee, etc -- as well as a lot of labels that I didn't know. The budget range was also awesome! One of the dresses that I really liked was only about $700 because it was a sample. Score! The salon is organized in a pretty logical fashion, and the consultant lets you hunt and peck for what you like and don't like. She was very sweet and gave very helpful suggestions about what dresses would flatter my curvy lil bod, even if I originally hadn't thought to try those on. This is definitely your place if you want a calm, relaxed, non-stressful dress experience. read more

Fantastic. I could not ask for a better bridal experience. After visiting 4-5 different bridal salons downtown and 2 out in the suburbs, Weddings 826 is by FAR the best experience I had. They were so good, I went back twice because I so dearly wanted to find a dress from them! I came in with my mother and future mother in law, who were able to sit down at the table with drinks while I tried on dresses for them. I worked with Rachel, who as a fashion design graduate, is well versed in fabrics, silhouettes, styles and designers of each dress I tried on. She was fast and efficient in getting me in and out of dresses (a huge plus!) and she provided just the right amount of information and opinion about each dress I tried on. She absolutely respected my budget and I felt like we were on the same page in terms of my bridal vision. My experience was excellent. I'm still trying to decide on whether to purchase my absolutely favorite bridal gown there (can I afford a 1900 gown? eek!), but even if I don't, I absolutely positively recommend every bride to check out this place. It's absolutely lovely, and they're expanding upstairs as well! read more

I worked with Kayla and she was very knowledgeable, sweet, patient, and showed me a variety of dresses. I ended up going with a gown that she choose! I had three appointments before making a purchase and each time I was given the time and attention that every bride deserves. A few perks- they have lots of Rose Gold accessories- yes! Their dressing rooms have mirrors so you can see yourself first before showing your family and friends- I didn't realize how important this was! Kayla knew her stuff when it came to different styles, cuts, customizations, and fabrics. She could answer my questions and lead me in the direction that fit my vision. read more

I found my wedding dress and veil at Weddings 826 and had alterations done here as well. Throughout the process I visited Weddings 826 many different times for various appointments and each time I had an awesome experience. Everyone who works there is super nice, helpful, and positive - especially Suzi, the owner. The alterations on my dress were very easy - just hemming / bustle but it turned out great. I loved my dress so, so much. read more

I wanted to purchase a new gown and all of my accessories at a bridal boutique plus alter two gowns that I had purchased as samples. The seamstress seemed pretty negative and said she wasn't going to sit there for hours repairing the embroidery and beading. Then I was waiting to talk to someone else but I felt very unwelcome and the seamstress didn't seem very solutions oriented. It's a shame bc I have an unlimited budget and thought it would be convenient to shop there. I decided that I needed a more premium upscale solutions oriented experience and will now be shopping at Vera Wang who offers a significantly more personalized, luxury experience. For my sample gowns I brought them to Davis Imperial immediately after who were action oriented and discussed the alterations process customized to my needs. read more

I got my wedding dress from Weddings 826 and I couldn't be happier! The ladies there are so sweet and helpful. Every time I go there everyone has smiles on their faces and are eager to help. And of course, I found the most beautiful Lilian West dress there! I am so happy that I bought it from Weddings 826! read more

I'm so happy to say I bought my veil, dress, bolero, and jewelry from Weddings 826! Weddings 826 has a nice variety of dresses, and is located in Chicago. It has a small, boutique feel. When I arrived with my mom and sisters, we were greeted with champagne. I tried on several dresses, and thought I found the one. We bought it (I think out of excitement), but immediately I had regrets. I slept on it, and decided it wasn't the dress for me. I called back, but unfortunately there is a no refund policy. The dress hadn't been ordered yet. The owner said she could be sure the order wasn't placed, but they couldn't refund the money. It did say that on the contract, so totally my fault, but I was hoping since it hadn't been ordered, they could have. Weddings 826 told me I could get another dress for that price, or more, instead of the refund (in-store credit). I came 4 more times, and finally found my dress. Each time I came, I was greeted with a smile and never felt like a nuisance. Sarah listened to me (she was a different consultant than my first one) and when I told her what I was looking for, she went to a mannequin, stripped it, and had me try it on. That was the one! Sarah also matched a bolero and belt for me. I also went through alterations at Weddings 826 and was very pleased with how the dress turned out. Not much had to be done, but it ended up fitting perfectly! I highly recommend Weddings 826! I loved my dress, and received many compliments! read more

See all

Weddings 826 is fabulous! I decided to get a second wedding dress when my first one wasn't working out so well - and this place saved me! I think they have a fantastic selection of dresses, as well as lots of beautiful accessories to complete your look! The salon feels really cozy inside and there is a nice large room that you get to yourself when you make an appointment to try on dresses. The best part is the staff. Suzi is friendly, knowledgeable, and really does a lot to accommodate her brides. She made me feel comfortable during the whole process! Katelyn (not sure the spelling!) is also so sweet and really helpful. Even when I decided to take my dress and have alterations finished out west where I am getting married, they were understanding and even made notes for the next seamstress! If you are looking for a great experience and the perfect dress, try them out for sure!! read more

Weddings 826 wasn't horrible... but it wasn't great either. I can't remember my consultants name, but she wasn't ready for me at my appointed time. (Which is ridiculous since I think there is only one area to try on dresses.) It is one of those shops that you walk around and pick out what you want to try on, which is fine - but I prefer a little more guidance. If you want a super traditional (think strapless, a-line) gown - then you can find something at Weddings 826. If you want anything midly different or unique, dont waste your time. I was also pretty furious that we had called ahead to share my budget ($1,000), we were assured that there would be plenty of options. But when I got there... my consultant said oh... our dresses start at $1,500+. Umm... so someone lied on the phone to get my appointment? Lame. It was only my second appoitnment ever, so I did try on some over-priced, mildly boring gowns... and then went on my merry way. (Ended up purchasing from Volle's Bridal in Lake Zurich... even though I live in the city.) If you're a traditional bride, check it out (be aware of your budget though, they WILL pull dresses over budget.) I'm going to end the review now before I take away the second star I'm choosing to give them... they might actually be a 1.5 star for me... Eh. read more

I'd give 5 stars but do not have an feedback on alterations . . . So many dresses, so many styles. I went here a few years back for my wedding. After going to tons of stores I was very close to a couple choices from this place, on another dress from a store downtown. Wedding dress shopping can suck. I was so relieved to find this shop. It changed my whole outlook. There are rooms and closets full of dresses here. I tried styles on I never would have thought about. Like any wedding store, make an appointment before you go. The front room is big and has alot of room for you and your group to move around. I took a friend her last month, she wound up getting her wedding dress at Weddings 826. It was her second store and her first day looking. The dress she found was one I had never seen and was a dress she never thought she'd wear in a million years. It was made for her and she could not have been happier. Prices = very nice range. Staff = FANTASTIC. So nice and helpful. Very upfront about which dresses you can order, pricing and so on. In both my experiences here, they never try to upsell you or force a more expensive option. read more

I love Weddings 826! I went to six different dress stores in my search for my perfect wedding dress (i'm a bit particular); Weddings 826 was by far and away my (and my mom's) favorite. It is the perfect place to have your "yay I'm a bride; this is a once in a lifetime experience" moment. The staff there is so friendly and helpful! I would stop in about once a month to look at jewelry, veils, shoes, etc, and they always remembered me and didn't mind me or my mom poking around their store. They seemed to give honest opinions and never pressured me into buying anything. In the end I worked with everyone, and they were all helpful, knowledgeable, patient, and just really nice in general. I tried on dresses there three different times. I loved every experience - we had our own private room and were brought champagne to drink. We pulled dresses for me to try on, plus the staff suggested some. They also let you take pictures of the dresses, which was very hepful. I never felt rushed, in fact every time I went at least thirty minutes over my time slot, but that was totally fine with them. Their selection of dresses was way better than any other store, and most everything was under $2,000. I even got a discount for coming in so many times. Once I thought I found my dress (I'm also a bit indecisive), they let me stop in during a busy Saturday afternoon and try it on once more just to be sure. The alterations were also great. She came in an hour earlier than her usual time to accomodate my busy schedule. I think I had four alterations, which was way more than any of my other friends when they got married. Everything turned out perfect. I absolutely loved my dress and got so many compliments on it. Thanks Weddings 826! read more

After my wedding planner sent me a list of the "best" places to buy a wedding dress in Chicago, I set a weekend for my Mom to fly in and booked appointments for that weekend. We started the day in the Gold Coast...each appointment felt like a "cattle call" - they shuffle you in, rush you through trying on dresses and then inform you that your appointment will be over in 5 mins to accommodate the next person in line. They had little respect for my budget and couldn't seem to pull dresses I liked much (I wasn't allowed to browse their selection...). Since my mother doesn't live in-state, this was one of the few wedding planning experiences we would have together and I was SO hoping it would be special. But by this point, it was the exact opposite. A friend had recently bought her dress from 826 and RAVED about it. I had made our last appointment there, but almost canceled due to exhaustion and frustration. In the end, we figured since we only had that weekend we would drag ourselves to Armitage...the day completely turned around from there. THIS PLACE IS EXACTLY THE EXPERIENCE I HAD HOPED FOR! My mother and I walked in, had a glass of champagne and some chocolate, chatted with Suzi about what we were looking for and told her our frustrations with the other places. She both let me look around at her selections AND pulled a few dresses she thought would work for me. She had wonderful insight and was obviously a pro, but was not at all overly opinionated - she knew when to speak up and when to let my mother and I talk things through. I found TWO dresses that were both way under my budget (score!) and that I was absolutely in love with. I didn't feel rushed AT ALL, I was the only bride in the store and felt so much more relaxed and able to enjoy the time trying to on dresses. In the end, I got the mother-daughter experience I was looking for...priceless! Suzi sent me home to think about the two dresses I loved and I came back for the one I wanted to walk down the aisle in. I asked for help finding a tiara and veil - once again, Suzi found the PERFECT combo. I also got all my jewelry and my shoes here (and have since been back for more jewelry...they have GREAT stuff!) Maggie did my alterations and the dress looked beautiful for my big day! They kept my dress for me until the day before the wedding, which I am so grateful for because I didn't want my husband to see it AND because when my mother came back in to pick it up she told Suzi that we were worried the weather would be cooler than expected and that I might get chilly...she found a beautiful shawl to go with my dress right then and there!! I recently visited to check out their new addition upstairs...just adds to the charm of this place - a huge space for trunk shoes and alterations etc. Just beautiful. Go visit!! read more

I got married on July 28, 2018 and purchased my dress from Weddings 826. The ladies at Weddings 826 were incredibly helpful from my first day trying on every mermaid dress they had through my very final fitting before the wedding. They make sure your dress fits, looks great, and is clean for the day of (they do a complimentary steam clean the day before)! They truly made me feel taken care of! read more

Weddings 826 bridal shop in Lincoln Park was the perfect place for me to find a dress. A lovely shop with warm and welcoming interior. Suzi is amazing! Attentive, passionate, kind and so patient. She is very professional and gracious. She really went above and beyond. Suzi was attentive to what I had in mind in terms of style and suggested a few dresses. She patiently brought out those gorgeous dresses and allowed us to take our time to decide which would be perfect. I highly recommend Suzi and Weddings 826 for an intimate dress shopping experience. read more

I had a wonderful experience trying on dresses with Kayla. She was super personable and professional and really listened to what I was looking for which reflected in the dresses she brought out for me. This isn't a bridal salon where you browse racks of dresses. Instead, the inventory is in a separate stored location and your consultant brings dresses to you. This was absolutely fine with me but something to note if you need to look over every dress and pick them out yourself. Also, it seems like the trend right now it fit and flare dresses, but I was looking for A-line. Lots of other salons had limited A-line options but there were lots for me to try on here. They had a great inventory of accessories and overall the store was very cute. Super easy to make an appointment and whoever answers the phones is very friendly and great to talk to (compared to some other places that had monotone, disinterested phone etiquette). Even though I didn't buy my dress from here, Kayla was outstanding, not pushy, and I felt confident working with her. I would definitely recommend Weddings 826 to other brides. read more

I absolutely love Weddings 826! I purchased my gown here for my recent wedding, and the entire experience was lovely from start to finish. I highly recommend it to any bride who is searching for the perfect dress. Though it is a small boutique that prides itself on personal service (you are given the entire gown room to yourself when you book an appointment), they still offer a really large variety of dress styles and price ranges. I particularly loved being able to browse through all of their gowns myself and not have to rely on a sales person picking out a few for me based on my vague idea of what I wanted. The dress I ended up with is not at all like what I had in mind when I started looking, so it was nice to be able to see and try on a variety of styles in order to find just the right thing. I had my alterations done here as well and I cannot tell you how many compliments I had specifically on the fit of my dress. I don't know how their alteration costs compare with other vendors, but to me it was worth every penny to have everything done in one place, where they could store my dress throughout the alterations process. Plus the dress fit beautifully. Overall, I highly recommend Weddings 826 for any Chicago-area bride who wants a great selection of dresses and who wants to work with a friendly, incredibly helpful staff. read more

From browsing the store to alterations and pick up, my experience was flawless. Every person in the store is so helpful and friendly. I loved coming in and if I ever felt a bit of stress, there was chocolate, tea, and champagne to cure it! read more

See all

What a charming bridal boutique! Weddings 826 is located in an old Chicago bungalow and has been moderately renovated to become a quaint little bridal salon. The entrance is the reception area and the location of their accessories, and from there each room is a fitting room. Photos of happy brides and fashion shows paper the walls and the decor just screams Girly Bride. After signing in, brides and their families are offered tea, juice or champagne and assigned a sales associated. If you're trying on the dress, have the hooch and leave the juice and tea to your family. You'll need the confidence booster but don't need a drunken peanut gallery deciding on your dress, as I have learned the hard way. And I cannot stress this enough- ladies, be as explicit as possible when describing the dress you want. Your sales gal cannot pick "the one" for you when all you give her to go on is, "I like sparkle!" Be a big girl and come to your appointment prepared. Magazine clippings, favored designers and preferred fabrics are all good indicators for your sales girl to choose your dress. And yes, at 826, the sales associates shop for the dress, not you. My sales girl (so sorry I don't remember your name!) was patient, pleasant, and above all, neutral. She did not design the dresses I hated, and therefore did not get upset when I didn't fall in love. Unfortunately that can happen with some associates, but my girl was a pro. Dress after dress, I kept finding beautiful cuts and styles, but none were "the one". I found a very close runner up, and my sales girl even gave me a business card with the dress sketched on the back. How thoughtful is that? My only minor quibble with 826 is the modestly issue. Unless you book the front room, your family has nowhere to really go but in with you when you're trying on dresses. I wasn't comfortable with that so they had to linger in the hall, but I think the champagne eased that problem quickly. +Dresses range from $500-$3,000ish +Free champs for bride and family +Parking is very tough +Lots of ballgown and A-line dresses to choose from +Highly competent and personable sales associates +Make your Saturday appointments at least 2 weeks in advance read more

I went into Wedding826 right before work. I didn't have time to bring friends or family and I thought Suzy did a great job showing me dresses and was super fun to talk to! She offered to take pictures on my phone for me so I could show friends and family and also gave me the name of a shoe store nearby for my small feet. She was very knowledgeable and extremely patient with me. They have a great selection of dresses for reasonable prices! There are also super cute accessories. It's definitely a boutique worth checking out! read more

I will start with a positive while writing this review. The shop is nice and the ladies that work downstairs are friendly, warm and helpful, however they will not educate on the kind of dress you pick or even warn you of negatives of a dress. After trying on over 10 dress I finally found one I loved. It had a corset back, strapless, sweetheart line, and a tulle hem and bustle. I thought it was beautiful!! And it was, but boy, I did not know the doom this dress would cause! This could have all been avoided if the ladies working there educated me about the dress I picked. I would have never picked it knowing what I do now. Now on to alterations which went smoothly for the most part. They didn't spend much time with me seeming to be pulled in many directions with other clients.That didn't really bother me much but when I came for my "final fitting" the dress wasn't even ready! The didn't sew on the sash or fix some stitching that was bulging at the side. I tried it on anyway worried and noticed that the panel for the corset still wasn't wide enough (my sister in law who was lacing me up told them this). They assured us that these were minor changes and that trying it on again when picking it up would be unnecessary. Now reflecting I think they just didn't have room to fit me into their busy schedule and SHOULD'VE MADE ROOM FOR ME. I decided I would just come and pick it up on the scheduled date even though my mom and sister in law were hesitant because they wanted me to try it on again. I trusted the professionals and they did everything well except for the panel. It wasn't wide enough! The only way I could wear the dress (which I only noticed after a few hours in it) was skin tight to my body. I'll get to more of that later. On to the wedding day everything went well with the dress until about 2 hours in. The hem began to fall under my feet and the bustle kept loosening and trailing behind me even when tied up. During cocktail hour I fell once while everyone was stepping on it almost falling themselves. I don't know why this happened but it did and it was miserable. I spent the entire cocktail holding up my dress and being snapped back as other people stepped on the bustle. I tried to have my aunt fix the bustle but it just wouldn't lift high enough off the ground. I was miserable! The hem falling under my toes though was the worst! We start off the night with 4 dances and let me tell you the nightmare that was! I fell and 2 other people fell during this because of my dress. It was the worst 4 dances of my life! Miserably I sat down for dinner and when I sit I realize I can't breath. The corset was so tight that the boning was stabbing me in the ribs. I only learned later that it was the boning stabbing me. Never once was the word boning said to me during fittings. I started to panic and hyperventilate and needed to leave dinner to fix the problem. I leave the room holding up my dress that was literally falling apart. The wedding planner pulls me into a room to try to help me with no avail. She tries to loosen the corset but can't because every time she does a strip of skin is exposed on my back (because the panel wasn't wide enough) and since it was strapless it began to fall. She couldn't make it look good while fitting well. I told her to forget it to help me with the hem and bustle of my dress. I told her to cut it. I couldn't walk!!!!!! She begins cutting my dress around my feet but that doesn't even work. Other pieces of the hem reveal themselves, falling under my feet as well. The bustle wouldn't stay up. She cut for about 20 min. but it was pointless. I needed to get a new dress. I was absolutely miserable in this one. At this point I missed dinner and my first dance with my husband was in a cut up dress with a strip of skin showing on my back BECAUSE THE ALTERATIONS LADY DIDN'T MAKE THE PANEL WIDE ENOUGH!!! AFTER THAT THE POOR WEDDING PLANNER HAD TO GO BACK TO MY HOTEL ROOM TO GET ME A RANDOM DRESS TO WEAR FOR THE REST OF THE WEDDING! When I went to state my concerns a few weeks later after the honeymoon the ladies at Wedding 826 were not sympathetic. Through the initial emails the lady Suzi who wrote them claimed they told me I picked a dress where the hem and bustle would fall apart once stepped on- they said it was the most fragile material so keep a sewing kit to sew it up. THEY TOLD ME ONLY TO KEEP A SEWING KIT FOR SMALL EMERGENCIES NOT AN ENTIRE HEM AND BUSTLE!!! Then they proceed to tell me that corsets can be very uncomfortable after some time but again NO ONE TOLD ME THAT DURING THE PURCHASE OR FITTINGS OF THE DRESS. The woman named Suzi was sympathetic but the lady with brown hair who did the alterations seemed to think I was making all these problems up- as if I wanted to be there complaining about my dress! All I got was 50% back on alterations which I thought was not good enough. Go somewhere else for your dress. They don't educate you on your dress. They just want to make a sale. read more

I didn't wind up getting a dress here, but I was seriously impressed with the variety of options they carried and the price points of the dresses. Everything was under $3500 (which seems nuts, but is surprisingly great for Chicago) and some of my favorite dresses were in the $1000-2000 range. Many of their dresses looked and felt like options that would have been thousands of dollars more expensive at a different shop, and they had a good variety of styles, everything from more trendy to more classic options. I had a great experience both times I came in to try on dresses. The ONLY drawback is that it's a smaller shop so they don't have space to have their selection particularly browsable, but both consultants I worked with brought out options from the back that were totally what I was looking for even given pretty vague instructions from me about what I liked. read more

Beware here. They take out tags from at least some of the dresses, then sew in their own, and sell the dress for more than you could find it elsewhere. They told me they got my dress at a sample sale for stores in which they didn't know who made it, but I don't believe that. Not knowing who made it, I found the tag with the size and style number and googled it, finding which designer made it. The designer listed stores that sell its dresses in Chicago as House of Brides and Weddings 826 (furthering my assumption that they took out the designer tag themselves.) I also found out that Weddings 826 sold it to me for about $300- $400 more than other stores sell it. And it was the only one in their store, so it was a sample (i.e. not in perfect condition and not the right size so they could make more money on alterations). I would not recommend this place after my experience. But if you go here, be sure to look at the style number on any dress you are seriously considering (if they took out the designer tag) and do some research to see if you are getting ripped off here before you buy. read more

Thank you Weddings 826 for the wonderful experience of finding my sisters amazing dress! The staff was so welcoming upon our arrival. We had our associates undivided attention during our entire visit. Her patience and care was evident from start to finish. The options are endless! With the assistance of the store owner and bridal extraordinaire, Suzi, we topped off our choices and customized our final product. Ladies.....the accessories are amazing! I will have to keep them in mind the next time I need a glam pair of earrings for an after 5 event. So many beautiful options! Thanks again ladies! We had a great time finding the perfect gown with you! read more

I almost purchased my dress from Weddings 826 but decided to sleep on it and was glad I did. I really did like the 1 hour appointment all to myself and thought they had a pretty nice selection. My first impression was that the sales girl was very helpful and incredibly nice, but the more and more I thought about it, the more I felt like she was just really pushing the sale. First of all, without knowing the designer it is pretty impossible to know whether you're getting a deal or if you're getting cheated. But I really liked the dress so I wasn't too concerned with that. My bigger problem was that it was still a little expensive considering it was a sample. But since I liked the dress so much I thought I could get over that. My bigger problem was that the girl tried to convince me that the dress fit perfectly. It was 2 sizes smaller than what I had been trying on at every single other store. If she had just been honest and said "you know it's a little snug, but you wouldn't have to slim down much for it to fit," I wouldn't have minded but she was so adamant that it was my size that I pretty much lost trust in everything she said. And no matter how much I liked the dress I just didn't want to get it there after that. But the samples I tried were in very good condition, and I really liked a lot of the dresses so it's still worth checking out, but just think carefully before purchasing the dress there. Try to get an appointment for late in the day so you can sleep on it and come get it first thing the next morning if you still want it without worrying that someone else will buy it. read more

This store would have received 4 stars (if not even 5), had someone taken notice of our existence earlier than 10mins after we walked in. The two women standing by the counter (I think one of them is the owner) literally did not bother to look up and say hi. They were talking about business and paid zero attention to us while we waited for them to acknowledge our presence, puzzled by what's going on. Once they were done, they greeted us as if we just walked in. Very rude IMO. The consultant saved the day in the end, because she was very sweet, chatty and helpful. read more

This is a great, locally owned shop. I stopped in for my appointment and had to wait about 20 minutes, but once they shuffled the girl before me into the next room, the place was all mine. The dresses they have are in pretty good condition--all samples--so anyone over size 10 probably wouldn't love this store. I'm not a fan of dress shopping, and so when I found one I loved, of course it turned out to be 5 inches too short. Just as I was about to leave, one of the girls rushed up to me and told me she had contacted the designer and secured me a dress that was my size, brand new, and 5 inches longer. For $50 more than the paltry $700 that the sample I had tried on would've cost. WOW. Talk about outstanding service. The bottom line is that the place is cute, the dresses are affordable and in good condition, and the girls go out of the way to help you (but are not too pushy, and don't gush over every dress). read more

Loved my whole experience with the ladies at wedding a 826 , they made the whole dress shopping fun and were super helpful throughout the whole process read more

I purchased my wedding dress at Weddings 826 for my recent May wedding, and my dress was altered there as well. The shopping and altering experiences were different. From a shopping perspective, I HIGHLY recommend Weddings 826. 5 stars. They have a large selections of dresses and a great assortment of styles, and the dresses are beautiful!! You can get real bargains here because many of the dresses are directly from the manufacturer, which lowers the price but certainly not the beauty of the dress! If you're still shopping for a dress, go to Weddings 826 right now! The alteration experience was not good. For one, from the beginning my dress was the wrong size. When I bough it, the woman told me part of my body is a 4, part of it a 6, and part of it an 8. Well, I am a petite person (though not super-skinny) of 5 foot two inches and 115 pounds, and CLEARLY I should have gotten the 6, even if it had to be let out a little. They recommended I get the 8 (though they seemed unsure, it was almost like they were afraid of getting in trouble since recommending the bigger size is usually a safer bet, but in my situation this did not make sense. Who were they afraid of?). From the beginning alterations were a challenge because the dress was made for somebody much larger than me. During alterations I often felt rushed and confused. The lead seamstress always seemed rushed and slightly annoyed. On the first fitting I cut myself because I was not warned about all the pins in the dress. At another fitting, one of the alterations that was supposed to be done (a fix on the bustle) had not been done. The assistants to the head person were much nicer and easier to talk to. In the end I was happy with my dress because it was a beautiful dress, but it would have looked better if it had been altered by somebody with more skill, and had been initially ordered in a different size. I strongly feel the alterations department is understaffed, because they have a large space and it seems this operation would really benefit from an additional alterations employee. The experience could have surely been much, much worse, and overall was pretty good, but it was not top-notch. read more

It looks like I had a different experience than most reviewers on this board, as I had a really poor time at Weddings 826 and would not recommend friends or family to make appointments there (which is a shame because I have a lot of friends either recently engaged or close to it). First of all-- You walk in and the front room is huge and beautiful. In the front room, the bride's guests can sit at a table and the bride gets to put on dresses behind the privacy of a curtain. However-- if you do not get this room, you are put in a tiny dressing room where all your guests (in my case my mom and friends) sit there with their eyes closed as you awkwardly get naked and in-and-out of all the dresses. This wouldn't have been a big deal if my consultant would have been fun, but the lady that I got, Jordan, was a complete wet blanket. She had no emotion in her face, didn't smile one time the whole appointment. The dresses she pulled were OK at best (except one), and she would rush me in and out of the dresses leaving little time to discuss. She made several rude comments and just came off as a total drip. Needless to say I did not purchase my dress at Weddings 826, although there was one I really linked and would maybe have considered if Jordan was not such a terrible consultant. The ladies at the front desk were not pleasant either, everyone seemed like they'd prefer to be elsewhere. Will not be recommending to anyone. Brides- please visit Ultimate Bride, Dimitras or the Wedding Suites at Nordstrom or Macy's. Better dresses and similar prices, and much MUCH better consultants. read more

This was the 1st wedding shop I had visited in my search and while I didn't initially find a gown there I found them to be very professional and welcoming. I feel in love with a dress at another salon, whom I thought was the complete opposite. I called weddings 826 to see if they could order the gown for me since they carried the line. They said they could and it was less then the other shop. I immediately ordered the gown and waited. My dress had come in but due to an issue with my phone I didn't get a voicemail. The shop luckily sent me a postcard as well. I was a little nervous when the dress fittings began because it was way too big and had an illusion back. I also had read some reviews about alterations. I could not disagree more about the negative reviews. I found the these appointments while quick never felt rushed and that the quality of the work was fantastic!!! I would highly recommend this fabulous bridal shop to anyone. read more

Weddings 826 - Back of my dress. - Bridal Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I have been walking, biking and driving past Weddings 826 for years and always thought it was the cutest place ever. When you picture wedding dress shopping, for me, it was always someplace that looked like that. So when I was lucky enough to get engaged, I quickly made an appointment at this shop. My bridesmaid and I were greeted with bubbly, tea or water and taken to a huge room with dresses for days. We felt pampered and spent more than our fair share of time picking dresses, trying them on and generally enjoying ourselves. Sadly, I did not find "the dress" there. But when I did find "the dress" and it arrived much larger than I needed I knew just where to take it. Maggie and her alteration team upstairs at Weddings 826 are a hidden gem. They are amazingly detailed, smart, fun and enjoyable to work with. And most importantly they took what looked like a potato sack on me and made it into the gown I knew it could be...if it actually touched me. :) They gave me extra fittings when my weight started dropping. They even begged me....should anything happen to the dress on the day of, call them!!! They can be anywhere in the city in 20 minutes with needle and thread in hand. I felt like I was in the hands of angels. They wanted nothing more than for me to be comfortable and beautiful on my big day. And thanks to all their hard work, I was beyond thrilled and felt amazing in my dress. I spent days looking for non-strapless dresses. Every girl I saw with a strapless wedding dress spent her day jacking it up when it fell down. Despite my efforts, I fell in love with a strapless dress. And Maggie made sure it didn't fall down even a smidgen. The prices for services were super reasonable, their attention to detail was amazing, and they got everything done on time perfectly with a smile. Could you really ask for anything more? Thank you Maggie & team. I'm going to miss our fittings but I really can't thank you enough for your magic needle and thread! read more

Oh this place was so perfect! This is what dress shopping is all about. The perfect ambiance, it's roomy, not intimidating and there is such a great selection! My bridesmaids and I had such a fantastic experience here and are so thankful to Bryanne for helping us out and making great suggestions. They also have a great selection of accessories. This place really makes you feel the way you should when you are shopping for a dress. read more

I came here about a year ago when I was getting married, and even though I had an appointment they stuffed me and my friend in a back room where I had to change into the dresses in front of everyone (no curtain). I hadn't been anywhere else to try out wedding dresses, so I didn't really know that was out-of-the-ordinary. But looking back on it now, it was a little weird. Went back this weekend with that same friend now that she's getting married. We were in the area early and checked in 20 minutes before our appointment. They weren't ready for us, so we came back at our appointment time. They still weren't ready for us. We had to wait another 20 minutes. Then, when we finally got in the room, the stylist was brand new and didn't know what she was doing. She had to go and ask someone else about everything. Which took awhile. Then, ten minutes before the appointment was supposed to be over, someone came in and told the girl she needed to wrap things up. We were like, "well, we started late, and she hasn't tried everything on she wanted to," so they were like, "OK, fine" and stuffed us in the waiting room so that she could try on one last dress. No one else was even there in the bigger room we were kicked out of. I think they were just trying to close up early. General observations: I didn't think they had anything that interesting/different/special, and their price point seemed significantly higher than Nordstrom and BHLDN. Also, you have to take your shoes off, which is a little weird when the stylists are all walking around with shoes on. read more

This is such s nice place. Kayla was our consultant and we really liked her. Kayla asked about styles of dresses, had we been anywhere, and what did my daughter want in a dress. We even had champagne to drink which helped to make a lively visit! 826 has beautiful dresses and they are unpretentious. Check out 826! read more

Ahhhh, weddings 826. What a lovely wedding planning haven. This lovely girly shop was perfect for my dress shopping experience. I came back in November with my dress team (mom, step-mom and MOH) after trying on dresses at White Chicago. I was a little down after the first store experience, and worried that I was not going to find my simple and elegant and fun dress in my budget. Here is the overview of my experience: Dress selection: Enough for me! My dress was the first I tried on, and is from the Spanish designer Pronovias. It seemed like they have a lot of choices, but yes all in sample sizes. I was aware of this coming in. If you don't think you will fit in a sample size wedding dress I wouldn't waste your time here. Off the Rack: I loved the idea of shopping this way- saving money!! I also need the pressure of "buy now or lose it" I never once regretted my decision. All of us on the dress team knew the second it was on it was perfect. Another plus is the dress comes home with you- when my out of town in-laws-to-be came into town, I was able to try it on for my MIL before the wedding weekend. Staff: LOVE! They are so helpful, fun and trendy! They know what looks good on a woman. Once I was in the dress I asked them to turn on the music (see my review on Toast and Jam to understand) and I rocked out to Gaga to make sure the dress would stay put. Suzi the owner makes you feel comfortable at every point. Atmosphere: Its a perfectly girly place, where you have the entire dressing room to try on dresses. I loved that there were no other brides when I was trying on dresses. Alterations: I was thrilled with my alterations which required some major changes to the dress. I cut off the entire train and shorted the dress majorly. Maggie was wonderful to work with! The alterations were expensive which makes sense, because I didn't order a dress to fit, I got a sample. Overall, I loved Weddings 826 and would recommend it to any woman looking for a non-chain bridal store where you can feel like a princess! read more