I scheduled an appointment at Becker's because everyone told me it was *thee place* to find a wedding dress. I really wanted to love it. The appointment started out well; we discussed budget and styles, and I made it clear that it was my first ...appointment anywhere and that my goal was to figure out what styles and silhouettes I liked. Then, the stylist let me and my mom and future mother-in-law pick out some dresses. The try-on process also went pretty well; the stylist was very helpful with getting in and out of each dress. We also had the shop almost completely to ourselves, which was really nice.
However, near the end of my appointment, there were two dresses that I liked, but I wasn't sure which was "the one", or if either of them were. It became clear very quickly that the stylist expected me to purchase one of them. I was instructed to try them both on over and over until I knew which was "the one". This was my very first bridal appointment anywhere, so I wasn't even sure what I wanted, let alone if I was prepared to buy, and I also didn't know if this process was normal. Eventually, I indicated that I liked one more than the other, which was when I was ushered into the "magic room" where the stylist told me to close my eyes envision my wedding day, standing at the end of the aisle, and seeing my future husband for the first time. Then she told me to open my eyes and look at myself. I did, and burst into tears. Then she asked if I was saying yes to the dress. What?
I understand that Becker's is a small business, and that it takes sales to maintain such a beautiful store with such a lovely interior and shopping experience, but I felt so pressured. To take a bride at her very first appointment, have her try on the same two dresses over and over again, make her cry, then ask her to buy one of them is not a sustainable sales practice. I would understand if it was a bride who knew what she wanted or had been to other stores before, but it made me feel so yucky and used.
After some polite hemming and hawing, I asked if I could sleep on it (yes, I asked, as if the stylist was in charge and not me). She said yes, but the mood completely changed. She hastily walked me back to the room, helped me out of the dress, then escorted me to the front once I got dressed without another word. I left feeling horrible.
Becker's is a beautiful salon with an extremely vast selection and range of prices. If you decide to book an appointment there, I strongly recommend shopping elsewhere first, and to be prepared to hold your ground if you aren't ready to buy.