4.6 out of 5 stars and 112 reviews
4.6
(112)Best of Weddings (5x).2226 South Shore Center, Alameda, CA
About this vendor
We are the top wedding dress destination in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are inclusive to all sizes with a huge passion for housing the largest plus size inventory in all of Northern California. Not only has our CEO, Stephani built up the success of this store, but she has also become a fundamental voice in the bridal industry. Her belief is that all brides and all sizes should be celebrated. She orders her sample dresses in an array of sizes and promotes inclusivity in her niche.
We believe that your wedding dress should capture the feeling of your love story. We want all of our brides to feel and look their best on their special day, but above all we want them to have that magic moment of the perfect dress finding them.
Our expert stylists are trained to help find dresses that will flatter all shapes and sizes while also pulling some surprises to help that magical dream dress find its way to you.
Our Alameda and San Francisco California boutique is home to some of the most luxurious wedding dresses in the San Francisco Bay Area! Our designer wedding gowns range from $800 to $6,000. Want something more unique? We also offer an in-house wedding dress designer who can customize a one-of-a-kind gown look that mirrors your personal wedding style. Our variety of options means that our store is the ideal location where you can find the perfect dress, with an impeccable service experience, either in Alameda or just 8 miles away in San Francisco Union Square.
Your dream dress is only an appointment away. We have a unique selection of appointment types to help make your dress shopping experience luxurious and unforgettable. We look forward to popping some champagne together and helping you experience your special moment while you find your dream dress with us.
xo Cheers to love.
Details
Accessories
- Clutches & Handbags
- Cover Ups
- Jackets
- Wraps
- Hair Accessories
- Flower Crowns
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Dresses
- Wedding Dresses
Fashion Services
- Alterations
- Bridal Stylists
- Custom Designs
- Plus Size Available
- Private Appointments Available
Awards and Affiliations
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.6
out of 5.0112 reviews
Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 7
- Top reviews
- Newest first
- Oldest first
- Highest rated
- Lowest rated
Sort by
I had the most incredible experience at Janene’s Bridal in San Francisco! The entire appointment felt so special & personalized.
I booked a 1.25-hour appointment for myself and 3 guests—my mom, sister, and grandma. We were able to order a bottle of champagne, which came a cute bar cart, with complimentary chocolates & fresh berries—a lovely touch.
Even though my scheduled time was supposed to be just over an hour, Kimberly went above and beyond, allowing me to try on well past the time, so that I could try on every dress my family & I had selected. Her patience, attentiveness, & warm personality made what could have been an overwhelming day feel effortless and fun!
It was a meaningful moment to have my guests there, and so comfortable. , I’m so grateful for how accommodating & welcoming the team was.
I look forward to my next visit to Janene’s Bridal & recommend them to any bride-to-be looking for a special, stress-free, & memorable dress-shopping experience!
I had a wonderful experience at Janene’s Bridal in Alameda! Leslie was amazing—she helped me find the perfect dress and made the entire process so enjoyable. Even though wedding dresses usually take time to arrive, the staff kept me updated throughout, which made everything stress-free. When my dress arrived, they went above and beyond to ensure the fit was perfect, making any necessary alterations with great care. The dress turned out gorgeous, and I love it so much that I plan to keep it forever. I highly recommend Janene’s Bridal for anyone looking for a beautiful dress and exceptional service!
WOW my dress shopping experience from start to finish was fantastic. Sabrina helped me on try on day and was a joy to work with. I'm pretty sure she pulled the dress I ended up picking. It was a "surprise dress" in that it wasn't the style I had in mind, but was the easiest yes! The shop itself is so cute and we loved the mimosas and macarons add on. I also had a fantastic experience with Jennifer and Milca during my fittings and alterations! Both were so knowledgeable and great to work with. I had some significant changes in mind and they took great notes/videos/photos to make sure the alterations team had all the info. It was a fun and exciting experience. Everyone I worked with was friendly, welcoming, and made me feel like the most important person in the room. I am proud to be a Janene's bride!!
Beautiful selection of gowns, lots of plus-size options, staff is very helpful and professional, alterations department does an excellent job. Definitely recommend!
The dress options here are great and many. The prices vary depending on your budget. The space is cute and definitely Instagrammable if that is important. I didn't care but my girlfriends did. It was lovely to have a side of tea, and biscuits. There was also champagne. The booking of an appointment was easy and the alterations done at this space made it much easier for a one stop shop. I appreciated that part. Overall, great choices and I was happy to say I found my show stopping dress here!
I absolutely loved my experience at Janene’s. The shop is gorgeous. My consultant was very respectful of my budget and brought a selection of dresses that I loved. My consultant helped educate me on things to consider like benefits of dress shape and alteration costs and made me feel beautiful. I did not feel any pressure to decide on my first visit and ultimately came back to order my dress. My dress is beautifully made, and I couldn’t have been happier with it on my wedding day. I would highly recommend shopping at Janene’s.
Photos by Carney Abbott Photo
Buying my dress at Janene's was actually great. So please keep in mind the review below is ONLY for my experience with the alterations department.
Let's start with a timeline.
12/16/2022- I had my fitting and bought my dress for my wedding on 8/19/23 (thinking I had PLENTY of time). I decided that I wanted to have a keyhole put in the back, so alterations were needed.
12/20/2022- I was sent an email with descriptions of the type of lace, and costs. I respond back the same day and pay the next day 12/21.
3/18/2023-I come in for my first fitting, excited I bring a girlfriend. I try on my dress (still excited at this point). Alterations doesn't do anything really and when I mentioned the keyhole, they had NO idea what I was talking about. I told them I paid and ordered it back in December...Nothing. So we make another appointment to come in and they'll order the lace.
4/19/2023- I arrive for my now second fitting. Fabric still has not been purchased. No note in my file about wanting a keyhole. I told the alterations person (Austin, who was VERY helpful and kind) but was then left there, in my dress standing for 30 minutes while they tried to "resolve" the situation.
4/20/2023- I write a frustrated email asking for a a refund on the $50 worth of lace that has yet to be ordered but that was paid for (which was ignored). I get a call from the head of alterations saying that the lace WAS ordered, but that the dress manufacturers prioritize fabric for the dresses not alterations... even though it was "ordered in December" opposite of wedding season. I didn't have time to argue but was feeling gaslit. I just wanted to get my dress done and be done with it all. I was assured the lace would be there by my next fitting. At this point, I felt I still had time.
5/18/2023- Third fitting. No lace. All we did was pin some batting down to get a shape of the key hole but my dress' seams are all out and I cant get any idea of how it's going to look. We literally take a picture and draw it with an ipad so I can at least imagine what it will look like. By this point I'm just completely defeated. I'm told, we have the shape so when the lace comes in it will be ALL done and we don't have to do anything. Also, they'll call me as soon as the lace gets in.
Late July I called them since I still had not received a notification of the lace coming in and now I'm actually nervous my dress wont be ready for my freaking wedding. Nothing, no call back.
8/10/23 (a little over a week before my wedding and supposedly my LAST fitting). The key hole is FINALLY on with the lace. my friend meets me there, we do the bustle, but the dress is too long. Fine, that's why we planned early and of course I have to come back.
8/17/2023 TWO days before the wedding, I try on the dress one more time and an quarter of the bustle is missing and dragging on the ground. We wait for 45 MORE minutes for them to fix. No alterations person comes out to talk to me but sends their messenger to give me a discount on the bustle... I'm SO over it.
I love my dress, I love how it came out. But I also had all the fun and excitement of getting a wedding dress taken out of the entire process and when I look at it I also remember this frustrating process. I felt gaslit and ignored and really because I wasn't a loud complainer they didn't try to make things better.
Unless you have MORE than a year before your wedding, take your Janene's dress somewhere else for alterations. I wish I had.
Janene's is a great place to buy a dress, especially if you're plus sized. They actually have a selection.
There was a bit of a snafu with the rush order on my dress as it arrived a month later than expected. But they worked with the designer to make sure it got here as quickly as possible. I also did my alterations with them, and while they weren't cheap, they did an excellent job and it was done on time by the date!
Shopped for my dress at the San Francisco location and it was such a fun, exciting (of course) experience. A wonderful selection of dresses for all fashion types. My dress consultant was a joy to work with and her patience was very appreciated.
I leave off 1 star for 2 reasons…
1/2 star deduction as at time of purchase I was unexpectedly presented with “tipping” my consultant. It’s been 14 months since I purchased my dress (2/2022) and if I correctly recall the explanation for tipping is that they do not receive commission/bonuses, but do have required sales goals. Further explained that a tip is optional; my consultant was so helpful & accommodating that I would have felt bad not giving her a tip (tips can be any dollar amount or percentage you feel appropriate).
The additional 1/2 star deduction is for measurements taken at time of ordering & alterations. I neither gained nor lost weight in the 10 months between ordering and first fitting yet my dress was extremely too small. The alterations took 5 fittings and an additional cost of $1,500 (dress [before alterations expense] with tax & tip was $3,600). I believe there must have been some sort of error when my measurements were initially taken as the consultant may not have been measuring in exactly the correct places. It may be wise to have an actual seamstress take the measurements.
I am fortunate that the unexpected expenses were manageable, but just think it is important to note these 2 items for others.
In the end though, I was extremely pleased with my dress and how I looked.
I'm glad you only have to get a wedding dress once. The customer service has been questionable with the alterations department since the start. I felt confident and happy with my dress. Had a few questions and Janene came out with EXTREME attitude, fat shamed me, did not listen when I answered questions she asked me, and threw a mirror and after leaving that day I second guessed my choice in dress, and lost all confidence.
Would highly recommend trying elsewhere and wish I listened to others when the told me not to go here and especially avoid the alterations department.
I had the most incredible wedding dress shopping experience at Janene’s Bridal. First of all, the place is absolutely stunning and welcoming with a wide variety of wedding dresses. Most importantly my stylist, Maesa, was simply the best and made the experience what it was. Maesa was kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the whole process. They never made me feel rushed and I felt 1000% beautiful and comfortable throughout the entire appointment. Maesa asked all the right questions and helped me pick the whimsy dress I’ve always dreamed about since I was a little girl. It is truly a dream. They made wedding dress shopping a magical and fun experience all around. I couldn’t be more grateful. Because of Maesa and Janene’s Bridal Boutique, I said YES to the dress. I can’t wait to come back to try on my dress. Thank you again, Maesa!
Janene's is AWESOME! I visited both locations and I must say that the Alameda team has a special place in my heart. Each individual I spoke to and worked with was kind and attentive. They helped me understand dress shapes and elements, and worked with me even when I tried on the same dresses multiple times. I found dresses in their SF location that I loved and they got them to Alameda so I could try them again during my last appointment. Their alterations team is heavenly as well! My mom and I even ordered custom jewelry from their jeweler put together on the spot that matched perfectly with our dresses. I know multiple people who have gotten their wedding dresses from Janene's since and it's obvious why, they are amazing.
I had such an amazing experience at Janene’s shopping for my wedding dress and getting it altered! I was able to try on a variety of styles I was interested in within my budget, and the whole ambience of the store is romantic and fun and whimsical.
I went shopping with my mom and my sister which felt like the perfect number given the space for our dressing room. All three of us explored the dresses on display to tag which ones we wanted to try, and the Janene’s staff also helped pull a couple options once they got a sense for my style. They were extremely patient while I tried on dresses more than once and did not pressure us when we left without purchasing that day. My mom and I returned a couple days later to revisit a favorite dress and Maesa assisted us, who was AMAZING! He ended up pulling one last dress for me that he thought I would like and it ended up being the winner.
We also used Janene’s alteration group for some pretty straightforward alterations, and everyone on that side of the business was so sweet and helpful and easy to work with. They did an incredible job with the dress and made some great recommendations on shoes, jewelry, veil, and hair accessories as well.
From scheduling to staff interactions to the final product, Janene’s was so easy to work with and gave me exactly what I wanted. Highly recommend!
Such a wonderful experience finding my beautiful wedding dress and getting it fitted for the big day! Mesa my wedding dress consultant was so sweet and helpful and really made the experience fun! I also loved how the alterations staff were also so friendly and helpful for everything and my dress turned out perfect! Thank you everyone at Janene’ in Alameda!! 💕💕
Being a bride during the pandemic definitely has it's challenges, especially with the shipping delays. Prior to Janene's, I had already tried on dresses at a few different shops so I already had a style in mind that I really liked so I came prepared. My stylist picked a few different dresses but had found the (almost perfect) dress. The plunge neckline was a bit too revealing for my conservative family, but luckily, the designer has a modest version of the dress which was perfect. Fast forward 4 months later, I get the call that the dress is in and I was ready for my first fitting! However, when I showed up, the dress that had arrived was the original plunge and not the one I had ordered! YIKES! Definitely didn't help the stress levels. It took a few days to resolve but Jen was on top of it. Turned out to be a system error when the order was placed, and re-sending the correct dress would mean the dress wouldn't arrive until a week before the wedding so that was not going to be an option. Jen comped the alterations for the added modesty, and assured me that no one would ever know alterations were made. Jen is fantastic and really helped alleviate some of the stress because the final product with the modesty alterations was a mystery until I went to pick up my dress a few days prior to the wedding. While it was a little more stressful than I had anticipated the dress experience to be, Jen really made sure that I was taken care of and provided the reassurance I needed. I'd have to say tough, both the dress and the alterations were a bit pricier than I had originally anticipated. Overall, the customer service and experience was good despite the hiccup. And the dress came out great!
So far my experience with Janene’s Bridal was more than I anticipated - I’ve only had two visits and haven’t gotten my dress in, yet. Mel was amazing! She listened to what I wanted and also had me try on other styles. I’m a curvy bride and she made me feel so comfortable. Also, Janene’s bridal has so many sizes and styles I really feel like I had an opportunity to try on various styles. Can’t wait to update my review once I’ve walked down the aisle!
Janene's is the best. One of the best experiences I had while dress shopping, and that experience continued through the dress buying process and alterations. Staff were super helpful and let you really take your time (I've stayed past closing more than once). Once I found "the dress" they took my measurements and ordered the dress, which took about 5 months to arrive. Once the dress arrived, I picked it up and they offered to start alterations. I was hesitant at first to decide on alterations before pricing out some other places, but ultimately happy to choose them because they did a good job. Alterations were expensive though!! Almost cost as much as the dress itself (which was relatively affordable) - just be prepared!! I had 3 fittings total. The first fitting was just to get my measurements as soon as the dress arrived. The second fitting was about 1 month before the wedding to make sure nothing had changed and to start work on the hem and bustle. The bustle was by far the most expensive part, and honestly looks a bit weird in the end... I wish detachable trains were a more popular style! But with my dress design, I didn't have much of a choice. The final fitting was the week of the wedding where they make sure everything is perfect and teach out how to walk, sit, and move around in your dress. They also teach your people how to do the bustle and help you go to the bathroom! Really helpful stuff. During the "final" fitting, I found a couple of issues with the dress. They agreed to fix them on the spot before I officially picked up the dress, and everything was perfect for the big day. For dancing, etc during the reception, I needed the dress to be bustled and I took the shoulder straps off so I could move my arms. This worked really well for me, and I was able to dance all night with no issues at all. Overall, I think their prices (for dresses at least) are very reasonable and the shopping experience was unbeatable. At least stop by to check out their impressive inventory!
Used Janene's for my alterations and they were so amazing to work with! A bit pricey but they really nailed it. Jen was SUCH a delight to work with and made driving to Alameda 5+ times in the span of a few months all worth it.
My experience at Janene’s bridal was the best. I was paired with the perfect stylist, Mickaela, and she truly went above and beyond to help me find the perfect dress. Mickaela helped me narrow down what I wanted in a dress and never made me feel pressured to make a decision. She quickly understood my style and vision and picked out so many gorgeous dresses that I wouldn’t have thought to try on. I went to another bridal shop and the experience was nothing like Janene’s. I’m so thankful that I got to work with Mickaela, she made the whole experience amazing and she has the best energy. Janene’s bridal is the place to go, and of course ask for Mickaela to be your stylist!
This bridal boutique is awesome. They found dresses that were in my budget and things that I suggested. My bridal consultant let me take pictures of all the dresses I tried on and even let me try on a veil and tiara.
Had an amazing time with my stylist Leah! I have two very distinct styles and she helped me find a dress that truly captured my personality. In just the hour or two that I was there I really felt like she spent time getting to know me and really brought that out in the dresses I tried on.
I also love that the boutique let me walk around and pull some dresses in addition to the stylist pulling options. And they do alterations in house!
Thank you Janenes for making my wedding dress shopping experience so easy.
I had a STELLAR experience with this place. Specifically, Asurah was amazing. This was the 6th place I had been to on a whim by myself after feeling like I hadn't found "the one" at any of the other places. From the moment I walked in, I felt that I was never rushed and Asurah was so calming and helpful. She even took tons of photos from different angles to help me decide. When I came back with my sister to try on the two dresses I loved the most, she remembered everything I had talked to her about and helped me with ideas of various alterations that could be made. She even made sure she could price match for other places I had seen the same dress at. The selection is great and I never felt rushed or pressured at all. Not to mention, the option of adding a couple of glasses of prosecco for when I chose the dress was extra fun! This place has all of the small boutique vibes with the perks of a wide selection. 10/10 would recommend to any Bay Area bride.
Amazing service. Made me feel super comfortable. They have a great selection of plus size dresses.
Janene's Bridal was an all around fantastic experience. It took two appointments for me to find my right dress, but that is all on me, and the stylist never pushed me in one direction or another. The dress I loved was a little over my budget, but they worked with me to come up with a payment plan and it all sorted itself out. I also got my dress altered through their alterations department and I was extremely impressed with every single person's professionalism and eye for details. Having never been fitted for a dress before, they were straightforward with me and answered any questions I had. As we got close to my wedding date I realized the neckline wasn't looking the way I hoped, and they quickly fixed it before my next fitting. They also altered my mother's veil, so that it would go with my dress, and it looked perfect as well.
I didn't shop around for pricing at other alterations locations, but I would say that I never thought I was being over charged and I never thought my dress was in the wrong hands. I never worried that the dress wouldn't be ready for my wedding either. I would definitely recommend Janene's to anyone shopping for a wedding dress.
Janene's Bridal is wonderful. The staff are caring, kind, and warm, the salon is luxurious, and I felt like a pampered princess every time I was there.
I'm a plus-sized bride (size 22), and was very self-conscious about fitting into dresses in a "normal" store so I went to a couple different places. Janene's sales staff made me feel like family. Janene herself is a no-nonsense woman who obviously loves making each dress fit the bride perfectly. She's also a genius with fabric.
Once my dress arrived (9 months!) Janene worked with me to alter the dress to fit my vision. My fittings with Jennifer were fun, and I felt beautiful every time (something I rarely feel in any clothing store.) There's so much more to wearing a wedding dress than just putting on a dress, and Jennifer made sure I was comfortable in the dress and had all the tools to make it perfect on my wedding day.
The dress ended up gorgeous, exactly what I wanted, and hemmed to perfection. I got married on grass so I was worried about stepping on it, but they compensated for that!
I bought and had my dress altered at Janene's and had such a wonderful experience throughout the entire process!
Carla was my stylist and she so sweet and patient with my group and me. She gave us a tour of the entire store, pointing out different designers and price ranges, gave us a bag of clips to mark any dresses we were interested in, and let us loose! I told her what I was looking for, so she added some selections of her own as well. Despite trying on a bunch of dresses (including a couple of over the top gowns just for fun), I ultimately wound up going with the dress she picked out for me, which turned out to be well under my budget. She really knows her stuff! We had such a fun time singing along to the music playing in the store and she even let a few members of my group try on some veils for a fun impromptu photoshoot. Since Janene's was my first wedding dress shopping stop, I was hesitant to commit to a dress without checking out other stores first. Carla was so understanding and didn't pressure me at all to make a decision on the spot. She told me that they would keep my dress information and measurements on file in case I decide later on to go through with the purchase. I shouldn't have had my doubts--I called back to order the dress immediately after a mediocre experience at another bridal boutique!
Months later when my dress arrived, I worked with Brooke in alterations. She really took her time asking me if there were any changes I wanted to make to my dress to make it perfect and patiently explained all of my options and pricing. Then, Janene herself came by to pin my dress and make alteration recommendations. I came back for a few more appointments, targeting different areas of the dress each time. There was so much attention to detail and I could tell that the whole alterations team really worked hard to make every aspect of my dress perfect. I was also given suggestions on how to look best while wearing my dress and how to move in it. They also taught my bridesmaids how to get me into my dress and how to do the bustle. On the day before my wedding, they had me try on the dress one last time (it fit like a glove!) then had it fluffed and bagged, ready to go for the big day.
I can't recommend Janene's enough. Every staff member I encountered was so sweet and I truly felt that they really cared about making everything perfect for me. They even gave me a discount for being a nurse! Thank you so much!
An amazing experience. Karla (I believe?) was absolutely amazing. She took the experience very seriously and listened intently to what I liked and didn’t like from each dress. After trying on about 8, she combined the ideas I’d mentioned and pulled a dress out from the back for me to try on. That was THE ONE! An amazing experience and I have been continuously impressed with their level of service during the alterations process.
One final note - I also very much appreciate the fact that they stored all of the COVID-19 brides’ dresses without a single worry. My wedding my next delayed, but my dress is in good hands. HIGHLY recommend!
I live in SC, but went to Janenes because I was visiting my brother and wanted him to be there with me. First of all, the store is beautiful. There are so many to pick from. I had done research and wanted to go as a plus size bride because of the great amount of plus size dresses they offer. Jackie was my bridal consultant, and I legit can not say enough nice things about her. First she made sure I felt like I could pick any dress in the store, not just plus sizes. I ended up picking plus sizes because I was nervous but I did show her one dress on Instagram I really loved. It was the only sample size one I tried on and I fell in love! I knew it was the one. Let me tell you, dress shopping is stressful. But Jackie made sure I did not feel over whelmed the whole time. She constantly checked on me. You could tell she was reading me the whole time to make sure I went at my pace. I was nervous to buy the dress in California and not closer to where I lived and what I liked is that they did not push me. They let me know they priced matched, which I liked even more when they honored that deal. I ordered the dress when I got home, and they were good about communicating with me even from two different coasts. When my dress got in ( a lot sooner than I thought!!) they sent me a good twenty pictures so I can see what it was like. I HIGHLY recommend this place. You will not be disappointed!
Love, love, love!! I came in back in June and found my dress during my appointment, which was my first ever wedding dress appointment! The ladies here are all so welcoming and truly there to help you find the dress of your dreams. I tried on a few dresses before they were able to piece together what I did/didn’t love and find the dress I fell in love with. I came back a couple months later during their sample sale and found my second dress here as well. Wouldn’t recommend any other place but Janene’s! Such a large variety in dresses in a very affordable range of prices. There is honestly a dress here for everyone’s style AND budget!!
Janene’s is the perfect place to find THE dress. I loved the approach to pick out dresses to try on. It was fun to involve my mom and MOH in selecting dresses! They have an amazing selection and Cara was so sweet and helpful! Jennifer in alterations is so knowledgeable and they have been so great about storing my dress while I wait for my new wedding date! Only wish I got to shop at their new location for my dress because it’s beautiful!
I just purchased my wedding dress from the salon and had such a wonderful experience! The stylists were super sweet and helped me with picking out different styles that looked amazing on my body type!!
I got married 2018, I forgot to write a review, I didn't know how it would all work, I know what I wanted but couldn't find it. I decided to do a custom dress! I was scared and I hoped it would all work out! I was so surprised how smooth the process went, I said what I was thinking and we started to create it! At fittings I was weary because of course I couldnt see it finish till the end, but I said what I liked and didn't like at each fitting and it wasn't done till I said it was done. After about 5 fittings I was so happy, I couldn't wait! The girls are so nice and made me feel so good since my family couldn't come with me and Janene made me so beautiful! I didnt think I could look that good! Janene made me so happy! My wedding was perfect!
Thank you
Janene and their consultants!!!!! Don't go anywhere else for a custom dress!
My experience at Janene’s Bridal was definitely one of a kind experience. My bridesmaids and I was lucky to have a semi private area complete with comfortable seating, libations and yummy treats. Their process of selecting a dress made it more special. I was given 7 yellow pins (6 girls and 1 for me) and I brought each of my bridesmaids with me around the store to select a dress they think fits me best. When it was time to try on the dresses everyone was able to help me narrow it down. Funny that I picked the dress I chose. All in all the customer service was awesome all around especially Briana and Julie who made sure we were comfortable and our glasses filled with champagne.
What topped my experience was that I won a raffle for their 11 year anniversary and was able to apply my winnings toward the balance of my dress! Whaaat?! They have a great selection of different styles and designers neatly categorized.
If you need a dress in the bay area go here! I can’t wait to head back for my first fitting!
Found my perfect dress!! Everyone that works there is amazing and their new location is gorgeous! Went back to start the alterations and was amazed again!! Such easy and supportive people to work with. Their knowledge is also so very helpful and makes you feel so confident and comfortable. Looking for the perfect dress with the perfect place? Look no further ladies. I could seriously go on 🥰
I planned a Sequel wedding during the pandemic and I bought two dresses outside of Janene's that needed tailoring. Best decision I could make as a bride! Your dress is one of the many things you are most excited about and I felt like with two completely different looks, they were able to cater to my needs and vision. I even ended up bringing my bridesmaid dress to be altered there too, because why not? For the 4 months leading up to my wedding for dress alterations, I was able to have Brooke with me. That helped with the consistency of my vision and she knew exactly what I wanted and communicated with the alterations team. My dresses fit like a glove and I could not recommend them more! Every time I set foot in my appointments they were very attentive and asked questions about fit I didn't even think about. I felt like a bridal queen and loved the customer service experience, especially during a very stressful time. For future brides, definitely invest in a great alterations team, because you want to feel beautiful, comfortable and like the dress fits you like a glove and they were able to make that happen for me!
What an amazing experience at Janene's!! I had such a wonderful time and found the dress of my dreams!! My stylist helped and went above and beyond to make sure that I had a great time, even during the pandemic!!
I had the best experience here. I visited several bridal shops and my experience at Janene’s was by far the best! They also have an amazing selection of dresses and the customer service is outstanding! I bought my dress here and I couldn’t be happier!
I found my dream dress at Janenes! First of all, the place is soooo cute! I loved how they allowed me to go through the store and pick out dresses and based on that I was able to see what I liked and didn’t like. Bianca was amazing! She was so patient and friendly, I would recommend Janenes to everyone :)
I’ve made a few appointments over the course of finding my dress here and am going in today to make a final decision! My stylist, Jenna, has been so incredible throughout the entire process! I couldn’t ask for better customer service and really making my experience fun and comfortable. They have such a wide range of amazing dresses to choose from. Every person I’ve spoken to here always is so knowledgeable and kind. Jenna is such a gem and I’m so grateful to have found Janene’s!
I had the best experience at Janene's Bridal. I scheduled my first try on appointment and had a great experience with my stylist, Leah. She really learned my style and made sure me and my support crew had a good time, despite the appointment being during COVID. Janene's did a great job limiting appointments and guests and asked that everyone wear a mask to ensure we were following the guidelines. We ordered some champagne and charcuterie, which made the try on appointment a lot more enjoyable.
I didn't end up finding the "one" at the first appointment, so I scheduled another appointment at Janene's annual sample sale. They paired me with Leah again, which was perfect. She found the dress that wound up being the "one" and suggested the perfect veil that looked absolutely gorgeous with the dress.
I never felt rushed or pressured to buy anything, which was very important to me. With my wedding a year away, Janene's is storing my dress until I start the alterations process.
Overall, my experience buying my wedding dress at Janene's was a great experience and everything I could have hoped for from a bridal boutique. I can't wait to wear the dress next year!
I had the most AMAZING experience at Janene’s Bridal. First off, their store is so adorable and really gives you the whole feel of bridal dress shopping. Jenna was my bridal consultant and she is such a doll like you will end up leaving wanting to be her best friend. Even during COVID with certain restrictions, they were so accommodating and made it all feel special! I was even able to meet with Janene, the owner before purchasing the dress to make sure I could make certain alterations. You will have the most amazing time at this bridal store if you choose to go! And I highly recommend Jenna as your bridal consultant, she was never pushy but always gave the perfect amount of encouragement and support while also checking in on how I felt. She really made our whole experience.
If you are in the search for your wedding dress and are not sure where to go, look no further than Janene’s! They were so helpful from the very beginning of my search to the day I picked up my dress!
Save your self from stress, tears, and emotional distress; don't go to Janene's Bridal Boutique.
Horrible business ethics.
Horrible customer service AFTER you buy the dress.
They are very dishonest.
Wedding planning is stressful enough. Janene's Bridal Boutique added onto the stress and anxiety. Eventhough I ordered my dress 10 months before the wedding, yet I got my dress 2 months before my wedding.
They don't make wedding planning easier. Worst experience ever. I spoke with the owner and she didn't care about the poor service they have. She simply blamed it all on her daughter. Apparently her daughter does the ordering and the owner does the alterations.
At the beginning they provided me a date for when it will arrive but then the day comes and they don't know where it is and when it will arrive. Then a whole month passes. They call me to tell me they think they have an idea. By this point I start stressing because I only have 3 months before the wedding. Eventually, I get a call that the dress arrived, by this point I only have 2 months before the wedding.
They pretty much force the customers to get it altered by them based on the little time frame they provide. Lastly, they over charge for alterations as well.
At the end you leave feeling stressed and foolish for buying your dress from such a dirty boutique.
Refer back to the many bad reviews it has on Yelp. They all have a pattern.
This place is full of empty excuses.
REVIEW ON FINDING THE DRESS: I found Janene's through recommendations from various friends (for dress selection and alterations) and also found the countless stellar reviews on Yelp as a positive sign. I filled out the online form and within 24 hours, I confirmed an appointment within my desired time frame. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous going into my appointment given that I am very indecisive/picky when it comes to buying any type of dress. However, the staff member I worked with made me feel comfortable! She was very kind, patient and funny! I am forgetting her name (sorry!) but we bonded over our shared introverted nature! I tried on 5 dresses based off styles I favored via Pinterest and went with the one my stylist recommended (she found a happy median between two styles I was drawn too). During my appointment, I felt heard and the overall experience was easy. Now, my approaching wedding feels so much more real! I am so happy this boutique was my FIRST AND ONLY stop for wedding dress shopping! THANK YOU JANENE'S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE!
REVIEW ON ALTERATIONS: I also completed my alterations here and wanted to express my greatest appreciation for how beautiful my dress turned out! I am so grateful that the alternations were done in such a short period of time - despite being delivered LATE by the designer! Your team made me feel at ease during such a stressful time and for that I cannot thank you all enough!
I found my dream dress at Janene's! Their team was so wonderful and easy to work with. Every step of the buying and fitting process was fun! I felt confident and beautiful on my wedding day :)
Had a amazing experience my stylist, Cynthia, was very knowledgeable and found the perfect dress for me. They had a large dress selection and they even let me into the racks and put clothespins on the ones i wanted to try. Then we got this great room to try everything on and it just felt like a special moment where i can feel free to be myself and fall in love with my wedding dress. Highly recommended!!!
Ok, where do I begin? First of all, everything was incredibly clear and organized throughout the entire process, from my search for the right salon, the process of picking a dress, waiting for my dress to arrive, to the alterations and pick-up. The sales woman I worked with was calm, not pushy, and really awesome in listening to what I wanted in terms of style and budget. I think she was the one who found the dress I ended up choosing. And can I just say, my dress was so incredibly gorgeous, fit like a dream, and was so comfortable all night. Jen was so fun to work with during the alterations process, and really helped me feel comfortable in such a fancy and beautiful gown. I also really appreciated the flexibility of the alterations schedule. Such a wonderful experience, I cannot recommend Janene's more!
Janene's Bridal Boutique was recommended to me by three of my teachers, who all purchased their wedding dresses here. The boutique is charming and has a massive selection for being quaint in size. My appointment was in early March 2019, and my wedding date was set for August 31st, 2019, so I had a short timeline. I went in with a $4,000 budget for everything, dress, alterations, and veil and was able to stay within budget, and everything arrived on time. There were so many dresses to choose from in my budget; it was nice to feel like each dress I pulled I could purchase. My dress was a beautiful ball gown with a beaded bodice and a luxurious heavy satin skirt in a gorgeous ivory color that looked beautiful against my pale complexion. The alternations team was amazing, their hours were incredibly convenient as I live in San Francisco and needed to drive to Alameda for three fittings prior to the wedding, they have late hours a couple of nights during the week with the last appointment at 7:30 pm I was able to make it across the bay in traffic with time to spare. My dress was everything I had always dreamed of; it was so fun to dance and spin in, it fit perfect so I could walk, sit, kneel, and dance the night away. Thank you, Janene and team- my dress was absolutely stunning, and I felt beautiful every moment I was able to wear it.
After having an underwhelming dress shopping experience at a bridal salon closer to home, we decided to make the trek out to Janene's Bridal Boutique despite the long drive.
Our consultant, Cynthia, was very warm and welcoming for our appointment. There was a wide variety of dresses available in the store from numerous designers and she assured us that there would be something from every price point. We were allowed to wander and pull dresses without any rush and she was very helpful in taking down our feedback on what we liked or didn't like for each dress I tried on. I ended up ordering a dress I had tried on elsewhere because the customer service at Janene's was exceptional. Communication was always prompt, such as informing me when my dress had arrived.
Alterations were unexpectedly pricey, but I received a significant discount due to purchasing my dress during a promotional weekend. The alterations appointments were more frequent leading up to the wedding date, but any last minute changes were covered in the initial cost. During our final fitting, the alterations manager Jennifer was very patient in explaining to my bridesmaids how to bustle and maintain the dress to ensure maximum floof for photos.
Parking outside the bridal salon could be quite difficult during busy hours. (It's mostly street metered parking.) This can be especially hard on dress pick-up days if you need to carry it to your car! They are very popular, so though our first few appointments were on the weekends, the last few alterations appointments fell on weekdays. Since you will need someone with you on your final fitting, it's good to have advance warning.
My dress looked perfect on our special day and it fit like a glove. I couldn't recommend the lovely ladies at Janene's more!
I bought my dress at Janene’s bridal. It was the 6th shop I had visited, and had the most selection of all the shops I’d been to. I got to walk around and pick out which ones I wanted to try on, and my stylist selected a few for me as well. She helped me in and out of the dresses and clipped them. She also helped me narrow them down and see what they would look like with different accessories. I ended up choosing a beautiful lace v-neck dress with keyholes in the back and a-line tulle- and it was BELOW my price range! After getting home, I decided that I wanted to change the size of the dress, and emailed Janene’s, and they were able to switch the size for me right away. I then waited very patiently for what felt like the longest 5 months of my life for the dress to be made and shipped. As soon as it arrived- I went back in to try it on and it fit perfectly at the waist! I just needed the length to be taken in and a bustle. I ended up doing my alterations at another salon, since Janene’s is quite the commute from where I live. I’m so happy with how my dress turned out, and I think my groom was too :)
I had an amazing experience with Janene's Bridal, from shopping to alterations. It's a lovely shop with a huge selection and a very kind and helpful staff. Everyone who works there really knows their stuff, especially the alterations department.
This place does everything: I bought a hair comb and necklace from them when their jewelry specialist was there. Jennifer taught me how to do a first dance spin without tearing my sleeves. They gave me an emergency kit with extra lace in case of rips. They even took a video of how to do the bustle! I couldn't believe the attention to detail they provide.
I was not prepared for how much alterations cost in general, but having this team of folks helping me was worth every penny. They were the VIPs of our team of vendors. Highly recommend!
I went here for my first bridal gown shopping trip. The saleswoman was very patient and attentive, letting me try on lots of different styles to figure out what I wanted. They have a good selection within my budget ($1500 or less). I did not find my dress here, but could not have asked for a better dress shopping experience.
Their alterations department is also highly recommended.
I was so happy to find my wedding dress at Janene's! I set up an appointment back in December 2017. They were very welcoming and allowed my parents, now mother-in-law, and me to browse around for dresses. During the appointment, they asked for what I was looking for and my budget. I tried on my family's selections and then tried on the dress that my associate picked out for me. I approached the mirror and secretly had chills. It was a Martina Liana trumpet/mermaid dress with lace, beading, chapel length train, straps, and a low back. Checked off pretty much everything I was looking for! On the hanger the top half looked sheer so I immediately disregarded it, but after trying it on the sheet part wasn't even that transparent. I fell in love! After staring at myself in the mirror, not able to take the dress off, I said yes to the dress and bawled my eyes out. This was my second time trying on dresses and I ended up cancelling the other appointments I made for other salons.
My wedding was in September 2018 so we scheduled fittings leading up to it. Every time I came back I felt welcomed and they made me feel beautiful in my dress. During the final fitting, I brought all my accessories to create the final look, including jewelry I bought elsewhere, and we ended up walking out with ordering customized jewelry from their long-time jewelry vendor. We picked it up the same time I picked up my dress.
I had the best experience at Janene's!
After doing the stupid thing of buying a dress 2 sizes too small that I was in love with, losing 20lbs but still not getting the boobs to fit into it, I sent an SOS to my bridesmaid/professional event planner/recent bride for help and she recommended the alterations team at Janene's. They were amazing from the start, understood my needs and issues, were affordable considering what that I was asking them to reconstruct my dress, and did it all within 5 weeks of my wedding. The dress turned out amazing. If I were to dock them on anything it would be not putting a smaller corset size in when I expressed concern about losing more weight - which happened (and the dress started to fall off at the end of the night), but that was the least of my worries. THEY ARE AMAZING!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
They have lots of selections and the person who helped me was very nice. We were running almost half an hour late and were still allowed to take our time. There was no pressure at all to purchase a dress. The prices were fair, and I had a great experience. I don't think I found "thee" dress, but I definitely found ones I really liked.
if you have money to burn, maybe this is the place for you, but if you have a budget (you really should) just skip Janene's. The sales clerk was incredibly sweet and helpful, but she encouraged me to try on dresses way outside my budget. Luckily everything had a price tag so I could keep myself in check before I fell in love with the priciest one (which I would have because it was closest to my vision). I ended up buying a gorgeous sample dress online and tried Janene's again for alterations. They have a form that explains all the steps and at the bottom it says alterations cost $300-900. I was quoted more than $1200. I found two other bridal tailors who would do it for one-third the price. Also, add in at least 25 minutes of hunting for parking if you visit the salon! That was an element of stress I didn't need! So far I'm very happy with my alternate choices.
Jennifer & Janene helped me transform my mom's vintage wedding gown into the modern dress of my dreams. They were so easy to work with, and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to create and unique and beautiful dress. Thank you so much Janene's!!
This was my first and only stop in dress shopping as it came highly recommended! They did not disappoint! I worked with them for a year with my dress, from the first fitting through the pick up, everyone was fantastic. They made me feel welcome from the moment I stepped in the door and like a princess each time there after. Jennifer with alterations was the best! All of my emails and phone calls were responded to promptly and always with such politeness. I was never told no. Highly recomend!
Negative One Star: The lack of accommodation, the shortness, and bad customer service. When my sister purchased her dress this year, her experience was GREAT! I was w/ her and loved the experience. When I decided to go w/ Janene's for my wedding months later, they had new staff. I had to reach out to see if my dress was in since no one contacted me. My dress was HUGE on me & they kept saying I lost weight - not hardly! Then they quoted me $1200 for alterations ... If I hadn't just paid FULL price (no discount offered as my sister was) then MAYBE but to pay over $1500 for a dress and then another $1200 to take in the LARGE dress that they sold me was insane! And then I call for any arrangements and the staff told me, "I hope you find someone else because we can't do anything. We'll be here".. I was quoted much less by other businesses but eventually worked with someone in Fairfield on Texas Street who was REALLY amazing & accomodating!
I can't say enough great things about the team at Janene's Bridal. From the very beginning the sales team was so easy going, professional and never pushy. It was a blast trying in dresses despite being overweight. They made me feel like I could try any dress I wanted and even had ways to make the dress look like it fit with contraptions. This is something isn't something done in all wedding shops.
They made me feel like a true bride and even accommodated my large bridal party.
Once I did decide to buy the dress I knew u also wanted it tailored at Janene's. It was a lot pricier than elsewhere but I really didn't want to take the chance with my intricate beadwork on my dress. I would suggest that if your dress is as intricate and delicate as mine you're in good hands with the seamstress at Janene's.
Every time I had a fitting I was nervous and they eased my mind. They even had great tips on how to lift certain areas of my body so the dress could fit better and took the time to walk me through how to walk in the dress as well.
At the wedding everyone said that the dress fit me perfectly and it really did. Being someone who is highly critical of my own body, I felt so comfortable in the dress and confident that everything would stay in place. It was like a second skin and 2 Months later I'm still being told from random people how beautiful my dress was and how well it looked on me.
Thank you Janene's Bridal for making me feel like a beautiful bride on my wedding day!
Contact
2226 South Shore Center, Alameda, CA
Janene’s Bridal Boutique
Janene’s Bridal Boutique's photos