4.9 out of 5 stars and 65 reviews
4.9
(65)Best of Weddings (3x).1623 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA
About this vendor
We are a couture bridal salon in Walnut Creek, CA offering well known, sought after designers such as Anne Barge, Galia Lahav, Jane Hill, Netta BenShabu, and Rivini to name a few. Our prices range from $2,500 to $15,000.
We also have a sample sale rack with gowns starting at a couple hundred up to $3,500.
Details
Accessories
- Hair Accessories
- Pins, Combs & Clips
- Tiaras
- Sashes & Belts
- Veils
Dresses
- Wedding Dresses
Fashion Services
- Alterations
- Bridal Stylists
- Custom Designs
- Plus Size Available
- Private Appointments Available
Awards and Affiliations
Reviews
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4.9
out of 5.065 reviews
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Kinsley Couture is the absolute best and I am so grateful for everyone who helped me get my dream wedding dress. Sierra was an absolute gem and she and the team made the whole experience so easy. They have such incredible designers and were even able to order a dress from Eva Lendel for me that was pretty much impossible to find elsewhere. I had a very particular aesthetic in mind for my Parisian wedding and Kinsley Couture made it a reality. The Eva Lendel Molly was the only choice, even though they humored me while I tried everything else on, and even though the designer couldn’t send any samples the Kinsley Couture team made it easy enough to order it sight unseen. It was clear they have a great working relationship with the designers. Kinsley Couture also brought in such a wonderful seamstress, Jila Tailoring Studios, who altered the dress perfectly and was such a pleasure to work with. They also have amazing accessories. Instead of a veil I went with the Bromelia pearl headband by Maria Elena and it went so well with the dress. For the rehearsal dinner, I went with the Untamed Petal Clara and it was such a perfect dress for Paris. Reflecting back on the experience, I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the team at Kinsley Couture. Thank you so much!
They messed up my measurements, refused to bear the cost of their mistake, and repeatedly broke promises to help make it better. I spent an $2,200 beyond what they advertised when most alterations cost $150-$600.
For a $11K dress, this was not a luxury experience. Beware when you're told "if anything goes wrong, this can all be altered!" Why are you getting a custom fit if you fork out $2000 in alterations?
1. When they measured my long sleeve topper, they didn't measure the arm hole. I asked them if they needed this, and they said it wasn't necessary. It was necessary!
2. I ordered my dress in Jan 2021. It was supposed to arrive at the beginning of Aug. I had to proactively email to discover it was delayed due to shipping problems. It arrived in mid-September. I had 1.5 months for alterations. (Google says "you should come in for your fitting two months in advance, but not less than 1 month before".) There was no way that I would have been able to solve the subsequent fiasco if my Oct wedding had not been delayed due to COVID.
3. Sept 2021: My measurements changed. The bust increased by 1-2 cm, and the waist increased by 4cm. The dress was gaping open at the back 4-5 inches. I insisted that they measured incorrectly, since I had not gained weight. They said the dress has no affordances because it has to be tight. (Google says most dresses should be able to let out 1-2 inches from seams). The sales told me not to worry, they would find a solution, and found the situation surprising.
4. Nov 2021: I was given 3 options: (a) The designer can add additional panels for a large cost. (b) The designer can replace the corset entirely for $3080. The owner offered to cover 20% saving $616. (c) A seamstress can add a lace-up corset to the back for cheaper.
I was unhappy with all of the choices.
5. They spent Sept 2021 to October 2022 "discussing more options with the designer", only to leave me in the same position. The seamstress would now get fabric from the designer and add the panels. I felt like I was backed into a corner to pick this option.
6. Nov 2022: When I went to my first fitting with the seamstress, the store manager insulted me by asking if I had lost any weight hopefully, as if that was the solution they had been searching for. Unhappy that a year later, I would be expected to bear the full cost, I asked them to honor the offer to cover 20% of the corset cost. This was verbally accepted. I wasn't necessarily looking for a discount, but some sort of acknowledgement of my frustration.
7. March 2023: After the alterations finished, they now do not want to pay the 20% cost of the alterations (~$400). They told me that they supposedly halved the cost of fabric. This was never communicated to me when I paid for the fabric, so I do not know how I am supposed to trust that. I paid $418 for the alteration fabric and then another $1800 for alterations with a seamstress, for a total of $2218. This was not significantly cheaper than if I had picked (b) which would have ended up being $2464.
I'm frustrated that to the end, they would leave a sour taste. I had so many back and forth email conversations and phone calls, and drove from SF to Walnut Creek way too many times than I needed to end up with the same results. 2 years later, none of the solutions offered were anything different than "Just pay for expensive alterations".
To say that Kinsley James SAVED my wedding day is an understatement. I had always dreamed of a big poofy princess ballgown (a bit hard to find right now with the sleeker styles being more desirable). I ordered a custom gown which ended up being a complete disaster in every way. It was 27 days before my wedding and I was gownless...a brides worst nightmare. Alexis and Nicole at Kinsley James in Walnut Creek successfully helped me find the gown of my dreams off the rack and even rushed to get me a little extra lace to have off the shoulder sleeves put on. I commend the entire store on there teamwork fitting me in extremely last minute for a fitting and being able to accommodate my extra requests. EVERYONE commented on how incredible my dress was and I still have people asking me where I got it. My gown nightmare turned into a blessing in disguise.
Not only did they manage to literally save the day, but the boutique is so cute! They offer champagne and are all the sweetest girls! You can't go wrong with any of the stylists here! Thank you all again so very much!
Hands down, I had the best wedding dress shopping experience at Kinsley James in Walnut Creek compared to all bridal boutiques I had visited, even compared to ones out of state. I went to KJ multiple times, and every encounter was great. The overall atmosphere of the boutique, the attentiveness from the entire staff, and the dress & accessory collections they had to offer made a huge difference in my experience for choosing a dress. The quality of the dresses are incredible and surpass any other store I had been to. The owner, Dawn and all the KJ staff are fabulous and truly exemplify customer service. They really listen to your personal preferences and understand your budget; they are not just trying to make a sale. I worked mostly with Tiffany, and she was such a sweetheart. She helped me find the perfect dress for me, made by Rivini. I did not truly understand when everyone had told me "when you know, you know" after putting on the perfect dress until I had experienced it myself. It was actually not the dress I imagined buying, but immediately once I tried it on, I saw myself marrying the man of my dreams in it. It matched my venues and personality exactly.
I also was able to purchase my veil and belt made by Anne Barge at their accessory trunk show. I even found a last minute hair piece there the week before our wedding, and it all came together better than I imagined. I received so many compliments on my dress from all of our family and friends, and I could not have had my dreams come true without Kinsley James!
Superb selection and impeccable service!!! I first knew about Kinsley James when my sister decided to do a day trip in LA and have lunch at Toast in West Hollywood after getting engaged a week before. So while waiting for a seat outside the restaurant my sister Candy pointed out "Omg that bridal place looks so cute" and i looked at it and it is indeed look elegant and lots of beautiful wedding gowns on display. We made an appt for our first visit to shop for wedding dresses few months later. I have been to numerous bridal salon in LA and this one is by far why favorite and I am so happy to have chosen them to find my perfect dress. Kelsey helped me all the way and she went above and beyond trying to find the best gown for me that fits my budget, the look i want and what i am looking for. Their seamstress work on altering my gown was superb. Hands down to all the girls that work there. Whenever i go down for trial and fitting the girls are super friendly, drinks and champagne on the house and absolutely the best ambience while getting your fitting.
While I didn't end up purchasing my dress here (I picked a gown from a designer they don't carry), I just had to give a shout-out to Nicole, who made my experience here so fun and relaxing. You will not be "sold to" here - they are real pros who are kind, considerate and go above and beyond to make your dress shopping experience a truly magical one. I will definitely be sending my girlfriends here :)
Beautiful boutique. Every staff member I met was friendly and responsive. And I never felt pressured to make a purchase or go over my budget. It's a great spot to visit when dress shopping in the Bay Area.
RatingWoohoo! As good as it gets! All changes saved
Nicole is the BEST! I literally tried on 50+ dresses from probably 10+ different stores and could not find the right one. Plus, most places I went to, they rushed me, were rude about trying to make me make a decision and made the entire experience just not so pleasant. I just felt pressure or they just didn't get what I wanted. Kinsley James was completely different. They were amazing! They are so chill about the whole process. I went once and thought I found the one, but wasn't sure. I came back a second time and finally found the one! Both appointments were long and they gave me the time, attention and patience I needed to make such a huge decision.
My experience at Kinsley James was awesome. This was the second bridal shop I went to, and I only had a vague idea of what I wanted. They ended up taking my very vague descriptions and a few photos, and selected a handful of dresses that were exactly my style.
I quickly got down to 2 dresses, but couldn't decide between the 2. They were so patient as I tried each on probably 5 times trying to decide. The dress I ended up choosing was something I probably never would have picked on my own, but they did such a great job at understanding my style and aesthetic. In other words, the picked the perfect dress I never knew I wanted. I ended up getting my veil at KJ too.
The feel of the shop is rustic but elegant, and not stuffy. I felt comfortable and that they were fully focused on me and my group. The dress came in a timely fashion.
I LOVED my dress so much! It was comfortable and still looked amazing at the end of the night. I wish I could wear it again!
Amanda was my consultant and I have nothing bad to say about my experience. She was kind happy and asked a lot of questions to get to know me. We found an amazing dress but she did not pressure me into buying anything despite the amazing discount for the weekend. The shop was quiet and calm even though there were two other brides with their parties with us. Beautiful gowns with amazing accessories and countless options. If you have a chance, without a doubt GO HERE! Thankful for the relaxing experience for an exhausting day.
I absolutely LOVED my experience at Kinsley James! Rachel was so amazing during my appointment, friendly and helpful, and provided real, honest tips and recommendations. We were shown great hospitality throughout our experience and it was honestly the ambiance and attentiveness that pushed me to buy my dress there. Beautiful selection of dresses, on the higher end of the price range but so worth it!
I love everything about Kinsley James! I recently got married on 09/09/2017 and my dress, veil and belt were all purchased from Kinsley James.
I live in the Peninsula and I started shopping for wedding dresses last fall 2016 in mostly SF upscale bridal boutiques. Although, I found some dresses that I liked, I did not find "the ONE". I did not want to settle for a dress. My friend had suggest Kinsley James and although further than I wanted to drive, I booked an appointment. Just by coincidence, the same day of my appointment was a trunk show with one of my favorite designers Liancarlo.
The store is absolutely gorgeous, open, light and airy. The dresses they have are amazing. They have a smaller selection but all couture/high end designers. It made dress shopping a lot easier and less overwhelming. They also, always offer some bubbly while shopping which is such a nice touch!
I had the pleasure of working with Alexia for my wedding dress and Rachel for my accessories such as the veil and belt. Both consultants were great, never felt rushed by them, knew exactly what to pull from what I was describing and were calm, professional and most importantly nice.
I ended up picking a Liancarlo dress and since a rep from Liancarlo was there during my appointment, they were able to customize a perfect gown for me. I loved a lace from one of their gowns and the skirt of another gown, and voila, they were able to customize it for me completely, including lengthening the train and shortening the torso for my stature.
I felt like a million bucks on my wedding day and thank Kinsley James for being apart of my special day!
Kinsley James is absolutely perfect. Not only did they have a wonderful selection of dresses but they also have exceptional customer service. I work in Hospitality as an Event Sales Manager and appreciate honest and genuine customer service. They were extremely helpful throughout the whole process and my dress was absolutely perfect. I would love to thank Alexia and of course my designer, Olia Zavozina, for going above and beyond to make dress shopping one that I will always cherish and remember.
The Kinsley James staff made me and my family feel special the moment we walked through the door. They asked the right questions to find my perfect dress, treated us like royalty, gave everyone a glass of champagne to celebrate, and provided amazing advice for my wedding day. The staff was incredible and everyone could tell that they sincerely loved helping brides find their dress. I thought it would take months to find a dress, but their expertise helped us find a dress in one weekend! They provide the most unique, romantic, and breathtaking selection of wedding dresses. I also got the opportunity to meet the amazing designer Renee Pawele who helped me find my veil and jewelry. The Kinsley James staff made the experience a memory that my mom and I will always treasure. I have been recommending to newly engaged friends and family to find their dress at Kinsley James. I’m proud to say I’m a KJ bride!
I wanted to buy a Galia Lahav dress for my wedding and Kinsley James was the only place in northern CA that carried this particular designer. We made an appointment to try on dresses and we arrived to the salon, I was so impressed by the dress selection and the service! I found a dress that i really liked, but the price was insane, so I decided to keep looking. About a month or so later I got an email saying that Kinsley James was having a sample sale - my aunt offered to get there at 0500 to wait in line (she got there and was #3 in line) - after a few hours the line was wrapped around the building. I was welcomed back into the store when they opened and the same girl who assisted me for my first appointment remembered me and was helping us out. I found an amazing dress that another bride had worn and was putting up for sale - It was Galia and it was perfect! I bought the dress and was given referrals on where to have alterations and cleaning - both vendors (Jila for the alterations and elegance preserved) were the best. When everything was done, it looked like a completely new dress! At the wedding all of the guests commented on how beautiful my dress was and one girl even wanted to buy it! If you want a dress that no one has ever seen before, come here, it's the best dress salon in northern California.
Go here. NOW! They have the most stunning dresses, the best customer service, and the boutique is adorable! Then go get a glass of wine at one of the million restaurants in Walnut Creek and celebrate the finding of your perfect dress. I found my dream dress here and I've never seen anything else like it, which is exactly what I wanted! If you want something different than what everyone else wears, KJ is for you! Good luck!
I bought my wedding dress at KJ and have the BEST experience. Both Amber and Dawn were so helpful, supportive, and professional! I was nervous to start trying on dresses, but they made sure I was comfortable, happy, and that I stayed within my budget and syle wants. The store is also gorgeous, filled with light, and feels totally welcoming. If you are looking for a friendly, efficient, and fun dress shopping experience (not to mention finding some of the best designers), Kinsley James is THE place to go!
I had a lot of trouble finding "the" dress- but this team at KJ Bridal not only helped me design my dream dress, but they worked overtime making sure I was happy with every detail. They went above and beyond, and I loved the (otherwise stressful) experience- because of Dawn and the team! Thank you for all your efforts!
The ladies at Kinsley James are a dream to work with! I went in with a good idea of what I wanted and they had already put several dresses of that style aside for me. The staff was incredibly welcoming to my family and friends that were also in attendance. I ended up ordering a dress which had to be made out of the country and Kinsley James was so great about keeping me in the loop as to my dress' progress and arrival. When my dress arrived I went to try it on and was running incredibly late due to traffic, the staff and the seamstress both stayed late for me even though I had completely missed my appointment time. Their recommended seamstress is seriously a miracle worker, she was able to make some last minute alterations to my dress two days before my wedding when I went to pick it up. Overall, my experience here was absolutely wonderful!!!
had the most perfect day at Kinsley James. The ladies were SO helpful (Alexia was my gal) and so patient with me (I'm incredibly into fashion so this was the number one important choice and I probably sent them 70 emails). She helped me try on all TEN of the dresses on my pinterest list and was so helpful in helping me narrow it down, and didn't AT ALL try to upsell me on dresses closer to the high end of my budget (I actually came in under). The store is also super well put together and made for a super pleasurable experience.
I went for a trunk show as well and it really I think says something about this shop that they are one of the first in the US to carry Galia Lahav which is my favorite designer. The rep they had there was also amazing and super knowledgable on the brand and made me feel so beautiful. I got the perfect dress I was beyond impressed/pleased with the whole experience. One of the best days of my life!
I will update with more information as the dress arrives and process goes on, but I can't even imagine it getting any better! I'll have to save my "say yes to the dress" moment photo til after the wedding day, but it was such a special moment thanks in NO small part to the ladies at Kinsley James :)
The ladies at Kinsley James were beyond amazing. Not only is the store adorable, the brand names they carry are the absolute best, and the employees are fantastic to work with. They offered me champagne every time I had an appointment, they were amazing in helping me choose a dress I loved, and they set expectations and communicated effectively. Can't recommend this place enough, and I came out from San Francisco after visiting 8 bridal stores in the city!!
I loved working with Kinsley James to find my dress for my wedding. They were helpful and patient. They have a wonderful selection of dresses. I also appreciated that they were willing to work within my budget.
I just bought my wedding dress at Kinsley James and had the most amazing experience. In my dress search, I was looking for something very specific—I wanted something clean and modern and not frilly or lacy, which unfortunately is extremely difficult to find. By the time I walked into Kinsley James, I had already tried on about 50 dresses or so, and was feeling very frustrated by the entire experience. My mom and I were actually in Walnut Creek to visit another bridal salon and we didn’t even have an appointment at Kinsley James, but the staff was able to fit us in due to some last minute cancellations (we got really lucky, apparently they usually have a waiting list!). When I walked in, Amanda and Amber immediately made me feel comfortable. They took the time to ask me about the style I wanted for the dress and my vision for the wedding, and helped me pull dresses that would fit. With each dress, they made sure to ask me how I felt about it, trying to understand my style and what I liked or didn’t like about each dress. Overall, they had better and more interesting dresses than I’d seen anywhere else by a long shot (including the Rivini dress I ended up buying). After trying on several, I narrowed it down to two that I was really torn between. At no point did they pressure me to make a decision (they were EXTREMELY patient as I kept trying on the two dresses and comparing them side by side), and they even encouraged me to take time to think about it. They recommended a great lunch spot, and after lunch we came back and picked a dress! It aligned perfectly with my vision and the staff made sure that they did everything they could to help me get there. I really can’t recommend Kinsley James enough!
KJ has a stunning collection of upscale gowns. All of their gowns have wonderful unique details that I didn't find elsewhere. They know the designers that they work with and hand select the dresses to curate their shop's selection - it's actually a beautiful display that is really pretty to look at!
The shop is a real treat! The service was top notch! They also work with outstanding tailors. I had complete trust that my dress was going to turn out great!
If you have an eye for style, appreciate quality fabrics, unique details and are willing to pay for it, then I suggest scheduling an appointment!
I found out about Kinsley James from working with their sister company, A Touch of Grace.
It had been several long, stressful months of searching for the right bridal accessories before I visited this salon. After only one visit, I was able to find many pieces of the accessories (sash, headpiece, and bracelet) I wanted. They have a beautiful selection of jewelry varying in styles and prices and the staff was so friendly and helpful.
Every bride should check out this salon.
This bridal boutique is simply stunning. I love how modern, upscale and elegant this salon is. I saw some of their dresses on Pinterest and knew that I had to come and see it for myself. I went to 3 other salons prior to coming to Kinsley James and left all of them saying "no that's not it". Once I walked in to Kinsley James I didnt want to leave. From the second I walked in I knew i was going to find my dress there. Dawn was amazing to work with. Actually everyone was amazing to work with. I had a clear vision of what I wanted my dress to look like and Dawn really helped me find the perfect dress. My dress designer Olya went out of her way to customize the dress for me and make my vision come true. I was looking for a unique and modern dress and that's exactly what I got. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to purchase a wedding dress.
Kinsley James is simply amazing! KJ was my first stop when I started my dress shopping and I could not have had a better experience! I went shopping with my mom and 2 sisters and we felt like celebrities throughout the whole process. We received exceptional service from Alexia and the rest of the KJ team. Alexia actually picked my dress! I was a little unsure about trying it on but followed her lead and fell in love as soon as we put it on. We went to another salon after my appointment because I was nervous that I hadn't tried on enough dresses. We didn't receive half the service at this other salon, so we immediately went back to KJ to meet with Alexia, put my dress back on and the decision was made! The KJ team brought our champagne to toast this special moment.
Alexia provided updates on my dress during the ordering process and always made sure to say hello every time I came in for alterations. I so appreciate the constant updates and excellent customer service I received.
Not only is the service unbeatable at KJ, they have the most beautiful gowns to choose from!
I could not be happier with my dress and I am so glad that I found it at Kinsley James.
The staff at KJ were amazing! There were no added pressure when I first entered KJ. Katie help me find the perfect dress by Lian Carlo. She was fun and very easy to work with, making me feel 100% comfortable, at the store and via emails. I also found my veil, garter, earrings and head piece at KJ. All the girls were accommodating with finding all the right pieces to complete my beautiful gown. I highly recommend KJ Bridal not only because of their beautiful gowns and accessories, but also because of their great staff and awesome team work!!
I have lived in Walnut Creek for about 3 years now and would frequently drive by this beautiful bridal shop on my way home from work. When I got engaged last October (2014), I definitely had this on my list of places to try on dresses and ended up buying my beautiful gown during a Ravini trunk show weekend.
Katie and her team are so incredibly helpful! Katie is not only fun and hilarious, but she was so personable and made me feel so comfortable. Each KJ girl that I met through the entirety of my dress are so educated on the designers and their inventory, not to mention they make you feel so comfortable in the salon. I don't think words can evoke how memorable this experience was for such an important time in my (& husbands) life. From their customer service, to the attention of detail and fashionable recommendations, my experience was seamless. These girls know what their doing and how to make it enjoyable for each bride! My bridesmaids, mom, mother-in-law, and of course myself, had a blast and it was a truly (positive) memorable experience within this craziness of wedding planning.
I can't say thank you enough!!
I highly recommend Kinsley James Couture Bridal! Kinsley James was the first bridal boutique I visited when shopping for my dream dress and I have to say they really give you the ultimate dress shopping experience. They welcome you with champagne and are all so sweet and helpful. The boutique is beautiful and very spacious, which is very important when shopping for your dress! I would definitely recommend this bridal boutique to future brides.
When I first started looking for dresses in Oct 2014, I was overwhelmed. I am not one of those girls who has been dreaming about her wedding since I was five (wish I had been- would have made some decisions a lot easier). A co-worker suggested Kinsley James. So we decided to go there first for the 'bridal experience' and then go the less $$ places (or so I thought) next. Spoiler alert - I bought my dress, earrings, belt and veil from KJ and it was all amazing.
From the moment my mom, sisters and I came to KJ, we were treated like VIPs. Maria asked about dresses and while she pulled a few dresses, we were offered champagne, water and appetizers. The store is beautiful with a long runway, large dressing rooms and many accessories to try on with your dress. On that first day at KJ, there were two dresses I loved but just was not sure (first time ever trying on dresses) so wanted to think about it.
We went to lunch and then to our next appt where dresses were crammed together in plastic bags and the whole experience felt more like a cattle call than a dress shopping experience. We left feeling a bit dejected and exhausted from the rapid fire try on session (time limits to appts strictly enforced). Needless to say, there was no dress purchased.
Throughout the next week, Maria and I talked and emailed about what I was looking for. She sent me a picture of a dress that was coming for a trunk show for a new designer they were starting to carry, Sareh Nouri, that weekend. When I looked at the picture, I knew it was it. I came in on Friday to try it on to be sure before dragging the family back up. The rep from the company was there too and very helpful. All it took was putting it on in the dressing room to know it was definitely it. My mom and sisters came back on Sunday and we greatly enjoyed the KJ experience one more time!
When they dress arrived, we returned again to try on. I loved that they made a big deal about this day too - even though the dress was already purchased - this made it even more special. I ended up getting a beautiful pair of earrings, my veil and belt from KJ. Even the seamstress was top notch! I could not have asked for a better bridal experience and even though I worked mostly with Maria (absolutely amazing!) all the staff were very helpful and knowledgable. Kinsley James has incredible customer service all around.
Next month, my mom, sisters and I return to do it all again for my younger sister! Maria was my first call and I'm excited to relive the KJ experience with my little sister and feel pretty confident that she'll find her perfect dress at Kinsley James as well!
I purchased my wedding dress at Kinsley James, after having visited a number of other stores in the Bay Area. The selection there was the largest, in terms of designers as well as styles. The service was also very good - my salesperson was very attentive, and helped me with the selection and fitting process. I do wish that there would have been tailoring services onsite; I was referred to an outside tailor. That said, it was a very good experience and I would recommend the store.
Amber and her team are absolutely AMAZING!
When I was starting my dress process, they were (and I think still continue to be) the only vendor in the Bay Area that carries Galia Lahav, and I'm obsessed with Galia's unique dresses that marry sexiness and classiness. They had a trunk show for the newest collection, and I went in with my mom and my girlfriends wanting to try on a few of her styles.
What I didn't know was that trunk shows samples really meant "runway sample size" and I'm a 12, so there was no way to shimmy those samples on. I tried on a range of other styles and brands, but just wasn't getting the "this is the dress" feeling. Amber had the idea to pull the Galia Lahav styles that I originally wanted to try, and pull everyone into the dressing room so that we could hold the dress up against my body to visualize the Dolce dress on me. I immediately got the "this is the dress, I feel like a bride!" feeling. I took some concepts from other Galia Lahav styles that I loved and customized the dress with my mom and Amber.
Amber listened to what I wanted from the beginning, and was very focused on making sure I had the best chance to get what I wanted and wasn't pushy at all. Had it not been for her, I may not have ended up with my Galia Lahav. She and her team are customer-centric.
My mom passed away shortly after we ordered the dress, so she wasn't able to see me in the wedding dress that she helped to customize, but I will never forget the experience we had together at Kinsley James.
I'm getting my dress preserved (vendor recommended by KJ as well!) so that I can keep it as a family heirloom. I highly recommend Kinsley James for any future brides!
The ladies at Kinsley James Couture Bridal were absolutely joys to work with! They helped me pick the gown of my dreams within in seconds...No, really within seconds of explaining my vision I was sent to the dressing room, my consultant brought in a couple of dress and the very first dress I tried I feel in love.
Thank you, Kinsley James!
I went to seven different bridal boutiques -- four in San Francisco, one in Alameda, and two in London. Seriously, London, England. Save yourself the time and go straight to Kinsley James. The dress selection is amazing and the ladies who work there are incredible. I was very picky about my dress and they worked with me to find the perfect one, essentially getting me a dress from a line that was not even available at other boutiques yet from one of the amazing Galia Lahav collections. They accommodated my needs and some strange requests every step of the way, including arranging for me to meet the designer at one point when I was traveling. I cannot say enough good things. Don't even think about going anywhere else.
Kinsley James is such a wonderful bridal salon. I first chose to shop there because they are the only salon in all of Northern CA to carry Galia Lahav. I could not have asked for a better experience. I had so much fun trying on many of their couture dresses. After finding my dream dress they were helpful every step of the way. They even gave me recommendations for companies to clean and preserve the dress after the wedding. I felt like the most beautiful bride and credit must be given to Kinsley James. The staff there made sure I was happy during the entire process. Thank you!!
I found my dream gown at Kinsley James. They have such a beautiful selection of dresses from top designers. The gals at the shop are beyond friendly and fun to work with. What I loved most about them was their honesty - they weren't going to sell me a dress just to sell it, they were only going to sell a dress they really thought looked perfect on me.
I cannot tell you how many compliments I got on my gown! It was really a dream come true. I would highly recommend an appointment with Kinsley James to find your dream wedding dress!
KJ is the best place to find your dream dress. Although their prices range from $2,500 - $10k their dress style, fabric, and over all feel make every penny worth the picture perfect dress. The second I walked into the store I spotted my dress and couldn't walk out the door. After coming back 3 separate times to try it on again I just had to get it and the KJ team was helpful every step of the way! I absolutely love love lovedddd my dress on my wedding day. SO comfy, elegant, beautiful and I feel the dress was made just for me! I would recommend anyone to try Kinsley James no matter what if your dress shopping, chances are you'll find the dress you want here!
Katie, at Kingsley James, provided top notch service! She was very professional and had an awesome personality! My friends and I were treated to mimosas and 1:1 service, which I definitely appreciated!! I was also provided with a gift bag! The Kingsley James Boutique is truly a gem, I love the intimacy of it!
I was lucky enough to secure an appointment during Olia Zavozina's trunk show. Olia and Katie pulled a few gowns for me to try on, and sure enough, my perfect dress was in that group!! The dress is gorgeous and everyone loved it!
I've been telling everyone where I purchased my dress and the awesome service that I received!! Wishing Katie and Kingsley James, lots of positive energy, and endless sales!! :)
If you just got engaged and are starting the hunt for a wedding dress, Kinsley James is your go-to bridal shop. I followed them on Facebook and Instagram before I started my dress search, in addition to having attended several of their events and fashion shows as well. I knew this was the place where I would find my wedding dress. I booked their VIP appointment so that my mom, maid of honor and I could have the store all to ourselves for this memorable experience. I also brought a photographer to capture each magical moment.
When I arrived Katie was there to greet me, along with the Sareh Nouri representative, the designer whose dresses I was most looking forward to trying on. They had a Sareh Nouri trunk show going on that weekend so I knew I would find the perfect dress. They had a gorgeous spread of delectable treats and goodies for me and my guests, and I was immediately whisked away to get my hair done by Taylor Cercone of I Do Dry Style in Lafayette. She did an amazing job and I truly felt like a bride. I was also given a bouquet so I could really achieve that true bridal look.
Katie was so sweet and knowledgeable and helped me pick out the most stunning dresses. Everyone was so complimentary about every dress I tried on, it was so hard to choose! Katie and the Sareh Nouri rep suggested accessories to complete my look. As soon as I tried on THE DRESS, I knew it was THE ONE. Katie completed my look with a stunning belt by Untamed Petals and a custom Sareh Nouri cathedral length veil. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I truly felt like a princess.
I got married 2 weeks ago and the dress and accessories could not have been more perfect. Everything was exactly what I had been dreaming about my entire life and I owe it all to Kinsley James. There is no other place anyone should get their wedding gown.
My MOH found Kinsley James on Yelp and when we arrived, everyone was so nice and friendly, and gave us mimosas. They were having a trunk show for the designer Olia Zavozina that day too, it was our lucky day. The designer herself along with Katie actually helped me find a dress that would be within my budget. I wanted to be comfortable and have a simple design, no lace or anything. They listened and I didn't feel pressured at all, that is what I feel is great customer service. I found my dress, plus because I love sparkle, she suggested beautiful crystal buttons that would go down the back of the dress and I felt like it was the perfect unique touch. If I ever get married again (hahaha!), this is the boutique I would go to.
I worked with Melissa and the team at Kinsley James when purchasing my wedding gown for my October 2014 wedding. It was a great experience all the way around.
From the first time I went into the shop, I was very impressed with the décor and the amazing selection of beautiful gowns. At my first appointment I found one dress that I really liked. I was with my sister and before I made a decision I wanted to bring my best friends back with me for a second opinion.
At the second appointment a few weeks later a Rivini trunk show was taking place. Melissa, being super fabulous, remembered the style I was going for and greeted me with “I know you’re here to try on another dress but there is a beautiful dress here today, part of the truck show, that I think would look great on you…do you want to try it on?” Always keeping my options open, I agreed and boy was I glad she put me it. It eventually became the dress I would buy. The fact that she was able to see a dress and know that it was something that would appeal to me and my body time, was a wonderful reflection of how well the staff listen and get to know their brides.
The team at Kinsley James is very knowledgeable. Melissa was incredibly patient with me. I also love that they allow you to take pictures, which was so important to me. Having the pictures of the two dresses I was debating between let me go home, review and make a really thoughtful decision. In having the time to think, I was never pressured by the staff to make a decision and Melissa would just send nice emails to check-in to see if I had any questions. After a few weeks I went back and purchased the gown and it felt GREAT!
I looked an many salons across the Bay Area and Kinsley James was hands down the best. A great bonus is that they are in the East Bay (where I live) and saved me from having to go into San Francisco for fittings.
Thank you Melissa and team for helping me find my perfect dress. I received so many compliments on my original, classy and timeless Rivini gown!
I am so lucky that I found my dress at Kinsley James. Amber, the owner, was incredibly accommodating and sweet. She truly wanted my experience as the bride to be easy and memorable. She went out of my way to make me happy and make the whole wedding dress process as simple as possible. I also loved the seamstress, Delfina. She was patient with me and was genuinely happy to see me in my dress every time I came in for a fitting. I highly recommend this bridal boutique to even the everyone, including the brides in the city. I was nervous as first being a SF gal but it was the best decision I made.
Kinsley James was the first bridal shop I went to. I made an appointment and got there with my mom and cousin. We were served champagne and got to browse the dresses while being helped by Dawn-I truly felt like a bride at that point. After going to two other bridal shops, none that compared to KJ, I went back and bought my dress which I absolutely loved. It fit my venue, day and personality great. I also got my veil from there and was very pleased. I have recommended two other brides to KJ and they bought their dresses there. Great service and great experience!!
I adored my dress from Kinsley James. It was absolutely beautiful. The only thing that was not top notch was the waiting period. The contract said 4- 6 months but it was more like 8 months. So perhaps they should update their contract. Other than that very happy with the quality and service from Dawn and the other stylists at Kinsley James.
Kinsley James Bridal is absolutely amazing. From the moment I walked in the door the customer service was outstanding! Not only did I get my dress here and met my designer, I also got all of my jewelry here and worked with there seamstress. Everyone played a huge part to make my wedding day extra special and stress-free. I would highly recommend Kinsley James to every bride! I am so excited that I will be back soon because my sister in law can't wait to also be a KJ BRIDE!
Stephanie
The Kinsley James bridal experience is exactly the type of experience you hope for as a bride-to-be. I had been to many other stores in the San Francisco and the East Bay, but didn't find any others to be on the same level as Kinsley James in terms of customer service, ambiance of the store, and quality of the dresses. The ladies at Kinsley James were extremely accommodating from the start, even ordering in additional sizes from two designers so I could fully try on a few of the dresses I was seriously considering (other bridal stores refused to do this). When I made my first appointment, I was instantly set at ease--the bridal consultant was incredibly sweet and helpful, knew right away what styles would look great, really listened to me, and never put any pressure on me to buy. I loved the look and feel of the store as well--it is dreamy and romantic. I ended up buying my (second) dress there, and couldn't have been happier--it looked dynamite on my wedding day!
On a side note, the outside seamstress they recommended (Bonnie) was excellent and a true professional. All it took was one fitting to get an incredible fit of the dress. Kinsley James really wrapped up the loose ends--they not only helped me find the perfect dress, but made sure to set me up with a seamstress who would give it the perfect fit.
Kinsley James has a beautiful selection of dresses, and they make you feel like a princess trying them on. I went, without an appointment, with my mom, sister, cousin, and best friend, and we all sipped champagne while I got to strut down their catwalk in some gorgeous dresses. I found my dream dress that night, and was lucky enough to meet the designer who was visiting from New York for a fashion show in San Francisco. Once the dress came in, Kinsley James was very flexible with times for me to have my first fitting, despite being very busy helping other brides. And we got the same royal treatment the second time around as we did our first visit. The dresses are high-end, so a little pricey, but they are all fabulous and the people at Kinsley James are wonderful to work with. Definitely recommend!
KJCB was my second bridal store to visit and the last!
Soon as you walk in you get a sense of excitement and love. The girls that work there really value what they do and it shows. The shop is clean, charming and warm. I happened to be the only bride during my appointment (lucky me) and it felt so great!
The dressing rooms are pleasant and very spacious. Wine with cheese and grapes.
A cute little robe to wear in between dresses are provided.
Now let me tell you about the dress!! GORGOUS! Katie really has an eye to match up your body type with the right dress. My choice was a simple breathtaking draped silk chiffon dress by Tulle New York called the "Judy". Timeless and elegant. EXACTLY what I wanted. I purchased the dress :)
My overall experience was professional, fun and chic. Girls and the owner also assisted me with accessories and worked with my budget. I say this with all sincerity and love, an applauding BRAVO for this bridal boutique!
I loved working with the ladies at Kinsley James! They helped me pick a beautiful dress during the Anne Barge trunk show. I also bough Untamed Petals accessories for my dress.
The associates were patient and not pushy at all. They are a young, fun group, whose opinions I trusted because they are very stylish themselves. (Game recognize game!) I would absolutely recommend Kinsley James to any bride on the hunt for a gorgeous dress.
The only thing I wasn't crazy about is that their seamstresses are outsourced so after the first fitting, your dress will go live at the seamstress' home studio. I live in Walnut Creek and my seamstress was in Pittsburg. I never drive out that way, but the seamstress assured me it would only take 15 minutes for me to drive there. For each fitting, it took me a little over an hour to get there (during non-commute hours). This, by no means, put a damper on my awesome KJ experience, but just a heads up that you might want to request a closer seamstress.
I am so happy that Kinsley James opened their amazing bridal boutique in Walnut Creek! After visiting a couple of well known bridal salons in the city, my last stop was Kinsley James. Saved the best for last!! The owners and employees of this store are all so incredibly nice and knowledgeable, and have a true sense of how to run their business. They made my experience so personal and special, from serving champagne while we did my initial dress search to all of the follow up calls and e mails to make sure everything was perfect for my big day. I was not only impressed with the store itself, the beautiful and unique atmosphere, but the amazing and diverse selection of dresses they carry. The owners of this store truly know what they are doing and Walnut Creek is extremely lucky to have them. Thank you Kinsley James!!!!
My Kinsley James bridal experience was literally perfect in every way possible.
The short version:
The ladies at KJ are sweet, helpful and accommodating; the ambiance of the store, and quality of the dresses surpassed by “wedding dress purchasing” expectations.
The long version:
Both the owners at Kinsley James (Dawn and Amber), as well as the rest of the KJ team, are an incredible group of women. They treated me like a friend from the moment I walked into the store, and helped make sure my experience of picking the perfect wedding dress was fun and stress free. These women live and breath everything bridal, and it really helps make the wedding dress purchasing process wonderful.
The atmosphere at the salon is romantic and downright fun. One of my fitting appointments was during a Galia Lahav trunk show, and I pretty much wanted to hang out there with the KJ ladies all day. Everyone is so nice and easy to talk to; the energy and positivity in the salon was great every time I went in.
And the dresses KJ has…they are GORGEOUS! I could not have felt more satisfied with the dress I bought from them. When it was time for me to have alterations done, the seamstress KJ set me up to work with (Elani) was so sweet. She did an amazing job working with my intricate dress – it fit like a glove. I had such a great experience at KJ that my younger sister went in and purchased her dress there last month.
I HIGHLY recommend Kinsley James!!
From the moment walking into the shop, I was blown away with it's unique charm and stunning gowns. My experience at Kinsley James was beyond my expectations. The girls made the experience so fun and exactly as a bride would hope to expect. The ladies pay such attention to detail to making the experience a truly memorable one.Although a couture bridal salon with exquiste high end gowns, the girls at Kinsley James will work with your budget to find you the perfect gown, whether you are looking for a gown from a magazine or one that you'll seen only envisioned in your mind. Every time I walked into the salon, I was welcomed as if I were close friend. It is such a beautiful place with wonderful people.
As both an event planner and a bride I can't say enough good things about Kinsley James! After visiting a number of stores in San Francisco we came here after a friend who had gotten her dress here suggested it. They had the best selection of dresses I'd seen and a good variety of price points. The store is beautiful, and they welcomed us with champagne-what's not to love? Dawn was fabulous and the team was so welcoming, friendly and helpful. The wedding dress shopping experience at Kinsley James was the best by far! Highly recommended.
I found the service at Kinsley James to be excellent. I had a short engagement and needed my dress in a shorter window than most brides (10 weeks). Katie was very on top of things and even got my dress in earlier than expected without a rush fee. Though the seamstress was not officially affiliated with the store, she was wonderful as well, very efficient and helpful.
It is a smaller boutique so if you have something very specific in mind, you may not find it here. The dresses also start around $2,500, so it is not for the budget conscious.
Kinsley James is an amazing bridal boutique. Their selection is top-notch and their customer service is like any other boutique I visited. I would recommend their trunk shows, too, which expand their selection and offer a small designer discount. I walked away with my dream dress and the perfect accessories. Thank you, Katie and the Kinsley James staff!
Melissa and the Kinsley James team were always friendly and professional. I was able to find my dream gown there. The gown was the very first gown that I ever tried, and at the moment I tried, I knew that was the one for me. I didn't buy it right away, but the team kept checking in with me. Melissa was very patient with me when I came back to the boutique for the second time. I ended up buying the gown, blush pink sash and long vail. They were all so beautiful! I am so glad that I bought my almost entire attire from them.
Kinsley James is the BEST!!! They have an amazing collection of dresses that are all gorgeous and very reasonably priced for the quality and uniqueness. And the staff is wonderful - very attentive, responsive, and in no way pushy. I wish I could get married all over again, just to work with these ladies. You will not find a better couture bridal salon anywhere!!
I bought my dress at Kinsley James in Walnut Creek and I couldn't say better things about the experience. Katie, Dawn and Amber were all so kind, energetic and helpful. The store is conveniently located in the Contra Costa area but stylish like a San Francisco shop. The calming grey and white color scheme, open and airy floor-plan, glamorous chandeliers and feminine/chic decor make you feel like your worth a million bucks. The girls make you feel so welcome and excited about your big day and offer you drinks, champagne, juice or coffee to help get you in the celebratory mood!
I chose a Blue Willow gown because it had all the elements I was looking for: lace, tulle, and silk organza. I had looked at A LOT of other dresses at other stores but when I started trying dresses on at Kinsely James, there was an immediate and considerable difference in the quality of the materials and beauty/uniqueness of their dress styles.
Katie helped me throughout and regularly emailed me updates about the ETA and status of my dress. The day that I went to pick it up, I brought my entire family - even my little dog Apollo! We all sipped hot chocolate, cheered, cried a little and took many pictures. It was exactly the experience I had dreamed of. I highly recommend shopping at Kinsley James if you really want to kick start your Big Day feeling like a princess :)
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would... My experience with Kinsley James will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting and happy experiences throughout my wedding planning process. I had the pleasure of working with Katie, Amber, Dawn, and Melissa (she happens to be my wedding coordinator as well). All of the girls were so professional and had amazing personalities! They listened to what I was looking form, however, I went in with an open mind and wanted some professional opinions. They greet you with champagne and huge smiles on their faces. It truly made me feel welcome. I was the only appointment so I had the place to myself! I love the way it looks and feels in the store, like you are in a very special place! My favorite parts were their roomy and well decorated dressing rooms and I absolutely loved their LONG runway right down the center of the store. It made me feel like I was in a fashion show ;)
I ended up with a beautiful, classic Lian Carlo tool ballgown with hand stitched lace, crystals and pearls all down the bodice, fading onto the skirt. I got married in Lake Tahoe so I wanted something classic, flowy, soft and light.... and boy did they deliver!!! They pulled a number of styles from "destination" to mermaid, to vintage lace, and of course my dress, a ballgown... I always said I would not wear a ballgown but agreed to try one on after some convincing from the KJ girls and my maid of honor. It was the first one I tried on there. Although Katie was patient in letting me try a few others, she picked up immediately that in the dressing room, I kept looking at the first dress, touching it, and comparing it to the ones I was in. After my 3rd attempt to beat the first one, I finally put it back on. I walked down that runway and I felt incredible! All the girls were watching and when I saw my family's reaction the second time they saw it, I knew it was the one. I sat there for some time just staring at it, and not once did any of the KJ girls make me feel like I had to make an immediate decision. They put a veil on me (the one I ended up buying) and some jewelry. It was the first time I looked and felt like a bride. So I "said yes to the dress" ! We celebrated by the girls helping to take pictures of the event along with more champagne!
I had gone to 3 other salons and NONE made me feel even remotely as comfortable as when I was at Kinsley James. I was happy, relaxed, felt in company of family and some new friends! It made the difference for me in my purchase. Sometimes its WHERE you buy your dress that gives you the most fond memories and Kinsley James provided that for me... The dress was the icing on the cake.
I would recommend Kinsley James to ANY bride looking for not only the perfect dress, but the perfect dress shopping experience!!!
I give them 10 stars!!! ;)
Contact
1623 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA
Kinsley James Couture Bridal
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