Van Cleve

Bridal & Evening Wear

4.8

Praised by couples for:

Dress Selection

Tuxedos

Fittings and Adjustments

I had such a great experience at Van Cleve! Before my appointment, I was able to text Shelly some inspiration photos, which I think really helped her understand what I was looking for from the start. Shelly was wonderful at reading my reactions throughout the appointment. If she could tell from my face that I wasn’t crazy about a dress, we quickly moved on instead of spending time trying to make it work. That made the whole process feel really comfortable and efficient, and I never felt pressured. We also got to walk around the building before I started trying dresses on, and they truly have a huge selection. We almost had the whole building to ourselves during my appointment, and the fitting room felt very private, which made the experience even more special. Most importantly — I found my dress! I’m so happy I went to Van Cleve and would absolutely recommend working with Shelly.

Katherine U.

5.0

Van Cleve bridal was my first stop for dress shopping after hearing rave reviews from friends. My grandmother was visiting from out of town, and I wanted to create a memorable dress shopping experience for her during her stay. We had a larger group of six people, including myself. Van Cleve provided a comfortable and welcoming space for our entire group. I was thrilled to find my dress on my first visit! It was such a special moment that my entire crew was able to be there with me. What truly set Van Cleve apart was our stylist, Shelly. She went above and beyond to ensure that I tried on every style, not just the ones I had in mind. Shelly’s goal was to prevent any regrets in my decision. She was incredibly non-judgmental and allowed me to make my own choices. Shelly carefully selected dresses within my price range, but she never let price influence my decision. In the end, I chose a dress that was well under budget, but I didn’t know the price until after I had already said yes to it. Shelly’s extensive experience and genuine passion for brides’ styles made the entire process seamless. She had a keen eye for what would flatter my body type and ensure that I felt confident and beautiful in my dress. Overall, we all had an absolutely amazing experience at Van Cleve bridal. I highly recommend Shelly and the entire team to anyone looking for a dress.

Taylor B.

5.0

AWARD WINNER (10X)

Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot

Finding Your Perfect Love Story Look Van Cleve offers bridal and evening wear from their Paoli, PA location, in an experience that goes beyond just being a wedding salon. You and your wedding party may all find high-end attire in this establishment while enjoying a personalized and luxurious experience. Unforgettable moments await you in your search for your dream gown. Your Wedding Dress Team Helping people is the heart of Van Cleve's services, and their team loves what they do. With stylists, specialists, and sewists, this group of friendly professionals can't wait to celebrate your love story with you. You can look forward to expert assistance every step of the way. Alluring Attire Van Cleve offers a superb range of clothing, with pieces from famed designers like Casablanca, Allure Bridal, House of Savin, Essense of Australia, Martina Liana, Jesus Peiro, Paloma Blanca, Mikaella, and Pronovias. During your one-on-one consultation in a private suite, you can discuss these and their curated options for accessories.

Woman-owned Business

Details

Accessories

Clutches & Handbags

Hair Accessories

Headbands

Pins, Combs & Clips

Tiaras

Sashes & Belts

Veils

Dresses

Bridesmaid Dresses

Mother of the Bride Dresses

Shower & Party Dresses

Wedding Dresses

Fashion Services

Alterations

Bridal Stylists

Custom Designs

Dry Cleaning & Preservation

Plus Size Available

Private Appointments Available

Rentals

Suits & Accessories

Bow Ties

Cummerbunds

Shoes

Suits for Women

Ties

Tuxedos & Suits

Vests

Gown Collections

Awards and Affiliations

10-Time 'Best of Weddings'

2026.2025.2024.+7 more.

Hall of Fame

Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.

Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding

4.8

out of 5.0

326 reviews

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Review Summary

This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.

Van Cleve Bridal delivers a personalized, stress-free dress-shopping experience with attentive, knowledgeable stylists who listen, respect budgets, and offer flattering suggestions. The boutique has a large, high-quality selection and convenient in-house alterations and customization. Most shoppers found their dream dress quickly and highly recommend the salon.

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Rachel D

Highlighted review.

10/10 recommend visiting Van Cleve! Before coming here, I had been to 3 bridal stores and nothing compared to the special experience I had here from start to finish! Caroline was...

a rockstar. She listened to my vision, budget, feedback and thoughtfully selected dress options. The first dress she recommended was the WINNER and my family and I walked out of there so pleased. We celebrated with champagne and couldn’t have been a more special day. They gave us champagne to celebrate the successful day.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Rachel, Thank you so much for sharing such a kind review, this really made my day to re...

ad! It was a true pleasure working with you to help you find your dream dress!! The dress is absolutely perfect for you! Thank you again, I'm looking forward to seeing you again when your dress arrives! Have an amazing summer! XOXO, Caroline.

Katherine U

I had such a great experience at Van Cleve! Before my appointment, I was able to text Shelly some inspiration photos, which I think really helped her understand what I was looking ...

for from the start. Shelly was wonderful at reading my reactions throughout the appointment. If she could tell from my face that I wasn’t crazy about a dress, we quickly moved on instead of spending time trying to make it work. That made the whole process feel really comfortable and efficient, and I never felt pressured. We also got to walk around the building before I started trying dresses on, and they truly have a huge selection. We almost had the whole building to ourselves during my appointment, and the fitting room felt very private, which made the experience even more special. Most importantly — I found my dress! I’m so happy I went to Van Cleve and would absolutely recommend working with Shelly.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much for your incredibly sweet review! It was such a pleasure working with yo...

u, and I am so happy we were able to find your dress! I loved seeing your reactions throughout the appointment and using those little moments to help guide us toward the styles that felt most like you. I am so glad you felt comfortable, relaxed, and never pressured during your appointment. It means so much to me that you trusted me throughout the process and allowed me to help you navigate all of the options. Finding your dress is such a special moment, and I am so grateful I got to be a part of yours! Thank you again for choosing Van Cleve and for recommending me. I cannot wait to see you as a beautiful bride! 🤍

Any questions?

Taylor B

Van Cleve bridal was my first stop for dress shopping after hearing rave reviews from friends. My grandmother was visiting from out of town, and I wanted to create a memorable dres...

s shopping experience for her during her stay. We had a larger group of six people, including myself. Van Cleve provided a comfortable and welcoming space for our entire group. I was thrilled to find my dress on my first visit! It was such a special moment that my entire crew was able to be there with me. What truly set Van Cleve apart was our stylist, Shelly. She went above and beyond to ensure that I tried on every style, not just the ones I had in mind. Shelly’s goal was to prevent any regrets in my decision. She was incredibly non-judgmental and allowed me to make my own choices. Shelly carefully selected dresses within my price range, but she never let price influence my decision. In the end, I chose a dress that was well under budget, but I didn’t know the price until after I had already said yes to it. Shelly’s extensive experience and genuine passion for brides’ styles made the entire process seamless. She had a keen eye for what would flatter my body type and ensure that I felt confident and beautiful in my dress. Overall, we all had an absolutely amazing experience at Van Cleve bridal. I highly recommend Shelly and the entire team to anyone looking for a dress.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! It truly means the world to me to hear t...

hat I was able to make such a special experience even more memorable for you and your family. It was such a joy working with you and your entire group, and I am so happy we were able to explore different styles and ultimately find the one that felt perfect for you! My favorite part of being a bridal stylist is helping each bride feel confident in her decision and making sure she leaves feeling completely comfortable and excited about her dress. Knowing that you felt supported, never pressured, and confident in your choice means so much to me. I am so grateful you trusted me throughout the process, and I could not be more excited for you to wear your dress on your wedding day! 🤍

Taryn B

I worked with Caroline and she was so helpful. She knew styles and fabrics really well and was very open minded. I really appreciated her opinion as a stylist and she picked my dre...

ss I wouldn’t have selected myself! She is fabulous and great to work with.

Response from Van Cleve

Taryn, Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review! I'm so honored to have bee...

n your stylist! It was a true pleasure working with you to help you find your dream dress! I'll be looking forward to seeing you again when your dress arrives! Thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Alex W

Looking for my dress at Van Cleve was a wonderful experience. Caroline was a wonderful stylist to work with. I had visited one bridal shop prior to this one and she took everything...

I liked about the last few dresses and found my dress that had all of these features combined in it. I had my alterations done here and everything looked and felt amazing. Definitely would recommend to another bride!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Alex, Thank you for taking the time to write and share about your experience with us! I...

t was a true pleasure working with you- you looked absolutely stunning on your wedding day! Wishing you and your husband the very best! Thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Katie S

I loved my experience at Van Cleve! My stylist helped me understand how I could customize my dress to be exactly what I wanted. As an indecisive shopper, she also asked me all th...

e right questions so that I had confidence to pick the one! I can't wait to see what it looks like with the custom change.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Katie, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share this review! I am so ex...

cited for you- it was such a pleasure working with you! You are going to be such a stunning bride! I'll be looking forward to seeing you again when it comes in! Thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Nikki K

Erin was the absolute best! She was genuinely excited about my vision and took extra time and care to make sure that it was achieved! I loved working with her and if you go to Van ...

Cleve, please request Erin! I promise you she will not disappoint you. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. I felt like I was working with a celebrity stylist. 100% would recommend!

Maria C

Shelly at Van Cleve saved my dress shopping experience! She is so knowledgeable and read me and my emotions about the dress like a book. I recommend her and the salon to anyone who...

is nervous about their dress. After visiting two other stores with bad experiences, I adored the first dress Shelly had me try on because she listened to me so carefully. 10/10 recommend!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much for trusting me with such a special part of your important day! It was m...

y pleasure to work with you and help you find your perfect gown!! So excited to see it all come together when your actual gown arrives!! XOXO Shelly

Emma K

Great experience finding my dream dress!

Giavanna H

I loved my experience at Van Cleve! They carry top designers that I could not find elsewhere in the area and had such an incredible selection to choose from. The staff was incredib...

ly responsive, eager to help, and even able to schedule last minute appointments. Caroline made dress shopping so comfortable and fun! I cannot wait to refer the groom/groomsmen and mother of the bride to Van Cleve as well! Thank you for making this process amazing!

Tara D

Shelly is not about the nonsense. Embrace it. She knew what I wanted before I even knew what I wanted for myself. In her care, I said YES to the dress of not just my dreams but of ...

LEGENDS.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you Tara!!! You looked amazing in all the ones you tried on but your face lit up as ...

soon as we put the right one on!! You made my job easy!! So happy for you and so glad to be your stylist! XOXO Shelly

Bernadette S

I had been to one other dress shop prior to going to Van Cleeve which helped me find the dress I ultimately chose but was unable to actually pick out dresses myself which left me w...

eary. When I went to Van Cleeve Caroline helped me try on some more dress and let me go through the store and pick ones out. They happened to have the same dress I tried on at the first shop and Caroline gave me the confidence I need in my decision and also helped with my veil. The biggest thing though was they generously gave me partially custom sizing which made my dress fit like a glove and not need any alterations in the waist!

Kaitlyn C

I knew dress shopping was going to be my biggest indecisive moment in all of wedding planning. I visited about 4-5 other shops before coming to Van Cleve. They were so great to wor...

k with - accommodating with appointments, questions, etc. the dress selections were great as well! I came in knowing a couple designers I wanted to try on. Erin was my consultant and she was amazing! So personable, gave great feedback and was such a big help for an indecisive and anxious gal like myself! I also got my alterations done here and Valentina was such a doll! She did such great work, super accommodating and was very concerned to make sure I was comfortable in the dress. All in all, really happy to have gotten my dress from here!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Kaitlyn, thank you so much for the kind review!! You were such a pleasure to work with ...

and your dress turned out beautifully! I still can't get over your custom neckline change, it looked so good!! Wishing you all the best in this exciting, new chapter!! -Erin :)

Jenna E

Shelly is amazing!! Seasoned professional, 10/10, highly recommend! Make sure she is the person helping you when you visit. Beautiful store, tons of selection, definitely something...

there for everyone. I found my dream dress! Thanks, Van Cleve!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Jenna!! It was so much fun helping you find your gown and working with y...

our group!! So excited to help you with other things if needed like tuxedos or your mom's gown!! Let me know if you need anything. XOXO Shelly

Lauren N

I had purchased my wedding gown, jewelry, and received alterations through Van Cleve. I did not want to remove any points, but due to alterations alone, decided to. My experience ...

with my wedding gown purchase was wonderful. However, I spent ~$1k on alterations (incl. tip- and of note, although the alteration specialist was kind, I felt pressured to leave a tip). Well, the bustle didn't hold up!! Once it was bustled (yes, it was correct)- I did a few spins, and 2/5 buttons flew off!! This was during cocktail hr- so the dress was dragging for pictures, our entrance, etc. We had to delay our first dance as well (I was a walking hazard). Luckily we had his/hers sweats we were going to change into at the end of the evening- but did it hours earlier than anticipated so we could enjoy dancing together (we did our first dance in sweats). I think worth mentioning, that when other (more experienced) people saw the buttons for the bustle (prior to any breakage)- they had their doubts it would hold. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed, especially after the high cost + the reassurances I had received. However, I do not want the negative experience with alterations to completely overshadow the wonderful experience I had during my dress shopping. Van Cleve was about the 5th place I had been to, trying to find my dress. Caroline was assigned as my wedding stylist- and she was hands down 10/10. My experience with her was top notch. She radiated kindness and professionalism. She was patient, stayed within my budget, listened to me, and helped me. I cannot give these compliments to most of the stylists I had encountered prior to VC. I was looking for someone to help me find a dress style that was flattering on me. I would find that what I'd put on in store often looked very different in pictures when I referenced them later on. Based off of everything I was saying, she asked if she could pull a dress for me that she thought I might like (bc it was not on my radar). Well, I'm glad she did, because that ended up being the one. Truly, an amazing experience with Caroline! Thank you!!

Alyssa M

LOVED the experience I had at Van Cleve. Not only are all the employees so kind and helpful but the inventory is magnificent! I had a clear vision and Caroline, who helped me knew ...

exactly which dresses I should try on. Found my dress after the 6th one and couldn’t be happier. P.s. they do alterations in house! Best bridal shop ever:)

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Alyssa, thank you for taking the time to write and share about your experience! It was ...

such a joy working with you and helping you find your dream dress! I am wishing you so much love and happiness! Thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Kathryn G

I had a wonderful experience at Van Cleve and would definitely recommend them to other brides! Shelly, my stylist, was so helpful throughout the entire process. She was always prof...

essional and very responsive whenever I had questions. She is very knowledgeable and I really valued her opinion when I was choosing a dress. It was nice to be able to get alterations done there too and Valentina was great. When I wanted something adjusted, she altered it in real time to make my dress just how I wanted it. I can’t say enough good things about the team there!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Kathryn! The pictures you shared were absolutely beautiful!! I had a gre...

at time working with you and your mom!! I am so appreciative of your patronage and support!! xoxo Shelly

Lauren B

I always knew if I were to get married that I wanted my dress to come from Van Cleve. I had countless friends who found their dress there and they were incredible. My experience a...

t Van Cleve from start to finish was wonderful. I worked with a bridal stylist, Shelly, who picked out the most incredible dress for me. She also helped me customize it to make it truly one-of-a-kind. I felt like a princess on my big day. Shelly also helped my now husband & father select tuxes and my mother find a gorgeous gown. It was a family affair! I would recommend Van Cleve to any bride getting married. They are true professionals.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you Lauren!! I hope you had the most beautiful day!! I can't wait to see photos of e...

veryone! It was such a pleasure to dress you, your groom and your parents for such an important day. XOXO Shelly

Alexandra F

I had such a great experience at VanCleve! My consultant, Caroline, was so kind and helpful. She really listened to me and was so helpful with guiding me through trying on differen...

t dresses. My dress came in when they said it would and the alterations were impeccable! Vera did all of my alterations. She even made a costume, detachable piece for my dress that was perfect! Overall it was a great experience and very stress-free.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Alexandra, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share this review! I am ...

so happy that I was able to help you find the perfect dress! It was such a pleasure working with you! I hope you felt beautiful on your big day- you looked stunning. Wishing you all the best! XOXO, Caroline.

Janelle D

Caroline is the absolute best! She takes into account all of your wants/needs. I had no clue what kind of dress I wanted and she was so great about helping me to find the perfect o...

ne after trying on dresses and giving my feedback about what I liked and didn’t like about each one. I highly recommend her and the store, they have a lot of great options!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Janelle, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share this review! It was s...

o lovely working with both you and your sister to find your dream dresses! I can't wait to see you again when your dress arrives- you are going to be such a beautiful bride! Have an amazing summer! XOXO, Caroline.

Anna W

I had a great experience at Van Cleve working with Erin to select the perfect dress and working with Vera to ensure it fit perfectly. Erin was kind, warm, and patient throughout th...

e process and helped me hone in on my style and find a dress that checked all of my boxes and then some! Thank you Erin, Vera, and everyone else at Van Cleve!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much for the kind review, Anna!! It was truly a pleasure working with you and...

helping you find the perfect dress. Wishing you all the best in this exciting new chapter!!

Bianca M

I had the most amazing experience at Van Cleve Bridal! I came in with a general idea of what I wanted but no specific dress in mind. Caroline was incredibly patient and attentive t...

hroughout the entire appointment. She really took the time to listen to what I liked and disliked about each dress I tried on, and she truly got my vision. I was looking for something classic and clean, but with a little extra personality—and she nailed it. She brought out the dress of my dreams, and I knew it was the one. What made the whole experience even better was that Van Cleve is a one-stop shop. I was able to handle both the dress and alterations all in one place, which made everything so convenient and stress-free. If you're looking for a personal, seamless, and thoughtful bridal experience, I can't recommend Van Cleve enough!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Bianca, Thank you so much for your beautiful review! It was truly such a joy working wi...

th you and being a part of your bridal journey. I loved helping you explore different styles and seeing everything come together when that dress made you light up—it was such a special moment! I'm so happy we found the perfect gown, it was so perfect for you! I’m also so glad to hear that the convenience of Van Cleve helped make the process feel easy and stress-free—that’s always our goal! Wishing you so much love and happiness! XOXO, Caroline.

Linda S

My experience at Van Cleve was nothing short of amazing. My stylist Shelly was BEYOND helpful. Van Cleve was the third shop I went to and I had a dress in mind as my top choice fro...

m a different store but wasn’t 100% sold. Shelly and I talked about that dress - my likes, dislikes, etc. She took the time to really understand me and make me comfortable. We walked around the store a bit, specifically only in the room in my budget so I didn’t go over what I wanted to spend. We picked a few dresses and started trying them on. The first dress she put me in was so much better than the one I had liked at a different store (spoiler alert, it was “the one”). Shelly knew exactly what she was doing and from that point on we were just comparing back to that first dress but nothing could top it. I did all of my alterations there as well and my dress was truly a dream come true. I can’t recommend Van Cleve enough!!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and telling others about your experience! It w...

as my pleasure helping you find your gown!! You looked amazing!! So happy for you!! XOXO Shelly

Pelagia P

Had such an amazing experience finding my wedding dress here with the help of Caroline! All of the staff were incredibly kind throughout my visit and with any questions I had leadi...

ng up to picking up my dress. They even outreached before my visit to get a sense of what I liked and didn't to ensure our appointment would be productive. No issues with ordering my dress and it came with plenty of time to get alterations and then some! Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Peggy! Thank you so much for taking time to write and share this kind review! You were ...

such a joy to work with, and I'm so happy to hear that you had a great experience! Your dress was absolutely made for you! I hope you have a wonderful summer and wishing you all the best! XOXO, Caroline.

Hannah S

The experience I had with picking out my wedding dress was wonderful! This salon offers a huge selection of dresses to choose from and the stylist respected my budget and opinions.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Hannah, thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure working with you and ...

helping you find the perfect dress!! -Erin :)

Amy M

My mom has been looking for a MOB dress and visited Van Cleve once before. The store is a bit dirty, dusty and outdated but we were able to look past that for the dress selection! ...

She wanted to go back for a 2nd time and when she called to make an appointment she was met with such rudeness and unprofessionalism. We worked with Jada the first time who was wonderful. When we called to make her 2nd appointment Caroline was the one who answered the phone and was so rude and made my mom feel uncomfortable enough that she decided to cancel her appointment. Caroline was rude, abrupt and extremely unwelcoming. She seemed as though she was not interested in having my mom’s business as a client. Such a shame that she is the first person you come into contact with when booking an appointment. Unfortunately, we will not be back!

Gabi E

This was the first place that I had been to in order to find my dress for my wedding and it was an incredible experience. I worked with Shelly and she asked a lot of great question...

s to help me understand what type of dress that I really liked, and she really listened to my feedback and ultimately helped me find THE dress! Shelly was so personable and calm, and it made the experience of wedding dress hunting super fun! Having the one-on-one experience with a stylist was much needed and it made it all the more special. I went into there not expecting to find anything at all since I am super picky, but Van Cleve has a wide variety of options. I definitely recommend checking out this place!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Gabi!! I had a wonderful time helping you say yes to your dress!! You lo...

ok so beautiful and will be a stunning bride. Please let me know if you need anything!! XOXO Shelly

Erica C

Van Cleve was amazing throughout the entire dress process. I appreciate how personal the appointment felt, and they helped me pick out the dress of my dreams! Everything from order...

ing, fitting and alterations was all done in a timely manner, and I never had to worry about my dress being late. Thank you for helping me get my perfect wedding dress!

Brittany P

I worked with Shelly at Van Cleve, and she was WONDERFUL! I cannot say enough good things. She listened to my vision and chose stunning options that blew me away. I did not think I...

would find my dress so easily as I'm picky -- but I said yes to my dream dress and couldn't be happier! Thank you, Shelly!!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you Brittany! So happy for you and I can't wait to see pictures of the big day!! XO...

X0 Shelly

Kathryn D

First, I want to say that I had an amazing time selecting my dress in store. My sales associate listened to exactly what I wanted (I had been to 4 other stores before) and pulled t...

he perfect dress. I was so in love with it. The reason for the one-star rating is because when I opened my dress on the morning of my wedding, the extremely delicate mesh panel in the front had torn. Upon further inspection, the tear was because a bulky piece of cardboard with staples sticking out of it had been stuffed into the bust and snagged the mesh panel. Clearly this piece of cardboard was WAY TOO BIG for the dress and had raw edges and STAPLES sticking straight into the mesh panel. I don't understand why anyone at Van Cleve would prepare my dress like this. We tried taping the two pieces of torn mesh together onto my skin but that looked even worse. We ended up rushing the dress to a tailor who was thankfully open the morning of my wedding and she ended up cutting the mesh down to the rip. This review has been edited to include the following statement: I signed a document stating that I inspected the dress before leaving and the vendor cannot be held responsible for damages once it has left the store.

Rachel S

I just purchased my dress here this week and would like to explain my experience, so this does not happen to anyone else. Staff was very friendly and the lady that was helping us w...

as super helpful, however, we gave her a budget of under $3000 and she selected dresses above my price range and of course, I fell in love with a dress that was almost $4k. I was between two dresses and after going back and forth between the 2, I was set on the dress I wanted because it was just more me than the other one. I asked the lady if these dresses will be here in a month or 2 because I would have liked to look other places just so I didn't have dress regret and wanted to see what other shops had to offer. It was then when she decided to tell me that the dress I decided on would be discontinued in 3 days, so we had to decide over the weekend. We all felt blindsided and felt forced to get the dress. I did fall in love with my dress, but again, I did want to look at other shops before deciding. I just knew I would regret not getting this dress, but we thought it was so unprofessional to tell us 5 mins before the end of our appointment that it is being discontinued in 3 days. She definitely should have let me know about it being discontinued right when she pulled it out for me to try on. It made me wonder if it was really being discontinued or was she just saying that because I mentioned looking at other shops before deciding. It was my first time wedding dress shopping and even though I knew I was going to find dresses I loved, I wanted to look at at least 3 or 4 places. It sort of ruined that experience for me.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Rachel, My name is Ashley, and I am the Salon Manager here at Van Cleve. First and fo...

remost, congratulations on saying "Yes!" to your dress! I know your stylist truly enjoyed working with you and helping you customize your gown. I had the pleasure of speaking with your mom during her recent visit to move forward with your gown. She shared that you all had a wonderful experience and that you were excited about finding your perfect dress. However, she also mentioned some concerns. Please know that we are always mindful of and want to be respectful of a bride's preferred budget, which is why we like to re-confirm this before shopping for dresses. During my conversation with your mom, we agreed that there may have been some confusion about the budget from the start of the appointment to the time you made your final decision between your two favorites. I did also confirm with your stylist that all pricing, including the cost of custom changes, was shared prior to retrying your favorites. If at any point we misunderstood what was requested of us, I sincerely apologize. Additionally, your mom and I talked about the discontinuation of your dress. It is important to us to be transparent about any details regarding the dress and the purchasing process, so we wanted to let you know that the dress was set to be discontinued several days later (on 10/29/24) before the end of your appointment. I offered to share the official documentation from the designer with your mom to verify this information, but she declined. While I prefer not to disclose the name or style number of your dress in a public forum, I can send you the link to the designer's website, which confirms that this style has been discontinued. I also wanted to share my thoughts on the timing of such information. We aim to create a magical experience, and revealing details about possible discontinuations before trying on a gown could unintentionally discourage a bride from fully enjoying the moment, and we would never want to take away from that special moment, especially if said dress could become “the one.” I understand that making a decision on a short timeline can be challenging, but I would never have wanted for you to return at a later date only to find that your dream dress was no longer available. I hope you can understand our position, as it is never our desire to share information that could change a bride's experience. I enjoyed speaking with your mom and thought our conversation was helpful for both of us, and I would love to speak with you further about your experience or any concerns you may have. Please feel free to reach me anytime at the salon at (610) 647-5055. I am here to help and ensure you have the best experience possible. Thank you, Rachel. Best, Ashley

Jessica J

My family and I had an amazing experience at Van Cleve picking out my bridal dress for my November 2025 wedding! Megan was such a pleasure to work with -- from open communication p...

re-visit to her patience and pleasant attitude on the floor, to the very sweet follow up texts she sent. Megan was incredible at understanding what I was enjoying about the dresses she was pulling, and ultimately found the dress I said yes to! She was also incredibly accommodating and great at roping my family into the process as well, so choosing the dress truly felt like a "team" effort. Everyone on the staff was attentive, kind, and supportive. I could not recommend them enough!

Daniella W

They have a LARGE selection of high quality dresses and the shop is so pretty. I worked with Caroline who listened to what I needed, did not pressure me to buy a dress, and really ...

helped me narrow down to what I was looking for. I am very indecisive and wanted to go to a bunch of shops to try on as many dresses as possible, but ended up coming back here for the "one." Definitely recommend!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Daniella, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share such a lovely review...

! You were such a joy to work with, and I'm so happy we were able to find you the perfect dress! I am SO excited to see you again when your dress arrives. Have a great long weekend and thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Emmi C

Finding my dress at Van Cleve was an all around fantastic experience. Everyone was SO nice and knowledgable - I worked with Caroline and she helped me create the dress of my dream...

s. She worked to understand my style perfectly (I'm picky) and we ended up piecing together such a beautiful dress. They made the daunting process of customizing a dress EASY. I haven't received my gown yet, but I know I am going to love it.

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Emmi, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share such a nice review! It w...

as SO lovely working with you and helping you create your dream dress!! I am so excited for you and can't wait to see you when your dress arrives! Thanks again! XOXO, Caroline.

Kelli B

I get nervous when I am the center of attention and hate things that require me to be fussed over so I was a bit nervous to go dress shopping. That being said, my experience at Van...

Cleve was great and all my worries were gone as soon as we sat down and went over what I was looking for. I never felt pressured, the woman that assisted me was kind and knew exactly how to help me find my dress. I went in there with an idea of what I wanted and fell in love with something completely different. I also came in way under budget! My fiancé also plans on renting a tuxedo from here based off of my experience.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Kelli for the kind review, I really appreciate it! You were such a pleas...

ure to work with and I'm so happy we found the perfect dress for you! You're going to make a beautiful bride!! -Erin

Brionna P

Caroline was so amazing! I went in with the thought that I was going to ultimately have to get my dress made. She listened and knew exactly what I was going for and I ultimately sa...

id yes to the dress. Thank you so much for helping me find my dream dress

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Brionna, Thank you so much for the nice review, it is so greatly appreciated! I am so e...

xcited for you! I'm looking forward to seeing you when your dress arrives! XOXO, Caroline.

Ashleigh T

I found my dream dress at Van Cleve all thanks to Caroline! It was my 3rd store and I was considering canceling because I thought I found the one at my 2nd stop. Caroline pushed me...

to consider a style I never would have without her and it ended up being exactly what I needed!! 10/10 recommend Van Cleve but more specifically Caroline!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Ashleigh, Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share such a nice review! ...

I am SO excited for you! I'm so glad we pushed your style and ended up find the perfect dress! You are going to be a stunning bride. Congratulations again! XOXO, Caroline.

Caroline K

Just walking into the lobby of Van Cleve is magical and breath taking with their floral displays, and then you're greeted by extremely friendly consultants. Shelly was THE BEST! Sh...

e texted me prior to my appointment to look through pictures of dress ideas that I had, and then through additional conversations and explorations at my appointment she completely saw my vision and found my dress! She pulled out some of my pinterest saved dresses, and she had an amazing system for the order of dresses she had me try on while working through the different stylistic features that I loved. Our analytical brains worked really well together. She totally understood me and helped my vision come true. She even searched for different sparkly fabrics to enhance my dress, which when we found the right one, the tears started, and I said yes to the dress! I can't wait to go back to explore the accessories more, and to look at the other bridal party dresses! Van Cleve and Shelly are incredible! My mom already has an appointment to work with Shelly again for her mother of the bride dress. Five star experience! Highly recommend! They have every dress imaginable, and they work with many price points!

Response from Van Cleve

You are so sweet Caroline! I had the best time working with you and I am so excited we fou...

nd you the perfect gown!! It was so much fun getting to know you and your group!! So grateful to work with your mom soon as well and if you need anything else please let me know!! XOXO Shelly

Jamie M

Caroline was great at my appointment! She was prepared and knew exactly what I was looking for. Caroline made me feel comfortable and beautiful AND helped me say YES to the dress!

Nikki T

Great experience with Erin! She provided excellent service and so many great options to offer that fit my style. So glad I was able to say yes with this store! 🤍

Haley L

I had the absolute best wedding dress experience with Shelly at Van Cleve. It was my second of two wedding dress appointments and it was night and day difference than my first. She...

lly was so thorough and really took the time to explain the process and guided me to say YES to the dress. She read my personality well and truly helped me work through all my concerns during the appointment. I don’t think I would have been so confident in my decision (and still thrilled with it a few weeks later) if it wasn’t for Shelly and Van Cleve. I live in Florida but have family near Van Cleve and I would 100% recommend Van Cleve to any future bride!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Haley!! I had such a great time working with you! Please let me know whe...

n you are ready for help in anything going forward. You look so amazing in your gown and I can't wait for it to be your size and all adjusted!! XOXO Shelly

Rebecca H

After seeing that a friend from college (Megan) worked at Van Cleve’s I reached out to try on dresses. Caroline was my consultant and she was everything I needed her to be! She lis...

tened to what I wanted, what I loved (or didn’t love), my dislikes and concerns about how some of the fabrics felt on my skin. She even helped me to make small changes to create the princess dress of my dreams. Caroline calmed my fears while waiting for my dress to be made. I also had my dress fittings and alterations done with them. They made the entire process so smooth. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you to the entire Van Cleve team.

Katie G

My mom, aunts, and I had the best experience at Van Cleve, primarily due to the second-to-none guidance my stylist Shelly provided us! She knew exactly how to progress me throughou...

t the various stages of the process, and always made me feel heard and comfortable. I'm so lucky to have scored her and my dress at this fabulous place! Would highly recommend to all brides considering!

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you Katie!! I had the best time with all of you!! So lucky to have you as my bride!!...

You look amazing in your gown!!! Let me know if you need anything while we lead up to the big day!! XOXO Shelly

Arielle K

Erin was amazing to work with! She let me look around at different styles in each room and pulled some she thought I would like. She was so kind, helping in getting in and out of t...

he dresses and really cared about me and what I was comfortable in. The space they have is amazing, private, and spacious. I felt so comfortable and everyone in my family got a seat in the room. Erin called me before the appointment to see what designers, inspirations, colors, fits I liked best and had some pulled in the room when I got there. Erin really loves her clients and her background in fashion is most helpful!

Paige E

I had the most memorable experience! Shelly was a true blessing and very helpful! There were so many dresses that I could afford in my budget that were just as beautiful as ones t...

hat I was unable to afford. They really worked with me on what I was looking for and helped me try on dresses I never thought I would love. I found my love story dress, and I’m super blessed for them!

Response from Van Cleve

Congratulations Paige! I had such a great time helping you find your gown!! Please let me ...

know if you need anything! XOXO Shelly

Samantha B

I cannot speak highly enough of my experience at Van Cleve! Shelly did a wonderful job guiding me to the most perfect dress. She not only listened intently, but also used her years...

of experience in the industry to ensure I looked my best! We had a private room that created a wonderful atmosphere to find THE dress!! I did try a few other salons, but none matched the professionalism and sophistication of Van Cleve.

Response from Van Cleve

Thank you so much Samantha!! I am so excited to be working with you for your gown!! You lo...

ok so amazing and I can't wait till it comes in! Please let me know if you need anything while we wait!! XOXO Shelly

Danielle H

My stylist Caroline helped me find my dream dress and made me feel like a princess for my wedding day. The alterations were fast and my dress fit me like a glove on my wedding day....

Everyone was always so nice and attentive to us, highly recommend!

Michele V

I was so happy to get my wedding dress and veil from Van Cleve!! I worked with Caroline and she was so professional and amazing. She is not pushy, lets you come to your own decisio...

ns and feelings about the dress, and always made me feel good about myself! I also had an amazing experience with the alterations and cleaning department. They do everything there, and it is a really nice, intimate experience - never crowded or overwhelming. The salon is also gorgeous! I always looked forward to going there whether for shopping, fitting, etc. So happy I got my dress from Van Cleve!!

Alexandria D

I had the BEST experience at Van Cleve! The staff was so kind and enthusiastic. Caroline was so amazing and helped me say yes to the dress!

Response from Van Cleve

Hi Alexandria! Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share about your experie...

nce! It was such a pleasure working with you and congratulations again! I am so excited for your big day! XOXO, Caroline.

Liz T

I had an appointment last night with Shelly and I cannot recommend her enough. This was my 5th store, I was getting closer to figuring out what I wanted but knew something was miss...

ing. She took the photos and information and budget I gave her and knew what dress she wanted me to try on- spoiler alert it was perfect. It checked all of my boxes and I am so thrilled to have finally said yes to the dress! Shelly was amazing, and I appreciated her opinions. Some store sales people wouldn’t give me any feedback and I needed some guidance!! Thank you Shelly!!

Response from Van Cleve

ank you so much Liz! I had an amazing time working with you and your family! Please let me...

know if I can be of help with any of the other items for the wedding. I am here for whatever you need! You look so stunning in the gown! You made my job easy!! XOXO Shelly

Service area & Contact info

1604 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA

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(610) 647-5055

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Van Cleve

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