Where to Shop for a Wedding Dress in Eugene, OR
As someone who has recently gotten married, I know how stressful it can be planning a wedding. You want everything to be perfect and of course, you want that perfect gown. If you’re like me, it’s the first thing you want to start looking at but where to start? I have been to every bridal shop here in Eugene and several in nearby towns. I hope that the following list can help you find the dress of your dreams.
David’s Bridal
I’m going to start with the biggest Bridal shop in Eugene – David’s Bridal. This is a national chain and very popular. When I went to this store, I was greeted upon entering and offered help. There were several gowns of all sizes to look at. You could spend hours just looking at all the beautiful gowns they had to offer. When I was ready to try on the gowns, the associate helped into them and I was able to stand in front of a 3-way mirror to look at myself from all angles. You choose which gowns are your favorites and the associate will make note of it, so that when and if you come back they’ll be able to pull up that information for you.
What I liked about this shop: The selection. The fact that if you buy your gown there, you will get a discount on the bridesmaids gowns. Helpful associates. Occasionally, fabulous sales.
What I disliked about this shop: There was really nothing that I disliked. However, as it is a popular store it can get very busy and you may have to wait awhile for help.
David’s Bridal is located on Valley River Way across from Valley River Center.
The Bride’s Corner
The Bride’s Corner was actually one of my first stops in my wedding dress hunt. This shop has some beautiful gowns. There is not as big of a selection as David’s, but there’s still plenty to choose from. The associates here are also very friendly and help you with trying on your dress as well as taking note of the gowns that you prefer. They will also make suggestions based on the style that you seem to enjoy. When you try on the gown, you come out to the 3-way mirror and actually stand on a pedestal to look at yourself. It sounds odd, but that little touch does make you feel special. This shop also offers outfits for the wedding party.
What I liked about this shop: Great selection of gowns. Personal service from the staff.
What I disliked about this shop: Nothing.
The Bride’s Corner is located on Valley River Way across from Valley River Center and around the corner from The Men’s Warehouse.
Eva’s Bridal Mart
If you’ve ever been on Pearl Street, then you’ve probably seen this large shop. This store has a very large selection of gowns at some really good prices. The associates at this store are very friendly and very helpful. As with the other shops, they help you into and out of each gown you try on and allow you to check yourself out at all angles in front of a large 3-way mirror. It should be noted that this is an off the rack store and that’s the reason the prices are so good. If you choose to buy a dress here, you will go home with it the same day. Any alterations that need to be done will have be done outside of the shop. But if you’re looking for a deal, this may be the place to go!
What I liked about this shop: Large shop with a great selection of gowns and prices. Helpful, friendly staff. Can find a great deal.
What I disliked about this shop: If your dream dress does not fit perfectly, you must have it altered elsewhere. This shop does not offer alterations of any kind.
Eva’s Bridal Mart is located on 10th and Pearl, across from the Greyhound bus station.
Reed and Cross
Reed and Cross is a popular store for registering for your wedding and buying all your wedding accessories from the Ring Bearer’s pillow to the guestbook. And, of course, this shop does offer wedding gowns as well as dresses for the bridal party. This shop, however, has a surprisingly small selection. The Bridal gowns are located in a room near the back of of the store. When you walk in, you’re greeted immediately by a staff member. The associates here are very pleasant and helpful. As expected, they will help you try on your gowns and there is a large mirror for looking at yourself in the gown. While I wasn’t pleased with the relatively small selection, I would recommend stopping by and taking a look because you never know where you’ll find your perfect gown.
What I liked about this shop: Lovely higher end gowns. Very pleasant staff. Full service shop.
What I disliked about this shop: Small selection. The lighting was a bit dark.
Reed and Cross is located across from the Oakway Mall on Coburg Road.
Exclusively Bridal
Exclusively Bridal is actually in Drain, OR. This shop is about a 45 minute drive from Eugene, but it’s well worth it. This is a fairly large store with a great selection of gowns. The staff there is very friendly and anxious to help. I was, in fact, impressed with the associate that I worked with at this store. See, on the way there my grandmother had sat in some strawberries and had a large stain on her pants. When we entered the store the associate noticed and offered my grandmother a robe to wear while she washed her pants. It was a wonderful gesture and very much appreciated by my grandma. My shopping experience here was very pleasant. I loved the selection of gowns they had and was impressed with the recommendations the associate made to me based on my style choices. It was here, that I finally found the dress that I was looking for. Overall, I had a great experience in this shop and found them to be just as wonderful on my next few visits for alterations.
What I liked about this shop: Very friendly staff. Large selection of gowns. Comfortable atmosphere.
What I disliked about this shop: Nothing. But it is not in the city and you will have to drive about 45 minutes to get there.
Exclusively Bridal is located in downtown Drain, Oregon on B. Ave.
This list includes some of the best shops I came across while shopping for my beautiful wedding gown. I hope that this list can help those who don’t know where to start looking for their gown.
I would also like to add a couple pieces of advice: First, bring a camera and take pictures of the gowns you’re trying on. Sometimes what you like in the store, you’ll find you don’t like when you get home and look at the photos. Taking pictures can be a great help in choosing the right gown. Be aware that some stores will not allow photos, but most will and some even encourage it.
And second, go in with an open mind. Often what you envision as the perfect style does not look perfect once you get it on. I found this to be true for myself and after trying a few different styles found one that looked wonderful.
Good luck!
