Athena's Bridal Boutique

The value of the dress was amazing but the alterations were almost as much as the dress. They had a great selection and were wonderful to work with.

Athena's did a wonderful job of helping me find my dream gown! After 2 other appointments on the same day, I almost didn't go to my last appointment at Athena's. I am so happy I did however. After browsing the gowns and describing what I wanted, we had a few choices. One of which was the very last sample of a gown that could not be ordered again, and was far above my price range. I tried in on anyway, and not only did it fit perfectly, but they drastically reduced the price since it was the sample gown. I was sold!Gina was so nice a helpful every time I called or came into the shop. She also helped me order my bridesmaid dresses, which happened to be a brand that Athena's doesn't even carry. I wanted a few extra alterations on my dress, and the seamstress did a BEAUTIFUL job of what I wanted. The alterations were a little pricy, but I think that is to be expected from most bridal boutiques.I received so many compliments on my dress and I felt so beautiful in it. The only downside is I can't wear it again!

Athena's Bridal made finding my wedding dress one of the most special days of my life. They were so much fun and helpful! They made me feel like a true princess!!!

I had a wonderful experience here. I loved my dress, got a wonderful deal, and great serivce.

This is the most horrible bridal boutique on the planet! The owner is just plain nasty! Please please please please do not go here!

All the staff at Athena's were super nice... The alterations team worked patiently with my maid of honor, making sure she was an expert in bustle-tying before we left the store!

Rude and confused! I bought a plane ticket based on them refusing to call the vendor and see when my dress was due to arrive. So I missed the chance for a fitting. Thank GOD the alterations lady squeezed me in. That said, their alterations cost almost as much as my dress!! I wouldn't recommend this place unless it's the only store on the planet that carries your dress.

I was very happy with my dress and my bridesmaid dresses from here. I worked with Gina, she was the best!!! They have some great dresses and Gina found the perfect dress for me- it was the 4th dress i tried on and perfect!

Gina helped me find the dress that was perfect for me! I had tried on numerous dresses at other stores without success...Gina found mine within minutes! The whole experience at Athena's was pleasurable and I have no reservations in recommending them.

I purchased my wedding dress at Athena's and settled on the first of three dresses I tried on. I was impressed by how polite and friendly the ladies in the shop were, and how knowledgable they were about the dresses they had. My dress was beautiful and unique, and I was very happy about the service at Athena's. We rented a groomsman suit from them, as well, and while we had a slight mix-up about shoes (they were rented but didn't get given to the groomsman when he picked up his suit), they credited me back for the shoes and my groomsman had suitable backup footware. I enjoyed my time at Athena's. Alterations were more expensive than I had expected, but the bustle they put into my dress was stunning, and really made the dress look like something out of a Jane Austin novel. Beautiful, beautiful. I loved my dress.

I was married on 10-10-10 and bought my dress form Gina at Athena's. I originally bought a dress somewhere else and when it came in, it was terrible! I went to Athena'a for help and there was Gina:) I told her my situation and she was so understanding and promised me she would find me the dress of my dreams and she did!!!! I found my dress that day and it was perfect. She pulled some strings and had it rushed delivered. It came in and was perfect. Everyone at Athena's treats you like a princess and makes you feel so beautiful/ My experience at Athena's was exactly what I need to feel confident and like "A BRIDE" I highly recommend them. Ask for Gina!!

After searching all around the Tampa Bay area, I found a Maggie Sottero dress that I loved at Athena's. The day I picked out the dress I found the staff extremely accommodating and helpful. I bought the dress that day. However, after the initial day I felt rushed when ever I entered the store. Additionally, the alterations were a bit on the pricey side. The woman who does the alterations was very sweet but the other woman in the store were not very nice to her. Also, to my disappointment, my bustle ended up breaking about an hour into the reception tearing part of my train. I have since heard from others that it is not uncommon for the bustles done there to break. :(

I previously went to every big name bridal shop in the Tampa Bay area and none compare to the honesty I received at Athena's. Donna was right on point when she asked me what I was looking for and showed me dresses that completely fit my personality and the look I was going for. I seriously recommend this shop to any bride who has a little trouble deciding what looks good on her body type or for the "tom boy" who needs a little help getting the WOW factor right!!!! :) I had the BEST experience and absolutely recommend this beautiful shoppe!! I don't usually go out of my way to seek these types of review sites but I truly can't say enough about Athena's and want every bride to be out there to have the same enjoyable experience I had....because lets face it, that's what it's all about! Life's short- enjoy it :)

I worked with JoAnn on picking out my dress and she was great!!! She was awesome with my family being there and really helped with finding my perfect wedding dress. It's a smaller boutique so I really felt that I was getting all of the attention which helped with being able to decide. Alterations went really well and the girl helping did an awesome job. She was still pinning everything up to my final fitting. Looking at my wedding pictures now the dress was perfect and athenas was great at helping me find it.

I was happy with the dress I ordered from Athena's, it was the correct order that arrived within the promised time. If you can work with Gina, she is fantastic :) If it were not for her I don't know what I would have done. The alterations were pricey, but I got what I paid for without a doubt.

I went to just about every boutique within a 50 mile radius and Athenas was by far the most helpful & enjoyable to go to. Gina was a lifesaver, and knew exactly what would look good on me. She was so nice and used all of her experience to help me find a dress that was perfect for me. There was no high pressure sales tactics, a great selection, and reasonable pricing. I would definitely recommend asking for Gina when making an appointment =)

I got so many compliments on my wedding dress, and it truely was amazing. Marie was the sales associate who helped me and she was just the best! When we found "the one", she even cried with me and my mother. I had the best experience there and would reccomend that all brides try a store like Athena's that provides a more intimate setting but has a wide selection of wedding gown designers.

When they ordered my dress it took 6 months to come in, which was fine as that is what the quoted me. However, once the dress came in and I went to pick it up, they were rude. The dress was HUGE and they ordered too big of a size. They did take care of the alterations on the body part but I had to pay for the hem and bussle which was still $300. When I first showed up to get fitted, there was no one in the store and they turned me away and said I had to make an appt for my 1st dress fitting. The lady who did my alterations was great and she did a wonderful job. That is the only positive comment I have for this place.

I bought my wedding gown at Athena's. What a disaster! When my dress came in, I called to find out, they did not call to tell me. Once I came to pick up my dress, they gave me the dress and rushed me out the door. They said they were having air conditioning issues. I got home and excitedly opened the garment bag to find that the dress was not the one I ordered. I went to the shop the next day, after not receiving a phone call back, and was so horrified at the OWNER'S response. They told me that it was the same dress. I ordered a slim fit A Line and it was a huge princess ball gown. They insisted that the dress was what I ordered. After my refusal to accept what they were telling me, the owner rudely told me to come back a month before the wedding and they would do the alterations. I told them that I was rushed out of the store and was not even allowed a try on so they could see this was the wrong dress and they owner rudely told me to leave! I was horrified! I found a seamstress who had to take my dress apart and put it back together again, as it was supposed to have arrived to me in the first place. SHE SAVED MY WEDDING- Rosie at A Roseman Bridal Party in Clearwater. I AM WARNING ANY AND ALL BRIDES TO NOT GET THEIR DRESS FROM THIS VENDOR! This dress was the most important dress I was ever going to wear and once they made their money, sold me the wrong dress, they refused to do anything about it. I cried for a week. BEWARE BRIDES!

I absolutely loved my dress - Joann was very helpful in finding exactly what I wanted. I think the alterations were kind of pricey, but it was nice to have it done in house. I requested a lace shrug to go with my dress, and they were able to make exactly what I wanted.

I drove myself and my best friends nuts dragging them to store after store in Tampa, Bradenton and St. Petersburg, looking for THE dress. I didn't find any fault with any of the other stores, they just didn't have what I was looking for. I finally found my Maggie Sottero from Athena's Bridal. Had it altered there as well. No complaints on their service from me!

I literally went to every place in Tampa, St. Pete, Bradenton before finding a dress. It really wasn’t any of the shop’s or salesperson’s faults, it was that I couldn’t find a dress I loved with all the elements I wanted. I ended up going to Joann – who is a super sweet lady from New York – and she helped me find this dress. It was a Maggie Sottero, and my mom and I just fell in love with the classic, simple, design. I ended up getting my dress, 2 veils, a tiara, and earrings for under $1500 (holler!). I’ve heard nightmares about this place, especially with the alterations, but the alterations lady was great. She’s not overly outgoing, but I know she has trouble with English. I really liked her and I thought she did a good job. The only thing was that I was unsatisfied with was the price I paid to have my bustle snap not even halfway through the night. I thought the alterations were pricey to begin with, only to have my bustle not work for the whole night. Overall, however, I was satisfied with my experience.

They have a beautiful and big collection but they do not take any responsibility once the dress leaves. My zipper broke 2 weeks before the wedding because I had pictures done ahead of time. They were going to charge me for that even though I paid almost $1000 dollars for my dress. I also bought 7 other dresses from them for the bridesmaid dresses. The zipper should not even have broke, so they should have taken responsibility for that.

Great customer service. My dress came in 2 months earlier than expected. I loved my dress!!! Athena's was a pleasure to work with.

Overall this store was great at the first meeting, they helped me pick out an affordable dress that I absolutely loved. As it got closer to the wedding and as I was having my fittings (after I had paid) they seemed not so responsive to my needs. The main thing that really bothered me with this business was the day before my wedding I went to pick up my wedding dress and it was supposed to be steamed and ready to go. It was all bagged up when we got there and we wanted to check it before we left and it had not been steamed yet, or if it had it was a horrible job. So we had to sit and wait while they resteamed it to our liking.

I shopped here but did not end up purchasing here. We found some great dresses but they were less affordable than other bridal salons we had already visited. The saleswoman was also pushy and we felt a pressure to buy.

My consultant was superb and knew instantly what I was liking and disliking. She was excellent in being able to determine from the beginning what styles I liked with the very little information I provided from the beginning. I actually ended up finding my dress at another shop and had it ordered by Athena's so that I could continue to use my consultant. All of the attire for the wedding party was ordered through Athena's.

Do not get me wrong- I loved my dress, but the only reason I went to Athena's was because they were the one who carried my dress that I found online. So I order the dress, and waited....and waited....and waited. About a month and a half before the wedding, I am still wondering if my dress has come in (I ordered it September, I called in March). I called, and they put my on hold for a bit, and then said I would have to call back because the my 'consultant' was not in until after 2 PM. I called back and finally I am told that my dress is in. Then, knowing I need to get it altered, I tried setting up a fitting-- and they are booked until about two and a half weeks before my wedding. WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL ME MY DRESS WAS IN??? LIKE I NEEDED MORE STRESS! Then they mess up on my fitting time, and then blame me for canceling it-- when the lady finally admitted that the girl in the back does not understand English, and changed it (thank god I have a good memory and relayed EXACTLY the situation to her and she finally remembered). But what business blames the customer for a mistake??? You take it and say, 'I am sorry for the misunderstanding, how can we fix it?' NO! They sat there and said I changed the time or canceled it-- sure, that is why I drove 3 hours (I do not live in Clearwater) to go to a non-existent appointment. Anyhow, the alterations were okay-- except that the strap they shortened broke at the end of the night because it was not properly reinforced, and the ruching in the front never fell right and puckered. I had a friend recently go dress shopping, and I could not in good conscious recommend her to go here. Like I said, I loved the dress, but hated the experience.

The sales associates were really wonderful, but it was an interesting experience when it was time for my dress to be altered. There were communication problems with the manager, and her professionalism left much to be desired. In the end, everything worked out, though.

We got my wedding gown, all the dresses for my Maids of Honor and Bridesmaids, and for our mothers at Athena's Bridal. Our experiences overall was just fantastic! The atmosphere is very light and easy yet professional, and the sales girls were sweet. They have a nice variety of dresses and gowns to peruse through, and once I found my dress, we all knew it was the one as everyone had tears in their eyes (and I hadn't even tried it on yet!) Athena's Bridal is just amazing!

I loved my experience at Athena's so much I recommended it to a friend! Aunt Jo made finding the perfect gown so much fun!

Love the dresses.. but once you buy the dresses, the ladies are very nasty.. no time for anyone.. .want the sale, but once they have you they are not very nice... must adapt to change better.

Very easy to work. Their staff is friendly and professional, and they have a great variety of dresses!

The first time I went into this boutique, the saleslady was pleasant and accommodating. I had a dress in mind, they didn't have it to try on, but we ultimately found the perfect dress. When it came time to order, they tried to sell me a larger size than I requested. (I had a bunch of weight to lose and was going to do so no matter what). I negotiated price because another shop had it cheaper. They conditioned the price cut on me buying for bridesmaids and shoes. I agreed. Then it was getting close to the wedding day. At about 3 months out, we were given the date for the delivery of the dress. It gave us 4 weeks before the wedding. OK, that's close but do-able. Actually was about 2 weeks before the wedding that I actually received the dress. I most certainly didn't trust them for alterations. Nor did my bridemaid get her dress there. I would never use them again nor recommend anyone I like to use them.

This is where we went for our bridesmaid's dresses. My cousin also used her for her wedding dress and bridesmaid's dresses. It's a smaller shop but they will order anything you want and they also do the alterations in store. Prices are average, nothing special but I think I remember them having a clearance section. The woman who work in there are very polite and they work with you on making payments.

beautiful gowns for any special day