Lili's Bridal

I went to Lili's to see more Maggie Sottero dresses (planning on the actual purchase to be at Pebbles). They were having a sample sale only. They had a very limited # of dresses that were available to order. I only found one dress that I was interested in and almost left, but decided to try it on. It ended up being THE dress. It was well taken care of and very clean. The owner and employees were all very helpful and nice.

Easy to work with, dresses came in 1 month early, gave us a discount for ordering so many dresses....no complaints!

I have had a great experience at Lili. I have nothing bad to say about them, always helpful and attentive.

I was not impressed with Lili Bridal. Maria was amazing and made my experience much more worthwhile, but if she wasn't there it would have been miserable. If you do go to Lili, be sure to request Maria. I tried out many shops and just happened to find the dress of my dreams here, so I stayed put. The alterations on my simple dress cost $450, plus they charged an additional $175 to press the dress -- but I was told in the beginning that the pressing was included in the alteration charges. I ended up disputing the charge and Lisa 'absorbed' the pressing charges to keep me happy, which I am very appreciative of. I was quoted $350 in the beginning and it ended up being $450 because of 'extra' work. Look at my dress -- only minor beading at the top! Nothing fancy! Anyways, that part of my transaction was really sketchy and it seemed that they must increase the alteration charge a lot, as they were very vague about things.

I guess it's an okay place if you are looking for an 'okay' experience. The sitting area is drab (old couches) the fitting rooms are super small and the staff is not very professional in my opinion. They only have one pedestal to stand on with a full length mirror (they have two, but one is used for the alteration station). When I was there, along with 6 other brides it was so crowded that you had to wait in line just to get your turn at the big full length mirror. It's annoying to wait your turn when some brides stand there for over five minutes. When you're trying on three or four dresses, those five minute wait times add up and make it a less fun experience. They only have a few rooms, so be prepared to wait!! And be rushed!!!

Update: After reading the other posts, I wanted to comment that I was also told to order my dress in a size 14, when I tried on the size 12 and it fit fine. Seems a ploy of theirs to add additional alteration charges.

I had a great experience at Lili's and bought my dress here. I was early for my appointment and they were going to begin working with me anyway, but I said that's okay and spent the time looking at the dresses. My consultant, Maria, listened carefully to what I said I wanted, and she pulled all sorts of dresses that I would never have tried on my own. One of them was "the dress." When I mentioned it was above my budget, she said they could sell me the sample, since it fit me almost perfectly. She also suggested a way that straps could be added since I wasn't wild about a strapless gown, and her suggestion made the dress look perfect. I still thought it was expensive, so they worked with me on price and on the price for the alterations, AND they agreed to store the dress in their shop for A YEAR since I have no where to keep it (I live in a small apartment).

I went in on what they said was a busy day (Veterans Day) without an appointment. They opened at 11, and I went in at 11:04 and they were already busy, so the lady said to look around. I mentioned to the lady that I could come back later in the day, and she was very happy that I had offered, so I set an appointment for 2.

I worked with Lara and she was very helpful, no pressure. There was no one else in the store really at the time. She pointed me to some dresses I might be interested in, but I also just looked through some of the racks with my friend, so it was really nice. She dolled me up with a veil, flowers, etc. and while I felt it was kind of humorous, it was cute.

I found a few dresses in my price range that I'm planning to go back to look at again. I would recommend this place.

edited:

Sadly I have to update my review. And I really am sad about it. You can read my original review below. As the original review says, I had a fantastic experience trying on dresses. Picking up and paying for my dress was another story. They gave me a gorgeous large room to try my dress on (I had an appointment) and I decided to have my Mom look at mother of the bride dresses at the same time, since we had such a large room. I'm meticulous with things I spend a lot of money on, so I spent some time making sure the beading was good, no frayed hems or seams, no stains, etc. checking the zipper and all. i must have had someone come in at least 5 times to see if i "needed help." At last I told them that I was fine, but just needed to make sure everything was ok before i gave them the final payment. I asked an associate if I could see a bridesmaid dress because i wanted to give them more business and wanted to order four of them from them instead of online. she never got back to me. They had the nerve to say "we're busy. I can't" when I politelly asked again. EXCUSE ME?! You're WHAT?! Not to be a bridezilla, but I specifically mentioned that I was there to pick up my dress and wanted to place another order. This equals money in their pocket, so why the freaking attitude?? Not even a "we're so swamped, but give me a few minutes and i'll see what i can do." I was really disgusted when I was told that, on the last knock of the wall outside my room, "We are really busy and we need your room." Then I heard them saying that they don't have enough rooms today and a woman even came in and told me that "they are double booked and there are other brides who need your room." 30 minutes at the most I was in there! I'm generally very laid back but was appalled. I spent nearly $2,000 and I've been in the room for less than 30 minutes and you're dying to kick me out? It's not my fault you over booked yourselves. And I told them so. Seriously, etiquette people. This is a very expensive purchase. Excuse me for making an appointment and looking over the dress. When I left the room they were all staring and immediately went it to prep it for someone else. I said outloud, "yes you can have your beloved room now. i'm finished." They then had the nerve to ask me when i'd be back in for alterations. I signed the bill and said "never." So disappointed!

Old review:
I had the most fantastic experience at Lili trying on dresses. I will write a more detailed review of the whole experience later after my alterations and such, but for those of you looking to try things on, go to Lili. The key is to go right as they are opening. I went at 10 a.m. sharp (had an appointment) on a Saturday. Most brides want to go around noon, so for the first hour and a half, I had their undivided attention. I worked with Maria and she is fantastic! I told her that I wanted to spend $1,000 or less but that I'd be willing to go up to $2,000 if I just couldn't part with a dress. I tried on a ton and if I like a particular fit, she would immediately run out to the floor and grab another that was the same style for me to try on. :-) She was so good at finding something that fit and flattered my odd body-type (large bust, broad back and shoulder, a thick but well defined waist and absolutely no hips to speak of! i'm like an upside-down triangle argh!). I picked an awesome dress and couldn't be happier with it. And she helped me out with the price quite a bit too because she knew I had a budget. Fantastic experience. Not snotty, not pretentious. Made me feel special and beautiful. highly recommended.

I went to Lilli's to try on dresses and did not have the great experience that some of the other posters talked about. I thought that the didn't have a lot of styles for me (I was looking for something simple, non-ballgown type of dress). The woman who helped us was also really pushy! I do think though that their sample sales rack has some really good values for those who are on a budget. I saw some perfectly nice dresses for $199!

Lili's was the 2nd bridal shop I visited, and was the one that I purchased my dress from. I was very satisfied in the end, but the process was so painful that it almost wasn't worth it.

Maria was always very helpful and polite. My relationship with Sonia, the seamstress, was much more problematic.

Both Maria and Sonia insisted that I buy a size 12, even though I knew up and down that I would be losing at least 15 lbs. When my dress came in several months later, lo and behold, I was doing hula hoops with the size 12 it was so big. Sonia then charged me $350 for alterations, which seems like a lot, but I think is pretty standard. Anyway, when I came in for my 2nd fitting, the dress almost didn't zip! It was fine in the waist, but was far too tight though the chest and upper back. Worse, there was now a dreadful shelf of back fat that spilled over the top. I asked Sonia and Maria what they thought, and both insisted there was nothing to worry about and "no one would notice." I really couldn't stop thinking about the back of the dress, so I brought my mom with me early the following week to try the dress on again. My mom quietly and thoughtfully agreed that something needed to be done. Sonia became very defensive and angry, claiming that "nothing" could be done, and that the problem was with my body (!). At this point, I was feeling slightly hysterical. Sonia got really close to me and said, "No one will be looking this close - no one will notice!" I finally snapped and said, "Well, I have paid almost $3,000 already, and I will notice! I think I should feel good in my own dress!" The whole thing was just so unpleasant. Sonia agreed to make more adjustments for an additional fee of $150 (which she eventually waived). I wearily agreed, just wanting to get out of there.

The week of my wedding, I came in for the final fitting. The dress was perfect. Sonia created a soft V in the back, which mitigated all the aforementioned problems. Sonia was very pleased with the results. She stated that the dress should have been designed this way in the first place, and that all women who buy that dress have a problem though the back. I'm just wondering why she didn't say so in the first place, saving me (and herself) a lot of turmoil.

All things being equal, I would probably not send a friend or family member to Lili for their gown.

I had a great experience with Lili's. Everyone there is very friendly and helpful; even the people who were not "my" salesperson would come by and check things out...and offer help and support. They were also happy to stay within my budget. I just finished my third (and final) fitting, and can honestly say that the whole experience has been great.

My FI's co-worker recommended me to go to Lili's Bridal because she got her dress there about 5 years ago. After reading the comments here I decided to go. At first the saleswomen were really nice to me. They gave me permission to pull dresses aside to try on. The stores started to get really busy and finally one lady started to help me while she was helping someone else. I selected a few dresses that were sample gowns for sale and one regular priced gown. I told her that I didn't want to spend too much over $500. She told me if the sample gowns fit then I could probably make my budget. Take in mind I know $500 is on the lower end but if I find a great dress I will spend more. She looked at me and looked at the sizes on the dress and said that I wouldn't fit into a 10 cause the designers come smaller. I have tried on several other designer dresses and fit into a 10 perfectly. So I tried one on and yes it was a little snug. Then I tried on a sample gown and it was a little small. She wouldn't even let me try on the other dresses because she said they will all be too small. I seriously felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. They do have lots of sample gowns on sale for very cheap but most are worn in and in need lots of work.

Well my experience at Lili's was not bad but not the place for me. I'm a budget bride and their best kept secret "back room" had like 20 dresses in it and were not very pretty. Everything else was at $1200 or above. It took someone 20 minutes to make their way to me and see if I needed help (they were not even busy). It just wasnt a very welcome experience.

I did end up going to Pebbles as well and they were friendly, helpful, and have great dresses.

I called ahead of time the day I went to Lili's Bridal, and the woman on the phone told me that there were no open appointments but to come in at a certain time anyway and they could fit me in. When I arrived, they almost turned me away, telling me that because I didn't have an appt that I could not try on dresses. I argued that someone told me on the phone to come in and eventually they let me start looking around. There was not a big variety of styles of dresses.
Overall, it was not a welcoming experience and the sales persons were pushy.

They have the best selection of bridesmaids gowns and some great wedding gowns too. The salespeople are so creative, they gave me like 5 different kinds of veils to try on with each dress which really makes a difference in the way you see the dress. I just found my dream dress and I can't wait for my wedding day!!!! :lol:

I can safely say after my fourth visit to Lili's they are stupendous.

I went to Lili's first because I had always seen them on Ventura as a little girl. I walked in and they had my appointment time wrong. The consultant said she would be with me shortly and that I should look around. I knew I wanted a lace gown and another bride, who was being helped by the consultant at the same time, also wanted a lace gown. My mom and I had 4 gowns that we had picked out. The consultant came over and asked what I was looking for. I told her I wanted a lace gown. She took the gown I had in my hand and said, "The other bride is also looking for a lace gown. I'll give the ones you picked out to her first and then you can try on whatever you want." I couldn't believe that she would treat me like that! A consultant is supposed to make the bride feel like she is the only one in the room!

If that weren't bad enough, a junior consultant came into the dressing room with me to help me with the dresses. I had trouble getting a dress on and she said, "Here's the problem: you're tiny up top and big on the bottom." Again, unbelievable! I looked at her, as I got dressed (with 4 more gowns waiting to be tried on) and said, "After 25 years, don't you think I know that already without someone pointing that out to me?"

I went from there to Pebbles. For future brides, who don't like being insulted to their faces, I suggest going there. Then, I bought my dress on ebay after trying it on at Pebbles, but I loved the people at Pebbles so much!