Sposabella

Hopefully nobody ordered dresses from Sposabella as they went out of business. I was happy to see Mina taking over the Sposabella store. I went there just over a year and a half ago — needless to say, their off-​the-​rack dresses were poorly maintained, with tears in the chiffon, but with a hefty price tag of $ 1k and up – this is before alterations.
So, my MOH and myself were looking around to see what styles were available. Two staff members were arguing on who should take this walk-​in. We didn’t make an appointment as it was a non-​holiday weekday. I felt like there was a lot of needless rude verbal put-​downs (with the ‘air’ that they’ve got more experience in style than the bride herself); the best phrase to describe this experience I could come up with was «reverse bridezilla». Hopefully none of the staff from Sposabella remained at Mina as they were not very helpful. Prices are not reasonable — you’d get way better service at Ethos, if you were to shop at West Edmonton Mall.

This was the most degrading, humiliating experience I have ever had. I went in with another engaged friend to browse together for the first time. We were ignored at first, and when we were finally approached, were told that the store was closing in 1 hour. 1 hour! I said that’s fine, we are just looking for ideas/​inspiration. She followed us around, not saying a word, but glared at us as if we were going to shoplift one of her over-​priced gaudy gowns. The woman then told me that they don’t usually carry dresses for girls my size. I am a plus sized woman, but her tone and the fact she assumed we were looking for just me was arrogant and rude. I told her as much and we immediately left. I would never step foot in that store again, and highly suggest anyone else who doesn’t want to be made to feel awkward and embarassed avoid it as well.

One of my bridesmaids and I met up one afternoon to take a look at a few shops in West Edmonton Mall. We didn’t really have any intention of going in to Sposabella, but it was one of the last along «bridal row» so we thought «what the heck»? When we walked in and took our shoes off, we were greeted by a girl at the front desk and told to look around. There was a gaggle of ladies sitting around, doing nothing but talking in extremely loud, rude voices. We were the only ones in the store, but the place could have used some attention. No one asked us what were looking for or if we needed help until an older lady (who reeked of perfume) came over and asked us if we were looking for grad dresses. Um… what? Some people have told me I look young, and the friend I was with does have a daughter my age, but I’m 28. We started laughing and said no, we’re looking for bridesmaids dresses. She vaguely pointed to a small section in the corner before my friend asked if that was all they had. She said yes, what are you looking for? I said something to compliment the style of my dress, which I hadn’t pinned down yet, but was… and then she interrupted with «You’re doing it in the wrong order. You need a dress.» I wasn’t there for me. I had it narrowed down to two at different stores, but she wouldn’t listen. Regardless, I told her what I liked (vintage, tulle, lace appliques, either ballgown or tea length with a lot of volume, 40s-​50s ish) and she brings me a grad dress in white that was chiffon, very Greecian. Not even close. Her excuse? It’s what her sister wore in the 40s. I said no, and she said, Fine, look on your own and walked away. We took a stroll around, noticing a lack of quality in the gowns compared to other designers, but I tried on a very sparkly tulle gown with a detachable train. One lady (the one who put it in the fitting room, said, «That’s a lot of bling.» in a voice suggesting it would over power me. No one gave any other opinions, as if they just couldn’t care less. If you want good, helpful service and quality gowns at a good price, do not shop here. They are rude, unhelpful and almost disdainful of your business.

If I could have given this store less than a one star review, I would have.
The sales associates were snotty and rude, and I found the dresses to be ridiculously overpriced compared to MUCH nicer bridal stores elsewhere in Edmonton. I would never consider even stepping foot back into this store, let alone spending my money here.

After reading the other reviews for Sposabella, I would have to say my experience with them has been in-​between. I was lucky to have a sweet and helpful staff member assist me during my appointment, but when I went previous times for a friend’s fitting our interactions with the other staff were less than desirable. Suffice it to say that service is pretty hit and miss here.
They do have a good selection of bridal wear though, in all kinds of styles whether traditional, simple and casual, or something in between. I didn’t end up getting my dress from here, but one of the dresses I tried on was a close second choice, a very simple sheath-​style dress.
The price range is pretty typical for what you would expect for bridal gowns, starting at around $ 600 and going up from there. Obviously, buying a dress from the previous year’s collection or off the rack will be a lot cheaper than getting one ordered in.
I’d recommend booking an appointment with them if you’re looking for your dress, mainly because of their wide selection. Try to get one of the nicer gals though, if you can! Plus, Sposabella is close to a lot of other dress shops (like Ethos) in that corner of West Ed, so you can knock off a few appointments in one afternoon if you wanted to.

My family and I were checking the bridal stores in West Edmonton Mall out, and since this is the biggest one in the mall, we expected some good things. Nope, not so. Despite their huge selection, most of the dresses look more or less the same, so if whatever style is most popular right now isn’t you, you might as well just skip the store. Also, when we went in, the lady at the front asked us if we were shopping for a wedding dress. I said yes. She asked when the wedding is. I said in about a year. Apparently she thought this was so much time that she waved her hand at us and said, «well, you’re just looking then, go on». No help, no suggestions, nothing, she was hardly even very polite at all. We were just left to wade through zillions of nearly identical, often not very attractive dresses, looking for something nice. Which we didn’t find. Good thing, cuz I was too unimpressed to want to buy anything there anyway.

I warn you… this is a long one. Usually not my style to be negative also, but the wedding dress process is one of sensitivity for all brides-​to-​be!
My review is about the attitude and treatment of all of the employees working there. Despite my jaded ideals of how this fitting was supposed to go (hearing other brides stories of fun and professional help, complimentary champagne, privacy), I am also willing to wave my upset that there was nothing. A top 40 radio station playing in the background is about all the «perks» there are to spending two-​thousand dollars in this store.
My sister and I enter at 11:00am, when we were not greeted in a happy, polite or welcoming manner, but from all employees in the store (approx. 7), huddled together behind the front counter, seemingly annoyed that we had entered the store as we had interrupted their town-​hall, catty gossiping. Not one of them said «welcome» or «hi, hello, good morning». Any woman who has ever had this experience, automatically feels a little self-​conscience and threatened at the mass of the judgemental group and lack of polite vocal or physical behaviour. I said, «Hi, I’m here for my dress fitting. I have an appointment?»
One of them pointing to a change room and said, «that way.» My sister and I walk over «that way» and say to the Russian sales woman, «I’m really sorry, but I have not brought my shoes, as I flew from Vancouver and had forgotten them back home.»
«No no! We need your shoes. We can not do this at all! We need your shoes.»
Sister: «Well… we kind of need to do this now, as she came all the way from Vancouver so she could do this.” — — silence — — -
Annoyed looking sales woman: «Well, I don’t know what to do then»
Me: «Can I just wear a heel that looks like the height of my shoes?»
woman: «No. We need the exact size. This won’t work. No No!»
Sister, after about 6 more minutes of awkward store silence: «Well, we can go buy some new shoes if that is what it will take…»
«Good idea» says woman.
I’m pretty shaken at this point, but mostly just depressed/​sad looking down at the floor, as I felt alienated by the staff and embarrassed at the treatment of the sales woman. We start leaving and the seamstress comes towards us and says, «I can shorten it if you call in the heel height once you get back home.» (shows me how to measure a shoe heel approx. 8 times as if I were a child).
After asking for help tying it up, the dress fit like a glove, except the needed 2 inch skirt shortening. They gave me the pair of plastic, see-​through hooker shoes, that were about the same size I estimated my shoes. They cut my feet when I put them on. Stood in the dress in awkward silence for 15 minutes while pinning the skirt, I was given a bill of $ 400. I wasn’t expecting anything according to my fiancé, who was not informed of this extravagant fee. I probably wouldn’t even mind paying such a fee, if I liked the service and sales people that helped me. But, the truth is — no one helped me. I found the dress on my own (in the window), tried it on and bought it. I am regretting it now, as I have no qualms spending money, as long as I am spending it in good places, enabling the support of good people. This was neither. My sister and I were shocked. We clearly needed to discuss all the unfortunate events and actions that had gone on in the store for the last 45 minutes. After talking and calling my fiancée for his input, I sucked up my passive feelings and set back to the store. As many people leaving when we arrived, so I waiting outside of the doors while people were exiting the stores. (I didn’t want a huge crowd present when I had to turn down the alteration service that they were providing). Two women leaving the stores were talking amongst themselves leaving, saying how bad of an experience that just was. I had turned to them and said, «Good thing you didn’t actually purchase anything, or you’d get stuck with more bad service.» They chuckled and continued to tell me how they were ignored, showed no dresses, not given a tour of the store, or anything. That concluded my intuition on my feelings about Sposebella. I entered the store and was much more confident in turning down the service to the manager. I said that it must have been a big mis-​understanding and I am sorry, but I will be paying for the alteration elsewhere. Cold and un-​apologetic, the manager said, «Well, I’ll have to charge you for the pins (time) in the dress.» I said «no problem» apologized again, paid and left with my dress. What a terrible experience in service. Call me old-​fashioned, but when you make large purchases, as a consumer, don’t we have the right to expect good service along with the sale? Don’t we have the right to warm, friendly dialogue? I don’t recommend this store to any woman looking to feel comfortable, happy and at ease in trying to find that special dress. A prime example of having to shovel shit to find your gold piece.

Sposabella is a must stop when you’re looking for your wedding dress. I’m not saying you have to buy your dress here, but they have a good selection of dresses that will help you on your way to finding the perfect dress.
When you go, go with an open mind. When I was looking for my wedding dress I had something very specific in mind. After trying on a few dresses I was amazed that the one I chose was nothing at all what I thought I’d like. There were so many dresses for so many different tastes it can be a bit overwhelming.
When you go chances are it’ll be on a weekend. If so go early as the store gets busy quickly. When you enter the store you’ll be asked to remove your shoes, so make sure you’re wearing something on your feet. Only the bride will be able to try on dresses and not your bridal party, unless they’re looking for bridesmaid dresses. Same goes for head pieces and veils. They have a good selection of accessories — hair pins, tiaras, combs, veils, etc. so don’t forget to try these on along with your dress choices.
You’ll be assigned a consultant to help you choose a dress (think of the TLC show Say Yes To The Dress), but be careful that they don’t talk you into something you totally don’t want or is out of your budget (they do work on commission). I’ve been in with a few friends and some times the consultants can be hit and miss — they either know what they’re talking about or they won’t. Keep in mind you’re the bride, but you don’t want to be a bridezilla either.
The change rooms are ample in size. Believe me, you’ll need the space. Also, if you have the appropriate undergarments with you, take them. It’ll be the world of difference.
Whatever type of wedding you’re having let them know before you start looking. Chances are you won’t want a fluffy poofy gown if you’re getting married on the beach. But again, maybe you are.
If you have a few dresses in mind when you leave they’ll be able to file them for you so if you come back to take a look at them you’ll know exactly which ones you tried on. If you purchase a dress here you’ll have to put half down at that time and the remaining when the dress comes in.
Overall, Sposabella is one of the largest wedding dress shops in Edmonton and is worth your time to see what they have. It may make your search eaiser.