Reviews of Carmen's Bridal Gown Rental & Formalwear (Tailor)

Michael Stephenson

My sister in law went to Carmen bridal to rent a gown and it was overpriced. It was a bad experience and all she cares about is money. Now my sister in law had to go with another bridal company and lost all the money she invested with Carmen!! Stay Away!!! Do not do business with Carmen Bridal

Shannon Sallard

Absolutely a complete rip off! DO NOT GO HERE!!! There are two Carmen's, the mom and the daughter. The daughter was always the one who we would see, and she is a complete fraud! She charged over 3K for a dress that was "designer", but that same exact dress was found online directly from the designer for only $1500.00. When we contacted her about this she all of sudden disappeared and stopped answering the door. She went as far as actually having her mom tell people she doesn't live there!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! Her "boutique" is in the basement of her house, and very small. She would get really angry if we wanted to bring bridesmaids along with. Please, just go to an actual shop like David's Bridal or somewhere professional! **Note** I was never a bride or a direct customer myself. I am just simply expressing what I personally witnessed happen to a client of theirs while I chaperoned.

Cahtrina Peele

I listed my wedding gown on Facebook to sell. I was selling my dress as- is for $250, petticoat for $30 and veil for $20. I was contacted by Carmen asking if I was interested in listing my dress in her consignment shop. I was told that if the gown didn't sell in 90 days that I could extend it in 30 day increments or she would buy the dress from me since she loved it so much and could rent it out. I took my dress to her and she said she could get it cleaned and sell it for more than I was asking and we would split the sale giving me $350. While my gown was in consignment at her shop I was contacted by many other brides who were willing to purchase my as-is dress for $250 but I had to turn them down directing them to Carmen. After the 90 days passed my dress had not sold and Carmen offered me a measly $180 for my dress which she will either sell for $600+ or continuously rent. I insisted that I get $250 for all 3 items leaving me out by $50 less than my original asking price. She countered offering me $240. I agreed to accept the $240 only if she could either mail the payment or send the payment via Paypal friends and family option so I would save a trip and not lose even more money than I was already losing. She agreed to send the money to me via Paypal friends and family option. However, when I received notification of the payment I was charged a fee as it was not sent friends and family option as agreed upon. When I reached out to Carmen about her not holding up to her end of the agreement I was told to "read my contract" and she is not responsible for processing fees. I understand that being the case but I am dissatisfied with the poor customer service I received. Had Carmen told me she was unable to send it friends and family option from the beginning I could have made the choice to accept it via that method or choose another one. She took away my right to choose and was very rude in her response to me. She caused me to be short even more than what I was accepting. It's not about the amount I was shorted it is about the principle of the poor, dishonest business practice, communication and customer service. I could have sold my dress as is to one of the many other brides who were interested. At this point I have to accept it for what it is but I want to warn other brides about my poor experience.

Merline Bocaille

My sister went to Carmen to rent a bridal gown and it was a horrible experience. She added fees of up to$500 in addition to the rental cost which was $1080. She was not accommodating at all. She made what should have been a happy and stress free process very difficult and stressful. I beg of you do not rent or purchase anything from Carmen if you want a happy dress buying experience.

Kate Park

Do not go here!! Carmen does shady business. Beware. She will increase your rental price and is very dishonest. Her business tactics is completely a scam. Don't fall for her stories. She appears to be a nice lady but she is a sales woman who will sales talk you to what you want to hear even if the dress doesn't fit right. Stay clear from this shop, especially this lady.

Aryanna monroe

These 2 ladies are AMAZING!! I just got married 2 weeks ago and first found them about a year ago or so. My fiancé and truly only wanted to elope but because my grandmother who raised me truly wanted a religious wedding with some family. I went to several boutiques even David's and the thought of spending over a two thousand on a dress for one day was completely insane to me not my fiancé (he said whatever made me happy). I honestly couldn't. I search of other possibilities and did order a cheap dress from Amazon (WOOOHOOOO I said $189 pretty neat dress! WRONG) in my loss and near giving up depression thought ok lets go ahead and fix the awful dress that came in ( I hate loosing money). So Carmen popped up again. I set an appt telling her my dilemma and could look into the option of renting if this dress did not work. She maintained communication from the beginning. I once thought kinda odd that she replied at 4am (I am a nurse and work night shift). I sent her all the styles I liked and told her because I have the care of my grandparents that I don't feel compfortable paying more than $600. She was very reassuring and I was still skeptical. After all, No wedding gown rentals in VA,MD DC at all!! The day came, I asked a friend from work to come with me. Carmen the daughter was very informative and I felt that she heard/understood me. THEY HAVE TONS OF GOWNS!!! we were not expecting such a big selection. The only thing that I recommend is come knowing what you like and give her as much input as you can. She wants to know your what she calls "your vision". I fell in Love with a simple gorgeous gown that my friend later goggled and found in on stillwhite for $1400 just the gown. Carmen's dress (same dress) the rental with I mean EVERYTHING including a cathedral veil!!! The whole thing was $550!!! She worked around my schedule when it came to fitting. One time, I had to miss my appt and needed to reschedule and of my work hours and life got in the way I had a hard time getting in. She was awesome and suggested to do my fitting at 6am!! I was like YESSSSSS!! truly amazing and very considerate. Renting a gown was honestly scary but when you are in a budget and LIFE is more of a priority than this was my KLEINFELD!!! thank you mama & Carmen you are the best kept secret <3

Meaghan Reyna

Brides beware! I brought a brand new, never worn dress to Carmen’s Bridal Gown Rentals and Formal Wear (aka Monroe’s Bridal) for consignment after reading many great reviews. I was recently informed that my dress was donated without my knowledge or consent due to an “expired contract”. However, no where on the contract does it list an expiration date, just a pick up date. When I filled out the contract I was told to list the pick up date as three months from drop off, but was told verbally that it could take longer than that and that they would be in touch. I contacted the shop five months after drop off wondering what the status was and was told there had been a few brides interested, but I should probably drop the price. I agreed to drop and asked what it was listed for at the time so I could decide on a lower price, but never received a reply. I contacted the shop six months later wondering what was going on because I really wanted to get the dress sold. I was then notified that the dress was donated due to an “expired contract”. The contract I signed when I dropped off my dress stated that I would be notified by the bridal shop after 90 days if the price on the dress was dropped three times and did not sell. I would then have seven days to pick up the dress or had the option to donate. No where on the contract does it state the pick up date is the expiration date or that the contract expires at all. I realize the dress was left for a long period of time, but I was under the impression that it was working on being sold and that I would be contacted if they didn’t feel it could be. I trusted the shop with my dress and I am saddened that they broke that trust. I’m also extremely disappointed in the lack of resolution from Carmen’s bridal shop. All I have received from them is that my dress was donated to a good cause and that my contract expired. I’m happy that they donate to a worthy cause, but that does not negate the fact that I can no longer try to recover the money lost on a dress that was never worn or that our contract stated I would be contacted before anything was done with it. I never even received an apology for the misunderstanding. I don’t normally write reviews, but I felt the need to share my experience so others don’t make the same mistake. Also, after checking other sites, it appears I’m not the only one who has experienced this with this shop.

carolanne heavner

I had a wonderful experience with Carmen for alterations. She came to my home, multiple times. I cameto her with 6 weeks to spare before our wedding And she made it happen! She explained every detail and expense thoroughly. She was unfortunately in a car accident for one of our appointments but promptly rescheduled. She was always early, and always in great spirits. She made me feel beautiful and comfortable. I would have paid double for her kindess.k thank you, carmen!

Zato Lalo

I saw carmen today! She is very positive and appropriate. She is friendly and she worked with us patiently since we needed to try so many dresses! I am a firm believer of your attitude is more than anything which she is so good at! Keep up the good work!

Brova Yurbee

I would never suggest anyone to be a customer of this business. We went to get fitted for a wedding. For the date of pick up ofFor the myself and the groomsmen knock on the door someone picked out the window and then never answered. We then called prior to them telling us that we could come pick the rentals up and we were there on time, early actually, .We called and said we're outside and they told us as customers we would have to pick them up tomorrow or they could drop then off. This is after we made full payment, drove 40 minutes to get there house. Only for them not to answer the door. Nothing is to say.

Laura Dorn

I have had a wonderful experience with Carmen for alterations and styling! She helped me put a whole look together and treated me warmly. Would recommend!!