AniA Collection
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 796-9170
03/06/2008 Posted by WritingFool
Too frequently, shopping for a bridal gown carries all the joys of a root canal; a tedious and painful procedure performed in an un-empathetic atmosphere run by professionals profiting from an exclusive market. Whatever happened to those dreamy, exciting gown-shopping montages girls imagine in childhood? We all know that it’s never going to be “perfect,” but does that mean a bride has to put up with rude treatment and dishonesty? I should think not. ANiA’s provides a welcomed alternative: good service, great dresses, and straightforward business practices. A writer and recent graduate in southern Oregon, I was determined to make the most of my gown-scavenging trips to Portland. I went during a trunk show—which usually means poor, rushed service. My experience, however, could not have been better. The staff is friendly and familiar with their inventory . Within minutes Megan had pulled a generous number of gowns for me, and I found the gown of my dreams without pressure or sales pitches. I was impressed by the associates; they didn’t ignore if they were not your assigned associate. I was also the type of customer that tends to annoy and aggravate—I went in worried and paranoid because of a wedding dress fiasco my sister had gone through a year earlier at a different dress store. My sister found the wedding dress of her dreams at a shop that was anything BUT ‘Fabu.’ The experience was a disaster. Even though she ordered her gown a year ahead of time, we almost didn’t receive it. The owner swore the gown was on its way—on the rare occasions she bothered to return calls. Only after directly contacting the manufacturer did she receive the dress. When shopping, finding the dress is only half of the battle, and the only part of the process you can control. Read store reviews and do your research. Bottom line, I went into ANiA’s paranoid, hesitant, and bitter, but came out ecstatic about my purchase, their shop, and the experience. ANiA’s is a safe bet.
Pros: Beautiful Dresses, great service.
Cons: Some dresses fairly expensive.
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