Renee Strauss

I had a great experience at Rene Strauss. My only issue is that there's a bit of pressure about placing an order. My first day of dress shopping I went to a trunk show for Augusta Jones and really liked a dress, and they basically said "better place an order today or it's gone forever." I was able to put a deposit down for the dress that day, then come back later with my mom. If I changed my mind, the deposit could be applied to another dress in the store but I ended up choosing the Augusta (and LOVED it!) The staff was nice and very helpful. I had a dedicated salesperson who pulled dresses for me -- some that I pointed out and some that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. They have a good selection of dresses and styles. Things are on the expensive side ($2k and up), but with stuff like this you really get what you pay for. They also have cake tastings and you get a bottle of champagne when you place an order! They also have tailor services, accessories and bridesmaids dresses, but I got those elsewhere.

My experience at Renee Strauss was very good. I think it exudes an established feeling. The expertise of my stylist was fantastic. She knew her merchandise and was truly interested in my ideas and then input her own. To my surprise she was right. The dresses she chose were more suited to my figure and syle than the ones I thought I liked on the hanger. I actually spoke to a couple of other brides while I waited for my appointment who were there to buy their dresses. Overall I believe this store has the most extensive selection. I asked about sizing and they told me they will show me the size chart for my designer gown when I choose my dress. The character and soul of the place is great and the selection is great as well. For a once in a lifetime wedding I would prefer an established store to do business with over a department store that alternates staff from department to department. That's my consumer take on it!

At first Renee and team were very nice, helping me try on dresses, etc. I eventually found one I liked and decided to think about it as the wedding was a while away. When I came back I was told the price had increased for the new year and that it was because I had not come in for months (even though it hadn't been that long). When I got the dress I made the mistake of not thoroughly checking everything in the store and upon closer inspection the beaded details on the dress were very uneven. The dress I got was probably one of the most inexpensive in the store but it was still around 2k and shouldn't look like something from Forever 21 (luckily nobody noticed but it was pretty obvious if you pay attention to details). In any case, I would not recommend this store unless you like to get hustled and people that have a bad attitude. On a side note, I started looking for bridesmaids dresses in the store as they have the largest selection that I know of that you can try on. It was four months before my wedding and Renee tried to scare me into thinking that I needed a rush fee (about $45 extra per dress) or I wouldn't get it on time. I didn't believe her and called around with the model number to check it out. I ended up ordering the dresses through Pebbles Bridal who not only said that the rush fee was unnecessary but also gave me a discount on the listed price! So maybe Renee Strauss is good for trying on the bridesmaid dresses but order them elsewhere! Pebbles Bridal were really helpful at getting me color swatches as well, which Renee Strauss acted like was the most difficult thing in the world to get.

Renee Strauss, owner, as well as each consultant I worked with were amazing. They took a great deal of time during many, many visits into the salon, to work with me. I was very indecisive. Once I found a designer I liked, however, they made sure to inform me of his trunk shows. I found a dress I liked and the rest is history. I appriciate all of the time and energy they spent in working with me. I would recommend Renee Strauss Bridal Salon to any bride.

Whatever you do, do not purchase a bridal gown from Renee Strauss Bridal! The gowns featured at the shop are fine and though the shop isn’t the fanciest, its average for a bridal salon. The problem with Renee Strauss Bridal (RSB) is Renee’s customer service. At first Renee was very helpful in helping me locate a dress I saw in Orange County. I carefully explained to Renee what I wanted and tried on a combination of two different variations of the dress. Even though I was hesitant to purchase the dress, without seeing the exact dress in person, Renee spoke with the dress manufacturer and confirmed that the combination of the two different dress variations was the dress I wanted. I finally agreed to purchase the dress but left the shop without leaving payment information so I could discuss the dress and my hesitations with my fiancé. At that point he told me not to purchase the dress from RSB because Renee was being too pushy and it was obvious I didn’t feel comfortable. We were too late. In Renee’s hurry to make the sale, she placed the order before demanding payment for the order that she already placed and then rudely approached my fiancé and I to make the payment (of course she added that she did it in “good faith” so that the dress would arrive “on time”). After discovering that there was mistake with the dress I purchased when it arrived, Renee instantly placed the blame on me and claimed that I didn’t remember what I initial saw in Orange County. Renee was awful to work with and even went as far as comparing a potential color variation (if I were to send the dress back for alternations) to Michael Jackson’s skin color. Every time we spoke on the phone she would not allow me to explain what I wanted before she would so rudely interrupt or talk over me. She did not once apologize for the mistake and eventually brushed me off on her manager. Her manager was easier to work with especially after RSB agreed to cover the costs accrued for any alterations to the dress; however, the majority of the time I had to follow up with RSB before they followed up with me. It took two weeks of back and forth regarding the differences in the dress before the new order was placed. One time, when I called to ask about the status of the dress, Renee answered but she quickly brushed me off and once again, didn’t acknowledge the stress and inconvenience that her shop has put me through. At the end of the day, even though my dress was nice, I wasn't excited about it and couldn't look at it without hesitation and stress.

The staff is wonderful and very attentive. I purchased my bridesmaid and maid of honor dresses here. They have a very extensive bridesmaid and maid of honor dress selection upstairs Bianca was great. I would highly recommend her. She knows the dresses they carry and how they will look on different body types.

This shop had plenty of wonderful dresses in my relatively tight budget. Very helpful sales people.

I had wonderful experience at Renee Strauss. I was a little intimidated at first knowing that it was a high end bridal salon, but everyone was so welcoming and helpful. Renee was there with a smile on her face and a bright personality. (She reminds me of Bette Midler - totally fabulous.) They have an amazing selection of gorgeous dresses; not to mention veils, accessories, and bridesmaids dresses. I ended up going there 4 times to try on dresses and each time I felt catered to and not like an inconvenience (like at some places). I had some idea of the style, fabric & silhouette, but then once I started trying things on it all changed. (It can be a very overwhelming experience.) The staff was patient and understood that this was a very special time in a woman's life; they offered advise & options, but I never felt pushed towards buying something. I had also gone to 2 other stores including Kleinfeld's and neither store gave me the personal attention like Renee's. In fact at Kleinfeld's I was stuck in a dressing room in the back, told I could only try on 4 dresses and wasn't allowed to go on the showroom floor. I guess that's only for TV. At Renee's I was able to pick out and try on as many dresses as I wanted and never felt like like I was wasting their time. When I finally did order my dress the alteration dept was wonderful. Anna took her time and was a true perfectionist. I was super worried about having a strapless dress and having to pull it up all night, but Anna reassured me that with the alterations I wouldn't have to worry about that and she was right. The dress fit like a glove! I enjoyed their customer service so much that I took my dress back there to have cleaned and preserved. On a side note it took me over a year to take it in, but when I showed up Renee was there recognized me and even remembered some of the details that I had been talking about back when I had ordered the dress. I didn't have a million dollars to spend , but Renee's sure made me feel like I was worth it.

This was the only store that I went to. I tried on 3 dresses and I knew the 2nd dress was the dress for me. Everyone at Renee Strauss when I tried on my dress and purchased it was amazing. When I went to pick up my dress it was another story. It felt very impersonal and they barely said a word. I felt like I didn't even matter to them. It gave me a very sour feeling about them as an overall store.

I love my dress. It is so beautiful. Ana - who is in charge of alterations at RS - is an angel. After my dress came in, I made an appointment with her to try the dress on. She went over the alterations needed in detail and the price for each. She also provided the name of another seamstress (which they give to everyone) and called her to ask her price, so that I didn't feel like I had to have alterations done there. I wanted to, though, and I'm so glad I did. Ana was a total perfectionist. She moved pins millimeters, she made me walk two steps, then wait - so she could look some more. It was tedious, but the results were gorgeous. She also provided and altered a bra for the dress. Now - as far as sales - RS does have a fantastic room of dresses that are under $2000. I started out there, but then I decided to branch out because I wasn't finding "the one".

I got my bridesmaid dresses here and they were beautiful. The service was good and they have a great selection to choose from. Not a lot of bridal stores in L.A. carry a range of BM dresses like Rene so this would be a good place to start to get an idea of what you want.

Overall, I was very pleased with Renee Strauss for the Bride. Lucy was the consultant who helped me find the dress. She was fabulous. The salon is in Beverly Hills, but I work in a school, so what the typical Beverly Hills client might spend on a dress was probably more than I make in a year. However, I was treated as if I was just as important by Lucy, and they do carry a very wide range of designers and price ranges, and their pricing is consistent with everyone else. I was a little shocked at the price of the alterations, but given that I am a seamstress and understand the process of altering a garment such as a wedding gown, I ended up being very very pleased. Julia was the seamstress who worked with me to make the alterations, and she was a perfectionist to say the least. She was worth every penny I spent on alterations. My biggest gripe with the salon was the confusion that transpired when I wanted to pay the balance due on my gown so I could start the fitting process. Fortunately I ordered my gown well in advance, but I did have to contact the salon owner after almost two months of phone tag and incorrect "amounts due" provided to me via voicemail or e-mail. Otherwise, they were extremely nice to work with, starting with Lucy and ending with Julia!

I guess I wasn't a typical bride because I only went to this one shop, tried on a total of about 6 dresses, but knew when I put the 2nd one on that it was "the one." The shop is in Beverly Hills, close to Rodeo Drive, so the saleswomen have that snooty air about them. I had to have the dress fit multiple times and wasn't entirely pleased with the final result in the bust area, but it was okay.

I went to this store thinking it would only be for "ideas" as I was afraid I couldn't afford anything with my 1500 budget for a dress. When I got there, the ladies where very intuitive. I gave them the ideas I had for a dress and then they went to work on selecting several dresses. The first one I tried on was THE dress. and it was only 1500. They were great with the alterations. no mistakes. They also helped with making sure I chose the correct bra size for the undergarments.

I puchased my gown and 3 bridesmaids gowns plus shoes. I went there based upon this store carring a particular brand of bridesmaids dresses. I wanted my girls happy more than anything. I wound up buying a dress on their low end of the spectrum $3,500 in 1994 - and they were very very snooty. I was a plus size bride (a 16 or 18) and was made to feel gynormous! I spent way more than intended but felt happy after my purchase. Then, I had a horrific accident 2 months before the wedding and wound up postponing the wedding. I spent 6 days in the hospital and the owner of Renee Strauss was cold and rude. I was completely housebound after my surgery and couldn't drive. Renee wouldn't release my dress to anyone but me. Then, she wouldn't release my dress unless all of the other dresses were paid for at the same time. There was a problem with one of my bridesmaids disputing a fee and she made me come down in person to pay for all balances on all dresses. MEANWHILE, she CHARGED ME TO STORE THE GOWNS - $25 a MONTH for the bridesmaids dresses AND $50 OR $100 A MONTH FOR MINE! (It was a few months until I could come in.) She was rude and cold and ruthless. She essentially held me hostage as she wouldn't release anything unless I was in person and paid it all off, including her ridiculous extraneous charges. I WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO HER!!!!