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Francesca L. said: "We purchased their wedding combo package of gerbera daisies and roses. There were more than enough flowers and fillers included for a bridal bouquet, 6 bridesmaids bouquets, and a toss bouquet. The care directions they sent just…" read more »
151 reviews for Amy Kuschel Bride
Review Highlights
"Most stunning wedding dress ever."
(in 37 reviews)
"The gowns range from $2500-$3500."
(in 40 reviews)
"i love the airy, unpretentious feel of this salon."
(in 42 reviews)
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151 reviews in English
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Review from Erin L.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2011
I got my dress here and had a fun, smooth, and no-pressure experience. My consultant was Melanie and she was awesome - super friendly, listened to what I told her I wanted, and showed me beautiful dresses that were in my price range.
I also went through the racks and picked a few other dresses and I liked that Melanie gave me a heads up that they were above my price range and asked if I still wanted to try them on (rather than let me try them on, fall in love with them, and then tell me they were over budget, which happened at another bridal shop).
The dresses at Amy Kuschel were all really nice - very understated and simple (in an elegant, beautiful way) - if you are looking for a lot of bling or beading on your dress, this is probably not the place for you.
Also, I can't say enough about how pleasant it was to be helped by Melanie - she made me feel like I could take my time and try and re-try dresses multiple times (I went in twice and retried the same 2 dresses about 10 times!). She never acted annoyed or impatient at all - in fact, she was the opposite - super sweet and patient and she encouraged me to try the dresses on as many times as I needed to make my decision.
I ended up getting my dress here and I love it. Thanks Melanie! -
Review from Jaime K.
San Francisco, CA
8/29/2011
This was my third and final stop in my search for a dress. I spent countless hours browsing gowns online before making appointments so I could articulate what I thought I wanted. The one thing I knew with certainty was that I'm not a poofy princess/cupcake gown type of person. I soon fell in love with Amy's clean, timeless and unique gowns.
Her styles are chic, streamlined and not overworked. I went to other salons where I asked for simple and chic and got polyester & over-beaded, over-embroidered and over-crinolined. I knew before stepping foot in this place that Amy & I were dress soulmates.
Katrina was a great consultant - patient, honest and focused on making the experience great and productive. Keep in mind that your dress will be custom made, and being involved in the demi-couture process involves 3-4 fittings. But it's totally worth it because at the end of it all you'll have a custom gown that fits you better than you could ever imagine.
Hands down the best dress shopping experience I had. And yes, I found "the one" here - Kendra. She was beautifully tailored & fit like a glove. It was perfect. -
Review from Halley B.
San Francisco, CA
8/17/2011 2 photos
Amy Kuschel will make your dreams come true.
I was so scared to look for my wedding dress. I wanted something special and unique to me but was on a 2-3K budget. But the Amy Kuschel experience allows you to have a couture, locally made gown for under 3K!
My first appointment was with Katrina and I went without an entourage. She talked to me like a real woman with a decision to make. I tried on four gowns that were all my taste, but "fell in love" with one. I went home, thought about it for 24 hours, then called to make an appointment to purchase it. I got a discount for being a "decisive bride," which meant ordering my dress on the second appointment. I also didn't have to pay sales tax because my wedding was in Michigan.
Unlike other salons I visited, the cost of alterations is already in the dress price. Additionally, they altered my bustier for free! What other bridal salon would do that for you? My fitter was incredible too. Really listened and her attention to detail was incredible. Though I had three fittings scheduled I only needed two.
If you are a low-fuss bride, looking for an ethically made gown, Amy Kuschel is the best option! -
Review from Erin L.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2012
This is the place to make every girl's dream come true. It's the most perfect place to make this time so very special as it should be. The dresses are absolutely fabulous and there's a fit for every bride. The fabric Amy uses doesn't come close to anything I have ever seen, It looks and feels the way it should. Price points are high, but you definitely get what you pay for.
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Review from Ashley B.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011
I recently got married in Lake Tahoe and I knew I wanted a dress that was simple, tailored, and matched my aesthetic and the feel of our wedding. I have had quite a few friends who made the decision to purchase their wedding dresses from Amy Kuschel so when I went dress shopping, it was on the top of my list.
Even though I tried on dresses at, ultimately, five different salons, I was hoping that I'd find 'the one' at Amy. It was very important to me to support a local San Francisco business and designer.
Amy's space is beautiful, clean, airy, and elegant. My stylist, Hope, was so wonderful and easy to work with. I quickly fell in love with my dress, Lucky, and took the plunge...it is a beautiful, stunning dress.
During every fitting, Hope and everyone who works at Amy Kuschel offered exceptional service.
I feel lucky to have been able to wear a custom-made dress on my wedding day. Thanks to everyone at Amy Kuschel! -
Review from Blu and Lily E.
Hayward, CA
Updated - 5/27/2011
This update on my review is to clarify my position and highlight the false accusations Amy Kuschel made in her response to my original review.
1. I meant my review to be completely honest, thus I did say that there were definitely good qualities about the service and environment of the salon. However, a two star review means "meh, i've experienced better" which was the most accurate description in terms of quality to price ratio. The service, environment, and dresses weren't "so nice" as to justify the exceptionally high prices. Furthermore, the "decisive bride discount" said to me "we know were overpriced and want you to sign before you make that discovery."
2. In Amy's defense, for those that really care about the "San Francisco experience" and the ability to say "I have a designer dress" or even "an Amy Kuschel dress" it may be worth the price. However, many of us brides, myself included, do not care about such things and rather just want a dress to look and feel beautiful in on her wedding day.
3. Again I emphasize that the dress I liked was exceptionally simple without multiple layers, lace, or anything and yet was priced more then the dresses I'd seen with elaborate embroidery all over the gown. Furthermore, the design was not anything unique or unusual whatsoever. I did not "benefit" from your design in that you didn't "create" that design of dress; it's been around nearly a century exactly in that simple form. In fact, I only came upon your dress since it came up on google searches for a Mon Cheri dress that it was identical to except for trimmings, but that had been discontinued. (This sentence is NOT intended to say Amy "copied" but only to say the dress was not original or unique.) In fact, I didn't have the seamstress make an "Amy Kuschel knockoff", but rather a merger of my ideas, her ideas, and the two nearly identical dresses that I called my "dream dress".
4. My dress and all materials were purchased within a 30 minute drive from my home-- way closer than San Francisco. The materials were bought from a small business and the seamstress is a very talented local craftsperson with whom I enjoyed the many fittings during the creation of my dress. I supported local small business and paid taxes on all these transactions. Amy's criticism is completely unfounded in this respect. I was both looking for a beautiful reasonable priced dress and a moral and aware way of attaining it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/27/2011
I went here since I had found a dress I really liked by looking at their website. I called and they… Read more »
Comment from Amy K. of Amy Kuschel Bride 5/20/2011
Greetings Fabulous Yelpers, Please allow me to comment on… More » -
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Review from Jill M.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2011
I got my bridal gown from Amy Kuschel and though their prices were more than I wanted to spend it was worth every penny. I received more compliments on my dress than anything else at my wedding! Even from men who could care less about a wedding gown! Their process for creating the perfect fit is impeccable and all of the designs are gorgeous. I do think the staff came across a little cheesy and fake at times but I guess that goes with the territory of serving brides all day long and needed to appear extremely friendly. I enjoyed working more with the ladies that were down to earth and overly chipper or fake nice. Over all my experience with Amy Kuschel was a good one and absolutely love her designs and LOVE my dress even more.
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Review from Kem G.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2011
I have found my dress at Amy Kushel's beautiful studio! As an anti-fluff bride, I was not interested in seeing huge, puffy dresses. To further complicate matters, I didn't want a strapless dress - give me sleeves! straps! Something new and interesting! With dress names like the Dietrich and Stanwyck, I went in full of excitement that I might find something that was more my speed.
I love that the gowns are custom made to a bride's measurements, but I was also nervous that this would translate into a very expensive gown. It did not! Obviously, there are gowns that do reach into more expensive territory, but similar mass produced dresses I looked at were as pricey if not more. When you consider that this dress will not need tailoring and will fit like a glove, the price makes more sense.
My sales associate, Corrine, was very friendly even though I was late to the appointment (I blame public transportation!) and we breezed through dress after dress; all of them were stunning and unique. After seeing so many strapless, A line dresses everywhere else (and there are some of those here too), it was a breath of fresh air to see so many dresses that depart from that one main style meme.
I found my dress in the Belvedere - figure hugging liquid silk charmeuse that is gorgeous and has a vintage style that is still modern. I haven't gone through the whole process of fittings yet, but I'll update once I'm finished with the process. So far, so good! -
Review from Elaine C.
Los Angeles, CA
9/7/2011
I have to say that my appointment at Amy Kuschel was probably the first fun wedding dress shopping experience I've had. There was no rush, no pretension, and gorgeous dresses to boot. Teresa is fantastic - she gave great honest feedback and was very patient with all my indecision as I hopped back and forth between dresses.
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Review from Heidi L.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
I didn't find my top choice of bridal gown here but I give it due credit for the stellar service, best laid out studio and the concept behind Amy Kuschel's customized, built to fit you wedding dresses made right upstairs. When you can factor in the cost of all alterations in the original price it's a relief. Still this shop was a lot more pricey than other Yelpers would have you believe. The dresses I looked at in silk satin were $3500-$4300 (w/out tax), although I understand some dresses can be compromised in synthetic fabrics . . . honestly the results weren't pretty.
Even if you don't find your dress here the experience won't leave you frustrated or forlorn. If you can request working with Katrina, I highly recommend it. She is patient and happy to explain the nuances of the process. She made my experience trying on dresses fun and relatively painless because she listened to what I liked and didn't hold me back in things I didn't. The level of customization available from having a dress built in the atelier above is truly tempting but the designs here were too simple for my taste and lacked that IT factor.
Amy Kuschel is the quintessential San Francisco bridal store. It caters to typical San Francisco taste: simple, modern and elegant but nothing edgy, glamourous or "hot damn". Not to sound too Bridzilla but I don't want to look "really pretty" at my wedding, I want TEARS, happy tears ;)
Find out whether her aesthetic is your taste by seeing her designs at: http://www.amykuschel.com/ . Either way you wont be wasting your time going in to find out because it is truly a pleasure being there. -
Review from Jessica G.
Alameda, CA
12/30/2010
I visited this gorgeous shop to help my friend choose her wedding dress. Oh what a sumptuous experience! The space and lighting are lovely, the dresses are BEAUTIFUL, and Amy herself is a totally darling person.
I went to several other bridal shops with my friend and saw many pretty dresses but in the end it was an Amy design that won out, and it was Amy's boutique that stands out in my mind as being the most special. -
Review from Jessica T.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I ordered my dress from Amy Kuschel bride and it was one of the best decisions I made! They had my dream dress and when you make your selection the alterations are included (unlike other bridal shops) because all dresses are made from scratch. Before they start cutting your dress they also bring you in for a second measurement which is great if you are a fluctuating bride. This is really key so you have a great fit day of. They are very accommodating with schedules and I had a number of fittings - one just a day before I left for my event. They even had to make some tweaks that day and didn't bat an eye. My dress was stunning and I could not have been more pleased with my experience and how I looked on my wedding day.
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Review from Kim W.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2010
From beginning to end, my experience at Amy Kuschel Bride was smooth, enjoyable, beautiful ...and quite natural.
Going into it, I knew that I didn't want to mess around, waste time, get worn out, bouncing from bridal salon zoo to salon zoo. I watched too many TLC' "Say Yes to the Dress" shows to know better ... hahaha. So, I turned to Yelp to narrow down solid gown spots. I liked reading how Amy Kuschel offered flattering gowns at relatively reasonable prices.
I went in with my Mom (not an entourage), tried on 6 dresses, really liked all of them. Loved 2 of them and swiftly decided on THE dress. No fuss, no muss. Beautifully designed, lovely fabrics, patient consultant. I thought it was great how all of the dresses are made custom to fit the bride's measurements, ON-SITE ... there's no waiting to order, having it arrive, and then do slice and dice altering. Oh, another thing, we were shooting for a wedding in 6-months, so another plus for having design and production all right there.
If that wasn't enough, to my humble surprise, I had the absolute honor and pleasure to have Amy Kuschel herself fit me. What a wonderful, sweet, sweet, talented lady she is. I appreciated her care, attention to detail, and advice on my veil, earrings, and more.
The end result was FABULOUS. I felt beautiful in my gown - it was also very comfortable. I received many compliments from guests ... and even from passers by. When we were departing our dinner reception at the Cliff House, the bartender yelled out "everyone loved your dress!" =) Wow!
Bank Account Damage: $3500Listed in: Wedding Vendors
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Review from Inga W.
Updated - 10/18/2010
WOW! I never felt so gorgeous as I did on my wedding day and the dress was amazing! I went with Kennedy, but I did make a few changes. The lace was a new experience, but when I came in with my bridesmaids it, they loved it and said it was the dress for me, they were so right. It was made for me, fit me perfectly and just made me glow. I was so excited the day I picked it up, I was a bride to be. I never thought I would feel so comfortable in a gown with a train but this dress was so me and so unique, the didn't see anyone else in lace dresses like this and I've been to a lot of weddings. It was the perfect mix of old classic with a modern twist. The flower and veil were great too.
The store was so professional and focused on perfection and elegance, everyone was attentive, experienced and so great to work with. When I picked up my dress I met Amy and she looked it over since I was alone and checked for any last minute things that needed fixing, she found a small one and it was fixed on the spot.
I went to all the stores in the city and this was absolutely hands down the absolute best in terms of design, service and the fact that each dress is made for you, I could make changes and best of all they took over 20 measurements of my body to make sure it was a true custom made gown. If I'm going to pay the price, I want it to be perfect for my wedding day and it was. It was also very light and comfortable to wear and dance in.
It was a true once in a lifetime experience!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/27/2010
This is the first store I went to to try dresses. I came by myself on a week day so I could focus… Read more »
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Review from Julie K.
San Francisco, CA
10/29/2010
Amy Kuschel is by far one of the best wedding boutiques in SF. I found my dress at Amy Kuschel.
The best part of buying your dress at Amy Kuschel is your dress is made just for you at the SF office. You must buy your dress at the SF store in order to get the individualized tailoring. But it's well worth it.
Dresses at the boutique are modern and classic in style. Prices are moderate to high. Typical dress costs between $1800 to $2200. Price includes the personal tailoring. My dress fit like a dream and I'm so very happy to have worked with the staff at Amy Kuschel. All of the ladies were very professional and sweet.
Even if you don't find your dream dress at Amy Kuschel, its worth a visit.Boutique is located in downtown in SF, close to BART and other wedding boutiques.Listed in: Wedding Vendors for SF
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Review from Kat F.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011
I recently got married and we got my dress at Amy Kuschel- I looked in a few places before going there and had no luck- didn't see anything I liked and the service was sort of rude- but here- they were so nice- made the whole process easy and fun and I found several dresses that looked great and one that I absolutely loved and got that one - and I have had so many compliments on it- I know everyone tells brides they look wonderful on their wedding day- but I felt gorgeous and it showed. Everyone there was so helpful and wonderful. Truly a great experience.
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Review from Susan C.
San Jose, CA
4/12/2010
Again, I wish I had a budget where skies the limit. Amy makes beautiful dresses that fit awesomely on female bodies. There were definitely a couple of dresses that I liked a lot but I didn't feel any "this-is-the-one" when I tried them on. I like that she makes each dress from scratch and can make tiny adjustments to your proportions.
The assistant that helped me was great. She clipped every dress perfectly and took the time to give me her opinion when I asked and was really sweet. I like when they make you feel little pressure and feel excited for you as a bride. -
Review from RA D.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2010
This was the second place I came to try on dresses. I'm an indie-bride type, getting married outdoors, but I wanted something unique and elegant that made me feel and look amazing. I didn't end up buying a dress here. Reasons:
1. When I came in, my initial consultation was with...a form. The sales person handed my a clipboard, where I filled out info about my wedding. Then she went over it with me. It felt really impersonal, and kind of like going to the doctor.
2. The dresses were really beautiful, and SUPER comfortable, I can't argue with that. But they seemed more like prom dresses, or costumes. Nothing SPECIAL, like you want for your wedding day. I'm not even talking about crazy, over-the-top ball gowns, I mean that X factor. Didn't have it.
3. There was a woman trying on dresses next to me, and there was one she sort of liked but would have to change about 1 million things to get it to match her real vision. It looked awful, for real. If I was the sales person, I would have said, let's try some more choices to see if there is something better. But the sales person continued to say it was "fine." ?!! Fine?! Fine don't cut it for that much $$, am I right? I got the feeling that all the sales people (mine included) were watching the clock til closing time. Definitely a turn-off.
4. In the dressing room, there was a little framed paper that said something about being "bridezilla." It was an ad for a website or something. But it totally killed the mood. With all the emotions around being the center of attention, spending a ton of money, and organizing a huge party for the most important people in my life, plus um, this huge life-time commitment, the absolutely last thing I need is negative judgment from my dressing room wall.
It felt like the whole experience was reduced to a magazine article or something-- very "cookie-cutter." Yick! -
Review from Jaime C.
It used to be that I would go into high-designer stores wearing borrowed high-designer clothes with borrowed high-designer purses so I could look at a five thousand dollar dress and not be scoffed at when I told the sales lady I'd "think about it". Somehow, though, I could never muster the courage to pretend like I was getting married to try on dresses. It didn't seem right, to lie about a fake engagement just so I could feel like a princess for an hour. Gucci? No problem. Bridal? No.
So for the last 23 years I've been waiting to be able to try on (any) beautiful wedding dress, and when I got engaged last September the last thing on my mind was a dress, since if you factor in school work + fiance saying no marriage until degree, you get to wait to make wedding plans. Secretly, I went on the internet and found the Carmen dress by Amy Kuschel, put it in my bookmarks and waited over five months until we broke the news to our friends and family (yes, we waited that long to tell people).
Wow. I walk in with my mom (FYI it's on the 5th floor, so if your mother has a bad knee take the elevator) and we're floored by the space already. It's SO organized, clean, simple and beautiful. Chasa is in charge of my fittings, and I can't tell you how amazing she does her job.
I tried on probably 10 different dresses, my mother saying nothing but "Don't make me decide! You have that body where you look great in everything!", and Chasa being completely patient the whole time. We asked about the difference between fabrics, the types of hems, the custom fits and everything else. Whatever question we asked, she answered. It can be so intimidating to walk into such a great place and try on dresses that you'll have to beg your fiance to let you buy because it might be a little outside of your budget, but she treated me like just a normal customer! Completely attentive, so nice.
The dresses themselves were amazing, but I was able to narrow it down to six to choose from. I'll go back in the next couple of months or so with a couple of girlfriends and pick one out. Every time I try to pick it myself I always end up thinking, "yeah but..that one looked good too!". Curses to you Amy for designing more than one perfect dress!
I'm saving my next couple of falling star wishes on a dress from AK.
(also, unrelated sidenote: holy crap I'm getting married!) -
Review from Kel C.
2/26/2007
[K-only review]
Gorgeous shop, top notch service, great selection of contemporary gowns that are made to fit each bride's body perfectly.
I absolutely adore this store and I recommend it to every single bride out there. If I wasn't so picky about the detailing that I want in a dress, I would buy my gown from Amy Kuschel in a minute.
The dresses here are simple contemporary couture so they are not the large, ornate, princess style gowns that are typically associated with wedding dresses. The store has a large selection of sample dresses and gown selection works in the same way as most bridal shops: The bride can browse through the gowns, but generally the bride will give the sales person an idea of what she wants and the sales person will select 3 to 5 gowns to try on.
Each Amy Kuschel gown is made from scratch to the exact porportions of the bride's body, which is great for petite girls like me. Amy does at least one of the five fittings personally with each bride.
The designs are simple, so if you're looking for a beaded or embroidered gown, this probably isn't the place for you. But Amy uses the best lace, satins, and silks available.
One huge plus: These top notch gowns are totally affordable!!! The dresses that I tried on at Amy Kuschel were made of the same top-notch material as dresses other expensive designers, but they were priced around $1000 cheaper! Prices range from $1500-$6000, but get this: All alterations are included since the dress is made from scratch.
The bridal assistants here are sweet and accomodating. I needed change for a parking meter and one sales rep went out of her way to look for quarters for me!
Amy Kuschel Bridal is a true gem. But don't go on a Saturday because it's jam-packed with brides-to-be. You'll get much more personal attention if you go on a weekday. -
Review from Michelle N.
Campbell, CA
5/15/2008
I was never that little girl who dreamed of their wedding day. While my friends were cutting out wedding dresses in magazines, I was planning on which drive through wedding chapel I would go to in Vegas.
Years later when it was time to plan the big day in real life, I still wanted a no fuss simple wedding. I wanted everything to be as easy as possible... including buying my wedding dress. The only thing that mattered to me was that I looked good.
One of my first stops in my dress search was Amy Kuschel and immediately I knew this was the place I would find my dress.
The boutique itself is beautiful: Large spacious loft with a lot of natural light (even for SF standards). It had a very sophisticated look and feel. All the sample dresses are hung on racks next to windows, which allows you to get a great sense of what the dress looks like in natural light.
The dresses themselves are made with very high quality material. If you ever tried on a dress with low quality material you'll notice that the dress doesn't hang as well and usually highlights flaws.
Employees here are wonderful. They really listen to what you want and pick out dresses based on your needs.
In the end, it was extremely easy to find the perfect wedding dress.
Before you visit Amy Kuschel, keep in mind:
- Amy Kuschel dresses = Elegant but simple. If you're looking for a dress with a lot of detailed beading then you probably won't find what you like at Amy Kuschel. I would describe her dresses as elegant, sophisticated, modern, sleek. Her dresses are NOT the "fairy tale" type.
- This is a designer not a bridal warehouse, so don't expect to find a bazillion dresses to choose from. I would say she has anywhere from 50-60 dresses (which is still a lot for a designer).
- All dresses are custom made to fit your body perfectly. Basically they start from scratch and measured every part of your body so the dress fit perfectly.
- This is not a David's Bridal or discount bridal store, so her dresses aren't cheap ($1000-$5000 per dress). However, dress prices aren't extremely insane.
So yeah, I did find "the dress" at Amy Kuschel and yeah I still got my Vegas wedding. -
Review from Michelle C.
San Francisco, CA
10/15/2006
I hated shopping for a wedding dress. I really did. Was the sales associate laughing at my Hello Kitty cotton underwear? Was my friend fostering a hatred for me as I tried on white poufy dress after white poufy dress? Was something wrong with me because I didn't want a big strapless confection? After numerous trips to all types of bridal salons, I made an appoinment at Amy Kuschel. My hopes were not high.
All my apprehension vanished when I walked into the bright and airy salon (after, however, an anxiety-ridden trip in the ancient elevator). Jordan, who is no longer there, listened to what I wanted and was able to help me navigate the racks to find a few choices to try on. I fell in love with the Marlena as soon as I put it on, and begrudgingly took it off a few minutes later.
The dress was way more than I had budgeted, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I went back to try it on, and knew that we were meant to be together. I saved $250 for making a decision on my second visit, which sweetened the deal a bit, but it was still damn expensive.
The dress was made specifically for me, and at each of my fittings the stylist/sales associate and the seamstress worked together to get the details right. Yeah, it was way more than I had hoped to spend, but given that it was custom-made, I really don't think it was outrageous at all, especially compared to some of the $5000+ dresses I had tried on at other shops.
Among the comments I received about my dress:
"Most stunning wedding dress ever."
"I'm so glad you chose the dress you wanted, even though it was expensive."
"I like YOU!" (from sugar-addled 3-year old)
I love my wedding dress, and have no problem wearing it around the house . Did I mention how comfortable it is? -
Review from Emma K.
Oakland, CA
9/24/2007
Note: this is a completely subjective review because 90% of the reason I like Amy Kuschel is because I love nearly every dress she designs. The sales people could've told me I was fat and ugly and spit in my face (come to think of it, someone DID actually remark that I was "curvy") and I would still probably love AK.
Like all bridal salons, AK is sequestered in an above-street-level glowingly white boutique filled with clean cut saleswomen who click around in high heels and skirts. Definitely not the kind of place where I usually find myself on a Saturday afternoon - but I'd been to Alexandra and The Wedding Party previously, so I felt somewhat experienced in the strange world of bridal salons.
While I was the only one there to try on dresses, others came in (the elevator takes you right into the studio - no doors or anything, so don't leave the dressing room half-dressed) to pick up dresses and get fitted while I was there. This didn't bother me, but I was a bit freaked out by the Cruella DeVille-looking mother who was accompanying her daughter to get fitted.
I was open with the woman who helped me - I was looking for something in the lower price range (for AK, this means $1500 - $2200), and while I liked sheaths, I wanted to try on everything. The saleswoman helped me pick out dresses in several styles and fabrics. I was able to request certain dresses that I'd seen online, but overall I felt like I was in her hands. Time seemed somewhat limited (although I was there a full hour as opposed to the rushed half hour I spent at Alexandra) but I felt satisfied at the end. I found several dresses that I like, although sadly the appeal of some of the simpler ones was that they could be paired with a gorgeous beaded sash, which, it turns out, cost $400.
I felt a tinge of guilt the whole time I was there because I had a secret. I'd already bought an AK dress on ebay for $450. It needed alterations, and I wanted to see what a better-fitting version of the dress might look like, in good light, etc. etc. I adored many dresses that day, but trying on the selfsame dress I had in my closet made me fall in love with it all over again. If, for whatever reason my ebay dress cannot be altered to a suitable state, I will go back to AK in a heartbeat and plunk down big $$ for a new dress - with alterations (i.e. they make the dress specifically for you) included, it's still a ridiculous splurge but perhaps well worth it if you're dress obsessed like I am.Listed in: My Wedding: Where I Spent the…
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Review from Bonnie G.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2008
I got engaged in May of 07 and started dress shopping in August. I visited 15 salons across the country, all with varying degress of success. I'm an easy fit - a lot of styles look good on me, but I was looking for a dress that a) looked like ME but dressier b) was classic and simple and c) didn't cost the same as my first new car back in 1994.
I had two appointments with Amber over a 2 month period. She was knowledgable, attentive, and she found the dress, not me. I loved the no-pressure, no-hassle sell, and I love the idea of the dress be custom-made for me. The price is reasonable, and even more so I like the economical factor of breaking up the purchase into 3 payments. Really helps my limited budget.
Being a single-designer salon, there is not a huge amount of selection. You're not going to find 20 variations of mermaid, ball-gown, princess neckline, etc., etc., ad nauseum. But for those of us who prefer edited collections when shopping, and like simple, classic silhouettes, this is THE bridal salon for you. -
Review from Olivia O.
Berkeley, CA
10/20/2010 1 photo
After spending the week with my mother visiting many Bay Area bridal salons, our last appointment resulted in sweet success- I found my dress at Amy Kuschel.
At that point, I'd tried on many many dresses in many price ranges and had a pretty good sense of what I liked. There were a few dresses in my top tier, but all of them had some element that I didn't quite love. I kept asking myself "it looks good, but can I get over X?"
Then, Amy Kuschel's Bliss III happened. It's simple, lacking any imperfections, and they could modify the neckline to a sweetheart for me. I was hoping to stay under $2,000 (mostly because I think it's a bit irresponsible to spend so much on one article of clothing), and this dress was about $2,500. My wonderful consultant showed me some alternative fabrics that would knock off about $400. Plus, by making a decision on your first or second visit, you save $150. And since they make the dresses upstairs to fit your body perfectly, all alterations are included in the price. BINGO! Plus, going back downtown for all the fittings is going to be such a cool, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Her fabric is just divine. It made all the cheaper ($800-1000 range) dresses feel like sandpaper. I couldn't stop walking around in the dress while trying it on. It felt so wonderful on my skin. A friend made her wedding dress into a cocktail dress and turned the fabric scraps into baby blankets for their future children. I love that idea, and once I felt how soft the Bliss was, I knew I'd treasure wrapping my future babies in it too. -
Review from Thy N.
Milpitas, CA
2/7/2010
Amy Kuschel's boutique is absolutely beautiful. I love the loft feel and she has many dresses to choose from. However Amy Kuschel should really reconsider the girls she hires to work there. When I first entered the store, no one bothered to even greet me or my bridesmaids. We had an appointment at 1, but didn't even get started until 15 minutes later. My salesgirl was nice I guess, but in a fake kind of way. Nothing she said sounded genuine and I just didn't feel like she wanted to be there. To save time, I had already prepared a list of dresses I wanted to try on based on the dresses that were online. The dress fitting went ok, but I felt completely rushed! I later found out her 2pm appointment had showed up. To my annoyance I didn't even get to try on some of the dresses I pointed out to her.
I'm all for making sure you keep your appointments, but my big thing is... 1) you were late for my appointment. and 2) I'm still here!
The best customer service is making the client feel like they're your only priority at the time. And Amy Kuschel Bride- you failed! -
Review from Susan L.
Santa Clara, CA
12/12/2007
The Bay Area is so lucky to have a gem of a place like Amy Kuschel. This is one-stop bridal gown shopping at its best. All the dresses are made in house and you come back for 3-5 fittings prior to your wedding date. There is no need to find a seamstress, so that's one less thing to worry about.
I actually found 4 dresses that I really liked here and had a hard time deciding which one to get. My consultant was really helpful and patient with me. She asked me about my wedding details and had a good idea what I was looking for. Since I am having a destination wedding in the tropics, she even recommended which fabrics would be best.
As with other bridal places, I tried on sample gowns which weren't necessarily my size. What stands out about Amy Kuschel was that my consultant took the time and effort to carefully clip the dress to show exactly how the dress is supposed to look, front and back. And, when I inquired about the new styles coming out in 2008, she told me I could try some on that day and went upstairs to pick out a few styles I might like (my visit was in early November and the new 2008 styles weren't even out yet).
Needless to say, I bought my dress here on the first visit. And you know what, I got my dress for less than retail! If you buy within your 1st or 2nd visit, you get a discount . As a added bonus, if your wedding is held outside California, then you don't even have to pay sales tax!
I got a sample of the materials for my dress to take home and Amy Kuschel herself even came to say hello. This place is fabulous. I can't wait for my first fitting.
BTW-Amy Kuschel also has a great selection of accessories such as jewelry and veils. I originally thought I didn't want to wear a veil, but after trying one on here, I might have to just get one.Listed in: Bay Area Bridal Gown Shopping
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Review from Erin W.
Pleasant Hill, CA
9/10/2010
Amy Kuschel was my first appointment anywhere...and thank goodness! The website is full of gorgeous dresses; I couldn't resist a trip, even though it was on the higher side of my budget. I came on a Wednesday morning and we were the only ones there. Per my consultant any day but Saturday is a good day to go.
Jodi was so patient and helped me put to words my likes and dislikes. She made suggestions to dresses so that I could see how I looked in a variety. She listened and refined, then did it all over again. Tried on maybe 10 dresses in a 60 minute appointment.
After putting on the dress, you view it in the gorgeous loft. The windows are huge, so you're viewing it in natural light, which is a huge plus. The dress styles are all very classic without feeling dated. Nothing too trendy, and I don't remember any with beads (which is fine with me...not a bling person apparently). Many had side-ruching, or chiffon overlays, or lace or half-lace, or tiers, or understated bows, all gorgeous. I had seen one dress online that I did not see on the sample floor and asked if they had it; Jodi pulled it from the studio one floor up, no problem.
One thing that ma mere pointed out was, although they make the dresses in house, the samples were a bit ragged. Not that it matters when you buy from them; they take something like 26 measurements and alterations prices are already included in the price.
I don't think my dress is here (still looking), but I loved my time at Amy Kuschel's. Check out the website; if you see something you think you might like, it's worth the trip to see.
The Little Things
No. of Clips: As many as needed
Step-in or over head: Over Head
Undergarments provided: Slip
Set-Up: Private dressing room, General viewing area
Raised platform?: Yes!
Floors: Clean hardwood -
Review from Marcy D.
Belmont, CA
8/13/2008
There are already many 5 star reviews, but I might as well throw mine in too. I just bought my wedding dress at Amy Kuschel. I obviously love the style of wedding dress that Amy Kuschel designs. Taste in wedding dress styles in a very personal thing, but regardless of your taste, these dresses are beautifully made from high quality fabrics. The dresses at Amy Kuschel are wonderful for someone looking for a simple, beautiful gown without poof and puff and tons of embellishments.
Beyond the beautiful dresses, the experience at Amy Kuschel is wonderful. The consultants are very friendly and are not overbearing. My consultant understood that I was working on a budget and a short time frame and helped me find a dress from their sample sale rack.
Overall, a wonderful experience in the salon and beautiful dresses. This is what picking out your wedding dress should be like! -
Review from Kristin S.
Palo Alto, CA
4/27/2011
I had a wonderful experience from start to finish with Amy Kuschel. I tried on my very first wedding dress here and ultimately that first dress is the dress I fell in love with and ended up wearing. I couldn't be happier.
My only caveat/reminder is that a lot of fittings are involved. Because I live in the Penninsula, it was a bit painful to trek to downtown SF for all of these fittings. Parking by the studio is a pain and picking up the dress was also quite a chore (especially since it was raining on the day when the dress was finished, the ladies were very nice and walked the dress outside while I pulled up the car.) On the plus side, these fittings were required to ensure that my dress fit beautifully for my wedding day.
Although Amy Kuschel's dresses may seem more expensive, they are priced this way because everything (including alterations, etc.) is included. In the end I think they are extremely reasonable for the high quality you receive. I loved that my dress was fit exactly to my body. The ladies also ended up recommending a veil and jewelry that worked well with my gown but there were no high pressure sales of any of these items.
The experience of shopping at Amy Kuschel is very nice. The lighting is great and this is important since you need to know exactly how your dress will look on your big day in natural light. The ladies at Amy Kuschel are knowledgeable and helpful. I worked with their recommendations and this is how the first dress I tried on ended up being the dress I wore on my wedding day: They know what types of dresses work on what body types. Ultimately I loved Amy Kuschel because her dresses have very clean lines and nice materials, and don't have a ton of extra embellishments and fabrics. They were much, much lighter than the other dresses I tried on in which I felt extremely encumbered and weighed down by petticoats and beads. I felt very comfortable on my wedding day and could easily walk around and dance.
Here are a few more helpful notes: They sell undergarmets in the shop and will help you find something that works well under your dress. They will even recommend things that aren't for sale there and will work with you to find the thing that is most comfortable. I was very happy because I had a low back on my dress and they built in bra loops for my so that I could wear undergarments that felt most comfortable to me. They also helped me pick out shoes (not from their shop) that matched my dress and were low enough to be comfortable. I should also note that they do not let you take a photo of the dress (or a photo of you in the dress) unless you have purchased the dress. Therefore, you should take along interested parties. I also did not take along someone to figure out the bustle and I think I may have ended up tying this improperly on my wedding day in the rush of things. I would recommend taking along someone though it is not too difficult to figure out.
I received 150 off my purchase since I bought my dress on the second time that I went in. Thus, it helps to be decisive. I also did not have to pay sales tax because I was having my wedding in a different state. I cut costs in a lot of different ways and ended up paying what I thought was a very reasonable price for my dress.
You can ship your dress for a minimal cost or they give you details about how to carry your dress on a plane. They will give you a small carry cover for the bag as well. They gave me an extra piece of my dress material in case I wanted to make something with it but I am not crafty.
All in all, I was very happy with the entire process and would recommend them. -
Review from Romeo and Lola C.
San Francisco, CA
9/4/2010
I had a wonderful experience from start to finish at Amy Kuschel Bride.
Prior to my first appointment I had reviewed Amy's designs on the website and new that her elegant sophisticated gowns were exactly what I was looking for. At my first appointment, Chasa, was very nice and professional helping me browse the gowns as well as picking some that where within my budget. She was not at all pushy during any of my appointments and truly seemed interested in helping me find the perfect gown and not just make a sale. After my first appointment I had already narrowed my selections to two gowns and eventually purchased my first choice on my 2nd appointment. (If you purchase a gown by the second appointment they give you a $150 credit which I though was a great bonus for the decisive bride).
All the gowns are made to your specifications so you will be measured inch by inch to ensure a good fit. All my fittings went well and it was fun watching the gown take shape.
Amy's gowns are beautifully crafted right upstairs from the salon and they use high quality fabrics with a great attention to detail. For the quality of the craftsmanship her gowns are very reasonably priced!
I cannot count how many compliments I received on this gown on my wedding day. It was perfect! -
Review from Rachel F.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2006
I loved every moment of my Amy Kuschel experience! I was all set to buy my dress next weekend at Amy's showroom, and then I went to her sample sale and bought a different dress from the new collection!!
Her dresses are gorgeous, elegant, and tasteful, and are designed to let the bride glow! I wish that I could go every weekend and try on wedding dresses there because it's so much fun. The staff is lovely and it's just the best experience for buying and trying on wedding gowns. -
Review from Andrew W.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2007
I photograph about 20 or so weddings a year here in the bay area, and I swear eveytime I am blown away by the style of a brides dress, it turns out to be one of Amy Kuschels. Her designs are gorgeous.
I also know through a trusted source, my wife who got her dress from Amy, that the experience and service you recieve from Amy and her staff is amazinig! -
Review from Kathleen M.
San Jose, CA
2/23/2007
Talk about a lot of hype. It's a beautiful boutique and they try to provide great service - they'll even bring you a tray with glasses of water when you enter. I know the dresses are made there with their own designs, I just couldn't find any I was excited about. I know they're designed well, and they're a good fit if you like very simple and classic and no embellishment. (On the other hand I want a 30s style dress and I've never met a bead I didn't like). And these dresses were all $2500-$3200 except for some $800 off the rack samples that were very dirty. They have a very good selection of jewelry.
I chose this place to be the first bridal store my mom would accompany me to because I thought it would be a great mom-daughter bonding experience, but the dresses were so far off what I was looking for I never even got the all important mom-misty-eyes.
Number of Dresses: C+
Quality of Dresses (Did I Like Them?): C-
Strapless Bra Quality: B
Cost: D+
Dressing Rooms: A-
Service: B+
Understanding of My Taste: B -
Review from Christine D.
Oakland, CA
5/2/2009
This is kind of hard review to write, you'll see why in the end.
I really liked that this salon is open for after-work appointments a couple of days a week, because it is a pain in the ass to use vacation time from work to go shopping every day for something you're only gonna buy one of, ever. Also, the dresses are made for you on the premises, one by one, so there is no such thing as alteration fees, because it's made from you from start based on your measurements, not a general size number. That is a huge plus.
I arrived before my appointment time, and Chasa had me fill out a registration form and let me look through the racks while she prepared for me. There was a rack of sample sale gowns, and about 4 racks of full-priced gowns. I took a spin through the racks and couldn't find anything I liked, except one that was all done in what looked like laser cut lace, but it was over $5,000, so I wasn't gonna pretend there was any point trying it on, totally over my budget. I looked through the racks again, still didn't see anything, then sat down with Chasa.
I told her that I really didn't see anything I wanted to try, and that I was very sure of what my style is and didn't want to play dress up just for the heck of it, wasting everyone's time. I didn't find anything I liked because the style of this designer (she is a private label, she designs her own dresses and does not sell any other brands), is a more classic and simple style than my own. It's like comparing apples and oranges. The quality is great, and the designs are more original than many places, it's just not my style, and I didn't know it wouldn't be until I saw the dresses in person.
Chasa totally understood, and asked me if I had found something I loved elsewhere. I told her about the Vera Wang dress at Saks, and even showed her some photos of it. She was genuinely excited about the dress I had found and told me that if I love it I should just get it and not worry about shopping around. She wasn't trying to sell me anything, she really wanted me to get what I wanted, wherever it was. I thought this was rare and very, very sweet. The most realistic and honest sales staff person I have ever met, without one ounce of bitchiness.
On the way out, I saw the accessories and spotted a lace cap. This was beautiful, extremely beautiful. Chasa helped me put it on, and I imagined how it would look with the Vera dress. She said they had it for a while and it was quite expensive because it's all handmade. I said if it goes to your sample sale, you need to call me (because I seriously cannot afford a $900 lace cap right now)! With that, I went on my and she wished me the best.
Two days later I got a handwritten card from Chasa thanking me for coming in, and confirming she would let me know if that cap went on sale! This level of customer service is amazing, I wish all places were like this. Chasa, you are so good. Even though I didn't try on anything but a headpiece, you took it all in stride and represented Amy Kuschel in the best way possible, and gave me a great experience that I can definitely recommend to other brides to be.Listed in: Getting married!!! Chinese…
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Review from Shanna M.
Mountain View, CA
6/22/2008
I have to give Amy Kuschel 5 stars. The boutique is lovely (albeit a little warm w/ no ac in SF on a 85deg day). I went with my friend who is also getting married and we had back-to-back appts, both with Steph. Steph was fantastic. She worked with our price ranges and also suggested dresses she though might look good based on our style. They provide strapless bras and (BCBG) shoes, so you're all set to go. Each bride has a semi-private area with her guests to try/show dresses. We were constantly asked if we'd like water or if we needed anything. I really liked several of the dresses (note, the website does not do the detail justice!!!). Most dresses are under $3K, but go figure, I loved ones over $4K. My friend found some gorgeous $2K dresses though. Oh and don't be surprised if Amy herself is walking through!
One more great thing! They carry multiple sizes of the same dress. So it's quite likely that a dress will actually *fit* you when you try it on and you can really get a sense of what it will look like. AND each dres is custom made to your body (alterations included in the cost on the price tag)..nice! -
Review from MeLuvCookie M.
Oakland, CA
8/7/2007
Her gowns are gorgeous!! Amy embodies "a tailored experience", you get 4-5 or so fittings, so your dress is custom fit and tailored to your body. It's not a "general size", therefore you don't need to spend time and money on alterations. Also, if you purchase your gown by the 2nd fitting, you get a discount ($150 or so) off your gown. Pretty good deal. Gowns run from $1500 - $3400+....and it's CUSTOM TAILORED!!
Shannon was super nice and helpful. The salon is immaculate.
Picture taking capability depends on when you go - weekend vs. weekday. On weekend, wasn't allowed to take pics, but on the weekday I could take pics. I suppose less people to regulate.
They also have sample sales and a sample rack in the store.....some were in decent condition (some with pen marks and minor tears had deeper discounts).
Don't forget about accessories. Their custom veils were surprisingly affordable! Their jewelry selection is also exquisite! Amber, the store manager, is always helpful. -
Review from Sarah K.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2010
During this crazy wedding planning process, I have heavily relied on the helpful advice of yelpers to select vendor after vendor and have been meaning to become a yelper myself so that I can give back. :)
My first review is dedicated to my favorite discovery in this process - Amy Kuschel! I truly believe that this is the best bridal salon in the city. The sales people I've worked with are extremely relaxed and easy going. They have not employed any high pressure tactics and will let you take your time and try on multiple dresses. The space is beautiful and most importantly, the designs are breathtaking -- modern, clean, and unique.
I love this place!!! I still haven't committed to my dress yet but the Ilsa dress I tried on at Amy Kuschel several months ago continues to haunt me and I plan on returning soon after visiting a couple more salons.
This is a must visit especially for San Francisco brides! You won't be sorry. :) -
Review from Belinda S.
Irvine, CA
10/23/2007
My friend bought her wedding dress here and it was soooo pretty. It fit perfectly- the cost of it being custom made definitely came close to prices you would pay for a dress plus alterations (especially if you are petite).
She took 5 of us girls with her and the sales ladies were nice even though we were taking up all the space.
However, one of my friends said something about one of the dresses looking a bit davids-bridal-ish, and then one of the employees got personally offended and gave her a really dirty look. 1 point deduction for that. Its just an opinion, lady! No need to get mad about it.
Most dresses are very classic and simple. A lot of silks, some laces, very little beading. -
Review from Quyen T.
Berkeley, CA
3/8/2007 2 photos
I saw some two stars down there and I'd have to disagree. Here's the thing - if you're looking for simple but well-made wedding gown, Amy Kuschel is the place for you. If you're looking for something that is more elaborate (e.g., 1930sish, or ornate with beads galore), go elsewhere.
Amy has discerning taste. Her style is simple, elegant, and sophisticated. She also works hard to keep the prices from being outrageous. Her dresses are around 2K, which is quite a bargain considering that you get a dress made to fit you. Yes, you pick from about 20-30 different styles that she designs per season, but I believe there is enough there for every bride. I considered paying in the 5K range, but you only wear it once, and darlings, it's all about accessories, makeup, and hair!
I had a very good experience there. 3 fittings for perfection, but Amy herself worked with me both times.
If you're petite, I'd definitely consider having a dress made rather than having it altered (the proportions will be all off).
As a testament to Amy's fabulous work, I post several pictures here of me in her dress! Cheers to Amy!!!Listed in: WEDDING VENDORS GALORE!, Born to Shop
