Sisters’ bridal is a well-known bridal store in Kampala that carries both bridal, entourage dresses and accessories and has a branch along Kampala road and Quality sopping village in Naalya.
I had visited the branch on Kampala road in 2015 as I assisted my sister with her bridal gown selection for her big day and it was not a pretty experience.
We were met with rude bridal consultants, old and filthy
gowns that reeked of sweat and it was such a terrible experience that I vowed
never to go back for any reason. Fast forward to 3 years later in 2018 I was a
bride who had gotten engaged mid-2017 and was in dire need of a unique gown
that fit my style sensibilities.
So as per my promise, I searched high and low for a store
whose gowns fit my specifications and cost considerations after all I was
paying for my dress. Fortunately for me I had saved up over 6 months since my then fiance and I had given ourselves some breathing room between engagement and all
the different functions leading up to our wedding such as family visit,
traditional engagement ceremony and wedding.
Most bridal stores had over the
top dresses with long trains, fairy tale dresses or full skirts that I would
have to drag all day and I was not that kind of bride.
The 2 gowns I liked were
not in country and needed 2 months lead time to order and be fitted and my
wedding was about 7 weeks away so I decided to put aside my previous bad
experience and give Sisters bridal a chance.
I went online and got a phone number and called to get
assistance and I was given the option of booking appointment or just stopping
by the store to try out a few gowns. However, the very polite lady advised that
it would be better to book an appointment on their website and show up when
they are ready for me so that I could fully maximize the appointment. I was bit
skeptical because this is Uganda and I had not experienced this level of
service and follow through but I decided it would not hurt so I made the online
booking and I got a call back to confirm.
After my booking was confirmed I got a call from a Sisters
bridal consultant and over the course of an afternoon I sent her my specs for
the kind of gown I would like a day before my appointment.
As I had walked in I was greeted by the bridal consultant
and this conversation ensued.
Consultant: “Hello, how may I help you?”
When I showed up to the Kampala road branch I did not know
what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. My consultant was waiting for me
and I was given a digital catalogue which had gowns in stock that were close to
my specs.
Me: “I am great, I am Joyce I have a booking for 3:30pm.”
Consultant: “Oh yes come with me, oh but are you expecting someone
else? Should we wait?”
Me: “What do you mean?”
Consultant: “Matron, bridal party/ brides maids?”
Me: “No!”
Consultant: “Okay, if you are sure.”
Me: “Yes, don’t worry I am very sure of what I like and
don’t like so I will let you know right away. I will call the bridesmaid when I
am done making up my mind so that she knows exactly what dress to pick up a few
days before the wedding.”
Consultant: “Wow, you are a very interesting and unique bride right
from your selections. Not many brides don’t want trains or long veils.”
By the end of the chit chat I had narrowed down to 8 gowns
I liked and I was handed over to another changing room consultant and
measurements were taken. Small talk continued for a while but I realized it was
for the consultant to get a feel for my taste but in the long run 5 gowns were
available, 1 had a long train so it was disqualified on spot and the last one
was in stock as well but it was already booked for a wedding the following
month so they declined to even show it to me. At first I was in shock but after
I recovered, I was quite impressed because this meant that when I also decided
on a gown it would not be available for view by any other potential brides
within that quarter of the year.
So I went into the changing room and tried on all 5
dresses but dress number 2 stole my heart and I tried it on one last time just
to be sure and that sealed the deal after which I engaged them on its cost and
payment timelines much to the amazement of the staff as I was private messaging
my only bridesmaid to meet me at the shop.
Consultant: “Eh, you are very serious and make up your mind quickly
not like some brides.”
Me: “Yes.”
Consultant: “I was a little worried when you showed up alone it
never happens. If brides come alone they always wait for their friends to start
but it does slow down the appointment and sometimes they push the bride to pick
what they like better than what she prefers.”
Me: “Exactly, I have experienced that twice so I cut out the
distractions this time. I appreciate your honesty.”
The entire appointment lasted about 2 hours and 45 minutes
and within this time; the consultant had taken measurements, I selected
options, tried on dresses, selected my wedding dress, checked to confirm it was
not booked, selected a wedding veil, signed paperwork and sent payment to
confirm booking of the dress by mobile money while I was still in the store.
The consultant saw me 1 other time for a final fitting that lasted 1 hour which
was a week and a half before the wedding so that the dress could be dry cleaned
and stored away. Oh I almost forgot, I refused to wear a tiara but they packed
in anyway with my veil in the hope that I might change my mind.
The entire process was a delight and I will never forget
it but above all what made it even more precious was the sensitivity and sweet
nature of the communication from the Sisters bridal team right from my first
appointment to the pickup of the gown 2 to my wedding.
All my close friends and even my husband knows that I am a lover of all things digital that make life more convenient and seamless so this experience is one I vowed to write about the day that I put on my wedding gown that special day because these ladies went over and above to ensure that my big day was indeed special and memorable and I do not take it for granted.
The image on the left is 2 days before my wedding after my brides maid picked up the wedding gown for the event. What more could a girl ask for?
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