Essex Occasions, Maldon, Essex

I got married in Sept 2006 and cannot believe the reviews I'm reading here - I felt like the only one! I feel pretty stupid for carrying on with them when they made me feel so unimportant for something so important. Especially considering the amount of money spent - '£1000 is a hell of a lot of money to most of us!We were given drinks and lots of attention on my first appt there, there were no children running around, two ladies helped as well as the man and they were very kind and gave me honest opinions. However, looking back, it was as though as soon they got the deposit customer service went out the window, they had their next order and I was forgotten. I had to keep ringing to get any answer on when my dress would be ready, they promised to have my dress steamed for my final fitting yet it was totally creased and looked ridiculous. When you're selling wedding products you are not just selling a dress or a tiara, you are selling a dream and the atmosphere should reflect that. Having children running around I actually found quite upsetting, it really felt so unprofessional and the whole experience was flustered and rushed when I'd be looking forward to it for so long. The lady was lovely once we got talking but was very distracted the whole time. I should have realised the business was in trouble by the fact they brought their children to work with them, the payment side of things was dated, no proper till, the ridiculous price of "alterations" (ie hemming which I've since heard is free in many other bridal shops - 90 quid!!!!). How I wish I'd gone elsewhere and taken heed of the warning signs! When I popped to Maldon and saw the shop was closed I felt sad but not surprised, I can only hope they keep their promise to all of you who are awaiting dresses. They seem misguided rather than mean.

Upon collecting my wedding dress from Essex Occasions 2 days before my wedding day (11th August 2005), I got the dress home, only to find it had a grease like stain down it. I rang the shop and was advised to take the dress straight back, which I did, and I was told not to worry, they would clean the dress and have it ready for me the day before my wedding. The morning before my wedding I received a call from Essex Occasions to say they could not do anything about the stain, and could I go and collect my dress. I returned to the shop where I found them to be most unhelpful of my situation. By this time I was very upset, and they had no suggestions or apologies to offer me. At such a late stage in the proceedings I was forced to accept the dress as it was. Not once did they offer me compensation, a refund or an apology!

The suit hire was a complete shambles as well; thinking it would be easier to get all of the wedding attire from one place - WHAT A MISTAKE! We ordered the suits, only for them to order the wrong type of jackets. When they arrived we were then told that a matching pageboys suit was not available. So again, at a late stage I was left to arrange an alternative suit for my pageboy. I would never recommend Essex Occasions.

During my only visit to Essex Occasions, I found everyone to be extremely helpful and friendly! I ordered and paid a deposit of £450.00 for my wedding dress in August 2006. I received a phone call in December 2006 informing me that the shop had to close temporarily due to illness but that my order would be fulfilled.

Although a little concerned I felt quite reassured by my conversation and the two subsequent letters I received in December and January. My dress was due to arrive in February 2007. When I had heard nothing by March 2007, I attempted to contact them via phone, email and recorded delivery letter. To date, I have had no responses to any of my messages, letters etc and to this day they have never contacted me about my dress.

By May 2007 I was extremely panicked and was left with no choice but to try to find another dress. Luckily I have now found a new dress however as I am nearly £500.00 down thanks to Essex Occasions, this was an extra expense I could well do without.

My advice to anyone is never use Essex Occasions unless you are happy to give your money away. I will pursue this matter until I have my deposit money returned and would not recommend them to anyone!

The dress seemed fine at final fitting; however, on my day when getting ready, before even getting into the dress, the zip broke (zip/hook and eye were sown in the wrong way round) and I had to be sown into my dress with the help of my hairdresser, by removing both straps to cover the stitching. I was 45 minutes late, and my hair was not finished how we wanted. The day after the wedding, I noticed the dress was the wrong size from my order. Essex Occasions took my dress after the wedding to fix the zip and have it dry cleaned, but they still have my dress, and we can not locate them. £1000 down the drain with nothing to show.

Essex Occasions has now gone out of business, thay said they would honour any orders that have been placed. This is not the case, my son and future daughter in law have been let down by essex occasions as they have not payed over the deposits on the wedding dress or bridesmaids dresses it is only that the maker of her wedding dress contacted them directly and thats when they found out about this.

They are now £1500.00 out of pocket, with no wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses. They have been told that they will have to pay the total amount for all the dresses if she wants them.

When I was looking for dresses they could not be more helpful. Order was placed for my dress and I was told I would be contacted in January 2007 for first fitting. In December I went to the shop to look for accessories and to my horror the shop was closed, no details of how to contact them etc. I tried to phone number and it just rang.

Essex Occassions Bridal Wear have made no attempt to contact me and I am now out of pocket having to purchase a new dress. I would never recommend them to anyone!!

Finding out the shop where I'd ordered my dress (Summer 2006) was shut I was slightly panicked considering I had paid the deposit! After receiving letters reasuring me everything was fine I wasn't to worried although 2 months down the line I was starting to get a bit anxious especially after ringing the shop and the phone not being connected. I decided to visit the shop which was completely empty although the man in the shop next door very kindly gave me their number. After contacting them and getting the designers information I found out my dress had not been ordered until Jan 2007 which was slightly frustating. Although after contacting the designer directly she reassured me that everything would be fine and my dress would be here before our wedding.

If you would like any advice please leave a comment on another review and I will try and put your mind at rest!

I found Essex Occasions to always be helpful, from the date of my initial visit, a subsequent visit to pick out bridesmaid dresses and all the following fittings.

We also arranged all the bridal party suits from here as well. I would recommend them for other peoples weddings. And all of the male party did not have any complaints and essex occasions was very accommodating in the times the suits were fitted.

I understand from the website that they have closed temporarily due to ill health. We received all our wedding garments at the end of last year and they were more than helpful dropping them off at chosen addresses due to the shop having to be shut. I am disappointed with all the bad reviews on this site as this was not the experience I had and I wouldn't want it to be put people off using this business.

I phoned Essex Occasions direct in December, and I was told that they had no record of my order, despite ordering my dress in May! She said that a lot of places tell you that there is a long wait for dresses, just so that they can take your money. They then won't order it until it's due.

They have closed the shop now, taken our money and disappeared, it does say they are still trading via the website. However, they have not ordered my dress 7 weeks after my fitting, and they took my deposit. Essex Occasions will not answer telephone calls, letters, recorded delivery letters or emails.