Alexia Gavela Bridal

Super sweet and helpful staff! They were quick and knew exactly how I wanted to alter my gown! They are all just simply amazing!

Although I did not end up buying my dress from Alexia Gavela Bridal I still want to leave a review because they have outstanding customer service. I had a horrible experience at another bridal boutique and I found that they also sell Casablanca dresses so I made an appointment with them. Geri pulled so many dresses for me, along with the style that I liked at the other boutique. I went twice to try on the same dress because I was deciding between two at two different shops. Geri was just as sweet and kind both times. He even offered to let me buy the sample that was there because it fit perfectly in all the right places. The only thing I would’ve needed altered was the length. If they sold Venus dresses there too, I would’ve ordered from them.
They provided the specialized attention I was looking for and had a wonderful selection of dresses. Oh and they do alterations on site which is a wonderful bonus! I will definitely be referring my friends here :)

I felt like I had been to every bridal shop, warehouse, and hole-​in-​the-​wall in Austin. But then, finally, like a little pot of gold at the end of a organza, lace, and tulle rainbow, I found Alexia Gavela – an ethereal shanty chock full of pretty gowns. My wedding was imminent (or, at least, imminent in the wedding industry – 3 months away) so I had to buy off the rack. I found a lovely strapless dress, a Mori Lee gown, with a beautiful gathered detail at the top and lace overlay throughout. It was lovely, but not my dream dress (it was also about 5 sizes too large). I saw potential, and Alex and Geri got on my vision-​train and MADE it my dream dress. They cut off the train and fashioned it into a Queen Anne neckline and completely transformed the gown into one that was just perfect for me! The alterations were expensive but exquisite (and probably just about the same price they would be anywhere else), and I always felt cared for when I was in their little boutique. Great experience!

I had such a great experience at Alexia Gavela, especially after visiting several bridal boutiques that were beyond disappointing! Geri and every one of their staff were inviting, helpful, and just so much fun! They gave 100% attention during my shopping and fittings, and were so helpful with customized recommendations. Brides, I recommend you start your shopping here and once you visit other competitors you’ll know that this is the place that deserves your business!!! Thanks again to the staff for helping me make this process fun and easy!!!

I can not say enough about Alex! She was so helpful and professional! This was the best experience I have had so far and I have been to a lot of bridal shops! She was not pushy and was helpful and made us feel so comfortable! The dresses are beautiful and the prices are better then other shops close by. I am so impressed by the attention and customer service my maid of honor and I were given! I can’t wait to go back to show my sister the dress!

I came in not really knowing what I wanted — it was a few weeks earlier than I planned to shop and I had company in town that really wanted to try dresses on with me. I gave Geri a very vague list of likes and he pulled the perfect selection of dresses! For a relatively small space, they have a great selection, beautiful dresses, and amazing prices!

When I went in here the guy was nice and paid attention to me but the girl sounded like she was on facebook the entire time… I needed a lot of help because I have no idea what kind of shape would look best on me but I just didn’t feel comfortable there at all. This isn’t a pair of flip flops for the beach – it’s a wedding dress, and it’s a serious matter. I’m not dropping 3 grand on people that don’t care.

Thank goodness for Geri and Alexia Gavela! I went to every bridal salon in Austin and even drove to San Antonio to look at wedding dresses for myself. Alexia Gavela was the last stop on the search and by this point, I was extremely exhausted and discouraged. I was looking for something unique and did not want strapless. After walking in and spending five minutes with Geri, he understood me and the vision I had. He pulled 3 dresses and immediately, I knew he got it! I tried on the dress that I had my eye on and I was hooked. We were able to do some custom work to the dress and Geri helped throughout that entire process. His sense for fashion and fit is phenomenal and he is really a joy to be around! Throughout the alterations process, everything went so smooth. I would have never thought that the wedding dress portion of wedding planning would be this easy — but Geri made it perfect from start to finish.

Words can’t describe how happy I am with my experience with getting my alterations at this store and Geri.
I bought my dress at a sample sale so it was 10 sizes too big. That being said the cost was reasonable and they went above and beyond to make sure it was perfect.
The end result after quite a few fittings (with no extra charge for visits) and them having to spend 9 hours just on my bustle (turns out the designer didn’t create this dress with a bustle option?) the dress was stunning.
The dress was perfect and fit like a custom dress.

I found my dress here, well Geri found my dress. After several failed experiences at other stores, I went to check out Alexa Gavela, thinking there is no way a place that small would have what I am looking for. Well, looks are deceiving, they have quite a selection available. Geri took one look at me and picked out one dress. Yep, just one. It was all lace and not anything I would have thought I could wear, specially since I am petite and curvy. Corset backs wedding dresses are a blessing for any bride. The alterations very pretty simple as well and they have the best seamstress doing the job. While this place like any bridal boutique is pricier than an Alfred Angelo, there are clear reasons, once you pay for your dress you are not left at their mercy, they treat you like their number one customer the entire time. There is also the very real fact that wearing a dress for several hours on your wedding day if far better when it fits right and the fabric and stitching are good quality. I can’t even remember how many dresses I tried on with itchy fabrics and loose threads and beading. I know it’s to be expected of the floor sample, but my the dress came in it was perfect and after a lot of dancing and jumping around there are still no tears of problems so I only need to get it cleaned and stored.

I loved my experience here! It’s a small shop but it has a lot of beautiful dresses! The staff was so helpful and made my experience very enjoyable. There dressing rooms were very comfortable and didn’t leave me feeling like a hot mess. I found a beautiful dress there. I haven’t made my decision but they are at the top of my list!

BRIDESMAID ALTERATIONS — TWO THUMBS UP!
I first went to Alexia Gavela simply to have my measurements taken. I needed to order a Bari Jay bridesmaid’s dress from a store out-​of-​state. Geri advised me to order a size up, and waived the small fee saying, «Just remember us when it’s time for alterations!»
Three weeks before the wedding, I brought my dress in for alterations. It was much too big and needed to be taken in at the sides. The illusion (mesh) neckline also needed to be brought in/​up. Geri offered me a choice between «the cheap way» and «the expensive way» to do it, which I really appreciated. I opted for the cheap way and it cost $ 75. They brought me in for one fitting to make sure I was happy with it before they closed the seams. The dress looks beautiful. It fits great with no weird hems or puckering. They returned it to me clean, pressed and ready to go. The entire process took 11 days.
The shop itself is charming, and there are many lacey, romantic and whimsical bridal gowns. They also make their accessories in house. Geri gave me an awesome tip to try making my own organza flowers, and advice on how to sew a sash. I was a little sad I didn’t come here while I was shopping for my own wedding dress. But, Geri assured me that if I am unhappy with the quote I receive for alterations from my wedding dress retailer, I should bring it to them. Because my alterations will be fairly simple, he said he could do it for around $ 120. I will definitely be back!
UPDATE — I did in fact bring my Alfred Angelo wedding dress here for alterations. It ended up being a tricky and expensive alteration, because my dress was a drapey satin bias cut gown that really had to sit just right. It looked amazing. They took such care, and every visit was pleasant and free of stress. I believe I spent around $ 350, but it was very worth it to know that they were going to do the job right. I also want to mention that I’m a plus-​size lady, as was the seamstress, and she made me feel incredibly confident and beautiful in a shapely, hip-​hugging gown. We even had a heart-​to-​heart about the woes of plus sized bridal.

I used Alexia Gavela to provide both my wedding dress and my bridesmaid dresses, and I worked primarily with Geri. First, Alexia Gavela has a wonderful selection of dresses. In Austin, they really stand out as the premier wedding dress boutique, with up to date styles and contemporary selections — and I went to pretty much every other place in Austin!
Second, Geri is awesome! From the very minute I walked in there to the culmination of my wedding, I was treated as a priority. Geri says he always wants to make sure his brides are happy, and he is true to his word. At the slightest hint of my concern about something, or an issue, Geri would swoop in to the rescue. He explained all the costs and timelines ahead of time to make sure I was on board with everything. He followed up with my bridesmaids to make sure they got their dresses on time. They offered complimentary steaming of my dress pre bridal shoot and again pre wedding day. I was thoroughly impressed with the way they treated me and my girls.
This is where you need to go ladies! I give Alexia Gavela my strongest endorsement!

This is a small shop with packed full of surprises. It’s one of those local Austin joints, home redone into a shop. I enjoyed my time here. Geri was super nice and very helpful in dressing up a not so spectacular dress to something very different. Most the dresses are pretty typical and you’ll find they are pretty affordable. My favorites in the store are the lace gowns. I highly recommend at least trying this place out to find the right gown. Make an appointment so that you can be sure to guarantee QT with the specialist.

I really hate to leave this review but…
My wedding dress is VERY tight… so much that it pinches the skin on my back when zipped, in a rather unflattering way. When I was measured at Alexia Gavela back in December, I weighed _​_​_​_​_​ (I actually wrote it down at the time). Currently, I weigh _​_​_​_​_​ (same EXACT figure, down to the pound). And while there’s no way to prove that to someone who owns a bridal boutique… the dress is also a couple of inches SHORT when I wear high heels. I’ll now be wearing shorter heels than I’d originally planned, to accommodate the length. Call me crazy, but doubt that I’ve grown taller in the past six months, at the age of 27.
I chose not to contact the shop directly about this, because 1) I wanted to avoid the «you must have gained weight» speech, 2) shedding a few pounds and new shoes are doable (yet annoying), and 3) as the dress was shipped to California with only a month left before the wedding, there wasn’t going to be much that they could do for me from afar.
…which actually brings me to my next complaint. My mom paid $ 160 to expedite the shipping of the dress and ensure that it was sent out on April 30 (as opposed to the beginning of June). I ended up receiving my (expedited) dress at the end of June, and was told that they have no control over customs when the gown is coming from overseas. While I do understand that fact, I think the amount of time it actually took was far too much for that to be valid… and furthermore, with «no control,» isn’t it unfair to be charging rush fees and guaranteeing arrivals? And throughout this waiting period, each time I checked in I was told that the gown was, «on its way» or «would be here this weekend» which was not the case for quite awhile. Geri was nice enough to refund the fee (at my request), but receiving the dress so close to my wedding definitely added a lot of unnecessary stress.
Again, I hate to leave such a low rating, because I love my dress and was happy with Alexia Gavela initially! The shop has such a great selection at a wide range of prices and includes lots of very affordable dresses. And Geri did seem to be trying to work with me and keep me happy. However, I can’t come out of this feeling completely positive, as I’m still concerned about either my dress suffocating me or me busting out of it on wedding night!

These guys are the masters of dressing you for your wedding.
The shop is extremely clean, has great lighting, knowledgable staff and a beautiful selection of designer dresses. I went to them because they had a line of dresses for destination weddings that I loved (Geri, one of the owners, told me about the dresses via email when I first contacted them). They spent a lot of time, and offered a lot of advice, which I desperately needed because I’m not sure about my fashion sense and I of course wanted the perfect dress for my wedding.
The best part is, I had to rush my dress to only take 8 weeks, and, at some point, when I thought it was going to arrive late, they contacted the designer who actually paid for the dress to arrive ASAP. You would think with all this concern and detail going into my wedding-​dress shopping, I would remember to actually go pick the dress up before leaving for my destination wedding. No. I actually forgot the whole day I was supposed to go. So we had to contact Geri on his day off when the store was closed (because we were leaving for Mexico the next day), and he met my soon-​to-​be husband down at his store to give us the dress. He couldn’t have been kinder or more gracious about it. We are so grateful for everything they did for us and for working with us like we were on a team!
To this day, six months later, I still think my wedding dress is the best one I’ve ever seen. But I guess that is what you’re supposed to think about your own dress. :)

I cannot say enough about Alexia Gavela’s alterations. They are absolutely the best. My dress was nearly butchered to death by the first person I took it to for alterations, and this shop managed to completely fix it at (literally) a fraction of the price of other places. Their work was FLAWLESS and so, so affordable. I kick myself all the time for not just going to them first.
I didn’t visit their shop when I was looking for a dress (I worked in a different bridal shop and pretty much just got one of theirs without going anywhere else), but while waiting for my alts appointment I was very impressed by their stock. They have beautiful, romantic dresses that are definitely worth a look!
Even if you buy your gown elsewhere, take it here for your alterations! You will NOT regret it! Thank you Alexia Gavela for saving my dress!!!

Love this bridal shop. I am getting married in Austin, but I live in Illinois. Basically, I went on a 1-​day wedding dress extavaganza and Alexia Gavela was my last stop.
You’d think by the end of the day, I would be going crazy at the last dress shop, but I had a blast here! Geri helped us out, and he was amazing. And also a mind reader. I tried on about 10 dresses, and he asked if he could bring me something he liked for me. And yeah, that was the one!
Not to mention the flexible payments (pay half now, and the rest in 4 equal payments). And in-​house fittings… what more could I ask for.

Alexa Gavela is truly an awesome stop to make on your quest for the perfect Wedding Dress in ATX. The selection is huge, and will cater to every taste. Classic, modern, frilly, tea length — they really do have it all. To top it off — the staff is fantastic here! The team really has a great eye for what kind of dress will fit your form, and what you look good in — and not only that, but they can help you accessorize down to the shoes and earrings!
My BFF and I went in several months ago to start the process of getting her a wedding dress, and have been there many many times since. The staff was always very knowledgeable and helpful, and always good at communicating. My BFF was also planning on a reduced timeline, so when we ordered both the wedding dress and all of the bridesmaids dresses, they really stepped up to communicate with the vendors and make sure we got everything in on time at the best price.
One thing to note is — they do order up in sizes for just about everyone. One of our bridesmaids was seven months pregnant, and they ordered maybe two sizes higher than needed — and then she spent a quite a bit in alterations getting the dress to fit. I had the opposite experience and got away with a perfect size and the cheapest alteration I’ve ever payed for — so I think its on a case by case basis and something to watch for. Really, though, the positives outweighed any negatives in the end, and they really showed us that the wedding was a priority to them.

Eek! Methinks not.
If I could add an extra eek to this review I would in a heartbeat. I wish I would have listened to a few Unilocalers before I even stepped into this bridal salon. While reading Cassandra’s review, I saw a pattern forming. I felt like I was reading a short clip of EXACTLY what happened to me.
My first encounters with Geri were pleasant enough, after all I was with the bride-​to-​be. But essentially that’s where his professionalism came to an abrupt halt. Upon picking the dress up, I found it was not one but two sizes to big! For those of you who know me, I think you’ll agree my weight tends to stay the same. Even if you don’t know me, well, I think I know my body well enough to know if I’ve dropped two dress sizes.
According to Geri this is exactly what happened I had lost so much weight that my dress no longer fit me. He refused to admit the store was at fault and on top of that he was quite snarky and condescending about the entire situation.
I find it strange that all five of the bridesmaids needed alterations on our dresses especially when our measurements were taken in house. I feel completely taken advantage of and ended up taking my dress elsewhere for alterations to avoid any further incompetence.
Think long and hard before you step into this salon. I mean seriously $ 215 for a polyester dress, me thinks not!