I had the best day yesterday at Ava Clara! It was my first-ever wedding dress shopping experience, and Taylre was friendly and knowledgeable from the start. My family and I all loved the atmosphere and seating in the store, and I also thought the large dressing rooms were so amazing and special.I loved the first dress I tried on, and Taylre followed it up with win after win. She was very responsive to my preferences and found dresses that suited my style so perfectly. I honestly could have been happy in just about any of the dresses I tried on. Even though I ended up buying a dress from another store, I loved my experience at Ava Clara and couldnt recommend them highly enough.

I started my super busy dress shopping day at Ava Clara and it set the bar so high! It was such a pleasant experience and Ashley made it even better. She made amazing suggestions on other dresses I’d like based on my first few picks and she didn’t miss! I went to two other stores to try other dresses on but knew in the back of my mind I’d return to Ava Clara to get my dress, even for something they didn’t have in the store. Thank you for making it such a stress-free morning, Ashley! I appreciate your patience and I will be back!

Great experience with Dominique! There are so many gorgeous dresses here and Dominique helped us find the right options based on our preferences. She knew the pricing for each and shared insightful suggestions. Amazing experience!

I found THE dress at Ava Clara! The appointment-setting process was so easy via website, and I had a wonderful follow-up call from Melinda, who said she would meet us at the shop. Ava Clara was shop #2 for me, and I was traveling from out of town to find my dress. After listening to what I thought I wanted (more so, what I knew I didnt want), Melinda pulled several dresses and let my mom, my friends, and me pull some others. Melinda was incredibly patient and a great listener to all of our opinions, always respectfully offered hers as well, and ultimately she pulled the dress of my dreams. We were never rushed, and the experience made the day very special. We added some custom options to the dress, and since my wedding day was outdoors and very rainy, they helped me send it away to be cleaned as well (it was VERY muddy). Almost 2 years later since the day I found it, I still adore my dress. I could not recommend Ava Clara enough!

Ava Clara is a really lovely bridal boutique with helpful service and a relaxing atmosphere. We actually had an appointment at a different bridal store in Norfolk later in the day and stopped by on a whim just to take a look. We obviously didnt have an appointment, but they were nice enough to squeeze us in to try on a few dresses. They carry many sought-after designers, including Sophia Tolli, Augusta Jones, Anne Barge, and Tara Keely. We ended up having a better experience at Ava Clara than we did later in the day at the other store! I would highly recommend this boutique to anyone looking for a wedding gown in the Virginia area.

Even though I didnt end up buying my dress at Ava Clara, I had the best possible experience both times I visited! On my first visit, Leah was super helpful and receptive to what I loved and didnt. She pulled the perfect choices, listened to what I thought about each, and never pressured me throughout the process. She respected my budget and let me know if anything I was looking at off the rack was over the number I told her originally. I felt completely comfortable when I left with a favorite in mind, saying I would be back soon to try it on again.A month later I came back to try to narrow my decision between two dresses. My stylist totally understood when I explained that I really just wanted to use the time to sit/walk in my favorite dress and feel out the decision. I cant say enough good things about this store!

The ladies here made my bridal gown experience amazing. They actually listened to me and heard my thoughts and opinions about the dresses I was trying on instead of just trying to make a sale. I walked in with a picture of a gown I wanted to try on in September 2016, ended up buying that dress and getting my alterations done in house as well. They also held on to my dress for nearly A YEAR before my wedding and had it steamed and ready to go when I picked it up June 2018. Ava Clara staff made this aspect of my wedding completely stress free.

Ava Clara was great! I traveled from NOVA to go here with my maid of honor and we had already had a long day of dress shopping. My consultant checked my look book online first and asked me which dresses I liked as she pulled them. They were not offended at all if I didn’t want to try something and overall very laid back! As a plus size bride I was really concerned about being able to visualize what I could look like in a dress, Being judged by others, etc. but I was comfortable and confident, and they dressed me up in veil and bouquet to get the full picture! They also offered complimentary (and delicious) champagne which was a nice touch. I ended up buying my dress from here after they walked me through what the designer could do to make the dress custom for me. And - their prices were very reasonable which is the best!The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is that I really wish there were more choices in larger sizes. While I was able to try some of the regular samples, it’s definitely more comfortable and easier to see the full picture of what you’ll look like when the dress isn’t 3-5 sizes too small. But for your average bride and even your smaller plus bride (I’m about a 14-16 street size), this is a wonderful shop!

Alex and the Ava Clara team are wonderful. All of the ladies are so welcoming regardless of your size or budget. They are patient with you when finding the right dress, not pushing you to make a decision but rather working with you to find the one! Overall they were one of the best experiences I had when planning my wedding!

My (now) husband and I are from Michigan. He currently serves in the US Navy and we have been stationed in Virginia since 2015.Buying my wedding dress was really hard to think about.. I was planning our wedding alone while being hundreds of miles away from all of my best girlfriends and family.My sweet momma flew in for a quick weekend trip to help ease my mind and make dress shopping something I would never forget.I struggle with self confidence and my ability to feel beautiful and feminine. That’s all I wanted.. was to feel unbelievably beautiful on my wedding day.After a long exhausting day shopping at bridal studios I had long had my eye on.. my momma called Ava Clara and told them about the horrible experience at the last studio we’d been to. They told us to come right over and that they would stay open late to see us.When we got there Melinda greeted us with the warmest smile and immediately made us feel like family. I remember her specifically, because my mother in law shares the same name.Melinda made me tell her everything about my dream dress... more importantly she understood my vision of incorporating lace from both my momma’s and my grandmother’s wedding dresses.She disappeared for a bit.. and came back up front holding a gown that she told me she knew was exactly what I was looking for. I took one look at it and said “I don’t know.. that skirt isn’t exactly what I am envisioning”.Melinda and my momma told me to stop talking and put the dress on. When I came out of the dressing room my momma immediately started crying. Then I looked at myself in the mirror and just couldn’t believe that within five minutes of meeting me, Melinda had found the dress of my dreams.Every day I look at my pretty dress in the back of our closet and wish I could wear it all over again.Thank you, Melinda, and the entire Ava Clara family for making me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on my wedding day.Wtoo by Watters “Rowena” will always hold a special place in my heart.

The Healthcare Heroes Gown Giveaway was Phenomenal! Thank you so much to the owner, bridal consultants, designers, and even the owners mother for making it such a wonderful experience! The consultant Dominique, was patient, supportive, and so kind in helping me find my dream dress. The store itself is beautiful and makes the entire process feel like youre in a very modern and posh movie/wedding dress dream! Due to COVID-19, my family hasnt really had the chance to celebrate my engagement, but getting to share finding my dream dress with my Step-Mom was an experience Ill never forget! Thank you so much, and I cannot wait to wear that gorgeous gown on my wedding day!

I was blown away by my experience at Ava Clara. I flew all the way from Colorado to meet my sister in VA to go dress shopping. Taylor was such a helpful stylist and helped us find exactly what I was looking for. We were on limited time and she helped us quickly nail down my style. She didnt waste time trying to put me in things I wasnt interested in. Alex, the owner, greeted us and helped us with the search. She was so incredibly personal and helpful and even offered to help me find a good quality tailor in my area in Denver. Im so thankful for both Taylor and Alexs help in finding my dream wedding gown and am so excited. You ladies were the highlight of my trip to Virginia and I thank you so much!!! If you are looking for a bridal salon that is personable with high quality gowns and want an excellent experience, go to Ava Clara!

Ava Clara Couture was the first place I went after I got engaged. My engagement is relatively short so I was looking for an off the rack or sample sale type of dress with a lower than average budget. I didnt know the first thing about dress shopping as it was my first time and I was nervous. Also, no one was able to travel to be with me, partly due to me living far from home and partly due to COVID. Ava Clara made what could have been a stressful experience and turned it into a fun enjoyable morning.It was only Dominique and I in the boutique that morning so as far as COVID precautions go, it was perfect! She helped me get dressed, take pictures, and facetime my friends and family as well. Even though Dominique had just met me she listened to what I thought I wanted and made suggestions on what she thought I would like all while keeping to my budget. She was an absolute angel. So knowledgeable, so professional, so wonderful!After all is said and done I can say with absolute confidence that Ava Clara and Dominique in particular gave me the absolute best customer service and experience throughout the whole process in Hampton Roads. I would recommend this boutique to all!

My experience at Ava Clara was absolutely wonderful and Dominique was fantastic! I found my perfect dress and am thrilled to have had such a great experience. Dominique listened to me, used her expertise, and pulled beautiful dresses. If you want to have an experience that is like no other in the Hampton Roads, area go to Ava Clara because you wont regret it!

I was one of the lucky winners of the Healthcare Heroes Gown Giveaway and I am so thankful for Ava Clara and their staff. Although the slot was only 30 minutes, Taylor, who helped me, was very attentive, efficient, easy going, and flexible. She never once made me feel rushed, let me try on any dress I wanted, and helped me find the dress of my dreams. She nailed the look I was going for in the first 3 dresses. I was smiling so much by the end. The special touch at the end was a gift of a bottle of champagne. This place makes you feel so special and I highly recommend Ava Clara to find your dress.

I can’t say enough about this salon and Dominique!!! My mom and I went out dress shopping on a whim and went to several different stores who were both awkward and pushy. Then we stumbled upon this shop. When we arrived, Dominique shared that she was thrilled to hear that she had a walk in for the day (not something you hear much!). She was quick to tell me when I pulled dresses out of my budget and very understanding and accommodating of what I wanted to look like on my wedding day. It was absolutely a pleasure shopping here and I’ll recommend it to all my friends!!

Wonderful selection and great customer service! Both of my daughters got their wedding dresses here! Alex is amazing! Thank you so much!

We had a wonderful time! Taylor was fabulous!! She knew exactly how to make my experience special, pick great style choices to try on and helped me find the exact one that I love. Thanks you all for the best experience saying Yes to the Dress!

Absolutely love this place! Had an awesome experience my first time finding the most perfect dress! The staff is excellent, kind, and very experienced! I had Taylor as my consultant for both my first dress and a second reception dress Appointments! I brag about my experience here to everyone! I went to a few other salons in the area and NONE of them compare to my experience here! Loved it!

After searching high and low in New Jersey I was visiting family for Thanksgiving and decided to give Ava Clara a try. I not only fell in love with the dress but fell in love with the business and attendant. Thus I took the plunge and bought the dress out of state. It was worth it. This little gem created the best experience for me and I will truly never forget them! If you have had negative experiences with other shops, let this shop be the one to turn it around....#pricelessexperience

I cant say enough about Ava Clara Couture Bridal. I drove all the way from Silver Spring, Maryland to Virginia Beach to shop at this store and Im incredibly glad I did. Ava Clara is not your average, run of the mill bridal shop. From the atmosphere and decor of the store, to the beautiful selection of gowns, to the accessories, Ava Clara is gorgeous. But more importantly, the customer service is second to none - not only because they exude the utmost professionalism, but because they are simply passionate about what they do and they strive to give every bride a unique and personalized experience that women expect and deserve when theyre shopping for their wedding gown. My experience was flawless. Alex Fleear (the owner) has got it right. Say yes to the dress at Ava Clara - you wont regret it!

Everyone at Ava Clara was super sweet and helpful. They picked out a great selection of gowns that were all different, but still my style and similar to the vision I had for my dress. Dominique and Alex made the experience really easy and enjoyable for both me and my mom. I cant wait to wear my dream dress on my wedding day!

Taylor was so wonderful! Ava couture is so personable and had all the dresses and styles of what I was looking for all ready for me before getting there! A beautiful boutique with the friendliest, professional staff! So incredibly happy with my experience and finding my dream dress!

Ava Clara came highly recommended by more than one friend so I made it my first stop. WOW! I am so glad I did!! Melinda greeted me with a smile and listened as I explained my ideas. She knew exactly where we should start. When I tried on the first dress I knew it was the one!!! She offered others but did not rush or pressure me in any way. I will also highly recommend Ava Clara to any brides seeking a beautiful gown in a warm inviting atmosphere.

Because I was planning on having a small wedding ceremony, I had just assumed a gown would not be a part of my wedding day. I was cycling through mail-order gowns from sites like Morning Lavender and lulus. These options were all pretty and were fine dresses, but none felt truly special.In October this year, a relative sent me a link to a contest, “Tulle for Teachers” in which Ava Clara Couture Bridal, in Virginia Beach, generously gifts brand new wedding gowns to teacher-brides. I was selected for the event and emailed the shop with a few questions beforehand- the shop was prompt in their reply and super helpful. When the day of the event arrived, I was able to try on as many dresses as I wished within my designated time slot. The ladies at Ava Clara were SO genuinely kind and helpful and supportive as I tried on gown after gown (all of which made me feel like a total princess!).My wedding day was exactly what I had hoped for and more beautiful than I could have imagined, thanks to this cherished and generous gift from Ava Clara!

Really enjoyed my experience at Ava Clara! I appreciated the laid back quiet atmosphere and Dominque was very helpful without being pushy. Would definitely recommend!

Ava Clara was the first and only boutique I ended up shopping at for my wedding dress and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! My consultant, Melinda was incredibly warm, helpful and made me feel comfortable (because I was a little nervous going into it)! After trying on a few ballgowns, Melinda helped me realize my love for the mermaid style and helped me find my dream gown - an ivory, lace mermaid gown with beading and a bejeweled belt. Ironically, she said she wasn’t even planning to pull that gown, to begin with; it was fate! My entire Ava Clara experience - from finding my gown and having it altered to selecting my bridesmaids/flower girl’s dresses and preserving my own dress - was beyond what I could have hoped for! I would absolutely recommend them for all of your bridal needs!

Dominique was/is Amazing! I didn’t leave with the dress but it’s there! IM COMING BACK!!!! Can you guess what one Dominique😉😉😉😉😉 I had such a great experience it’s really true when they say you found your dress!!!❤️🥰👍🏻💪🏼

I had a great experience, the bridal attendant was super sweet and didnt make me feel pressured to purchase. I didnt choose my dress yet but I will be back! Highly recommend!

Taylor was fantastic, I highly recommend her. I came in with another dress in mind and left with my perfect dress.

Ava Clara is such a beautiful bridal shop! Their dressing rooms are huge and are decorated with these pretty pink floral murals. I visited during the National Bridal Sale Event and was pleasantly surprised by the selections they had for the style and size I was looking for. After trying on a few dresses, I found my dream dress! It fit like a glove and was a great deal, it was elegant and everything I’ve always wanted in a wedding dress! From the time I made my appointment to the time I bought my dress, the experience I had with this precious boutique was such a dream come true! All of the girls were so sweet and helpful and my experience felt so personal! What an amazing experience I will never forget! I’ve recommended this salon to all of my friends! Three of us are Ava Clara Brides! 👰🏻

We had a great experience here! I actually had another dress I ordered online coming into the appointment, but quickly found that Ava Clara had so many other beautiful options at reasonable prices. The team really knew their stuff and they made me feel comfortable and more relaxed about the process. I said yes to the dress and will be returning the one I ordered online. Also, I feel better about supporting a local business rather than a giant online retailer. =)

I was part of an event sponsored by Ava Clara, Tulle For Teachers, in which 50 teachers received a FREE wedding gown! Not only was Ava Clara incredibly generous, but the whole staff really made us feel special and appreciated. Even though we only had 30 minutes to try on dresses, the staff were helpful, kind, and efficient - I left with a dress that I love! Great selection of beautiful gowns and a really nice experience!

Absolutely an incredible experience! Melinda was so helpful and let me try on anything I had my eye on. She was very professional, and help gear me to my dress! I would highly recommend this place to every bride ☺️

As soon as I walked in for my appointment, we were treated like we were the only people in the store. Melinda was an amazing consultant! She read my mind and offered her advice and helped me to decide on the perfect dress for my July 2020 wedding! Thank you! ❤️👰🏻🍾🥂

Ava Clara is AMAZING. If you’re looking for someone to personalize your experience, this is where you need to go. They took the time to really hone in on what I like. They helped me figure out what shapes and details look best on me. They also help guide me when looking at color schemes for my bridesmaid dresses. They made the experience so fun! I truly cannot say enough good things about them. Alex was beyond helpful and so easy to work with. Love them!!

I was invited to participate in the 2018 inaugural Tulle for Teachers event on November 12th. This was a spectacular opportunity to give back to teachers who provide so much to our community. I was honored to have been selected and was treated like a true star. We were all welcomed warmly and with a lot of excitement. I was fortunate to have been third in line, but I felt like I was the first and only person there. Jamie, my bridal consultant, helped me with selecting and fitting my dresses. The gowns that had been selected for us were breathtaking, unique and were certainly couture. As it ended up, the first dress I tried on was the one that I said yes to! I tried on 7 total. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and feel an enormous amount of relief that such an important aspect of my nuptials has now been taken care of. I am going to look like a dream on my wedding day and I cannot wait to share this with Ava Clara. I would highly recommend Ava Clara to anyone. They have an immense selection of couture dresses in all styles and the staff is magnificent.

I went in today looking for a bridesmaid dress. Unfortunately the unpleasant staff was way too busy with brides to try and help. I was told to come back in an hour. I live an hour away. So that wasn’t a possibility for me. Little did they know I am a future brides as well as the three brides that were trying on dresses. This place rubbed me the wrong way. If I could rate this place with no stars I would! I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy.

The first salon I went to and i had Tara as my consultant. She was fantastic and made me and my guests feel right at home. The only thing Id change is I wish I bought the dress that day instead of going to my second appointment. The second store couldnt compare to the gorgeous dresses and atmosphere. I returned the next day to purchase the dress that got my hole party teary eyed. In short if you want a fantastic consultant ask for Tara!

I just had an incredible appointment at Ava Clara and found my gown!!!! Melinda, my stylist, was very attentive and able to nail my bridal vision better than I could have imagined. She worked within my budget and still managed to find some of the most beautiful gowns I have ever seen and been able to try on (and still afford!). Melinda even found accessories that were PERFECT!Brides, definitely put Ava Clara on your list of places to go. They will take AMAZING care of you and ensure that your bridal vision comes true.

Ava Clara Bridal gifted me and others a FREE wedding dress in the Tulle for Teachers giveaway. I will forever be thankful! When we arrived and got inside, all of the staff were so kind and helpful to my friends and me. I was able to find the perfect dress!

Great experience. I wish I would have started dress shopping here earlier in my journey. What you expect your experience to be like happens here, being offered drinks, warm and welcoming, I loved it. Terra was my stylist and I wish I could take her to every bridal shop!

Found my dress within 30 minutes even after I gave the ladies a wild list of what I wanted my dress to be. I couldnt believe they knew exactly what I wanted. It was an overall very special experience with my bridesmaids and family, as well as the ladies that tended to us because they truly gave me their honest opinions as well as offered helpful tips to make my dress perfectly custom to me.

I am beyond grateful for Alex, Melinda, and the rest of the WHOLE team at Ava Clara! They had an event called Tulle for Teachers, which gave 30 teachers FREE dresses. I was lucky enough to be one of those 30, and I found the dress of my dreams at Ava Clara. The ladies there made the entire process fun and joyful, and from start to finish I had a wonderful time. I will never stop shouting their praises. I will support this business 100% and THEY SUPPORT TEACHERS and ALL BRIDES in the community!

I absolutely loved the women that assisted me. She was very personable and professional, only brought dresses in the fitting room that were in my price point and that would get to me in enough time to make alterations and such. I also love the fact that she was patient with me and when she saw i had gotten discouraged with the selections she took me out to the floor and let me browse only offering the ones that met the criteria. I honestly cant say enough good things about this place.

Ava Clara is THE bridal boutique in Virginia Beach. The gowns are exquisite, the staff exceptional, and your entire experience there will make you feel special. Owner, Alex, made my bridal experience at Ava Clara everything I could have hoped for as a bride. She knew exactly the style of gowns I was looking for and found my perfect wedding dress. She is amazing at knowing exactly what you need and want! I highly recommend Ava Clara to every bride for the wedding gown of your dreams and awesome bridesmaid dresses!

It was my first time searching for a wedding dress. I met with Tara and she made me feel so comfortable, was honest, and listened to my needs. Affordable and sweet boutique. 10/10 recommend.

Where do I even begin! Finding the perfect wedding dress was a dream of mine since I was a little girl, much like every other woman out there. I thought I found mine at House of Maya.. it was a special day in which I enjoyed with my mom and sisters! About 6 months later, everything changed. No phone call, no notice, nothing. My wedding dress, as well as, my mom, mother-in-law and nieces dresses, were non-exsistent! House of Maya closed there doors and took everything with them! Devastation doesn’t even come close to what I was feeling. I thought how could this ever happen! Well, with only two months until my wedding, I was on the search of a new dress. My (now) husband had heard about Ava Clara on the news helping House of Maya “victims” out and I thought I would give them a try. At this point, I was just so emotionally over it! As soon as I got to Ava Clara, I was immediately greeted to open arms! Not only did Alex and the girls at Ava Clara make me feel welcomed, they made me feel like a Queen! They not only treated me and my family with such compassion and consideration, they went well above and beyond to accommodate our needs! And because of their kindness, finding my wedding dress was even more magical the second time! I can honestly say, with the help of Ava Clara, I had the most memorable wedding experience I could ask for! Me and my husband are still happily married and are expecting our first little one to come February!

Brides!!!! If you are looking for a 5 star experience Ava Clara is the place to go. Their selection is huge, but what really sets them apart are their consultants. I worked with all of them....they were absolutely amazing throughout the entire process--so sweet, great at listening to exactly what youre looking for, and a great eye for what works.I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! My friends, family and I had the most enjoyable time wedding dress shopping here. It took a total of 4 dresses for me to find the ONE! I had so many compliments on my dress. They made the experience stress free and so enjoyable! ❤️

This was my second bridal salon and the most enjoyable! The salon is cute, clean, and has unique and affordable gowns. Jamie was super helpful! She picked out dresses based off of my style I explained to her, and led me to a dress better than one I dreamed of!I would definitely recommend Ava Clara as your first choice. You will not be disappointed.

I had a wonderful experience at Ava Clara! The staff was super wonderful and helpful. I bought and had my dress altered there and found the alterations to be affordable, flexible schedule-wise, and well done. I would highly recommend this boutique to any brides looking for a dress for their special day! On a side note, its really cute inside as well :)

I had such a great experience at Ava Clara! I live in the D.C. area and chose this bridal salon based on recommendations and excellent reviews. I could not have been more pleased! Alex made myself and my family feel comfortable from the second we walked in. I really had no idea what style of dress I wanted, so she pulled several different dresses based on some of the things I had told her about the venue and based on my personality. All of them were beautiful! I only had to try on 5 gowns before I found the one because she was so in tune with my needs. She was also very personable and friendly and was respectful of my budget. I don’t think I would have experienced the same quality of customer service elsewhere. I am so happy I chose to visit this store, and I would highly recommend Alex and Ava Clara to any and every bride!!!

Ava Clara is the best experience you will have by far! I have had the good fortune of experiencing this wonderful bridal boutique with friends and family as they picked out their dream wedding gowns... and have also had my own shopping experience there!! Everyone is such a treat to deal with and they really care about you. They are dedicated to nailing the look you want. And let me tell you i have never felt so beautiful as I did in my gown from Ava Clara! Go there!! You will NOT be disappointed!! ❤️

These ladies are so wonderful!! They are helpful, sweet, and really do their best to help you find the perfect dress that is right for you! I got my dress for FREE because of their promotion “Tulle for Teachers.” There are no words to describe the gratitude I have for them. What a wonderful business to support educators in such an amazing way! Thanks again!!!

A very posh bridal shop with a fabulous selection of gowns! The consultants are charismatic ladies and very capable of helping you find the best possible gown. I appreciated their kindness! I can’t wait to go back when my gown arrives!

Fantastic service all around! Julie was so kind and helpful the entire process. Great selection of gowns, too. The ordering process was very easy and Ava Clara kept me updated every step of the way. 5 stars for professionalism, service, variety, and being worry free!

Amazing experience. The staff was very respectful of my budget and found me the perfect dress below my price range! They are amazing, I highly recommend!

I had a great experience shopping at Ava Clara for my wedding gown. Jamie was my bridal consultant and made sure that I was comfortable with the price point and chose lots of beautiful gowns for me to try. My gown came in after 4 months and they were able to steam it for me literally the day before my wedding in no time! Great customer service all around!

Ava Clara literally made my wedding dreams come true! I tried on several dresses and they were all so beautiful, but the. I found the ONE! The staff was absolutely amazing every step of the way. To top it all, they made my experience stress free and even just pure fun!

The atmosphere is so comfortable, and everyone that works there is so helpful. If you are looking for a place that truly considers what your comfortable in and can provide modified dresses, this is your place! I could not be happier. The experience was affordable, supportive, and exceptionally enjoyable!

Ava Clara was the first bridal shop that I went to. After trying on approximately 3 dresses, I picked out one that I loved. That day, I said ‘yes to the dress’. The first thing that irritated me wasn’t what happened within the store that day, but afterwards. The lady who helped me during my appointment, asked me if I wanted to take a picture with the “yes” sign and she would post it up on the store’s social media page. Of course, I said yes. Needless to say, the picture never made it up on any page. This was the first (minor) disappointment.Next, I started going in for my alterations appointments. After a few, the seamstress couldn’t seem to get the back of my dress fixed properly (it was puckering in the back). After several attempts to try and rectify the issue, it still ended up not being exactly the way it should’ve been. After paying the exorbitant price for the alterations in the beginning, it should’ve been PERFECT.The next problem with Ava Clara was that, on the morning that I was supposed to pick up my dress, it wasn’t done. The lady who assisted me informed me that they had an intern steam the dress and it didn’t look like she wanted it to. An intern?? Really?? Anyway, she told me that they could deliver the dress to me since they caused me the inconvenience, but it should’ve been ready at the time of the appointment.I wouldn’t recommend this shop.

What a fantastic experience! All of my friends and family live in NJ so I had to shop for my wedding dress alone. The ladies at Ava Clara (especially Karen) made the experience so wonderful and made me feel so comfortable. They walked me through every step of the process and helped me find my perfect wedding dress! I didnt order my dress until 5 months before the wedding and even decided that I wanted a belt 1 week before the wedding but they were so great about pulling everything together for me last minute. Would recommend Ava Clara to everyone!!!

I cannot say enough positive things about everyone at Ava Clara! I have had the best experiences there from purchasing bridesmaid dresses, a flower girl dress as well as accompanying my sister to purchase her wedding dress! The service and welcoming atmosphere makes the process so enjoyable! They are AMAZING!

This shop was fantastic! I had ordered a my wedding dress from another bridal salon that closed 45 days prior to my wedding without providing me my dress! I was in a real panic and went to Ava Clara where I was able to get a beautiful dress off the rack (since it was such short notice) for a fantastic price!

This was the first place I went to for dress shopping, and I was so nervous. Taylor made the experience so amazing! I found the perfect dress, and I am so excited to wear it for my big day!

I had a wonderful experience at Ava Clara when shopping for my wedding dress. My consultant Gina was very sweet and was able to hone in on exactly what I was looking for in a dress. The whole process was great from start to finish.

I had a wonderful experience with Ava Clara. I purchased a beautiful rehearsal dinner dress at Ava Clara and although I purchased my actual wedding dress at another local boutique, I wish I had purchased it from Ava Clara instead and was able to go through the whole process with them! As soon as I bought my dress at the other location the customer service level dropped significantly. Alex from Ava Clara continued to show superior customer service to me and let me bring my wedding dress in from the other shop to try on sashes at their shop (which I purchased from her), she let me return hair clips for the earrings I wanted instead, and let me borrow items in store for my bridal portraits. She surpassed my expectation of customer service. My sister was lucky to go through these experiences with me and is now buying her wedding dress at Ava Clara after experiencing their incredible customer service and seeing how much better it was from the customer service I experienced at the other local bridal boutique.

Absolutely best experience in my entire gown-shopping schedule. The associate there was incredibly kind, courteous, professional and attentive. Her gown suggestions were completely on point for what I was looking for. The entire environment is wonderful. Their gown selection is very broad, allowing me to narrow my tastes easily. I would recommend this shop to absolutely everyone. Cant say enough good things here :)

Well, Alex is practically my new best friend! Not only did she help me find, envision and customize my dream dress, she supported and fought for me during and after the whole process! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for such a special time in my life!

My Experience at Ava Clara was wonderful!! The shop is so cute, open and comfortable. Karen helped me find my dress and she was AMAZING! She listened to what I liked and what I didnt like, and pulled dresses that reflected me and my budget. And best of all Karen knew that this was a big decision for me; she was so patient, and didnt pressure me at all. Thank you Ava Clara for such a great experience finding my wedding dress!!

I have been searching for a while now for a place to get my wedding dress cleaned and preserved. After speaking with 2 different employees on separate visits I finally decided to bring my wedding dress in to get it cleaned and preserved. On both visits I had told the woman I had a Winnie Couture dress and it was silk. When I got there I was asking questions about their process and shipping methods and had asked about what type of box they were going to put it in to ship it, as I didnt want it to get damaged and wanted to make sure that it would be covered just in case it was damaged in transit (I dont think thats too much to ask). The woman up front went to the back to show me a box that it would ship in. I was so excited that my beautiful wedding dress was finally going to be preserved and cleaned. After 5 minutes the women comes back out and says the owner had been listening to our conversation and feels like my dress was too much liability and couldnt take it. Apparently me doing my due diligence made them decide it wasnt worth their time. THEN they told me we dont deal with silk dresses after the first two times I told them my dress was silk! Minus wasting my time on multiple visits and 45 minutes tonight it would have been nice if the owner could come out and tell me herself. Awful customer service. Apparently they care more about themselves than they do the customers.

You are given undivided attention and they listen to your wishes!! The staff was friendly and the dresses were beautiful!!

My daughter scheduled an appointment at Ava Clara and I was skeptical, thinking the dresses would be out of our price range and have a limited selection. Boy was I wrong! I wish I could remember our salespersons name, she was just wonderful. My daughter shared her dress preferences and was given six dresses to try and they were all on point! We werent pressured at all and it was a lovely experience. We are currently deciding between two of the dresses and will be back. We went to our second appointment to a bigger store and there was no comparison, Ava Clara beat them in service, selection and price!

Ava Clara is a super cute boutique with incredible dresses to try on! I had the most enjoyable experience buying my wedding dress there and the team there was incredible to work with and let me take my time. Id highly recommend for any brides-to-be or even bridesmaids!

We worked with Ava Clara for our wedding and had the best experience. My wife’s dress was amazing and we had a 5 star experience all the way. Alex personally walked us through the entire process and made sure everything went smooth for our big day. Ava Clara is the best show in town when it comes to wedding gowns and accessories.

After shopping at several other bridal shops in the area, this was by far the best experience I had! Jamie was so helpful, actually listened to what I wanted, and gave recommendations without being pushy or going above my budget. I found exactly what I was looking for and felt comfortable the whole time. I highly recommend this bridal shop.

As a soon-to-be bride, I know when it comes to dresses that they can take a while to process and deliver, mainly due to their custom nature. Because of this, my mother, sister and I went out several weeks ago looking for the perfect gown for my June 2016 wedding. After varying degrees of service and professionalism from other hilltop-area vendors, we were THRILLED with our last appointment of the day at Ava Clara. Our sales associate Julia was the kindest and most knowledgeable person we worked with all day. She greeted me by name when we came in, had done prior research on the types of dresses I had pinned to my wedding board on Pinterest, and pulled several dresses (including THE ONE) she thought I would like. While I was trying dresses on, she helped me get into all of them and gave honest opinions about the fit and style. Originally I walked out of the store empty handed, but only got about halfway to the car before my mom and I decided that Julias pull really was THE dress for our June 2016 Chrysler Museum wedding.A couple of weeks after my purchase of the gown a bridesmaid and I went back to the store and were able to work with Julia again to try and figure out what style of dress my maids will be in. It was so helpful to be able to work with Julia again because she already knew my personality and let us pull and try anything we wanted. Consistency is key.I look forward to communication in the coming months with updates on my gown and would HIGHLY recommend this bridal boutique to anyone in need of their own.

I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Ava Clara and would/will recommend it to anyone! Julia was amazing and immediately made me feel right at home and comfortable. This was the third place I went to look for a dress and Im so glad I did. It was the best experience I had and I fell in love with what will be my dress! I cant wait to get it in! This really made the wedding feel real. :)

Ava Clara is high end with top notch service from start to finishThey have a wide variety price points for every bride. I cannot day enough good things about this place. They made me feel so special and I found the most gorgeous gown! Thank you for the best experience, the kindness, and attention to detail, y’all rock!!

I LOVE Ava Clara! I got my wedding dress from them about 5 years ago. I had an idea of what I wanted, but every dress I tried on I wanted to alter it in some way. Alex selected a dress and told me to humor her, so I did since she’s an expert. Once I tried the dress on, i cried because it was perfect! Then Alex started crying and it was a very special moment for me. ❤️

Tara—thank you for really hearing me and for making this such a fun, laid back, wonderful experience. Beautiful store and excellent staff!

Ava Clara is the BEST bridal boutique in Tidewater area. The gowns are stunning, the prices are affordable and the customer service is unmatched. Every time I walk in to the boutique I feel welcomed into the Ava Clara family. I feel like I have the dress I have dreamed about since I was a little girl and it is because of their amazing team! So happy I am an Ava Clara bride!!

Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. I tried on several dresses and found the one I loved fairly easily. The atelier is bright and inviting. Definitely recommend!!

I was one of the lucky teachers that got a free dress from their Tulle for Teachers program. Leigh made me feel special as she helped me find my dream dress for my dream wedding. The dresses we got to try on and pick from were absolutely beautiful.

Going to respond to Julie M’s review. So I bought my wedding dress from here and had a great experience but as a bridesmaid the service was horrible. Yes, we arrived early to look around, however with an appointment time at 2pm we were hardly even acknowledged until after 2:15. Even then it was “you can pick out dresses and try them on and then we’ll get your measurements afterwards.” What sense does that make? Why not measure us first..... Also, they don’t carry many dresses in larger sizes, in fact I didn’t find a single dress in the size I was measured in - and wasn’t offered any help finding one. However there is no point in trying on a different dress in a larger size because you have no idea how that particular dress will look and fit especially if it is a different designer. I truly felt that my friend did not get the attention she deserved and maybe that was because the same employee was helping the bride buying an expensive wedding dress. I once thought very highly of this place and would have recommended to anyone however as a bridesmaid I would warn others against buying their dresses from here. We were welcomed with open arms without an appointment at another bridal shop down the street. No fee to try on dresses and they had plenty of dresses in various sizes.

Ava’s bridal made my Wedding dress shopping experience an absolute DREAM! Sue and her team are absolutely amazing and so helpful. I knew exactly what I did not want when I began shopping and was not pushed to try anything I was not in search of. I hate pushy sales associates and they were far from that! I would recommend any bride to Ava’s, especially if you like to be treated like family. If you have any doubt during the process, Sue is the lady to call on! LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Melinda was so helpful! They pull the dresses you select from your lookbook (after making the appt) and that made the process so much faster! I found my dream dress here and I hope other do as well :)

During my first appointment in November 2018, everyone I interacted with on the staff was very helpful and I even said yes to the dress. They recommended that I custom order the size of my dress after they took my measurements so that’s what I did. After my dress arrived in April 2019, the measurements were sent incorrectly to the designer and it was too tight on my shoulders and the liner was tight on my hips causing the dress to ride up. I live in Williamsburg and had to schedule another appointment to drive an hour for them to take 1 measurement in less than 5 minutes. I met with the floor manager that day and she told me that I should have been offered the option to have my dress hemmed when my order was originally processed. No one gave me this option back in November. I asked the floor manager if the hemming costs could be applied when it had to be sent back to the designer but she said it wasn’t possible now. I was quite frustrated that I could have saved hundreds of dollars on getting my wedding dress hemmed back in November if the sales rep I was working with had communicated this to me. I sent an email to the floor manager asking to be accommodated on this lack of communication and she ended up getting the president of Ava Clara involved. The president said that the floor manager had incorrect information and that was never an option for my dress. It’s concerning that the floor manager isn’t aware of all the policies for her store. I was told that my dress and veil would be ready at the same time so even though my dress had to be sent back to the designer they also informed me that the veil would not be ready for another few months. They told me they would call me when the dress had been delivered back to the store. It’s June and I haven’t heard anything. I called them at the end of the month to check on the dress and they said it was in the store...who knows how long it could have been before they called me if I hadn’t followed up with them. When I came to try on the dress, the shoulders fit better but the lining was still tight. They said that they werent able to adjust the liner. They also told me that if I wore 2 inch heels then I may not need to get the dress hemmed. Since I’m 3 months away from my wedding at this point, I decide to take the dress to the seamstress to see if they can’t fix the lining. As soon as I try it on in their shop they say they can let out the lining a bit but I would need 4 inch heels for the length of the dress. I had already bought 2 inch heels based on Ava’s Clara’s recommendation that I had to return. The seamstress also noticed that a handful of buttons down the back of my dress were lose and falling off. When a dress is over $2,000 why is that happening?? I’m getting married in a month and the most stressful part of my wedding planning experience has been with my dress and Ava Clara. I will never return to this store nor would I ever recommend anyone purchase their wedding dress from them. Had I known how awful this experience was going to be, I would have bought my dress from Truly Yours Bridal (a much better boutique) and saved myself so much time and money.

I went to a few other salons in the area, and found my wedding dress at Ava Clara! The customer service was great, and they accommodated having my family plus my in-laws coming to shop with me. They have so many gorgeous gowns, and the store is so cute! My dress had custom straps, and came in a month ahead of schedule. Overall, I had a wonderful experience! Highly recommend!

Beautiful selection but disappointing customer service. I found my dream dress, ordered, paid the deposit and waited patiently for it to come in. When it arrived, it was two inches too short - you could see the top of my feet! The sales associate responded that I must have been looking down when they measured me. As a professional, Id expect them to tell me to stand up straight if that was even the case. They refused to order a new dress, but did cover the cost of adding additional lace at the bottom (It looks great, but I was devastated that they had to band aid the dress). I then won tickets to a bridal show from a giveaway they posted on Instagram. I was out of the country for the holidays, and asked if I could pick it up a day later than what they had posted, and they declined, stating Id have to have someone pick them up for me. I had hoped, with the trouble with my dress, theyd extend that courtesy to me, and was surprised when they didnt. I went in yesterday to pick up my dress, showed up 45 minutes early at their request, and was hurried along. As soon as I got it on, Melinda said, well, looks like it still fits (Yes, I think that was the plan). I was not allowed to try on the belt, my shoes, my jewelry, anything with the dress. She pulled the dress off of me. I asked if they could steam my belt (which they had promised that they would when my mom asked), and she said, You just have to take an iron to it. Wed have to set up a different apparatus to steam it, and were trying to close early. I responded that you should never tell a paying customer that, and that I had had a terrible experience with Ava Clara from the beginning. She then mentioned that she had had a family emergency, and while I pray that every thing was okay, there was another associate in the store that could have helped me and there was no reason for me to have been treated so poorly. Just a very disappointing experience - once the sale is made, they dont seem to care about you.

I had one day where my mom was going to be in town to shop for my dress, so we had no choice but to visit 5 different bridal shops. Ava Clara was my last appointment of the day, and I happened to find my dress at another shop appointment. I called Ava Clara as soon as I found my dress at the other store, let them know about the situation, and said I needed to cancel my appointment. They said they would still be charging me the cancellation fee. We called back later to question it, and the woman we spoke with on the phone was extremely rude the entire time.Dont get me wrong, I understand the concept of the cancellation fee completely, but think there should be some leeway when a bride calls to cancel because she found her dress (rather than just cancelling for a generic reason). In my opinion, it would have been rude of me and a waste of THEIR time to show up for an 1.5 hour appointment knowing I would not be buying a dress from them. They absolutely could have opened that spot for a walk-in, or called another bride on their waiting list. Charging me a cancellation fee–seemingly as a punishment— because I happened to find my dress that same day at another shop seems opportunistic.The owner of the other shop (Silk Bridal) where I did purchase my dress overheard what was happening, and offered to take the price of the cancellation fee from Ava Clara off the cost of the dress we were going to purchase. She even offered me a 10% discount because my Fiancé is in the Navy. THAT is good customer service.I understand every bridal shop has to run their business, but there needs to be some understanding and compassion considering how emotional of a choice this kind of thing is, especially when the customer does their part to be prompt about the cancellation, and be honest about the situation so as not to waste anyones time.

Fantastic experience! The woman helping us (Im really bad with names but I think Lee?)was incredible. So patient and so helpful. I didnt think I would find my dress at the first stop but I did and Im so happy!

Customer service was awesome. Planning a wedding is hard enough, but the girls at Ava Clara made things so much easier for me when they helped me find the perfect dress! I strongly recommend this shop to all my friends looking for their perfect dress!

Absolutely amazing!!! (Australia) Store manager went completely out of her way to help us get the dress of my sisters dreams!! After trying many stores, and having bad experiences with rude consultants, here they got to know the bride, and did everything they could do to help us out!! My sister couldnt be happier, and feels like the prettiest bride ever!! The best experience weve had, and I will definitely recommend this place to anyone!! Thank you again Ava Clara💕

My experience at Ava Clara was just amazing! The dresses are exquisite and the customer service was untouchable. The store itself is beautiful, which would put any bride-to-be in the mood for trying on that perfect gown for her wedding day! Everyone there was so welcoming and friendly. I will definitely recommend Ava Clara to my family and friends when they get engaged!!

I had the most amazing experience with Ava Clara! The ladies there really care about finding you your dream dress. I am so thankful for this bridal store and I would recommend it to everyone!

Adorable store, super sweet people, beautiful gowns! I purchased my wedding gown from Ava Clara and I couldn’t be happier with it or my experience. I would highly recommend this store to brides or anyone in search of a special dress.

I had the best experience finding my gown at Ava Clara! They had some of the cutest gowns that i had seen while shopping. The staff was also very nice and helpful. They made it a great experience for me and my family. I would recommend to any bride.

LOVE Ava Clara!! What an amazing, hard-working crew of such knowledgeable women motivated to help a woman find the most important dress she’ll ever wear, the one she’s been dreaming of her whole life!

Amazing dresses and staff...I would definitely recommend this shop....simply amazing.