How long does the dress really take??

NinaO · January 19, 2013

Hi, new to this and just starting on my July 5th wedding! Yes. Trying to loose weight still and I was wondering when is the latest possible time to start dress shopping? I only have 5 months to go. With a 1 year old!!! I don't really have an exact dress I like or a photo. Only a pic on pinterestmicheal of the back of one. From a designer not even in this country. So what is the best route for me to take. Please help!

AllieH · January 20, 2013

If you have your heart set on a certain dress, you should be looking now. Even then, it may not quite be enough time to order one - some of them take 6 months to come in. You may get lucky and find one that is 2-3 months, or even find a salon that has THE DRESS you want in a sample size that works for you.

Depending on how much weight you want to lose, a corset back will give you room to go down two sizes smaller than what you order, and then alterations can be made to nip and tuck any other areas that need adjusting. 2 sizes is somewhere around 20lbs to give you an idea.

I highly recommend you don't wait any longer - get out there and get shopping!

Originally Posted by NinaO

Hi, new to this and just starting on my July 5th wedding! Yes. Trying to loose weight still and I was wondering when is the latest possible time to start dress shopping? I only have 5 months to go. With a 1 year old!!! I don't really have an exact dress I like or a photo. Only a pic on pinterestmicheal of the back of one. From a designer not even in this country. So what is the best route for me to take. Please help!

albellis · January 25, 2013

I was in the same situation. I had head that a lot of places could take up to 6 months, so I decided to go and look for dresses in October for my April wedding. I had lost about 40 lbs since the beginning of the year, and still planned to lose at least that much more, but I couldn't wait until a month before the wedding to start looking. I ended up getting my dress at David's Bridal, and they said it would be about 4-6 weeks to get my dress, and it actually came in 2 weeks! Now I'm sure that is because it is a larger chain and they carry their own gowns, but if you are looking for something that is by a specific designer or has a lot of customization to it, it will definitely take longer.

I was concerned about the size, and they said they could alter the dress down 2 sizes, which they said was about 40 lbs. They also said that I should try on the dress occasionally, and if it was getting too big, there should still be time to exchange the size.

So basically, I agree with Allie, start shopping now! Have fun

NinaO · January 28, 2013

Yeah! I was so excited when I saw that y'all replied!! Sorry I didn't reply sooner but....I was out getting my dress! I can't belief I have ordered it with only 3 apts. I fell in love with a Vera Wang dress at David's the second store I visited. When I went to the other location to try it on in my size I fell in love love with another. So I made apt for Sunday trying to include my very difficult mother. (another story) she was a no show but my friend cam & aunt, soon be sis-law. I was so nervous they wouldnt like it as much as I did. But they loved it. I wish I knew how t post a pic ? It should be here in May. I hopping to loose 10 more pounds. Now I'm curious about getting it altered some where else cause of the cost. It was $500 more than I wanted to spend. I couldn't believe I fell for 2 dresses thinking one would be hard. But the 2nd looks so romantic & screams romantic beach to me.

albellis · January 28, 2013

Oooohhh, now I want to see them!! Congrats on finding 2 that you like You can post pictures using the button in the top of the reply box. The picture one is the 8th one from the left, left of the movie strip looking one. Please post

Is that David's Bridal that you found them at? And the alteration cost is over $500? Yikes, I was hoping to spend around $100 for alterations, but I've never had anything altered before and don't know what the standard cost is.

Kassi22 · January 28, 2013

Alterations will depend completely one what your are getting done, and what type of dress it is.

When I was shopping there was a couple of dresses I liked. One I needed to get some alterations done to it (which personally I did not think was a lot) but they quoted by about $1000. I didn't end up going for that dress due to the price of that!

The dress I got, I have to get very little done to it... it fits well (has a corset back) so gives me lots of room for weight loss (or god forbid, weight gain!) so I really only need to get some minor adjustments. They told me to allow for $500 for alterations, but will probably be less. I have my first fitting on Wednesday .. so I guess I will find out for sure.

I would suspect though that any bit of work that involved resizing would cost several hundred or more.. I would at least budget for that in case.

When I was looking at dresses I told them what I wanted to get done and they gave me a general idea of the alteration costs.. so you could always ask to get a ballpark figure at least.

NinaO · January 29, 2013

OK so my box thingy now has all the buttons on it i guess because I have posted couple times. Hello makes things a lot easier now. Yes dress was from Davids its Vera Wang's new 2013 spring collection. After looking around for a TTD I realized I probably picked the most expensive dang dress in the place. But my FI says he feels good about it cause he sees me watch all those shows on TV and was nervous I would want a 5,00+ I also told him I ordered the dress, sash, veil. =2,000 so I'm OK. anyways, the alterations lady said $150 to cut 2 inches off bottom & bustle. I want to be barefoot on beach. but when i went to pay the lady at desk said alterations start at $300. I think i want to look around for cheaper one. I have lost 4 more pounds this past week and am 10 pounds from my goal.So I'm sure the waist will need to be taken in a little. it zips up now.