Dress Alterations Question / Vent / Advice

[calgarybride2015]

I posted this in my planning thread too, but though I would also post it here.

 

So when I was in David's Bridal I fit the dress like a glove.  Noone suggested the dresses would fit smaller when ordered in, though it makes sense, and to just go with what fit there. So I did. When it came in back in July and I put it on at home I knew it was noticeably more snug (I have posted this on the board a couple times). I figured I would lose 5 lbs and be good to go -- I would just like it a bit more comfortable and I needed to account for the swelling in Mexico that I am accustomed too.

 

I've had the dress on 4-5 times, most recent in August where I took the pictures posted in my thread.  Fit the same but again could lose a smidge more for those 'just in case' concerns (swelling, drinking booze, etc.)

 

Fast forward to this evening. Went in to get a quote for the hem and bustle and...wait for it... she couldn't even get the dress done up!  I have LOST a couple lbs since August, OMG. I had to basically beg her but she warned me we may blow the zipper. She immediately suggested we add more hooks to help!  It could be that I haven't been into the weights much since I hurt my back a few weeks ago? flabby not tight? I don't know.   Anyways she says it's just my back and everything else is fine she wouldn't adjust it anywhere else.   

 

She gave me two choices....

 

1. leave it until early December and see what damage I can do at the gym/on the scale in 5 week  (but we all know I can't spot reduce to only lose weight on my back lol)  

 

2. she can take it out 1 inch and then when I go back in early December she can alter it to my body then.

 

I chose number 2 for a couple reasons....  The dress doesn't fit properly right now, so even if I lost weight to make it fit I need to account for swelling and all that is about to come up (stagette, xmas, xmas parties, new years, etc.)  I can maintain I am confident, but aiming to lose 10-15 seems risky!   Also, I don't want to show up early December and need it taken out and then she has to RUSH to get it done in a month. I would rather her have time to do the best she possibly can.

 

Did I do the right thing? I feel I am damned if I do and damned if I don't.  I know if I gave this advice to someone else, I would tell them to size it to how they are now.  I probably could have waited until December to see what damage I could do in 5 weeks, but honestly it would be 5-8 lbs at most and that just may not make a difference      She said when I go back in, in December if she needs to take it back in some she can.. she will leave the intricate bead work until last. 

 

I think I probably did the right thing.  It's not depressing I am having my dress taken out, it's probably more upsetting that I weigh less now and it won't do up LOL  it's also scary because the dress is that important - IT NEEDS TO FIT IN MEXICO!!!  It's so stressful.  

 

She asked if I wanted it taken up 1/2 inch more to account for sinking in the sand. Did anyone else do this?  I said no because I will be on cement a lot more than just the ceremony time. We compromised on the outside layer being ground length and the under layers being the 1/2 inch shorter.

 

oh ps - she said I can't get a corset, there isn't enough material.   This will cost about $300-$350 with her taking it out/alter, hem, and bustle.

 

Davids wanted $250 for a hem and bustle...

Edited October 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[cfinkenbine]

I am so sorry to hear that! Can I ask what size your dress is? This worries me now since we have the same dress!! My dress was a bit tight when I tried it on (haven't put it on since), but I also have quite a bit of weight to lose before the wedding. Do you have the same undergarments on underneath?

 

Btw, I never realized how fat my back was until I tried on wedding dresses!! My back alone is the reason I had to go up a few sizes!

Edited October 24, 2014 by cfinkenbine

[calgarybride2015]

My dress is a 12. Yes all the same undergarments. I'm a street size 8.

 

Hind site I would have bought the 14 and sized it back to a 12.25 haha. But she never told me too I've been this weight for a couple years and since it fit I figured I'd just stay here! Win win.

 

Just feel so much pressure. We are under 3 months now and realistically we all know alterations start months in advance.

 

It's do or die. I just never saw this coming.

 

 

 

 

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Ps don't worry about your dress because it's the same. My problem is more that I probably should have gotten the 14 to be safe. Since you plan to take yours in, you are fine. I planned for it to be left as is and my plan just didn't hold!

 

 

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Edited October 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[chelseapaige37]

When is your wedding? My dress was altered in2 weeks - so I'd probably hold off as long as you can to get it done. That also sounds pricey for alterations? I paid $170 to have a bustle, the bust taken in, bra cups put in (price include the cost of cups) and a few minor fixes. They did say hemming was expensive but $350 sounds steep?

 

 

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[cfinkenbine]

We have the same dress…AND the same size!! lol I also haven't thought about taking it up due to the sand. I think taking it out an inch is the best plan, that way you don't have to stress out too much about fitting into your dress!

[calgarybride2015]

When is your wedding? My dress was altered in2 weeks - so I'd probably hold off as long as you can to get it done. That also sounds pricey for alterations? I paid $170 to have a bustle, the bust taken in, bra cups put in (price include the cost of cups) and a few minor fixes. They did say hemming was expensive but $350 sounds steep?

 

 

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I leave January 17. I've had two quotes now. David's bridal wanted $250 For a hem and a bustle and this lady wants $300-$350'for a hem, bustle and for the dress to be taken out. Its the fact I have extensive bead work around the dress and she'd have to duplicate it when the dress is taken out. The time needed to do it all is intense.

Everyone I phoned and/or talked to wanted atleast 2 months for alterations so 2 weeks to take a dress out and duplicate the beadwork is just not something I'm personally comfortable with.

 

I feel better for her to take it out,cause I really only have 5-6 weeks before it needs to be worked on and I am not sure the damage I could make is enough - if I look at 1lbs per week. I'm more of a control freak so I feel this way I control the situation some and don't leave it to chance.

 

I'm just more shocked at how bad it really was. My friends mentioned it being hard to zip up but no one mentioned the zipper bulging, etc. She said if she added a couple more hooks the zipper might be safe but the piece of dress that's left to cover the zipper was even pushed out and we could see the zipper. No one mentioned that to me. I guess I feel if the seamstress is scared to zip it up, it's for a good reason lol

 

I'll work hard till December 3 and go from there. If she takes the dress back in to original size then I can kick myself but chances are I'll need a little bit of that extra room.

 

Lesson learned. Only by the size that fits in the store IF you are buying that exact dress. Otherwise go up a size to account for stretching, etc.

 

 

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Edited October 24, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[JennyZ]

Dont risk it girl! You made the right choice!!! It's easier to take the dress back in, if need be.

 

You'll feel so much more comfortable, knowing your dress if going to zip up nicely on your wedding day and not have to reply on extra hooks to hold you in! Imagine if you sat down and they snapped!!!

 

Always go for comfort! Your dress will look better when it fits properly and your not squeezing into it!

[calgarybride2015]

Dont risk it girl! You made the right choice!!! It's easier to take the dress back in, if need be.

 

You'll feel so much more comfortable, knowing your dress if going to zip up nicely on your wedding day and not have to reply on extra hooks to hold you in! Imagine if you sat down and they snapped!!!

 

Always go for comfort! Your dress will look better when it fits properly and your not squeezing into it!

Hahah it wasn't that tight

 

She did take it out - first fitting tomorrow!!!!

 

 

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[Kayla88]

Hahah it wasn't that tight

She did take it out - first fitting tomorrow!!!!

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Good luck I'm sure it will fit perfectly. I'm now concerned about my dress! I never even thought that the fit in the store and wasn't the going to be the same fit as a dress that nobody has tried. I'll need to try it on tomorrow and make sure all is well. The thought of of shortening the hem makes sense and I'll need to remember to do that when I get my dressed done in Mai.

[calgarybride2015]

Good luck I'm sure it will fit perfectly. I'm now concerned about my dress! I never even thought that the fit in the store and wasn't the going to be the same fit as a dress that nobody has tried. I'll need to try it on tomorrow and make sure all is well. The thought of of shortening the hem makes sense and I'll need to remember to do that when I get my dressed done in Mai.

You may also want a bustle too

 

Ya I was a bit shocked at how snug my dress was compared to the one in the store. It makes total sense but noone told me. There is no way I needed a 14 but if they knew a 12 would have to be taken out some they should have said so!!!!!

 

Edit - ignore my bustle comment. I totally read your sentence about the hem

Wrong!!! Sorry

 

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Edited December 3, 2014 by calgarybride2015