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This is crazy embarrassing, but I don't feel I can turn to anyone else right now. I'm so humiliated, I don't feel like I can tell anyone without being embarrased for them being embarrased for me. Last night I went for my first dress fitting... and my dress is too small. There, I said it. Way too small, not just a little. The gracious alterations lady had to YANK up the zipper and then is seemed as if everything just got pushed up and over the top of the dress.... very unflattering. Literally, I have about 28 days to lose about 15 pounds. I don't know what to do. It is so expensive to have it altered.... letting it out doesn't seem an option at this moment, because they are already having to take 5 inches off the bottom of the dress. I'm a marathon runner/biker/hiker/swimmer and I'm incredibly active, but I'm a size 14, which means the dress is a 16.... and I feel like the biggest fattest cow. It didn't make me feel beautiful at all. To top it all off, I went alone because my sister (MOH) wasn't available. There were two other girls in the alterations department, a bride and her MOH. They saw me in the dress and when they turned around (hello, it's a room of mirrors) they made horrified faces at each other.
What would you do? What can I do? I'm not a skinny thing. Is it humanly possible to lose 10-15 pounds in 28 days? How could I make that happen? I don't want to be the fat ugly bride and I'm freaking out big time. :( I don't want to tell my friends, it's too humiliating.
First of all, losing that much weight that fast is very unhealthy--2 pounds max is what's recommended. I think the reaction of those girls was very rude and unkind...and you are not a "fat cow." I know what it's like to feel heavy, though, and I'm right there with you. But honestly, I'd have it let out...and maybe find some good Spanx? Those things work miracles, I swear. Chin up, girl! You will be a BEAUTIFUL bride no matter what.
sorry to hear you feel that way. lets see pictures of the dress because chances are it isnt as bad as you think. what suggestions did the alterations lady make? [if any]
Oh man. I'd first have a good cry about it. Realistically, you could probably drop 10lbs in a month. You'd have to cut your calories (really watch your portion sizes), stop all the salt and drink tons of water.
What about having alterations done to put a corset in the back instead of the zipper? It would loosen the dress without tons of huge alterations. Your seamstress could use the 5" from the bottom of the dress to make the ribbon to tie the corset with.
Take a big deep breath. You're going to be ok!
I think the only way 15 pounds in 28 days is doable is if you do one of those liquid diets/fasts. they are extremely hard and very unpleasant so you have to figure out if you have the willpower to do this because if halfway through you give up, it might be too late to alter the dress.
Why can't you let it out? Most bridal gowns have several inches of seam allowances (when you addin all the different seams together). It may be expensive, but being an unhealthy mess after starving yourself for 28 days is going to be way worse than paying off a couple hundred dollars on a credit card. Try and lose 5-10 pounds, but really, the dress needs to be let out!!
You have a month. You could lose 10 lbs in a month if you did Atkins, and I mean RELIGIOUSLY, and drank a ton of water while controlling VERY vigilantly your salt intake. If you at all have time, try and find a good corset--won't be cheap, but will probably be less expensive than getting a gusset made (which is what they'll have to do if they have to let it out to the size you are now. You'll be paying for the labor, plus the cost of them to obtain fabric that matches your dress-NOT cheap, especially if your dress is silk or has a lot of fancy beading that will need replicated.) If you're lucky, the dress can be converted into corset style, but I'll assume for the sake of argument that that's not a possibility here. (And even if it is, that's definitely not cheap either.
Once you have a corset, have your mom and/or MOH Scarlett O'Hara you into that thing. If it's a ballgown, that should do it. If it's a mermaid, and you diet religiously, it may still work, but don't expect to eat anything while you're wearing it....
I just want to chime in to say that it is definitely possible to lose 15 pounds (and do it in a healthy way) in 28 days if you work hard at cutting out carbs.
My fiance and I gave Atkins a try starting about 3 months before the wedding. I'm 5'7'' and started at 161 pounds. After 3 weeks I was down to 142. I also didn't do any working out other than an occasional jog/walk in the park. I've added back in carbs since then and I've maintained that weight through the wedding and honeymoon.
That being said, I know in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the wedding, I didn't have time to focus on cooking healthy meals and ended up eating a lot of junk food during that time. Because you're only 28 days away, it may be difficult to maintain that lifestyle, but it can be done if you really want to.
Oh honey, just have them let the dress out. I respect your weight loss goals but there's no reason to torture yourself like that in the final weeks before your wedding. I'm a size 2 and I still couldn't fit into my reception dress because they altered the top too much, even though it was ordered in a size 6. I added a little makeshift lace panel to the back the day before and moved on. Feel beautiful!
I change my vote, I didn't read your post thoroughly. Seriously, just get it altered. I don't think this sort of panic is necessary for your body right before your wedding especially since you're already active.
I would suggest making the zip up back into a lace up back if it is a heavy enough material. I work in a prom dress store and honestly, the seamstress we recommend has to do this pretty frequently when someone purchases a gown too early or borrows one from a friend or just orders the wrong size (she does alterations for gowns from other stores so the mistakes aren't usually ours, thank god).
I have seen a lot of girls go through this process and as upset as you are right now, I will promise you that whatever you decide to do, you will feel gorgeous and beautiful on your wedding day, whether you lose the weight, wear a shaping garment (like spanks), get it let out or add a corset back.
Definitely post a picture. I bet any money it's not as bad as you think. Since you are already physically active, that kind of weight loss might be a little tougher. If a couch potato such as myself worked out like that and watched their calories, I could probably get close. Although my body might shut down completely from the shock...
1) Reconsider your undergarment and alterations. I paid $59 for a long line bra at DB that didn't hit me in the middle (pushing my pudge there) and it was money well spent. Adding the corset back/letting it out might be pricey, but a lot cheaper than a new dress or hating the way you look in yours
2) Portion sizes--watch everything that goes in your mouth. Even if you are generally a healthy eater, increases sneak up on you. Before you eat something, think about if it's worth the calories. I have been doing this and have really surprised myself with what I put down.
3) Cutting carbs does work wonders. If you leave the non-starchy vegetables and ditch potatoes, rice, pasta, bread that will be healthier. No alcohol (just when you need it most!). However, you've got to watch the fat in meats/fish.
4) Different exercises. Aerobics, pilates, hard-core yoga (whatever it is called)--use different muscles in different ways.
Give yourself the rest of the evening to cry. Stop it tomorrow and take action! It will work out!
I just called the alterations lady, who is incredibly sweet, and she said that we should try to do both. I should take this month to eat incredibly well, exercise as much as possible, and if when I go in to try it on the week before the wedding, if it still is too tight, she can let it out and will only charge me $50. What do you think?
@Miss Marathon Runner: Sounds like a great solution! Keep your head up! It's going to be ok :)
I am so sorry about you not being able to fit in your gown. I do agree that having it altered and you taking this month to "eat incredibly well, exercise as much as possible, and if when I go in to try it on the week before the wedding, if it still is too tight" let the seamstress do the alterations for you. I know you will look beautiful however this turns out. Just try to stay focused and positive.
Thanks, everyone. I just want to be beautiful. I've always been the "fat" girl, even though I'm so athletic. Lots of medical problems, etc, but I always hover at about the exact same weight. I'm just going to give it everything I have. The extra exercise, drinking lots of water, and eating really good foods might even help me get through this last month.... hopefully they'll help relieve some strees. I feel pretty good that thus far, this is my first official freak out. :) Thanks for talking me through it.
@AmuseMeMusically: i agree with this. I'm extremely PRO-atkins as I believe it's one of the healthiest diets out there (did it last year and now am in "maintenance"). I lost 30 pounds since being on low-carb. :)
there's a "lowcarbfriends" diet forum online (google it) and you'll find TONS of helpful people! it's very easy and again, VERY healthy and possible to lose 1 size in that time. :D
But I do totally feel ya...while I'm NOT "fat" I too am a size 12/14 - and no matter how much I DO watch what i eat, religiously, and exercise - my body refuses to go below 162. Currently I'm about 5'8" and 173 (and need to go back to induction to get those 10 pounds off! lol).
But one thing I must admit - my wedding day was INCREDIBLE and I'd never felt more beautiful than I did on that day! (and I'd gone back up to 169 on my wedding day) I'm sure you'll be gorgeous!
Make sure you take good care of yourself. You don't want to end up sick for your wedding. I think taking out the zipper and putting in the lace-up back and wearing a bustier will probably do the trick. Eat and drink healthy foods/drinks. You should be good to go! I'm sure that you will be gorgeous on your wedding day! :)
im sorry your dress is tight... but here are my suggestions... i had to drop about 17 lbs to make weight for the army a few years ago... and this is in no way shape or form healthy, but all i did was eat grapes and veggies, and grilled chicken and tuna....... drink a ton of water, and took a colon cleanser... and i did it... i lost the weight in about 3 weeks. it is possible. another option would be (this is kinda gross but it works...) to go to a colon doctor and get 'cleaned out'. ive had it done once for medical reasons and i think i lost about 14 lbs. no joke. good luck!!! and dont worry too much! you can do it!
let the damn dress out. just spend the money to do it. seriously. i was in the same exact boat as you. except i had 6 months to lose the weight. I did lose 14 pounds over 5 months, but I still had to have the dress let out as much as it could go.
there's no way you can safely lose 14 pounds in 28 days. please just save yourself the misery and pay the few hundred dollars to let it out so it fits you perfectly. trust me, you want to feel beautiful on your wedding day and the money you pay for alterations will be worth it. take it to a seamstress who works out of her home, she will charge much less than the bridal salons.
I'm sure you CAN lose 15 lbs in a month but I don't think you should. The only way to do it would be to crash diet which is not ideal. Plus your skin/hair/mood/health could suffer as a consequence.
I had this problem. I begged and pleaded and got them to take back my old dress and give me a bigger one. Also I bought spanx. I had a very cling-y dress, so this didn't work for me, but I tried on an old-school girdle--the kind with the seams and everything and BAM! It smashed everything in. MUch more than spanx. But I knew it would show through the dress and I probably wouldn't be able to last all ngiht with it.
PS I tried cutting out carbs, I exercised every day and yet I kept gaining weight. Also, I had problems giving up cake. I will say though, that I think I lost at least some of the final weight in the final week, after I stop trying, becuase of all the running around that I did.
i think you should let the dress out and forget about the added stress of losing a specific number of pounds...eating healthy before your wedding will help you to feel great mentally & physically...i say, the less stress the better! good luck :)
Exercise as usual, eat healthy, drink plenty of water, feel good about yourself, and absolutely have a corset back put in. Not only do they look beautiful, but you won't have to worry about it. And remember, you are going to look amazing on your day!
I agree that your plan sounds like a good one. Look at it this way... it is too TIGHT. It could be worse...at least it zips up! You aren't facing a situatino where you can't get the dress on at all, right? So you can get through this.
Try to focus on eating very healthy and increasing exercise -- I'm sure you know this but focus on fat burning and try and avoid anything that will excessively build muscle! And definitely add some "power yoga".... for the physical benefits and the stress relief!
It'll be okay! I will tell you my secret; I am reading this thread and my dress is on its way to my house in the mail. I bought it off Ebay but I tried the same dress on at David's Bridal that week, same size... and yes, I bought one that is quite snug. And still I read this thread, thought about my dress, and ate some cookies while I read it!! I have to start thinking about the dress 1st from here on out I guess huh?!
AHHH please please please please please DO NOT EVEN ATTEMPT to lose that amount of weight in 28 days! Get the dress altered.
It is not healthy for you. Even if you did manage to lose the weight you will more than likely only gain it back and then some. Rapid weight loss can lead to depression, fatigue, acidosis, dehydration, seizures, etc., etc. You seem like a healthy and smart woman. Regardless of what the number on that little tag in your dress says it is not worth compromising your health.
If it gives any credibility to what I am saying, I am studying to be a nurse and have taken courses specifically focusing on Nutrition and Lifetime Fitness and Wellness.
Definitely have them let the dress out. You will be thankful you spent the money. Crash dieting is not going to be healthy, and you don't want to be stressing about this up until the wedding day. Realistically, it seems to risky to do that as it's so unhealthy and there's no guarantee it will work in time. Especially in times of stress, our bodies like to do whatever they want to do! :(
I forgot to mention, please don't beat yourself up about this. Confiding in one of your friends might make you feel better. I don't think anybody is going to judge you. :)
Don't add extra stress to yourself and work out like crazy and starve for a piece of clothing. Yes, it's your wedding and we all want to look awesome, but the people who love us want to see us happy regardless if we weigh 100 pounds or 200 pounds.
If you feel you must lose weight, exercise some, eat more veggies, and mind the salt.
To not become a basketcase, I would have the dress let out and enjoy the planning for your wedding and be a happy bride! = )
I am the same size as you and I have been working out with a trainer weekly for a year and I have dropped all of 10 pounds. WHY? because I already eat healthy and am already super active.
My problem area is my chest. I am rather busty (36GG)and I have a horrible time trying to find ANYTHING to fit my top. I finally found a strapless bra ($96.00) and when I went for my first fitting, there is no way my bra will work. My seamstress made 2 comments to me: "No bra" and she whipped that thing right out from underneth my dress and then the second thing " Thank goodness it's a corset back, zipper would have been horrible for you." I asked her why and she said it was because the corset allowed the dress to shape to me where a zipper is rigid and does not allow anything "extra".
I would check with your seamstress about removing the zipper and adding a corset back. She is already cutting 5 inches off the bottom. that is plenty to add a modesty panel behind the corset and make the tie for the corset back. OR if that is not an option, see if she can add gussets to the sides. It would be "V" shapped pieces of material that adds material to the top and smooths now into the natural seam. Again since you are having so much cut off the bottom she should have plenty of material to do that with.
Alright I didn't read all the responses to your post but you do have four weeks to lose some weight. I think 10LBS is totally achievable. It sounds like you are very active so has your diet been a bit off lately? A diet that has worked really well for me in the past is this:
Beverages: Water, tea and coffee only
Carbs: 1-2 servings per day, depending on activity level: sweet potato, oatmeal, or brown rice (a serving is about a 1/3-1/2 cup uncooked for rice and oatmeal)
Fruit 1-2 per day any fresh fruit no juice or dried fruit
Protein and veggies: as mush as you want but protein sources should be lean such as chicken breast and fish (salmon is allowed), 1 protein shake per day is ok as well
Fat sources: Olive oil
I had a printout of this diet but I can't find it now or I would just send you the link. If I find it I will send it to you. This is not a crazy fad diet it is all healthy foods. I have done it a few times and it always has allowed me to lose weight quickly, and my skin always looks better too when I follow this diet. I just love my sweets and cocktails with friends too much to stay on this diet for more than a week! Seriously though I know this diet works. As for exercise have to tried high intensity interval training? There are great suggested routines online. I have found some good ones at figureathlete .com Actually they have some good diet programs on there as well. Hope this info is helpful, is you have any questions just ask. Keep us updated on your progress!
Oh, no. Im so sorry! Honestly I know its not healthy, but I would try to eat as little as possible. Im NOT a dietician or an expert by any means, but Im just saying what I would do lol
I lost about 10lbs in a month by eating a lot less. And yes, I know its not healthy, but I needed to fit into a bridesmaids dress lol. I didnt have money (or time) to get it altered. Sooo, I sucked it up, and did a ton of cardio and ate less.....and guess what? my dress zipped up that day lol. And guess what else? I ate that wedding meal like it was my last! haha, it was so tasty 
I'm also wondering....I hope she's at the dress shop.
I feel for her, my dress was a zip up, and there really is no give. I had red marks from the boning for the first few days of our honeymoon!
Alterations people can work magic if they are good. You want to feel comfortable and beautiful. Let the darn thing out and enjoy yourself.
Have you checked out really good body shapers? look around, check out lingerie shops, wedding vendors...look online for options. it can make a huge difference. You might only need to lose 5 pounds...
It is safe to lose 2 pounds a week. If you have 28 days, you could lose 8 pounds, but it might be hard to do, so I wouldn't count on that option. But it's worth trying if you are confident you can do it.
I went to see if she did any updates and I did find her photo in her dress by clicking on MissMarathonRunner. She looks great in her dress-posted a week ago!!! So to all those still wondering! Yay!!! for her. :)
duh! that'll teach me to read the whole thread! lol. she does look lovely.
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