Post # 1

Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
So after a disastorous fitting (my mom has nicknamed the seamstress “the witch”) I was having second thoughts about my dress for the ceremony. My mom’s dress in it’s “preservation box” (creating a micro-climate with duct tape is not preserving anything, thank you very much) has been taking up space in my room since we pulled it out last winter to make room for the winter coats. Well I tried it on… and I like it! And it fits!
So pending approval of the BMs (and input from the hive) I think I’m going to wear my mother’s dress for the ceremony (with a few alterations)
So…
My mom at her wedding 25 years ago

The Dress on me (we would add a bit to the sweetheart neckline because she was a D and I’m a G/H as well as depoofing the sleeves a bit)*

And this is my reception dress (before the alterations, I’m not 100% happy with the hem she did but I wanted to get out of there as quick as possible, the sparkly thing is gone and a Norwegian solje will be pinned at the waist)

So what do ya’ll think?
* I never realized before how much I favor my right side, ugh.
Post # 3

Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m starting to rethink my earlier idea and am realizing, I think I just want a full-length dress for the ceremony to feel really “bridal”, and the rouching on the shoulders kind of bugs me.
Post # 4

Member
5985 posts
Bee Keeper
fix the shoulders and it will be amazing. I love this idea! LOVE IT.
Post # 5

Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
The wing part is gone (she had it pinned up to show how much to take in) but the nature of the dress is to have the gathered fabric. I wish I had shopped around more outside of my county this summer before buying this one, or something
Post # 6

Member
3167 posts
Sugar bee
yikes, that hem is pretty bad – no wonder your mom nicknamed her the witch! i think there are lots of options and plenty of time. if you want a full length dress (i’m guessing the reception one is supposed to be tea length?), you can either wear your mom’s with lots of alterations or you can look at more salons or get a preowned one off of one of the sites like oncewed. either way, don’t settle! you’ll look gorgeous on your day no matter what, good luck in your decision!
Post # 7

Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
@elliestan: Don’t worry the final hem wasn’t that bad. That was just pinned up to make sure I liked the length. The final hem still wasn’t stellar (it looks like the tension on the needle was too high, a very rookie mistake for a veteran seamtress). I just wanted tea length to be able to dance.
Post # 8

Member
2142 posts
Buzzing bee
Update: We removed the sleeves and took off the hem lace and it improved the look sooo much. We just need to figure out the bust situation.
Post # 9

Member
335 posts
Helper bee
I was going to say that your mom’s dress would look more modern without the sleeves altogether. Can we see the picture of it with your alterations? What a wonderful thing to be able to wear your mother’s wedding gown; she must be thrilled. 🙂