Post # 1

Member
635 posts
Busy bee
I bought my dress last December, when I was on a fabulous weight loss streak, and assumed that I would lose another twenty pounds by the wedding, going down another dress size.
So – my dress is about a size and a half too small. I called David’s Bridal for another question today, and they told me that all of their bridal dresses have an extra four inches in the seams, and can go up or down two sizes! I felt a lot better, because I’ve been seriously considering selling my dress and getting a new one that fit.
Anyway. I’d love to hear experiences of any bees who have had their wedding dresses altered up or down more than a size. Where did you take it? Where you happy with the result?
Post # 3

Member
4466 posts
Honey bee
I’m going to need mine taken in about a size in the waist area. I had to get a bigger size to fit my chest, but my waist is at the smaller size.
The seamstress said that they can take it in 4 inches on either side, I think.
Post # 4

Member
493 posts
Helper bee
I can’t speak to alterations, my dress has a corset and if it’s too big when it gets here in January, it can be taken in… I went to a private dress shop and while I haven’t seen her work, the seamstress was also my sales lady and she really knew her stuff.
But on a side note… If you still want to lose weight, and love the dress as is, don’t give up the fight! You’ve totally got time. 🙂
Post # 5

Member
1207 posts
Bumble bee
Mine is being taken in about an inch in the waist and bust areas. Also getting the shoulder straps taken in. I was hoping it would be taken in a lot more… i.e. I lost some weight, but that didn’t happen. So I’m resigned to wearing my tankini the whole time during our honey moon…. oh well…..
Post # 6

Member
90 posts
Worker bee
I actually just picked up my dress this morning! 🙂 When I bought my dress, June ’08, it fit like a glove and wasn’t going to need any alterations. Then I gained 15 pounds or so over the holiday season and have spent all year losing it again. I hit 15 pounds lost and went to 22 pounds. When I finally tried my dress on again, I could shimmy it around, it was so loose!
My seamstress had to take in the waist about three inches and the bust, although I’m not sure how much there.
I found a regular alterations place to get my dress done. She was amazing and actually makes custom wedding dresses as well. I’m sure I got a better price than a bridal salon, although I’m not positive. It seems from all I’ve heard that bridal salons tend to upcharge over a regular place.
Post # 7

Member
635 posts
Busy bee
@MissACS – I haven’t given up with the weight loss! I have nearly ten months, but I was seriously stressing about it, and it made me able to take a deep breathe. I definetly, at the least, want to tone up a little bit for the wedding.
Post # 8

Member
3098 posts
Sugar bee
FOUR SIZES.
No joke. But it was a sample dress, and waaaay too big for me when I bought it. I took a chance that it could be taken down that much and still look okay. I wouldn’t recommend anything more than two sizes. My dress was fine, but there were a couple of tucks and stuff that probably only I could see, that were caused by the massive re-sizing.
Post # 9

Member
493 posts
Helper bee
Oh I hear you on the stress!
The corset was the thing that made me take a breath with my diet worries. I still want to lose about 20 between now and March, myself!
Post # 10

Member
37 posts
Newbee
I’ve seen a dress go from a size 10 down to a size 2! Now for taking a gown in….It all depends on how much side seams there are. The other thing to consider is the material of your gown! If it’s silk or taffeta it will leave the little holes from where the dress’s side seams are. Most times the satin gowns will be okay….but if it’s lace, most times the designers dont finish the lace that is in the side seams!
Post # 11

Member
188 posts
Blushing bee
I haven’t experienced this yet but my cousin bought a size 22 dres that she loved and she had to have it taken down to a size 12, you never would have known, it still looked great!