Post # 1
Member
425 posts
Helper bee
Y’all…(being a little dramatic here, bees! but I’m worried!!!)
Right after I bought my dress, I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy and was put on a strict diet. My dress was already ordered for my biggest measurement – my chest – a size 14. I was wearing size 10 in normal clothes.
now, I know I’ve been steadily losing weight since then. No matter what I’ve been eating. my diet is pretty restricted. my clothes have gotten baggy and my bra cups are gaping. I’ve gotten really self-conscious – I was comfortable in my body before and now I have a different one.
so…
Fiance and I went to try on clothes for engagement pictures…I’m now in a size 4 pants, 6 In some dresses. This was the first time I’ve tried on clothes in months. I don’t know what to do!!! I’m so worried my dress isn’t going to fit! Buying a new dress is not an option; we can’t afford it. My dress comes in next month and I know alterations will be necessary. But this just seems like an undoable alterations feat!
has anyone else been through a similar situation? Did your dress work out after alterations? Any hope at all out there???
Post # 3
Member
8700 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@donna_saur: Don’t panic!
A bridal 14 can be as small as a street 10. In that case, alterations shouldn’t be a problem!
But if it’s a street 14 going down to a street 4, that could be a problem. Could we see your dress?
Post # 4
Member
972 posts
Busy bee
I know it will be swimming in your head until you actually get to try on the dress and (at least for me) it is hard to distract myself, but try. There is nothing you can do until you get the dress in and try it on and see what can and needs to be done. You just have to not go crazy while waiting…that is the hard part.
Post # 5
Member
723 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: March 2014 - Church and University
Just make sure you go to a reputable seamstress and get several quotes! My shop altered a 12 to a 2 before, so DON’T FREAK OUT. A professional can make it work.
Post # 6
Member
539 posts
Busy bee
So you went from a street size 10 to a 4? That’s only like 3 sizes I guess?
Alternations can do wonders!
I needed a size 2 dress for my top, but a size 8 dress for my hips. So they of course had to take in my top from an 8 to a 2. They did it perfectly and it didn’t seem to be an issue for them at all!
Post # 7
Member
6386 posts
Bee Keeper
@donna_saur: This happened to me (I lost 35 lbs) and went from a size 12 to a 6 and I ended up getting another dress. My mom stepped in and offered to pay for my dress. Since my first dress didn’t cost that much, it was actually going to be more for the alterations, but it could be done. I recommend going to a good seamstress/dress maker, they can do almost anything.
Post # 8
Member
437 posts
Helper bee
@donna_saur: Have you ever thought about selling your dress on something like preownedweddingdresses.com? It probably would be cheaper to sell your new dress “never worn” etc and pick up another dress… Alterations can get so expensive! Just a thought.
Post # 9
Member
610 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: July 2013 - The front lawn of our church
I almost bought a dress that they only had an 18. I’m wedding dress size 0. They said that they would be able to cut it down, no problem.
Post # 10
Member
1044 posts
Bumble bee
@donna_saur: I needed a size 8 to accommodate my chest. I am a 00 everywhere else. The seamstress took the 8 down no problem. Just make sure to go to someone good with experience with wedding dresses.
Post # 11
Member
554 posts
Busy bee
@donna_saur: First… do not panic! It will all be fine! I am in a very similar situation, ordered a size 14 dress (street size 10), 9 months later I am a street size 6, I went to my alterations lady last week to roughly see what will needed to be done for my dress, so far. (I have until June, still, so I’m expecting even more to come up by the time I begin my actual fittings)
She said it would not be a problem, and that most bridal gowns can be taken in at least 3-4 sizes (EX: Size 14 down to an 8, 3 sizes) before compromising the position of the boning and internal cups, and that some can be altered even smaller with no problems at all!
Don’t quote me, i’m not an expert, just going from experience with my own gown so far.
Post # 12
Member
425 posts
Helper bee
@BrandNewBride: I’ve posted this picture a lot!! 🙂 The bodice is a lot of pleating and that’s what worries me. I’m worried the design will be compromised.
@Day_In_The_Life: You’re right! I won’t know til I see it! I guess part of this was just venting to people who know what it feels like and part of it is legitimate worry. But you are completely right – no use driving myself crazy until I actually see the damage.
@Nay1976: Thanks for your encouragement!!! I am hoping it will work out! It’s hard not to freak out when I’ve got so much invested in it!!!
@RedPandas: I was wearing a size 10 in pants, 12 in dresses. Mostly because my chest is on the larger size, especially for my frame. But I’m hoping the alterations will work out! The bodice of my dress is all pleating – I’m not sure how that alters, if it’s easy or hard. I guess I will find out!
@Miss Damask: I am really not in a position to take the chance that it wouldn’t sell. My dress was already several hundred dollars over my budget. This is definitely a great possibility for some brides, but I think it would be hard for someone in my financial position!
@polyblonde: I’m so glad it worked out for you! I really hope I get that lucky! I definitely agree that I need to find someone with lots of experience in wedding gowns. So I guess I’ll be leaving my tiny town to find someone!
@lanf5046: Thank you for sharing! This is my exact situation! I’m getting married in June as well. My dress has a lot of pleats in the bodice, so I’m worried that the alterations may compromise the design. But like everyone else has said, I won’t know until I see it in person! So I guess I’ll be sweating it out til then! 🙂
Post # 13
Member
8700 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I think a good seamstress should be able to take that in for you!
Post # 14
Member
972 posts
Busy bee
@donna_saur: waiting is the worst part and having it on your mind all the time sucks too, especially when l you don’t want to be thinking about it. Distract yourself as best you can. Work on other wedding projects. If it makes you feel a little better I had problems with the fitting of my dress and many sleepless nights thinking about it, but it all worked out in the end, with my aunt doing the last alterations at my home. I also know the need to vent and just get it out there, hopefully venting helped. Please let us know how it all turns out. O am sending happy thoughts your way 🙂
Post # 15
Member
357 posts
Helper bee
Don’t worry! My dress was a bridal 12, altered down to measurements between a 2 and 4 street size.
Post # 16
Member
425 posts
Helper bee
HEY EVERYONE! Update time!!!
Here is my actual dress! I picked it up today. After months of anticipation, I finally know the damage…
You can see that it’s pretty big around the bottom of the fitted part and it’s a little big in the bust. I’m a little anxious to know what it will look like once it’s fitted, but they assured me the alterations were doable and that the dress design will stay the same. My worry now is that the bottom may be a little short after hemming. But we shall see!
thank you all for all your support! Sometimes it’s hard to see everything working out!