I had a very specific idea of what i wanted for my dress: tea length, ivory lace with the lining in teal blue (so the teal would peak through the lace). I told my Mom about my idea and asked if she could make it. (She has made me clothes since i was a baby) She said she was up for it. Oh and this was about 5 months before the wedding. The pattern I had in mind was pretty simple (at least to my thought and all the reviews i read about it), but it would require a few tweeks to get to exactly what I wanted. I'm a size 16/18 so I got a pattern that went up to 16.
Mom made a sample dress, and the chest was too small 
She was pretty upset about that. I think it discouraged her & she doubted her ability. We found a new pattern in a larger size that wouldn't require the tweeks - but after looking at it she was still pretty nervous. My Mom is a perfectionist and I think the presure of making "the most important dress of a girls life" was pretty intimidating.
After some though, I decided that I would let Mom off the hook and just find a dress to purchase. But now - because a lot of my other plans was based on the dress (such as my purple pettycoat & peacock shoes) - I knew I needed something with the same silhouette. Tea length, lace dresses in bigger sizes, that don't have to be ordered, are not that easy to find. Oh - and all this was decided about 9 weeks before the big day (May 31, 2014)
I was fortunate and found a dress, off the rack at David's Bridal - and it fits me beautifuly. It doesn't have the teal lining, but I am doing a teal sash - so at least that color is still incorporated. Its not the one of a kind I was hoping for - but Mom's peace of mine is worth this little sacrifice.
My alterations appointment is tomorrow - just need a few darts in the bust line so it sits better - and maybe have the hem taken up an inch or so.
Anyone else have their hearts set on a dress that just didn't work out the way you planned?