Wedding dress meltdown! (Plus size) Help-long!

xtinazeternity

Hey all!  I'm normally on the Vegas board because that is where our wedding will be... but I live in Phx.  I am having a horrible time finding THE dress!

I beginning to wonder if it was a mistake to watch "Say Yes to the Dress" because I hate the customer service all of the places here have.  I am still on the hunt for a higher end dress shop that has plus size samples. 

I have been to Strut Bridal (the only shop catered specifically for plus sizes in the area), David's Bridal, Once in a Lifetyme (they are horrible!!), Kiaras bridal, Azteca bridal, and I Do I Do.  

I had a great experience with Strut- they listened, and pulled gowns for me and helped me put them on.  I really recommend this place for any plus size bride!  I really liked 2 dresses, but didn't feel I found the one.  Then I went to David's and found a perfect fitting dress but it was the opposite I was looking for.  I wanted something with a lot of bling and ruffles at the bottom but this dress was plain with ruffles.  

I continued shopping and went to four other stores.  Had horrible experiences with all of them.  They all wanted me to search the racks on my own- and I hated that because I can't tell how a dress lays and looks when its in a bag.  I really wanted a consultant who would pull stuff for me based on what I say I am looking for.  two of places kept trying to give me samples sizes that were 4 sizes too small and it made me frustrated.  I really wanted a fashion forward dress and something that was the opposite of simple!  I feel like the limited plus size samples that are out there, are very simple and dated looking.

So I am stuck.  I can't decide if I should just buy the plain dress from david's bridal (which I feel fits amazing, but it cheap looking).  I could find someone to add beading to it... Or should I keep looking? 

Any plus size ladies out there who found great stores?  Maybe in Scottsdale?

Thanks!!

Jmcrothers

Hi!

First, deep breath!  I have been there! I understand!  I would suggest getting a picture of the dress that you liked from david's bridal, and then take it in to Strut and see if they have anything that has the same design/lay/style with the beading you desire. Take that picture when your looking, so the associates can see what you are looking for and want to add.  Also, you may want to speak to an alterations specialist about adding beading to that dress. 

sb9411

I know Priscilla of Boston has plus sized options- and the consultants are so helpful!

azdancer8

I second the idea of having an alterations person help you add the beading and such you want to the DB dress, since it sounds like you found a great fitting dress. Janet Kirkman in Scottsdale does dress redesigns. Maybe give her a call and see what she might be able to do?

kolina93

I'm a plus size bride, I recommend Arizona Bridal Warehouse, it's in Mesa.
http://arizonabridal.com Check out their website. I too was looking for something "a little more" and David's Bridal dresses that were pulled for me were all very plain. Arizona Bridal Warehouse had a ton of beautiful dresses in different price points.

sld0618

Oh no! I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at Once in a Lifetyme!  I bought my dress from them because they actually helped me unlike all the others you listed!  Weird!  I agree with PP that you should see how much it would cost to do alterations to make the DB dress what you want.

What exactly would you be wanting to add to it?

xtinazeternity

Thanks azdancer8 for the info on Janet Kirkman!  I checked at her website and I'm excited there is someone who can add beading for me!  The dress is too plain for me but if would be perfect if I get someone to sew some bling on it for me! 

jemmini6

Have you tried Almond Tree?  They sell consigned dresses, but I'm sure they would probably have several plus size options and the best thing is that they get new stuff everyday, so if you don't find anything your first trip, you never know what could come in the next day.

sboobear03

I love Davids. They had sooo many dresses when I went there. I tried on atleast 10. This was my dress. It had a lot of bling on top and through out the bottom.

.

sboobear03

hhmmm...its kind of hard to see it there but here is our photogs blog. Its the direct link to our pics. You can see it there.
Good Luck!

http://suzannemelissaphotography.com/2010/12/06/glendale-az-wedding-photographer-richardsarah/

djshumway

Sarah,

You look absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Who did your hair and makeup?

Darlene

sboobear03

Thank you.

I went to my regular lady for my hair. Casia at JcPenney's Salon in Arrowhead Mall. For my makeup, I had Joclyn at Sephora, Arrowhead, do it.

Marissa0717

I got my dress at David's and it was very plain but that is what I wanted. I ordered a crystal sash off etsy to add the "bling" to my dress I wanted. I also used Janet Kirkman for my alterations and she was great. I am sure she can add even more bling to your dress if you want her to!

JenniferBultman

I'm plus sized and bought my dress at Brides by Demetrios.  If you have the cash to spend on the dress, Destiny's was AMAZING I just couldn't stomach the $4k for the dress I wanted.

I had a WONDERFUL experience at Brides by Demetrios though.  Being plus sized doesn't mean your limited in what you buy!

bosoxy

I wound up getting my dress at DB as well.  It was not at all what I was looking for and only tried it on because I wanted to see what an empire gown would look like on me.  I wound up loving how the gown looked on me and I was comfortable.  I would suggest that if you feel really feel good in the gown, get it and have it customized to you.  GL

xtinazeternity

Jennifer- your pics are beautiful!  I called Destiny's and they don't have any samples bigger than size 10.  I also called Demetrios and their largest sample size is 14. 

I will check out the Warehouse store and also Uptown.  Hopefully I find something.  I ended up showing my FI some pics of me in the dresses and it didn't go so well.  The two I was deciding on, were not a hit.  I'm stuck!

xtinazeternity

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions!  I LOVED Suzannes bridal in Gilbert- they were fantastic!  I also am going to go to Uptown in two weeks (they book up on Saturdays sooo quick!).  I found one at Suzannes that I love!