Bridal Shop Fire

CASK85

This is a big news story in Chicago today. 

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/evas-bridals-radio-shack-bridal-shop-oak-lawn-destroyed-wedding-dresses-20101117

If you don't feel like reading it, basically a suburban bridal shop went up in flames and all of the dresses inside were destroyed. They interviewed one bride who was pulling up to the store to pick up her dress for her wedding this Friday while the fire was happening. There was a clip of her on the morning news saying that it was the one day she wanted to feel like a princess and how horrible it was that now she couldn't. Maybe she said that at the end of the day it didn't matter because she'd be married to a wonderful man or maybe she didn't, but it wasn't shown on the news, so that sound byte bugged me.

What would you do if your dress was destroyed two days before your wedding?

mana8503

As much as that sucks, "Show must go out" so I'd try to find a new that, etc.  Maybe cry first,  but end of the day, I'd marry my BF in sweats!

calindi

My Mom's dress caught on fire the morning of her wedding, no joke.  My grandfather had hung it over a ceiling light, and someone turned on the light, and it burned a huge hole through the chest of the dress.

From what I understand, she was absolutely hysterical.  My grandfather took the dress to the tailor who had done the alterations, luckily just down the street.  He sewed a patch on the back and layered lace over the front.  You can't even tell in the pictures, and the wedding started only 45 minutes late (forgiveable, given the circumstances!)  My poor uncle was 14 years old and had to go tell my Dad what was going on while he waited.  Needless to say, it's made a great "wedding horror story" through the years that everyone can now laugh at.

If my dress burnt, I'd walk into David's Bridal and buy something in my size off the rack.  But I'm lucky that I'm a size 8, so a lot of the sizes at those types of stores are in my size, and I'm also lucky that my budget won't be so ridiculously tight that I couldn't afford to plop down another $900 on the spot if I needed to.

ETA:  I'd probably cry, and throw a little private temper tantrum, and say, "Why me?!  This isn't fair!" and then I'd get over it.

loves2shop4shoes

I would freak out.  I'm not gunna lie.  At the end of the day, I'd probably go out and buy a new dress off the rack and get my butt to the church.

[Deleted User]

That story just makes me realize how lucky I am that my shop only closed and didn't burn down and I still have my dress.  Yes, I allowed myself to freak out and cry for a little while, the stress and emotions get to everyone.  After my initial breakdown, I went on thinking rationally and coming up with back-up plans.  My mom & I talked when my shop closed down that if something did happen to my dress the week before the wedding, we'd find a way to make it work, if it meant just running to the fabric store and putting together a quick skirt and top - no it wouldn't be ideal, but it would work.

Joe said I could walk down the aisle in a burlap sack and he'd still marry me, so what I'm wearing isn't all that important (but I sure am glad I'll be wearing a white dress and not a burlap sack).

loopy82

It was DH or perhaps someone else asked what I would do if something happened to my dresses while they were getting altered. I was like, well it would suck, but I would just buy a new dress. Lucky for me I wasn't IN LOVE with either dress, also like Cate, I fit into the sample sizes, so really finding a dress of the rack to buy wouldn't be too hard.

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bridal-shop-fire?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f9aaad15-b1c6-4e24-b2c4-5c389631b78fPost:ddb32ada-5a2d-4c1b-a836-6b17a977b464">Re: Bridal Shop Fire</a>:
[QUOTE]Lucky for me I wasn't IN LOVE with either dress, also like Cate, I fit into the sample sizes, so really finding a dress of the rack to buy wouldn't be too hard.
Posted by loopy82[/QUOTE]

On that note, I don't think I could ever be IN LOVE with a dress.  Did anyone see the Bridezillas episode last week where she named her dress Antoinette?  Yeah, I just feel like it's a beautiful piece of clothing that you wear on a very important day.  But ultimately, it's just a dress - as Angie said, you could wear a burlap bag or a dress of any style or color, and the day will still be just as important.

I get being attached to your ring a lot more than I undestand being attached to your dress.  The ring at least lasts longer than a day.

loopy82

Yeah I don't really understand the strong love that some people have for their dress. I don't understand the crying when finding THE dress either, maybe it's because I didn't find THE dress, or because I am not a crier.

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bridal-shop-fire?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f9aaad15-b1c6-4e24-b2c4-5c389631b78fPost:7b6dc27e-0843-4a9c-a1e8-c89b45ff7808">Re: Bridal Shop Fire</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah I don't really understand the strong love that some people have for their dress. I don't understand the crying when finding THE dress either, maybe it's because I didn't find THE dress, or because I am not a crier.
Posted by loopy82[/QUOTE]

Oh, I'll probably cry the first dress I put on, but that's just because I cry at the drop of a hat. 

The process of looking for a dress that I'll wear on my wedding day will be emotional, but I don't believe in "the one" - either for a dress or a man.  For both dresses or men, there are certain qualities you look for, certain dresses/men that work better than others, deal-breakers that have to be considered, but ultimately there are probably several that would work just as well (if not better) than what you end up with.  All we can do is do our best to find something (dress and man) that makes us feel good and fits our requirements and makes us happy, and then just enjoy what you have and stop looking for other dresses/men.

nottheonlydreamer44

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bridal-shop-fire?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f9aaad15-b1c6-4e24-b2c4-5c389631b78fPost:4709d58b-d72c-46e8-9df3-58a9ac959f37">Re: Bridal Shop Fire</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal Shop Fire : On that note, I don't think I could ever be IN LOVE with a dress.  <strong>Did anyone see the Bridezillas episode last week where she named her dress Antoinette</strong>?  Yeah, I just feel like it's a beautiful piece of clothing that you wear on a very important day.  But ultimately, it's just a dress - as Angie said, you could wear a burlap bag or a dress of any style or color, and the day will still be just as important. I get being attached to your ring a lot more than I undestand being attached to your dress.  The ring at least lasts longer than a day.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

I was ASHAMED that she was from Cincinnati. She made my skin crawl. LOL. Anyway, I would likely freakout but I'm with Cate and Loopy and can get in a sample size most of the time so I'd haul something off the rack and get to the wedding. I don't have this extreme ridiculous love for my dress. It's not going to be a 'Friends' episode where I sit around wearing it all day. So I'd be stressed but okay with running to the store and buying another one.

tafft1

I think its a sad thing to happen - I would be devastated at first , but I would get over it. It is just a DRESS. Let it be said I did cry when I found my dress - after I saw my MOH cry , I couldnt help myself and the fact I felt beautiful even at my size because all my life I was scared I would be an "ugly bride". In the end though , I would have done it all the same in sweats or a cocktail dress..or whatever - because the marriage is what matters to me more than anything.

I am always hesitant to believe the news interviews in full - because they often edit it and sometimes re arrange the way the interview happens , etc.

StarGazingHiker

I would probably freak out and cry for a bit then calm down and go find one off the rack.

I do feel sorry for those women though. I can't imagine being a few days from your wedding and having something like that happen.

leia1979

Oh, I'm sure I'd freak out at first. I do not take well to sudden changes in plan. And since these dresses are kind of expensive, I'd be royally pissed because I'm a total cheapskate.

But then I'd go buy something off the rack, hem up the front, and be ready to go.

PaigeMcC

No bridal stores are open here on Sunday.  My wedding happens to be a Sunday.  First things first I would lose my sh!t.  Then I would grab my credit card and go find the cutest little white or red dress I could.  Then I'd throw on my wedding bling, get all hawt and head down the aisle before 3;)

jeanacorina

I'm not gonna lie- my stomach would flip-flop and my heart would sink. I might cry or I might not. I'm usually pretty good in emergencies (much better than when I have to sit around knowing what's going to happen and stressing for weeks about it), so I kind of doubt that I'd cry or even freak out.

I would go to David's Bridal and pick up an off-the-rack gown (and some huge high-heels, since I'm short), or I would go to a department store and pick up a white cocktail dress.

It's only clothing. Fancy, sure. Expensive, maybe. But not irreplaceable.

saisongbird

I'd be pretty upset.  I was one of those brides who loved her dress - I still love it.  This sounds dumb but I wish I could wear it again.  I have never felt as beautiful as I did the day I got married, and I know it was partially because of how pretty I felt in the dress.  I haven't done a TTD or sold it because I can't bear to part with it.  Dumb, yes, but it's how I felt.  I also know it would be hard for me to find another dress because I'm not a sample size.

I don't know about any of the other married ladies here, but I had my one bridezilla moment 2 days before my wedding.  I can't imagine how she must have felt right then, but I don't think she's wrong for wanting her beautiful day, especially if she saved and planned for it.  She may not have sounded gracious, but I don't blame her one tiny iota.

coastiegrl25

Sara Evans started a campain for people to donate/lend dresses to the dress victims!  Already 200+ dresses have been sent!