don't fit in my dress anymore

aubreyalise

i've been stressing out about this for months...

i've been engaged since sept '08. i bought my dress in feb '09 when i was at my skinniest. i got it from david's bridal where they freaked me out that if i didn't buy it then, they might not have the style later on down the road. and this is MY dress, i love everything about it.

in the past year, though, i've gained quite a bit of weight. my fiance came back from iraq and we settled back into domestic life and, well, it just piled on. i'm in the process of trying to lose weight, and i've lost some in the past month, but quite frankly, it's too late. my wedding is in 3.5 months and i'd say i'm probably a good 2 sizes larger than my wedding dress.

that's not alter-able is it? i'm so worried that i'm going to have to buy my dress again in my new size and not only is that a big chunk of change i'll be out, but i don't know if they'll even have my size.

i hadn't planned on going to davids bridal for my alterations, but i think i may have to now? just schedule the appointment, have them tell me i'm too fat for my dress, and then go from there? are there any alternatives?

thanks...

mbcdefg

Take the dress to a local seamstress or tailor (ask your local board for reviews) and see what can be done. See if they can let it out, add a corset back, etc. (I hear that David's is overpriced for alterations, but again, ask your local board.)

Don't panic until you get a professional opinion. In the meantime, start a healthy diet/workout routine and get some Spanx or something. Three months is a LOT of time.

aerinpegadrak

Do you have Spanx?  I just tried on my dress again about a year after buying it and found it a bit too loose in the bust and a bit too tight in the waist and hips.  We're going to try out a corset and Spanx to see if that will be sufficient to rearrange everything properly.  If not, then it's time for the tailor.

Corset backs on gowns are magical.  And the great thing about that is, if you drop weight again right before the wedding (and most women do, it's a stressful time), you don't need to get it altered again, just cinch it tighter.

AmoroAgain

I'm sorry, but it's highly unlikely that you will be able to alter the dress up 2 sizes.  It sucks, but you shouldn't have let them scare you into purchasing so soon.  I know you know that, so I'll move on. 

Anyway, don't have your alterations done at DB, from everything I understand, they suck.  A lot.  I'd try a local seamstress who knows more about this kind of thing.

aerinpegadrak

Also, David's may allow you to exchange the dress for either a different size in that style, or a different dress in your size, as long as the dress is in good condition.  Before you take it to a tailor, you might want to give them a call and see if that's a possibility.  You may be able to get a larger size and spend little to no extra money.

stefani103

I bought my dress and am having my alterations done by David's Bridal. They are super over priced but if they screw it up, I can freak out and get a replacement (in theory, at least!). If I went elsewhere who messed up the dress, then I'd just have a messed up dress.

ANYWAY DB can alter or will replace a dress within 2 sizes either way (which was a big selling point to me). Ask your local store for details. Corset backs are fantastic and what I wanted, until I found the perfect dress without one!

aubreyalise

thanks everyone! i'm actually going to follow all advice. i'll start with DB based on the 2 sizes up or down... that sounds promising. i've heard so many varying reports about customer service at DB and i'd say mine is right in the middle. they're not horrible but they also really don't care. so we'll see what they say.

if they say i'm out of luck, i went to the local board and found a highly recommended seamstress. i am having a destination wedding and it never occurred to me to go to my local board since all my vendors & locations are out of state. how wrong was i!

and lastly, i've found some promising spanx pieces that i may bring with me as we sort all of this out, i'll  take whatever help i can get. oh, and of course, lose every last ounce i can before the wedding.

thanks everyone! i've been a bit head-in-the-sand with this situation because i didn't know where to start but i feel like i have a plan now.

meme91772

Check into getting a bodymagic also.  Most times people are slimmed down 2 to 3 sizes when they put on on and you may be able to fit your dress without paying for alterations.  You should be able to try one on with your gown before you purchase it.  Email slimdown2in10@yahoo.com and ask for more info.