Has anyone ordered bridesmaids dresses from Etsy?

Liane28

So, I found beautiful bridesmaid dresses on Etsy and since my wedding is not until next July, I have plenty of time for the 3 months the designer tells me it will take to make and ship the 6 dresses.
I'm just nervous that when they get here, they won't be as they are on the photos, etc...but I love them because 1. they're custom-fitted to the exact measurements the girls will send in and 2. they're dresses I know my BMs will be able to wear again. 

Has anyone else ordered from Etsy?  What was your experience?

-L.

Maggie0829

I have not, but you could always do a trial run (that is if you have the extra money for one).  You could send in your own measurements (I wouldn't send in the measurements of your bridal party because their bodies may change over time) and have a dress sent to you.  Then you can see about the quality of the work and if it is really something that you still love.

Liane28

Yeah, that's a good idea - but I think I would prefer to send in the measurements of on of my BMs, that way if it's all good when it gets here, one of the dresses will be ordered and received...as opposed to me having spent extra money on a dress I don't need

Thanks for the advice!

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_has-anyone-ordered-bridesmaids-dresses-from-etsy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:4eece744-c6c3-406f-b64b-8d6a3ff27248Post:ff1e53e2-7095-48f4-9524-0da07eb041cb">Re: Has anyone ordered bridesmaids dresses from Etsy?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, that's a good idea - <strong>but I think I would prefer to send in the measurements of on of my BMs, </strong>that way if it's all good when it gets here, one of the dresses will be ordered and received...as opposed to me having spent extra money on a dress I don't need ;) Thanks for the advice!
Posted by Liane28[/QUOTE]

All I can say is just be careful of this because that BM could gain weight, lose weight or even get pregnant so that dress may become obsolete.

Liane28

Good call
Unless maybe I order a little bit bigger and then we can get it altered?  My fiancé's grandmother, thankfully, is an incredible seamstress so she could adjust it if anything drastic happens, I suppose!

How far in advance did you order your BM dresses?

Maggie0829

Honestly, I don't remember LOL!

But if you do like what the Etsy seller does and go with her I would order the dresses so that you get them about a month before the wedding.  This will give your girls plenty of time to get them altered if need be.

Liane28

Yeah, I'll definetly plan enough time for any alterations that might need to be done 
heck, I was looking at the dresses again and maybe I WILL order one for myself...it's so pretty!  LOL

Maggie0829

Yup, you never know when you might need a new dress!

achiduck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_has-anyone-ordered-bridesmaids-dresses-from-etsy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:4eece744-c6c3-406f-b64b-8d6a3ff27248Post:bc1633d4-2dc5-48b5-afe7-58228d1021ff">Re: Has anyone ordered bridesmaids dresses from Etsy?</a>:
[QUOTE]Good call ;) Unless maybe I order a little bit bigger and then we can get it altered?  My fiancé's grandmother, thankfully, is an incredible seamstress so she could adjust it if anything drastic happens, I suppose! <strong>How far in advance did you order your BM dresses?
</strong>Posted by Liane28[/QUOTE]

My wedding is October 20 and we ordered them in late February which was at the recommendation of the bridal store. They arrived a few weeks ago but I see from the slips that the store didn't actually place the order with the designers until April.

Liane28

Did everything fit ok?
So I guess in your case, you had to send in the measurements about 8 months before the wedding...did any of your BM's change sizes?
Where did you order from?

achiduck

Two out of my 4 BMs haven't changed sizes so their dresses are fine. One has lost weight so it needs to be taken in (she's taken it to a seamsstress already- it's an easy alteration) and one gained a few pounds (like 10 maybe) so she is going to try and lose them but her dress has a corset back so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Liane28

Sounds like it will all work out!

Jessie42613

I don't think I would order BM dresses from Etsy.  Hair accessories or sashes or little crafty things, but probably not a dress.  I just don't think I'd trust it, no matter how reputable the seller.

csweaney

I see no problem ordering dresses from Etsy as long as the seller provides accurate measurement information and ALWAYS check their reviews from other buyers. 

Liane28

I just checkout out her reviews (thanks csweaney, because I had not thought of doing that before!) and they are all very positive! 
It does reassure me, but I still think I will order 1 dress to start with as Maggie has suggested, that way I can be sure of the quality

I'll keep you guys posted!

flower_lover

If it was me, I would talk to the seller about some of the issues brought up here. For instance, what if you send in measurements, receive the dress, and it is either way to big or too small to fit and the person's measurements haven't changed? Would they send another dress? Fix the one you received? Who pays for postage? What is the turnaround time? Can you get a refund if you are not satisfied? What if the workmanship is poor?

Then, once you've discussed all of the above and have come to an agreement with the vendor, write it up and put it in a contract to protect yourself!. Have them sign it and return it to you before placing the order. And if they won't sign it, it's probably not worth working with them.

This may sound like a lot of work, but I'm certain it will be worth it! There are so many brides who have problems with vendors because they did not ask enough questions about what happens when things go wrong, and they did not get things in writing.