I hate my dress... what do I do?!?

BrilhanteBride

I just bought  my wedding shoes and tried them on with my dress...Then I realized that I hate it. I think I caved and bought it because my mom loved it and it was in my price range. I can't return it or exchange it.. I can't imagine walking down the isle in that dress I want to feel beautiful.. and i don't think I will in that dress.. HELP WHAT DO I DO? I'm freaking out..

this is my dress...
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=christy&line=m&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=15&style=J1255

ddumire

You could try to sell it (at a loss) and buy another one if you're sure that you hate it.  If you have an alterations budget you might be able to change what you don't like about it - but that's not easy and it usually doesn't look that great when people do total overhauls.

dizzinea

You know it's funny this happened to me to, and I will tell you what everyone said to me "You hate that dress? it's beautiful!" I found those comments led to know end of frustration. by the way I do think your dress is awesome, but the only opinion that matters is yours. Did you get your dress at a store? and is there any way they can allow an exchange? if not sell your dress. find one YOU love, yes you will not get what you paid for it, but what you will get is a second chance to find a dress that you love. I did it and I'm shopping for "my Dress!" now. good luck to you.

baystateapple

That is a beautiful dress and if I had the body to pull it off, I so would. 

Try to think of exactly why you hate the dress.  The neckline/halter top can probably be altered with a minimal charge.  The skirt would be a little more difficult.  I would probably see if there was something slight I could do to alter it, rather than trying to sell it.  It is a beautiful gown.

Also remember, you WILL look beautiful, because it is your wedding day.  Good luck.

woodie

Wow, what a beautiful dress!  What do you hate about it?  Is is just not your style, instead it's your mom's preference?  Does it not match the formality or informality of your wedding? 

Could you shorten it and make it your reception dress?

Just a thought.

-K

LaurenAdam11

You could definitely try to sell it online, on either preownedweddingdresses.com, bravobride.com, Craigslist, or a variety of other local forums.  I purchased my dress "preowned" from someone selling online.  If you have never worn or altered the dress, you should be able to get a good price!  I would recommend selling locally so that the person can see the dress and you can get cash up front.  I would list the dress online under "Maggie Sottero Christy" because I know I was searching for a specific Maggie dress, and I would always google "maggie sottero vienna" and search through the postings for sales.  Good luck!

PS- If you end up keeping this dress, you should know that it is beautiful!

plessjm

You are in every brides nightmare. You have only a few options...
1.) you can sell it you wont get all your money back but a majority
2.) you can alter it but as PP it might cost you.. that leads to adding to it with beading..lace...color etc.
3.) Really look at it and state specifically what you dont like you never know adding a broach or changing the neckline might be the answer.
Good Luck in whatever you decide...

snydera

I would see what some small changes would do to change your mind.  Such as: making the dress strapless, or using the halter strap but making it go over one shoulder; adding some fullness under the skirt to give it more of a mermaid look; and depending on how much altering you may need you could have the corset removed from the back and add satin buttons down the back.

abwkem2129

I am in the exact same boat as you! Im getting married in May and after my last fitting, my dress just didnt look the same as when I first ordered it.. I dont know if you had any alterations done to your dress that made you dislike it, but I did and it looks so bad. They had to take it in a size and it doesnt look the same as it did before. I also agreed on the dress because my mom loved it and it was in our price range. I am going to look at the dress I wanted to try on since day 1 today at a local bridal shop- Maggie Sottero Monalisa Royale. I remembering seeing it for the first time online and showing my mom and she said she hated it so when I asked to try it on, she stuck her nose up in the air and got an attitude. I didnt push it any further. My only suggestion for you is to go find a dress YOU truly like, find out the price, and see if you can exchage the dress you already bought. Its a horrible feeling, believe me I know. Everyone tells me that my dress is "beautiful" and I look in the mirror and think its just not the same dress after the alterations were done on it. I think the dress you have right now is gorgeous, but if its not what you truly want then you need to find one that IS what you want. Good luck!!

Veittobe

OMG.  I did the very same thing!  I bought a dress with my Mom that I did like, but I didn't LOVE it like my Mom did.  But the price was so awesome and it fit me really well and everyone at the dress shop said it looked beautiful on.  So, I bought it.  But, I ended up finding one at a later date that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!  It took me a little time to get up the courage to tell my Mom I preferred this new dress, but once I did - she was totally ok with it.  I know she prefers the first dress and she knows I know, but ultimately, she wants me to feel beautiful in my dress and I'm sure your Mom does, too.  Either way, it's YOUR dress.  You have to, have to, have to wear the dress you love.  Keep your options open.  Check out the other dresses and see what you think.  Maybe you will find a killer dress on a sample sale and it will all work out perfect in the end!  And, if you do sell your dress, let me know how you did it - I will be doing that soon myself.  lol

BrilhanteBride

It's the fabric across the bust that I don't like.
.. That and it didn't help that when I tried it on for my Dad he said "oh...That's um...Nice..I guess."

I checked the receipt I for the dress it says "No refunds. No exchanges. No exceptions.

Kerrysousa

O wow i love that gown its beautiful and i bet u look stunning in it.. But heres an option use it as the reception gown or wen u decide 2 change and maybe just shop around untill u find something u absoultely fall in love with and use it for the ceremony.Good Luck!

[Deleted User]

I am in the same boat as well. I bought a dress that my fiance's stepmom kept saying "that is so you" and now I don't know. It's a no returns no exchanges too. Maggie Sottero Sosi.

I wanted something simple, light and elegant for an outside wedding in spring in florida, but it doesn't seem like a "wedding dress" to me.

If you figure out an answer to your problem, please let me in on the secret. maybe it could work for me too.

Cantia

baystateapple has already said what I was thinking, think about what you don't like and see if it can be changed. If not, try selling it and find something else if you have the time. Personally I think it's awesome, but I do prefer simple figure hugging styles. Try accesorising it? Or take a step back, forget about the dress for a few days and see how you feel next week, you might change your opinion. Good luck!

cooknkate

This happened to me too!  I had my first dress fitting seven weeks before my wedding and realized I couldn't wear the dress down the aisle.  My dress was very beautiful but it was uncomfortable and heavy.  Everyone thought I was crazy!!  I started shopping online for wedding dresses (with return policies).  I had them shipped in from Nordstrom, Ann Taylor and David's Bridal.  I eventually found one from David's Bridal online in their sale section.  It's not as unique/stunning as my original dress but it's light, airy and comfortable.  I'm dressing it up with colorful jewelry and flowers for my hair.  NO ONE (well, maybe your mom!) is going to pick apart your dress as you walk down the aisle.  They'll just see a beautiful, happy bride.  Wear something that makes you feel special and that you can comfortably wear for hours on end!!

amb916

I just went through this. Exact same situation with caving. There were things I liked about the dress, and I agreed it was pretty. I just didn't feel like it was THE dress. I went to another salon, by myself, and got the dress I loved completely. Watching all those bride/dress shows, you get these opinions that you should feel a certain way. I really didn't. I did however, feel much different about the dress I ended up buying. I felt pretty and just knew.

I now have 2 dresses as well. Both were rack sales. No returns. I have listed the original dress 3 times for sale to no avail. It's worth it though, if you ask me, to take the loss. (and in no way can I afford it). I wish you beyond the best of luck in finding the right dress for YOU. In the end, YOU have to love it. It is your big day. And the people that love you - and the original dress- will support you in the end.