Out-of-state wedding: Should I buy the dress here or there?

LGrunner

Hi everyone!

I am getting married next year in Colorado (my homestate) but am living in Connecticut. I was home a few weeks a go to plan some of the details and on a whim decided to do some dress shopping with my mom. Of course I found the perfect dress that I am absolutely in love with. Now the problem is, should I buy it back in Colorado at the boutique I found it (where I really like and trust them) or out here in Connecticut? The biggest problem surrounds the fittings. I can probably get out to Colorado once in the 2-5 months before the wedding but then I would just go the week or two before the wedding. The dress is lace with a lace up back so there is some "flexibility" in sizing but this means I would only have two fittings (or maybe a third if I was able to do 2 in the final week). If I buy it out here in Connecticut though I have to find another place that I can trust, and have to worry about flying out with it (eek!) 

Any tips from people who have planned out of state weddings or have advice otherwise? Thanks in advance!! 

opalsky007

I can't tell you what to decide, because I don't know your exact situation, but I can give you some guidance based on my own experience.

First, you may not need more than two fittings--once to get things rolling, and a final fitting a week or two before the wedding. Just make sure your seamstress knows your situation, and they should be able to knock everything out in one fell swoop, especially given that you have a corset back. The only problem I could see is that it might be hard to plan for a bustle if you need hemming done, but bustles are not time-consuming, and could be taken care of in the week or two before the wedding if necessary.

Second, flying with a dress isn't really that bad. I was able to carefully roll up my gown and place it in an overhead bin. It needed steaming before it ever went into that bin, so the fact that I added a few wrinkles by doing it was no big deal.

jkjwfu92

I am living in North Carolina but my wedding is in Tennessee (hometown).  I chose to buy my dress in Tennessee.  I felt like I would be there on a few trips to plan that I could squeeze in fittings and I didn't want to worry about shipping a dress or trying to fly with it.  The style of your dress may determine how much of a hassle that might be (large ball gown versus sheath dress, etc.).  

acmj11

I went to Jamaica and Las Vegas recently and saw a lot of people traveling with wedding gowns.  Which option is less stress and hassle for you?

amylydia23

It really is personal preference, I could not hand the stress of traveling with my dress but I am also deathly afraid of flying.  I live in Texas and my wedding is in Rhode Island and I bought the dress in my hometown a few hours away from where the wedding will be.  I agree with PP, whichever is less stressful for you.

[Deleted User]

I agree with opal. You may only need one fitting, I did. I bought my dress in Ohio (hometown and where the wedding was). I had no place to keep it here without H seeing it prior to the wedding. And I didn't want to put it in storage or anything like that. I was fortunate enough to be able to go home about 3 or 4 times before the wedding to schedule any appts and do wedding stuff.

Like opal said, it really depends on your situation. Or you could buy it in your hometown and then when it comes in have someone ship it to you and get the alterations done where you currently live. When you go home for the wedding, take it to the cleaners and have it pressed/steamed as long as you have a few days prior to the wedding.

tldh

If you decide to travel with it, here's what I did with my chiffon dress.  I layed out white tissue paper on a bed, place the dress over it, placed another layer of tissue paper on top and then rolled it from the bottom up.  It fit in my carry on luggage.

twilight.rose

I was in a similar situation, and I bought the dress where we live and traveled with it to the wedding. I decided to drive instead of fly due to the dress, so I was able to lay it in the backseat of my car.

lanyemichelle

I would be more concerned about the fittings than anything. I bought my gown in a town 6 hours from here and I'm worried that the bridal shops in this area might mess it up in all honesty. However I don't like the idea of driving six hours. If you trust the shops in Connecticut (the White Dress by the Shore is great) why dont you have it shipped to you there and fly it back with you before the wedding?

shortee426

I live in California but will be having my wedding in New Jersey.  I will most likely buy my dress out here, as I am not sure how many trips/how often I will make it back east (due partly to my crazy work schedule).  If you are flying with it, try contacting the airline ahead of time to see if there is anywhere they can hang it for you.  I have heard that some airlines will allow you to hang it in the designated 1st class "closet."

islandbrideshopdotcom

Is there a reason you  have to get alterations at the boutique it was purchased from? Why not just order the gown, have it sent to your house, and get it altered locally?