Dumb question perhaps???

mayjaygirl21

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this board, and I have a question that's been bugging me for the longest.  I'm getting married June 2011, and I've only gone dress shopping once.  But I'm hesitant to go back until I lose 10-20 lbs, or just go down a couple pant sizes.  It seems like most brides are dress shopping and buying dresses now, but is it crazy for me to wait a few months until I lose weight, or shop now and get the dress altered?? The only thing is that when I go shopping, my weight depresses me, which will make me not want to buy any dress.

Anyone ever had this problem?

xtina01

I am in the exact same situation.  My wedding is also June 2011 and the bridal shops here in my hometown keep telling me its best to order 8-9 months in advance which is now!  I have tried on a few dresses, but also am not happy with my body.  I think I am going to go the safe route and pick a dress sooner rather than later to avoid any complications or situations that may arise with getting my dress made and alterations.  I will just alter the dress later.  I would personally rather know that there is enough time for the dress to come in than be stressing that it won't come in time.  But I do completely understand because I feel the same way and it is depressing.  I am hoping to get serious about improving my lifestyle starting tomorrow.  I can't stand feeling bad about myself any  more!

Hope this helps

silly_girl2

I am getting married at the end of april 2011 which is coser then everyone else but i am unhappy with my weight, i have gone to try on dresses awhile ago but was unhappy.  so i am waiting a little.  I am having a beach wedding and want a smaller style dress so that makes it even worse.  

hetshup

I have a hand made lace gown from Spain, and it only took 4 months to make. You don't need to get a dress now, you can if you want to though. 

When you go dress shopping, dress the body you have now, not the one you want. With all the stress of wedding planning, you don't need to add stress of trying to lose weight too.

Andrea.Matillano

Same with me! So I got engaged in February and I wanted to lose weight before I went wedding dress shopping...but my mom and sisters bugged me so much we finally went in March. WORST DECISION EVER. It was so depressing! Bridal sizes run so much smaller than regular sizes...it was so depressing. AND I told the consultant that I was planning on losing weight and she said, "Well, that's what most Brides say but it probably won't happen. Besides, you are built like that so it's not like you will get much smaller." Oh it was awful. So now it's September, I still haven't lost the weight, and I still haven't gone back. I am in such a predicament. My advice to you is to wait until you feel comfortable with your body. If that means losing a little weight, then wait to go try on your dress. It will be so much more enjoyable that way for you.

http://dancingonadaydream.blogspot.com

crnota

Having been where you guys are now....I would say you should try on and purchase a dress at the time specified by the bridal shops. Sometimes they really DO take the maximum amount of time, or there could be complications and it could take even longer!

I know it's depressing to shop when you are unhappy with your size, but if you wait too long, you will have very limited options and may not be able to get the dress of your dreams.

Also, you don't really know how fast you'll lose weight or how much you'll lose. You can't plan on anything for sure- what if you get injured and can't work out, or have some other roadblock to getting to your ideal size by your wedding.

The best advice I can give is to shop at the recommended time, and find a dress that looks GREAT on you, as you are now. Forget about what size it is (since yeah, they DO run smaller). Pick a size that is flattering and makes you look and feel beautiful. Then, work out, eat right, etc....and if you lose weight, you get the dress altered.

I had my dress taken in 2 sizes after I lost 15 pounds. It was totally do-able, and I had the time to get it fitted perfectly. If I had waited longer to get my dress, I would still not have been at my goal weight (maybe would have lost 5 pounds by then? or 8?) and would STILL have had to have my dress altered closer to the wedding...but would have been in a time crunch and not necessarily had time to get it just right. Does that make sense?

Good luck!

vballgirl78

Another thing to think about.....

I bought my dress when I was at my highest weight ever.  It was very difficult at first, but I found a dress that fit my body and looked great despite my weight.  It also allowed me to get some great "before" pictures in my dress.  As I lost the weight, it was so motivating to see myself in my dress looking better and healthier every day of my journey.  To see the before and after pictures was so cool.  While it might be hard now, I wouldn't wait too long.... you don't want the added stress of not knowing if you'll get your dress in time (that added stress sure won't help your weight loss effort).  You can always have your dress altered later.  It all depends on where you are buying your dress- check with them to see how much time it will take for most dresses to come in.

Good luck!  

raynes

Ditto everything that arwo said, including the part about having the dress taken in 2 sizes.

Find a dress that makes you feel beautiful and order it when the store suggests in a size that fits you now.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

It depends where you go. My dress is Alfred Angelo and it took 9 weeks to come in (they told me 4-6 months). I'm getting married next month and some girls on my club board really did have to wait 9-10 months for their dress.

The closer you get to your wedding, you could buy off the rack, but your options are more limited and they'd need to have something in your size or a size close enough where you could have the dress altered.

I would highly recommend just buying a dress now that fits you and having it taken in a size or two next spring.

lharri12

About 9 months ago I was in the midset that you're all in right now.  I would advise you to start shopping now.  My dress (a Maggie Sottero) took 6 months to arrive.  You don't want to have to pay a couple hundred bucks to have it rushed just because you don't like how you look in the mirror right now.  Try to ignore your body issues and instead focus on the style of dresses to see what flatters your body type now.  When you lose 10-20 lbs, your body will still have the same general shape it has now, just a little bit smaller.
Don't order a dress that is way too small - it's easy to have it taken in but really difficult to let it out.  The measurements on my dress were 1 inch smaller than my body measurements at the time I ordered it, and I was confident that I could lose one inch, which I easily did.  I took a picture of myself in the dress at the time I ordered it, and I used that photo as motivation to hit the gym and watch my diet.
Good luck, everyone!!

mayjaygirl21

Good luck to everyone, and thanks so much for the input. I'll start seriously looking for dresses now!

mmgumbel

This was a huge concern for me as I consistently lose weight right now..I purchased my dress about a month ago... I have already almost lost enough to be in a size smaller... The ladies at the shop laugh and say they know we should have ordered a smaller size... but they all assured me an amazing seamstress can make anything fit.. They told of a dress altered from a 20 to a 2 overnight and it looked perfect... I love looking smaller each time I try on the sample!  My point... they can always make a dress smaller... but rarely larger! 

lizhudson88

I would just search for a dress as you go, despite how much weight you've lost. You never know when you'll find a great deal on a dress! I found my dream dress for a STEAL. I currently can't breathe with it on and it has about two inches to zip but that is some serious motivation to get in shape! It may be dangerous to buy the dress a little too small but if you could always get it let out (slightly) or taken in (quite a few sizes!)

tlbattaglia

I too am in the same boat.  My wedding is May 2011.  I haven't gone to even look yet because I'm wanting to lose a LOT of weight.  However, I've decided that I'm going to go and start looking now.  And then I'm hoping to really decide in Novemeber and order one.  HOPEFULLY, I'll continue to get in shape and just have to have it alterred closer to the wedding date.