panic - no bridesmaid dresses

butterflyjumper1

I actually didn't even want to post this because I am so panicked about it, but I am hoping it will make me feel better....

So my girls all ordered in February/March from a store based out of Chicago that has online ordering set up so all the girls could order on their own, online, and have shipped to them all over the country. Everything appeared to be going smoothly, my junior BM got her dress in early June, and we expected all the others to start coming in. They didn't.

All FIVE of my BMs who have the exact same dress - despite making five separate un-related orders - have not gotten their dress in. I finally decided to call yesterday, even though their estimated ship dates were for late-June, and I was able to have them look up all five orders. NONE have even shipped from the designer yet.

I am literally in full-blown panic mode - just what I need on top of moving, dealing with our new house drama, and other wedding stuff that I need to do. 

I feel like such an idiot not calling sooner. The store was extremely sympathetic and they are going to start calling the designer for me (Alfred Sung), but I really don't understand what is going on. Junior BM who is in a different dress style got hers exactly as planned, but 5 BMs who are in different (trendier) style all are dress-less.

I was basically told that the bridal store would offer my girls a refund if they hear from the designer and it turns out we won't have our dresses in time....but currently, that doesn't help me. MY GIRLS NEED DRESSES.

I am really not a bridezilla - I would be fine with finding them another dress from J Crew or something and ordering immediately - BUT we seriously based LOTS of our decorations/themes on the massive bow that the girls were supposed to have on the backs of their dresses. We have bows incorporated in ALL of our crafts and decorations.
Also, like I said, the junior bridesmaids successfully got their dresses, which are supposed to be the same fabric and a coordinating style to the regular BMs, so that will also be ruined if we don't get the dresses in.

My current backup plan: Find grey/slate sheath dresses from a J Crew or Banana Republic or something, and buy a sash of some type for each girl so they can still have a cute bow on their back.

I am trying to be calm................... breathe butterfly breathe!

But THIS. SUCKS.  

bridetobe71412

I would be totally panicked too. UGH I AM SORRY.

The good news is that for Jcrew, the dresses are either in-stock or not. My girls received theirs in less than a week. They have a bunch of cute styles, which might work for you, and their grey color is fantastic. Not sure how you feel about the Bow Monde style (http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/silktaffeta/PRDOVR~19961/19961.jsp) but it has a HUGE bow on it. It didn't end up working for my girls because some of them are rather busty, but it's a cute style.

I am SO sorry you're dealing with this, though!

bridetobe71412

Or this: http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bridesmaid/cottoncady/PRDOVR~65146/65146.jsp

Sorry, I love JCrew so I couldn't help but go to their website!

Also, not to add to the stress, but if there is a price difference between the Alfred Sung and the JCrew, you may want to cover the difference since the girls will be out a bunch more money.

elizabethmae315

Ugh. That sounds awful. Im sorry. 

But remember. You have a month. 30 days. A lot can happen. Now you have the store on your side, and im sure they will do everything in their power to get you those dresses. 

And it sounds like you have a possible back up plan. Wait until the store hears from the designer and gets back to you before hitting full meltdown mode. Im sure they will not walk down the aisle naked.

mbody

OMG I'm so sorry!! Yes, breathe. You've got a great back-up plan if need be. J Crew has a ton of cute dresses and the sash with the bow on the back will look great. 

When did the store tell you they would get back to you? 

Alfred Sung is part of dessy group correct? That's what my BM dresses are too. I wouldn't be surprised if they are put into a rush order ASAP. 

BeachLover2885

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_panic-no-bridesmaid-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:2d5b68bf-8c2e-4ef1-aba4-900c562afa1aPost:4fbab699-51b1-46d9-ad88-6ba611bda0ac">Re: panic - no bridesmaid dresses</a>:
[QUOTE]Ugh. That sounds awful. Im sorry.  But remember. You have a month. 30 days. A lot can happen. Now you have the store on your side, and im sure they will do everything in their power to get you those dresses.  And it sounds like you have a possible back up plan. Wait until the store hears from the designer and gets back to you before hitting full meltdown mode. Im sure they will not walk down the aisle naked. :)
Posted by elizabethmae315[/QUOTE]

<div>All of the above! Good luck!! Everything will work out no matter what and your day will be great!</div>

butterflyjumper1

bridetobe - great minds think alike. I actually wanted the bow monde dress from the start, but the girls wanted something cheaper, which was how I found the Alfred Sung dress.....

It really is a great back up - the problem, like you said, is the price difference. I would be fine with chipping in $100/girl to fix the problem, it's just awkward and sucky and I hate it. UGH.

And they won't match the juniors.

butterflyjumper1

mbody - yes, Alfred Sung is a dessy group brand. It just makes no sense to me that all the girls ordered around the same time, individually, and the juniors came in quickly while this bow-style dress is apparently problematic.

I am supposed to hear back from the store on Monday. They said it would take 2 business days to play phone tag with the design house and they promised they would get back to me on Monday. You can bet your a$$ i will be calling them early Monday morning asking for an update.  If I don't have good news Monday I will start ordering J Crew dresses.......

MeaganR12

I don't blame you for panicking! Luckily, your back-up plan is a really good option. I love the J-crew bridesmaid dresses, that's what I wanted too but I felt bad for making them spend that much. 

Hopefully they'll come in in time though. You still have quite a few weeks to go. 

lvissers

Oh no, so sorry! I have Alfred Sung dresses for my girls, but ordered throguh netbride.com. When did you girls place their order? You shouldn't be this close to your wedding without dresses! Just breathe and don't freak out quite yet until you hear back from the vendor!

michelle11988

Just relax, at least it sounds like you have a back up plan.  I would definitely be calling the store on Monday morning that you ordered from.  Definitely not something you feel like dealing with, but at least you have a month to find something.  I would definitely be complaining to the designer and seeing if they will also try and refund / give you payment for the extra $100 you might have to ask the girls to spend or yourself for now having to rush something.

colleenm18

Oh Butterfly this is awful.. I know that doesnt help sorry!

But on to the good.  Your back up plan is great!  And the JCrew dresses are adorable.  I will be saying prayers this week that your real dresses are shipped right away and you hear back ASAP!

pillsburyaj

Oh no! So sorry you are having to deal with this right now.

I'd say if you haven't heard about your AS dresses in a couple of weeks, go ahead and order the J Crew ones. Then, if by some miralcle, the AS dresses come in with time for alterations etc, then you could just return the J Crew ones? IDK. But then there's the issue of matching the JBM's... :-/

I'm sure everything will work out! Sending positive thoughts your way.

BmoreBride311

why the F does it take so long for BM dresses? I feel like SO many girls on this board have had similar issues. Ugh. I'm really sorry this is happening! Like everyone else has said, hopefully your call was enough for them to put a rush on it and get the dresses in time. If not, J.Crew is a great back-up plan. I actually have a few J.Crew BM dresses for myself, just b/c I like them haha. GL!!

k8888

I'm useless in the advice department on this one, but I am sympathetic to the horrible feeling of everything happening at the same time, stressing you out thing.  Don't even think about it until Monday... there's nothing you can do about it until then and you have a busy moving weekend to worry about.

*hugs*

littlemoments324

*hugs*!!!!!  I would also request a partial refund for the disturbance if necessary!! Stay positive!!