Less than 3 weeks to go.. still no dress

PharmacyBride

I ordered my perfect dress weeks before they told me I had to (late Feb or early March).. it is now less than 3 weeks before the wedding and I keep getting BS from the shop about how it is being shipped (this is the same story they told me over 4 weeks ago).

When do I give up and find something else to wear?  I don't want to spend any money on a second dress.. but I also don't want to find out 3 days before the wedding that it will never be in.

I am just so burnt out with emotion over this.  I really loved my dress and I saved so long to afford it.  It fit my body perfectly.  None of my recently married friends have a body type even similar to mine.  (I already have self-confidence issues as it is.. I just wanted to wear a dress that fit me and I looked good in...I don't want my boobs falling out of my sisters dress or drown in another.)

I don't even know if I should keep waiting for my dress to come in - or if I should start looking into plan B.

: (

JessAndTrav

I would call incessantly trying to find out details, and I'd probably give it another week. If it's still a no-show, I'd pretty much demand a refund and take my business elsewhere.

MobKaz

Out of curiousity----a few questions......

Is this the original shipment, or was it sent out for alterations?  Did you get your BM dresses from the same shop?

If the shipment is the original, and there is still a chance alterations would be necessary, you may have no choice but to go elsewhere.  I am curious as to how diligent and earnestly the shop is pursuing this on your behalf.  IF you also ordered the BM dresses there....and you think you can afford to play "chicken"....you might want to see how quickly the shop acts if you threaten to cancel all your orders with them. 

I would ask to see all paperwork for your order...check dates and make sure they actually sent the order out when you originally bought the dress.  I would also make the shop personnel call while you are there, so that if you need to interject on the call, you can do so.  At least then you can get the truth from the manufacturer.  Perhaps you could purchase their sample and have alterations done at their expense?  Or, if the shop is a chain....see if another of their stores has a sample.  Bottom line, however, is that you should NOT be out any money --  I would demand a full refund for failure to deliver as promised. 

FWIW...I know my daughter would be beside herself if this were her scenario.  I offer these sincere words to you as I would offer to her......and I apologize if I sound like a creeeper who stalked your bio..........

You are a beautiful girl with a gorgeous smile that no dress could ever rise above!  I can't imagine you not looking gorgeous in anything you would wear.  Your FI will have his breath taken away regardless of what you wear. 

IF this were my daughter, I would suggest that she make a decision in "rip it off like a band-aid" fashion.....and move forward.  Plan a day of hookey from work; make it a do-or-die shopping day....and enjoy the new experience.  But, as hard as it may be.....if you decide to walk away from dress 1, really walk away!  Make no comparisons....no regrets.....perhaps you will find something more to your liking now that everything else is in place. 

Good luck to you.

PharmacyBride

Thanks ladies!  It helps to vent a little online cuz I am going crazy here! 

I don't think I will need alterations.. I was the same size in boobs, waist, and hip.. plus it is a corset back.  I may need a hem and definitely a bustle.. but not likely major alterations.. so at least that is helpful.

I think I will get my money back if it doesn't come in.. but if I find something .. and the dress comes in 2 days before the wedding.. I won't see my money.

I feel like if I get a second dress.. the dress will come in .. if I don't .. the dress won't come in.  I always fall on the wrong side of Murphys law.. lol

I may start looking at off the rack dresses though and see what I find.  My mom brought over my sister's dress.. she is like a size zero and ABSOLUTELY the opposite style dress I want.. but we will see if it will work as plan B.  Here's hoping

BlueBoxBride

1. Demand the boutique alter down your same style dress in their sample size. They can use your dress as a replacement when it comes in. 

2. Demand the sample dress be sold at a discount. 

3. If they won't do steps 1 and 2, immediately alert them to the fact that your credit card company will be crediting you back or stop payment. 

4. File an official complaint with the BBB and if need be, get your money back through small claims court. It's $40 or so to file. 

PsyDet 2155

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_less-3-weeks-still-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f13753ba-0166-4b58-a310-bcacf7a33442Post:9cd0370c-ce68-4be1-ba7d-fd33f8120b79">Re: Less than 3 weeks to go.. still no dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I would call incessantly trying to find out details, and I'd probably give it another week. If it's still a no-show, I'd pretty much demand a refund and take my business elsewhere.
Posted by JessAndTrav[/QUOTE]

That's what I would do.  I also would stop by their place of business and ask the employees, very loudly, what is going on so other shoppers can hear.

squirrly

Get proof that they ordered from the dress shop.  Go to the shop, take your receipt, and demand to see their records.  Copy down the order number.  Call the manufacturer yourself and find out what's up.  Let them know the shop is being shady.  If it were me, I'd do that TOMORROW, even if it means taking part of the day off work. 

If the manufacturer can't guarantee that the dress will arrive in time for alterations, ask the shop for an off-the-rack dress at a STEEP discount.  Plus free alterations.  One of my BM dresses was wrong when it came in, and it was too late to re-order -- they worked with the BM to take an off-the-rack dress and fix it (my girls just had to match color & designer, not style). 

If the shop is unwilling to help you, I would contact the BBB and start shopping ASAP.  And, get a seamstress lined up and ready, JIC.  A good one.  Who is speedy. 

I think the bottom line is to go to the store - stop calling - and get to the bottom of it. 

kellyjellybelly

Damn, I have no advice other that what PPs have said.  What dress shop?

andamu

Call your local TV news station - most of them run some kind of consumer complaints type segment, and there's nothing businesses hate more than ending up on there.  Plus "bride without a wedding dress" is a great hook for a story.  The original store may shape up if the camera is rolling, and if not, someone else may step in where there's an opportunity for them to look good.

MrsMLRB

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_less-3-weeks-still-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f13753ba-0166-4b58-a310-bcacf7a33442Post:ebddb220-744a-415d-b6ab-58118f977283">Re: Less than 3 weeks to go.. still no dress</a>:
[QUOTE]Damn, I have no advice other that what PPs have said.  What dress shop?
Posted by kellyjellybelly[/QUOTE]


Seriously. What dress shop?

Please don't freak out because the situation sucks but freaking out will waste time you don't have. At the end of the day you will be married to the love of your life whether you wear your perfect gown or some random white dress off the rack. It won't be the perfect thing you dreamed of but at the end of the day you are married and thats what matters.

PharmacyBride

My mom came by with my sister's dress.. to my surprise.. it does fit!!!!  It is strapless with a zipper (not corset) - so the chances of it fitting perfectly were pretty slim.  My sister is a few inches taller than me.. so even with heels.. it will need to be hemmed.  She was just married a 5 weeks ago - so our guests will definitely recognize it.. plus it absolutely not my style (very big and poofy).. but at least I have a very good backup we can alter days before the wedding if needed!!!!!  So now I will stop freaking out.

I just really want my dress.  I just started my new job and am taking my boards this week.  I have so many other important to worry about right now.. I just really shouldn't have to worry about my dress.

I just wasn't sure when to "give up" on my dress.  Now, with my sister's dress, I at least know I will have something white to walk down the aisle in.  I just really didn't think it would fit (I am fatter and my bra size is 2 cups larger!) so I was just sitting here wondering whether or not I should go shopping for a plan B dress.

Thanks for your advice and kind words.  Once I get my boards done- I will have the energy to raise some heck at this store and go public with this problem.  Hopefully.. the dress will arrive any day now and all these worries can be put to rest!

tidetravel

Contact the manufacturer directly and inform them of the situation.

Checj your local board for recommendations on a reliable seamstress.  Explain the situation, and see if she can count you in as a last minute client.  If your dress does arrive in time, I would absolutely NOT allow the bridal salon to hold on to it one more minute than needed.

Start looking at off the rack dresses, as well.  Just to keep your options open. 

PharmacyBride

It was Eva's in Orland Park, IL  (which gave me great customer service and discounts... I liked them up until now.. I don't like dealing with this drama at the very last minute!!)

Something similar happened to my sister.. we are pretty sure her dress is second hand (1. the manufacturer has no record of a sale of that dress to the shop, 2. the dress was to her ankles and looked previously hemmed (a new front was eventually put in to fit her), and 3. the tag with the specific # on it was cut off!).  And despite ordering it 16 months in advance- we barely got it in before the wedding.  Once the front was changed out - the dress looked fabulous on her.. but the drama over it was insane!

I just can't believe we are having more dress drama (different salon).. I just don't understand how difficult it is to get a dress in that was ordered March 3rd!!!

Thanks again for your advice and listening to me vent!  I really thought I would be popping out of her dress so I was just starting to wonder if I should request off work one day to go shopping for dress #2.  (Who knows.. maybe she stretched out the dress dancing or something!!  but it fits!)

BlueBoxBride

I've said it before on these boards and I'll say it again: I LOVE the Nicole Miller Bridal salon on Wells St. 

I had my gown within a WEEK of it being ordered and it was manufactured in their facility in New York. 

I also did not want a poofy dress, so if you want something sleek I would recommend trying there. 

polichik

If you do end up looking cancelling your order with that salon and getting a full refund, I'd recommend the Priscilla of Boston Salon in Oak Park. I had a fabulous experience there, and I believe that they were having a sample sale this time last year. Their Vineyard stuff is gorgeous, sleek, and definitely not poofy.

But I second the other PPs advice, especially the part about fighting hard. I know that you need to focus on your work, but I'd urge you to address this ASAP.