Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations

lunarsongbird

Hi Ladies-

I wanted to drop by and see if anyone else has ever experience this hesitation....

The dress has been purchased. I want to lose weight, but I know if I lose too much- it can't be altered. I wonder how much weight I can lose before I would have to buy a new dress...

I also don't know when to get alterations done- I don't want to be constantly altering until the wedding day.

Help?

angned

Find out how long it takes by asking the person who wil do it.  They will likely give you a set number of weeks

SunriseAmber

I would speak to the person doing alterations. You could find out how much the dress could be taken in and how close to the wedding those alterations could begin. I'm worried about this as well. One reason I haven't begun looking at dresses.

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:06c89e51-1016-4aea-aba5-22c1a751b235">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]I would speak to the person doing alterations. You could find out how much the dress could be taken in and how close to the wedding those alterations could begin. I'm worried about this as well. One reason I haven't begun looking at dresses.
Posted by SunriseAmber[/QUOTE]

Whew...I'm glad I'm not the only one with these thoughts floating around in my head.

ETA: I was also surprised at how long it takes dresses to come in. I ordered mine in November and they told me to expect it in March! My goodness!

SunriseAmber

I'm planning a November wedding. Where did you order your dress from?

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:3d8014e3-897b-4fa7-9032-0e3c47c6bcbb">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm planning a November wedding. Where did you order your dress from?
Posted by SunriseAmber[/QUOTE]

I went and found a dress that I liked at David's. :) So I would imagine that a boutique might even take longer!

<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/7/0/7739a4c4-c5a8-42fb-90e9-830da6eed005.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/7/0/7739a4c4-c5a8-42fb-90e9-830da6eed005.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/5/2/75337b19-f201-4691-b2d0-029f4485a611.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/5/2/75337b19-f201-4691-b2d0-029f4485a611.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

SunriseAmber

Your dress is beautiful.

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:613614eb-7ac9-488d-9985-6e8d4622036a">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]Your dress is beautiful.
Posted by SunriseAmber[/QUOTE]

Thanks! It's simple- but I like the beading work- but I know that beading work might be a pain the butt to alter (the beading continues to the back).
I'll ask David's for some details on alterations.

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:84f6e6bf-a35c-4946-b61d-1090bcd43830">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know the answer to your question since I used a friend who is a seamstress, but I have to say I LOVE your dress and it looks fabulous on you!
Posted by djhar[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I was clamped into that particular dress, because it didn't fit. My consultant ensured me that there is a dress for every woman...no matter what size- and I definitely believe her. I think the dress works well with my body type. I'm a total pear. A-lines hide it. :)

rmontpas

It is a beautiful dress lunar.  I don't know anything about alterations though.  My dress has a corseted back and is close enough to fitting that I don't need any.  I lucked out!

becka717

You look great in your dress!  David's would probably have you do alterations starting 6 weeks out from your wedding date.  I've heard that most dresses can be taken in up to 2 sizes.

RaptorSLH

Your dress looks wonderful on you!

An alterist can answer both of these questions for you.  Pick your alterist (doesn't have to be David's Bridal) and ask when they want you to come in, and how many sizes they can take in the dress.

mancila60

Davids can go either up or down 2 sizes in alterations. Anything more than that and you will need a new dress. It also takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks for alterations depending on their schedule. I would say start getting your dress altered about 3-4 months before the wedding and try to do it all at once as in don't get the bustle done and then alter everything else. I too am having this problem because I just got my dress altered and am scared of losing weight so I am working on areas that won't matter in my dress but will be seen. Mostly just my arms then I feel my dress hides everything else.

Kate61487

Ditto PPs to ask the actual person who will be doing your alterations.

My dress was from David's.  They told me the limit was 2 sizes, but that was in part due to the detail on my specific dress; another dress might have different limitations.  However, David's also agreed to exchange my dress if/when I lost the weight as long as I hadn't altered it at all yet.

I ordered my dress in January in a size 18.  In early May I was down to a 14, so I brought the dress back in and they ordered the smaller dress (which had an estimated arrival just a week before my July wedding, but actually showed up after only 10 days).  I didn't go in for my first fitting until 2 weeks before the wedding, b/c I wanted it to fit as well as possible.  But I was pretty happy at my 14 size so I didn't really lose any more weight so it turned out they didn't have to do any alteration other than the bustle.  TALK to your alterist and keep the lines of communication open.  GL!

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:8154488a-d115-4407-9c1c-1d4fac7659ca">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]Ditto PPs to ask the actual person who will be doing your alterations. My dress was from David's.  They told me the limit was 2 sizes, but that was in part due to the detail on my specific dress; another dress might have different limitations.  However, David's also agreed to exchange my dress if/when I lost the weight as long as I hadn't altered it at all yet. I ordered my dress in January in a size 18.  In early May I was down to a 14, so I brought the dress back in and they ordered the smaller dress (which had an estimated arrival just a week before my July wedding, but actually showed up after only 10 days).  I didn't go in for my first fitting until 2 weeks before the wedding, b/c I wanted it to fit as well as possible.  But I was pretty happy at my 14 size so I didn't really lose any more weight so it turned out they didn't have to do any alteration other than the bustle.  TALK to your alterist and keep the lines of communication open.  GL!
Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

Ooooh- this is interesting! I'll have to ask about the exchanging policy. I think I would have a spaz attack if my dress came in a week before the wedding! EEEK!

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:1848b77a-c8c7-4144-bcdf-f037a6e9208b">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations : Ooooh- this is interesting! I'll have to ask about the exchanging policy. I think I would have a spaz attack if my dress came in a week before the wedding! EEEK!
Posted by lunarsongbird[/QUOTE]

Definitely worth asking!  And they told me the 3 month thing both times, and both times it was less than a month so I wasn't too worried about it :-)  The big thing was that they wouldn't exchange it at 1 size, it had to be the full 2 sizes where it wouldn't be alterable anymore for them to exchange it.

The thing for me was; I thought to myself - do I want to feel fat on my wedding day in the dress I like, or be skinnier and healthier but potentially have to buy something off the rack?  To me my health and size was more important than the specific dress, so I went for it :-)

mollyehren

The place I bough my dress told me it really depends on how it closes, if it is a lace up you can take it in 2 sizes (roughly 25 lbs) with little or no alteration. If you lose more than that the lace up can be taken out and turned into a zip up. Davids cannot risk doing major re-work but my alterations lady has done work on a dress after a girl had a gastric bypass and said it can easily be done.

becka717

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:21a45da7-4d5c-40a9-a10d-765b4bf1de9b">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations : Definitely worth asking!  <strong>And they told me the 3 month thing both times, and both times it was less than a month so I wasn't too worried about it :-)</strong>  The big thing was that they wouldn't exchange it at 1 size, it had to be the full 2 sizes where it wouldn't be alterable anymore for them to exchange it. The thing for me was; I thought to myself - do I want to feel fat on my wedding day in the dress I like, or be skinnier and healthier but potentially have to buy something off the rack?  To me my health and size was more important than the specific dress, so I went for it :-)
Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

I've also heard that Davids can exchange your dress for a smaller size if you need to.  I ordered my dress from David's in August, they said it should arrive in November.  I had it by the end of August.

crash2729

I used to work at AA, and I was told as a rule of thumb you could only go down 2 sizes. Also, it may be cheaper and quicker to have someone besides David's alter your dress! 

lunarsongbird

All you ladies have some rocking good advice!!

RaptorSLH

[QUOTE]I've also heard that Davids can exchange your dress for a smaller size if you need to.  I ordered my dress from David's in August, they said it should arrive in November.  I had it by the end of August.
Posted by becka717[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Be careful.  Get this in writing by a manager before you commit.  David's Bridal has a bad rep as a chain for making promises they don't keep when it comes to returns and the like.  (Not just my local store, either.  I've seen this complaint made about staff at about six different stores I researched.)

</div>

sunshine9779

So glad I stumbled upon this thread! I have to make my final payment for my dress on Friday and was wondering this same thing. The one I have on layaway needs to be pinched to stay on but the next size down doesn't fit. I like Kate's story and will use it as motivation. Btw, Lunar, your dress looks great!

crash2729

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:0e8fdb3d-ef5f-453a-9840-6f5a06d1e9f5">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]Be careful.  Get this in writing by a manager before you commit.  David's Bridal has a bad rep as a chain for making promises they don't keep when it comes to returns and the like.  (Not just my local store, either.  I've seen this complaint made about staff at about six different stores I researched.)
Posted by RaptorSLH[/QUOTE]

<div>I agree with this. I would even go as far as to suggest that even if it wasn't David's you get it in writing. Mainly because depending on who you speak to, they may not work everyday and when you come and exchange it it's your word V. theirs.</div>

lunarsongbird

This is all such good advice! I'll have to call David's tomorrow. They left me a message today to let me know that are going to send me my hairpiece free of charge:

(I often show off my dorkiness)

You ladies seem super fantastic- I might poke around on this board more often!

mollyehren

Side note on David's bridal, if you order your dress ONLINE instead of in the store you get it within 10 DAYS and they allow 10 days for returns...some of the stores give girls issues with returning the dress. I personally would order online as your day was closer so you had a better idea of what size you will be in then. After all how much will your weight change in the last few weeks before marriage?

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_want-lose-weightbut-worried-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:45c48115-49f0-4bab-98ee-d91bf25d76abPost:9f757d1b-24f2-4362-84fd-67e67a9f365b">Re: Want to lose weight....but worried about the alterations</a>:
[QUOTE]Side note on David's bridal, if you order your dress ONLINE instead of in the store you get it within 10 DAYS and they allow 10 days for returns...some of the stores give girls issues with returning the dress. I personally would order online as your day was closer so you had a better idea of what size you will be in then. After all how much will your weight change in the last few weeks before marriage?
Posted by mollyehren[/QUOTE]

Haha...So much I wish I knew BEFORE ordering my dress. LOL. I hope other girls read this thread and benefit from it! Thanks, Molly!

ksulliva135

Hey Coloradan!

First: your dress is gorgeous, and you look beautiful in it.

Second: I also got my dress from davids bridal. According to their alterations paperwork, they can take in up to two sizes on a dress. So if its a 20, down to 18, etc...

I have the same fear deary. I want to lose some weight but I cannot afford another dress! Did you buy your bra/corset from them? I got a corset from them, and my joke is that as long as that corset isnt too big when on its' tightest notch, I'm still okay!

mandctaft

I am worried about this probably more than the average person, because I had to order the dress a size bigger to begin with because the dress was discontinued. I can only have it altered one size down from where I am now. I plan on losing the weight that I can, but keep money in my budget in case I have to get a new dress (nightmare and exciting at the same time). The alt. dept. at DB said the latest I should begin alterations is May for a July 21 wedding.

entropicbeauty

I have this fear, my wedding is Sept. 1st 2012 and I've been working out like crazy and slowly losing weight. I've put off actually ordering my dress, but the dress shop assured me if I ordered in February I'd still be fine, so I'm trying to lose as much as I can before February. Apparently I'll need to get whatever dress I purchase altered anyways because my hips are SO MUCH bigger than my upper torso I will have to buy a larger dress to just accomodate my hips and get it taken in on the top.

This is also why I'm getting a corset back, because I will be able to lose more weight and still have it fit for the most part, even after alterations. It is much more forgiving

lunarsongbird

ksullivan- Hi fellow CO dweller! How long have you been in CO? Do you love it?
I did get a corset bra- they told me that could even alter the one I purchased- so I suppose that is good!

Mand- Have you talked to other alternation places to see if they could take it in more?

entropic- I totally wanted a corset back too, but I just am not sure it would have worked with my dress. I think you can even lose weight past February with the alterations- don't you think?

Demea

Katie, your dress rocks! So glad to know they can and will take in or exchange your dress. I was really worried about dropping weight before dress shopping. My wedding isn't until September 2012 but I want to hit up some sample sales.