What do you do when gown shop measured wrong?

Michelle Hills

My daughter is 5'10" and we ordered her wedding gown from a local bridal store.  It is an Allure gown that is all lace, so there is no way to take it up or let it down.  She had her first fitting this past weekend and the dress just hits the floor in bare feet.  Supposedly she was measured to wear 2" heels.  As I looked at the measurements, they wrote down 52.25" Hem to Hollow and 58" T-Hollow.   I measured my daughter when we got home and she is 59.5" H-H in her bare feet. 

My daughter lives out of town and she was not as concerned about the length as I was or her sister was.  I called the store and could not speak to the owner- the person who measured her.  I made an appointment to take the dress and her measurements in tomorrow.

My question is whether anyone has had an issue like this and how did you handle it?  I am concerned because the contract for the dress clearly states that you accept the measurements and size ordered.  How in the heck are you supposed to know they screwed up?  My guess is the H-H with shoes was supposed to be 62.25" and not 52.25" and when they went to order it, they figured they just mixed the two numbers and ordered it 58.5" H-H.   We paid extra for the H-H measurement because my daughter is tall and the sample was too short.  Although, I think the sample was longer than the dress that came in.

The dress is at least 3" too short for her to wear any kind of heel.  Luckily she is not a bridezilla, but I am definitely a mother of the bridezilla and want them to reorder the dress.  

JennaMichelle88

If your daughter doesn't mind I don't see why you should. I'm tall as well and did not do hollow-to-hem as the sample was just about perfect for me. My dress did come in a little shorter than the sample, but I was planning on wearing flats anyway. I don't think you should worry about it.

vanityink

Yeah, if she's cool with it, don't stress too much IMHO. Another tall bride here (6") and m dress comes to the ground only in flats. So I'm wearing flats. No big deal.

Maggie0829

My Mom bought her MOB dress from a bridal shop.  When she went in for her first fitting the dress wouldn't even begin to zip.  The girl told her that she must have gained weight.  My Mom looked at her and said that for her not to fit in the size ordered she would have had to gain atleast 30 pounds, which she hadn't.  Needless to say the store re-measured her and realized that someone wrote down the wrong number.  The store ordered my Mom a new dress because the fault was on them not her, even though the contract stated the same as yours.

However, I think going to the store and showing them the measurements that you took compared to what they took may help.  Numbers can be written down wrong and you should not be penalized for this.  Just remember to keep your cool because jumping down their throat right away will not help your cause.  Explain the situation and that you are unhappy with the length especially since you paid extra to have it be the right length.

I am guessing that you are paying for the dress.  I understand that your daughter may not be upset by this mistake but since it was your money you have every right to fight this.

Giaspo

Definitely share your concerns with the salon. I'm not as tall as your daughter (5'8") but had to order a hollow to hem gown because mine could not be shortened. And... Two days after my appointment I called the salon in a panic and went back to be remeasured. The measurements were the same, but I was really worried about them. So I can understand your feelings. If the gown is too short and there isn't time to order a new one, what about adding a ruffle or extra layer of lace or satin or something at the bottom to give the illusion of more length? Good luck!

angiejoyjones

I also ordered an Allure gown (8800) and paid extra to have the slip hem lengthened when they made the dress. It came in too short (same as the sample was), and the salon contacted Allure. They are making me a new slip; I just hope it arrives in time. My seamstress is prepared to make one for me in a rush if needed, which Allure will be paying for. They should make it right for you. Although if your daughter wants to wear flats, it would be easier to go that route than to go through the stress of rushing to get a gown at the last minute. I already had bought my shoes (even before I ordered the dress) so I am not willing to sacrifice wearing them.

Good luck!

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_what-do-you-do-when-gown-shop-measured-wrong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:57fd8200-fb16-4e59-97d8-288793e1362aPost:07a926f1-0961-4154-88b1-ce97f8800263">Re: What do you do when gown shop measured wrong?</a>:
[QUOTE]I also ordered an Allure gown (8800) and paid extra to have the slip hem lengthened when they made the dress. It came in too short (same as the sample was), and the salon contacted Allure. They are making me a new slip; I just hope it arrives in time. My seamstress is prepared to make one for me in a rush if needed, which Allure will be paying for. They should make it right for you. <strong>Although if your daughter wants to wear flats, it would be easier to go that route than to go through the stress of rushing to get a gown at the last minute.</strong> I already had bought my shoes (even before I ordered the dress) so I am not willing to sacrifice wearing them. Good luck!
Posted by angiejoyjones[/QUOTE]

This is a good point OP.  If your daughter would like to wear flats instead of heels then there shouldn't be a problem with keeping the dress as is, but the salon should reimburse you for the extra H to H charge since it came in wrong.

csweaney

Definitely talk to the salon about your concerns and see if the situation can be remedied. But I agree with the previous post about the stress of ordering another gown in last minute.