I went for my first dress fitting this past Friday and it was a complete disaster! I ordered my dress cut 'hollw to hem' which they are supposed to cut the dress to your height (including your shoes). Then it cuts down on the alterations after the fact. I was told this by a seamstress that my mom knows, the dress shop was not for or against it really. Well I went and my dress was two inches off the ground and you could see my whole foot pretty much. It was horrible! Also the beading was messed up and the lace overlay was not attached properly.
Now they have to order me a whole new dress. I was freaking out but happy that I went kind of early for my first fitting. It really was not the dress shops fault - it was the manufacturers I guess. The dress shop has assured me that they will get a new dress within 2 weeks, but I don't know how that is going to happen since my dress took about 5 months to come in.
So just a warning for anyone thinking about ordering their dress cut 'hollow to hem' - DO NOT DO IT!!