Happy we chose beautiful BM dresses, but a little bummed about the experience.

AJuliaNJ · February 2013

I went shopping yesterday the day after the blizzard for bridesmaid dresses. Although it is super last minute for our July wedding, we selected this weekend about 2 months ago so all BMs and both moms could have a nice full day together (we are from all over the east coast and not everyone has even met). I pictured a fun girls day trying on dresses, having everyone get to know each other, and enjoying lunch and dinner together.

First, the blizzard meant 2 girls and mother of the groom couldn't travel in from out of town. I felt sad that they would be left out, but knew we had to proceed in order to have the dresses in time.

We went to the first store and realized that, like bridal gowns, the stores only had one size to try on. It wouldn't have been a big deal if my whole party was there, but the two BMs that were with me did not even nearly fit in the sample size dresses, and I felt like I was putting them in an embarrassing position. All the while, my petite mom is prancing around offering to try dresses herself and suggesting really skinny girl fitted dresses. The whole point of me giving my bridal party a say is so they did not end up with dresses that would not work with their body type. In the end, I tried all the dresses myself and they put some of the larger sample sizes on over their heads just to get an idea. We did end up picking a dress they both loved (and so did the other BM's who I sent a photo to) with a pretty sparkly flower piece.

Then, when we were at the counter paying, I was shocked when I saw the BM dress price. It didn't seem to add up with our discount and what was on the price tags. It turns out that they charged my 2 girls $50 extra for plus size dresses. Apparently, this is the norm, but I found it weird since they were within the sizes the company offered. I would feel so hurt if I had a line on my receipt saying "plus size surcharge." I would have walked out if I thought they wouldn't do the same thing elsewhere. I feel that if they have to charge more for a plus size, they should list dresses as being a certain price per yard instead of one price for one range of sizes and another for plus sizes.

I just felt stressed out and guilty the whole day. I am really sensitive to how other people are feeling and let it affect me. I don't even think it bothered them as much as it bothered me (my MOH was joking about it). I feel like I need to find a way for me not to feel like this over something or other on the wedding day itself.

Overall, I'm happy and thankful for two wonderful moms and amazing bridal party, so this was all minor in the big picture, but thanks for letting me vent.

emmyroo · February 2013

I totally understand feeling bad about plus size surcharges. My BFF is plus size and while she did try dresses on, she didn't show us any because she wasn't all the way covered (she's very modest anyway). She picked her dress out on her own (they each picked their own dress). The bridal store also had me read and sign a sheet saying there could be an extra charge for plus size. I read it knowing that while my sister and FSIL were regular size, that BFF would probably be getting that charge. I understand that plus size dresses have more material, but you'd think there'd be a better way to plus sized people don't have to pay so much more for the same thing.

kerryberry13 · February 2013

That is frustrating and kind of unfair about the sizes. I'm always shocked at how incredibly small the dresses run. My tiny, petite friend who often wears a size 0 in many stores was actually a 6 when they ordered her dress.

Beads921 · February 2013

Both my BMs are plus sized, so we went to David's knowing that they would have a good selection of dresses for them to try on. It was totally worth dealing with the hectic environment that is David's Bridal for them to be able to try on dresses in their sizes.

shilotony2012 · February 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddingchannel.com/main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2013-weddings_happy-we-chose-beautiful-bm-dresses-but-a-little-bummed-about-the-experience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:a322ad2c-25cd-4d52-b123-096e1e4ecda5Discussion:e7330bf0-588b-42bf-b64a-33f649e56992Post:e8e8b1b5-a39c-42de-aa06-259c9ad187ec">Re: Happy we chose beautiful BM dresses, but a little bummed about the experience.</a>:
[QUOTE]Both my BMs are plus sized, so we went to David's knowing that they would have a good selection of dresses for them to try on. It was totally worth dealing with the hectic environment that is David's Bridal for them to be able to try on dresses in their sizes.
Posted by Beads921[/QUOTE]

We did the same. I actually love the hectic atmosphere. I mean a wedding is a celebration, I dont want to sit in a salon being afraid of making too much noise!!

Happy we chose beautiful BM dresses, but a little bummed about the experience.

Re: Happy we chose beautiful BM dresses, but a little bummed about the experience.

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