I knew exactly what dress I wanted, I could literally draw it, so I went to a seamstress who was recommended, and she said she would make it for me.
I went to try it on for the first time on Saturday, and I hate it, it looks terrible, I look short, fat and frumpy in it. I almost cried but kept myself together and pretended it was ok. She is making a lot of changes to it - things that we had agreed in the first place but that she didn't do. Primary example was that I asked for it to not have a waist but hang from right under my bust - but instead it goes from my waist. When I asked her to take it higher for me, and folded it up to show her, she said "but then it will fall from right under your bust, not your waist"... and I was thinking EXACTLY!!! Because that is what I asked for! She had also said she would pleat the bust to make it really fitted (but she didn't), and the whole top part was loosely fitted so makes me look much bigger than I am. The skirt was what I asked for, but I just didn't like the way it looked with the material that we chose.
I've basically written the whole thing off as a total fail. I guess I will just try to sell it on somehow to try to cover some of the cost. My wedding is November 28th this year - so I have about a month to find a new dress. Help! I'm not sure where to begin? Our wedding is very small (30 guests, registry office), and it is my second wedding so quite low key. I want a short tea-length dress, in ivory or cream (not white), that looks vintage-inspired. Any clues on where I should start looking? Also any tips on if I should tell the seamstress or just keep quiet and pretend it is fine? She is really sweet and I'm sure she really did try her best, it just wasn't what I wanted..
CommentAuthorMrs D2B
When will the seamstress have the alterations done by? I'm just wondering if it is worth waiting to try it on again with the adjustments before rushing out to buy a new dress? however I'm also conscious that you don't have much time. Maybe start looking in your local bridal shops see what is available off the rail so that if your original dress really doesn't turn out to be what you imagined you have a good idea of where to go to get a dress you do love. I hope it all works out for you x
31/12/2017 A New Year, A New Life, A New Husband and Wife
CommentAuthorInDreamland
I'm so sorry to hear that you're not happy with the dress.
Personally I'd be totally honest with the seamstress and get her to make all the alterations to the exact specifications you had asked for the first time round.
Hope you get it fixed x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorBecci93
There's the wedding outlet stores but I don't know what they're called they stock over 1000 dresses in all sizes to take away same day
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
I think I would tell her, at the end of the day you are paying for it so if you are unhappy she needs to know, I bet she woukd hate it to have an unhappy customer- as becci said there are is loads of outlet places about, just g00gle for you local area- hope you manage to sort it :-) xx
Mrs Bolderson2be
Met 31st July 2012
Engaged 31st July 2013
Becoming Mrs Bolderson 14th February 2018
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Oh no, nightmare! As others have mentioned I would recommend looking at local wedding dress outlets, also local charity shops often have special bridal departments that have old and new donated dresses.
Definitely explain to the seamstress exactly what you are unhappy with and soon so that she has time to make alterations, I'm sure she wants you to be happy with your custom dress.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes!
CommentAuthorMrs T Hurley!
You will need to be honest with her. If I had made a mistake, I would want to know. It does feel awkward, but as long as your criticism is constructive, then you'll be fine x
Met 18/09/03
Engaged 06/09/08
Getting married 05/09/17
CommentAuthorLadyC
Oh no! What an awful situation. I would be honest with her sweet. You shouldn't be paying for something you aren't happy with.
xx Lady Charlotte Chamberlain to be! xx
xx Marrying my soul mate on 22nd July 2016 xx
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
I would take a couple of days to think it over before you decide to abandon it. It may be that a few other alterations might make all the difference. For example a bit of detail, a slight change in the shape of the skirt, addition or removal of sleeves depending on what you have, a different neckline. See if you can picture it as it is and as you imagined if looking originally and see if you can pinpoint the difference. Then talk honestly with the seamstress about your concerns. She might even be able to suggest herself what will make the difference.
30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.
CommentAuthorElinor Claire
Also maybe get a third opinion from a friend or family member.
30th August 2014 was the best birthday ever.
It was the day that I became Mrs. Dixon.
CommentAuthorNikkiE58
Oh no!!! Poor you, this sounds like a horrible predicament! Maybe start looking for another dress, but don't buy it until you've had time to try on the altered version of your new dress? Then you will have more of an idea on whether it is still unflattering on you, and then you can buy another dress instead? Whereabouts are you based? If you're in Sussex there's a bridal boot fair I'm going to, and they sell Pre loved dresses? Just let me know if you want more info because I can't put the name or link on here. But there's loads of options for brides on a budget, especially for tea length dresses, as usually* they're a bit cheaper than the full length dresses anyways! Xx
CommentAuthorEmmaG
oh no so sorry to hear that.. I will message you with a great place to get tea length wedding dresses prices from £80 and I know lots of brides who very happy with them :) xx
Soooooo excited to be marrying my Best Friend !!
Life is Wild, Love it Live it !
CommentAuthorEmmaG
ahhh cant message you , says restricted.. x
Soooooo excited to be marrying my Best Friend !!
Life is Wild, Love it Live it !
CommentAuthorInDreamland
I still think you can have your dream dress, just need to get the seamstress to fix it. Fingers crossed she can alter it to how you want it to be.
What did you say to her when you tried it on?
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorEmilyM254
edited
Hi all, well, I bought a new dress. I drove down to London on Sunday and went into a shop that sells 1950s and 1960s inspired dresses, and tried some on. I have bought a really gorgeous dress, it is a world away from the one that I have had made. It is tea length, lace, with boning built in a bit like a corset to give me an amazing shape but it is zip up, and it looks fantastic, it's so swirly. My mum paid for it (bless her). So now I just have to figure out what to do about the other dress.. I paid a £50 deposit at the start, and am anticipating paying approximately £250 more on completion. I didn't tell her that I hated it - but she knew I wasn't thrilled because I'm not a very good actor. What do I do now? Shall I just pretend it is fine and then try to sell it on ******3b@y/3t5y or donate it to charity or shall I raise the issue with her?
******EDIT: NAMES DISGUISED IN LINE WITH FORUM RULES. MODS
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
edited
I think you should tell her and be honest and give her customer feedback. She's essentially not done what you asked and I think it's important she knows that. I'd keep the dress and sell it on the bay or via s£llmyw£dd1ng Any photos of the new dress?
:-)
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorEmily17
Agree with Lindsay x
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
I'd let her know that you are not happy with it. She'd hopefully prefer you being honest than not.
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
I would def let her know you are not happy and as a result hsve bought a new dress- Its not right that you have hired her to make you something and it's not what you have asked for
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Yes as hard as it is I really think you should be honest with her that it's just not what you want. She might not ask you pay the full amount and instead keep it herself to sell off the peg.
So glad it's all sorted now and you have the dress you're really happy with :)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Glad you found a new dress.
I do think that you should tell her you don't like what she's done, she may be able to alter it still or maybe she'll sell it to someone else. I don't think it's fair you pay for something you didn't ask for.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
