Bridesmaid Dress Dilemma

evanssj · June 2011

My best friend is getting married on July 9th and my bm dress for her wedding just arrived today. I ordered the suggested 2 sizes up but it is tight. It fits and we didn't have to struggle to get it zipped, but it is tight. I am sitting here in it right now and am not comfortable.

We ordered the dresses as a group and they just came in last week after ordering in March so getting another size is out of the question. Will I grow enough in the 3+ weeks before the wedding so that the dress wont fit? I know everyone is different but I don't know if I should expect to "pop" before 21 weeks. What do I do?!?

Pocahontas330 · June 2011

I was in a wedding about a week ago. My dress had pockets and so the seamstress cut the pockets out of the dress to give me some material to add to the bust/belly area. We also shortened the dress for more material to add to the bust/belly area. No one could tell that I didnt buy it that way. Good luck, just go to a seamstress and let them work their magic. Dont stress!!

mbgreenwalt · June 2011

I would be worried that it won't fit. Is there any way you can rush order additional fabric to have gusset panels put in?

AmeliaClaire · June 2011

I think the baby will grow a lot in 3 weeks, I would try to get it altered so you don't have to worry about it and you won't be uncomfortable the whole night. Good luck!

evanssj · June 2011

Thanks for the ideas...I am only 5'2 and the dress is made for someone who is 5'7 so there are inches of material at the bottom that need to be taken off. I am not crafty and have no experience sewing so I had no idea they could make dresses bigger!?!

MrsNash37212 · June 2011

I have grown a LOT in the last 3 weeks. I would take it to a seamstress now (a good one) and explain what you need so they can figure out a game plan. I would also plan to have a final fitting a couple days before the wedding to make sure it fits correctly. Good luck.

LurkieLoo · June 2011

Yes you will want to get that fixed. My sister was in my wedding when she was about 18 or 19 weeks and she had to go out the morning of the wedding to get her dress taken out at the seams. She tried it on the weekend before the wedding and it fit. After the rehearsal dinner... not so much.

evanssj · June 2011

LurkieLoo:
Yes you will want to get that fixed. My sister was in my wedding when she was about 18 or 19 weeks and she had to go out the morning of the wedding to get her dress taken out at the seams. She tried it on the weekend before the wedding and it fit. After the rehearsal dinner... not so much.

LOL...wonderful! Glad I have this to look forward to:)

Lindsaylovesdogs · June 2011

My bump has at LEAST doubled in size since 17 weeks... I look back at my weekly belly pics and it is almost comical how much it changed week to week now. So I'd definitely plan for it to probably not fit!

Teffie · June 2011

Definitely get it altered with panels! Definitely.

MrsCaddyshack · June 2011

If you think you can get extra fabric definitely take it to a seamstress and see what they can do. They can add panels (For my wedding, we ordered two dresses - one just for the fabric - for one of the bridesmaid's who was pregnant and a seamstress was able to take them apart and create a maternity dress from it.) Also, I've seen a seamstress take the zipper out of the back of the dress and add a corseted back to make it adjustable for another situation.

Take it to a good seamstress and they'll take care of you!

MommaErica · June 2011

Have you actually called and asked if changing the size is out of the question? When I ordered my wedding dress it took forever to come in but, exchanging it for one size up or down they could have done on 2 weeks notice. I have no idea why but, it's worth asking if you haven't. Especially since the size you ardered was the size THEY recommended you order, they might be suprisingly accommodating.

If not, like others have said, a talented seamstress can work magic, definitely seek one out. I really, really don't think the dress will fit in 3 weeks. Even if you don't gain another pound (unlikely and probably unhealthy at this point) your baby is growing, you will change shape.

Good luck, I do not envy all of you in a wedding people right now. It's a lot of hassel pregnant. You are a good friend

Special K Mom · June 2011

I agree with calling about changing the size. David's Bridal got me a size up fedexed from another state, I paid extra, but thank Goodness and I was able to return my unworn tags on dress. My thyroid flipped and I kept gaining weight! I didn't know I had a thyroid problem at the time.

Seamstresses are awesome! Bring the dress to them and they can help.

Motherhood Maternity sells some "spanx" type undergarments that could shape you a bit. They are lighter than the real spanx type garments. I wear them all day at work and they are comfy for me. Worth a try!

Jules08 · June 2011

START by calling the place you ordered the dress from. As long as the tags are still on, they should be able to exchange the dress. One of my BM's did this without any issues. Also, dye lots are a thing of the past and are not something that you need to worry about. If there is any difference, it will be so slight that you really won't be able to tell.

If that doesn't work, then meet with a seamstress. They can usually alter a dress +/- 2 sizes without losing the integrity of the design - so they may just be able to let it out a bit for you.

If they can't let it out, then see if they can use the extra fabric from the bottom when you get the hem altered to add a panel for you.

HokieLaw · June 2011

I'm in a wedding this weekend and I have a seamstress remaking my dress right now. We ordered in January before I knew I was pregnant. The dress is an Alfred Angelo so if your dress is also, here's the good news. There is an extra inch of fabric on each side of their dresses so it can be let out up to two inches. My seamstress also found another inch in the bust area that she's letting out (around the zipper).

FWIW, I'm carrying twins and in the past week I've popped a lot. MH even commented yesterday that my belly is getting a lot bigger. So you might pop before 21 weeks but it might not happen until after. I do recommend having someone take out the dress for you though.

Also, a seamstress may be able to change the back of your dress from a zipper back to a lace up back. If I still don't have enough room in mine, that's what our next step is.

ldswims · June 2011

My wedding dress was ordered 4 sizes smaller than it should have been and I was stuck with it. It worked out perfectly though. I love the dress, still, and am glad I took it to a seamstress not affiliated with the specific store where I bought the dress because it just got better. All wedding dresses made for Alfred Angelo or David's Bridal have the ability to go up two sizes or down four before the shape gets drastically altered. In the end, I replaced my zipper with a corset which made the dress so amazingly beautiful and took out the hips a smidge while taking in the bust a ton. I had an eight foot train that had a bussle from someplace down younder and required 18 ties. Take it to a seamstress. Personally, I wouldn't bother with taking it back to where you ordered it because the arguing and hassle, to me, is going to be more stressful than it's worth. And in the end, you'll probably just have to alter the bejesus out of the dress anyway - a new size or not. Talk to the place where you ordered it and ask for their best seamstress. In my case, the seamstress I found was the one that designed the dress in the first place so she knew exactly what she could do with it. Working with the seamstress to make my dress work out took about three weeks. That's another part of why I don't think I'd waste time with trying to get it exchanged.

klreese0213 · June 2011

from my understanding, you can still have the dress altered up 2 sizes or down 2 sizes. i'd talk to a seamstress.

Want a personalized experience?

Bridesmaid Dress Dilemma

Re: Bridesmaid Dress Dilemma

Choose Another Board

Search Boards