Who is liable here?

[weddingdressnightmare]

I am getting married in 4 weeks. I ordered my dress in 2 years ago from a well renowned bridal shop and they gave me a list of their recommended seamtresses. I went to the seamtress they recommended a few weeks ago and left my dress there to get taken up and taken in.

The seamtress said she couldn't take in the bodice (which i thought was strange) and said she would adjust the length.

I collected it 2 weeks later, she didn't give me the option to try it on when i collected it.

When i went home, I tried it on and noticed there was a line across the dress. Basically she had taken up the last layer from the waist and thought it wouldn't be visible under the layers but it was very obvious. I contacted her and she offered to fix it but I was annoyed at her laziness and said i just want a refund to which she did.

Then I went to another seamtress on sunday and put my dress on. She said she could fix the line (and take in the bodice even though the first seamtress said she couldn't) but that the dress has been cut too short on the rest of the layers and is uneven too!!

I contacted the first seamtress who has said she left an inch to be taken down but it's 3 inches too short! my dress is now unwearable. I have rang the bridal shop who recommended her who were unhelpful until I said I would check with the solicitor who is liable and they're now trying to source another dress.

I am so stressed and upset. I love my wedding dress but it's far too short. I wore my wedding shoes when i got measured so i don't know how she got it so wrong.

Who is liable here? Me? The bridal shop for their recommendation or the seamtress? What do i do??

What does the small print in your contract state??

Can't see how it's anything to do with the bridal shop. They merely recommended her. They didn't force you to use her. The dress was in perfect condition when you left the shop. What you do after that isn't the responsibility of the shop

Id say it's between you & the seamstress.

The seamstress. Did you sign a contract?

The bridal shop are not liable, they simply recommended someone.

No no contract with the Seamtress. She is arguing she refunded me but she has made the dress unwearable now. The dress was £2k

The shop gave you a list and you chose one so I imagine its going to be hard to get them to take the blame.
It sounds really stressful though and I hope you get it sorted and have a lovely wedding day

Hi again OP

Please ignore my intial post here!!!!

I failed to notice that the shop "recommended" certain people/etc - look up the word, "recommend" and you have your answer.

Wishing you all the best!!

Surely if a seamstress is doing professional they should have insurance if things go wrong?

Yeah I've said this to the seamtress.

Yeah think you're all right about the shop. Sometimes when you're in the middle of something it's so hard to see the wood from the trees. Head's a mess with it to be honest. The seamtress has made my dress unwearable. she's admitted liability as she has acknowledged she has caused the mistakes but also is saying that she already refunded me but the damage is way beyond what she refunded

Then you need to take it further with the seamstress. The shop have done nothing wrong - they supplied what was agreed.

My goodness, this is horrendous. I'm not sure who is liable but.....
Get it in writing that the seamstress has admitted liability.
Ensure the shop knows what has happened (as they have her on a list of recommended seamstresses, they should take some responsibility for what has happened).
Between the seamstress and the shop they need to come to an agreement as to how this is going to be resolved without costing you anymore and ensuring you have a suitable replacement dress.
Check any contracts you have signed....
Legal letter or small claims court might be the eventual route you have to take.

Yeah the shop are trying to source the same dress. I think they are afraid of being liable as when I said about a solicitor (didn't say it in a threatening way or anything just I'm gonna have to ring to see who is liable) they became really helpful.

I have screenshots from the seamtress admitting liability. Weddings are expensive enough without having to fork out an additional £2k for another wedding dress.

Just so sad about it. The shop tried to sway me toward a different dress but it's nothing like mine.

You absolutely do not need this sort of drama so close to your wedding, particularly when you've been so organised.
Glad you have proof about seamstress liability and the shop are being helpful. Sounds like they are aware of some responsibility - who knows you might not be the first to have problems with that seamstress....
Really hope you get sorted soon (and if there are financial bits to get sorted, do so after your wedding!)