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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be freaking the freak out!? (wedding dress related)

82 replies

WHAT91 · 21/06/2019 22:25

Hello Smile. Some advice please and maybe some wine too as I'm stressing...

I am due to get married late August. My first dress fitting was this afternoon and it was an absolute disaster!

Due to the design of my dress (which is a second hand designer number for £50 off eBay) the seamstress who is very good at altering bridal gowns says that it's either going to cost me at least £600 to have major repairs done to (and it may look as though it's been alteted or I should go back to the drawing board and try and find another dress.

PANIC STATIONS

At this point for a number of reasons, my only option is to try and find a cheap second hand alternative. This has now made me look at other options, and perhaps a dress that is more suited to my farm/rustic style wedding.

But I'm freaking out - it's so late in the day to be ordering dresses, trying them on, potentially returning them, doing it all over again and getting alterations made...

I've been to Wed2B and tried on some dresses but didn't like much of the styles. I also don't have that money to spend on a brand new one.

Wow, this is going on Blush. Sorry, I'll wrap it up now...I am looking at Boho floaty style dresses as well as a-lines (all must have even the smallest of arm coverage).

But what the hell should I do and has anyone, ever, anywhere been in a similar situation? I would imagine not as most brides are organised...

Any advice? Jeans a tee down the aisle?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Jon65 · 21/06/2019 22:28

www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/bridal

Angrybird123 · 21/06/2019 22:28

Breathe. You have two months. Floaty Boho is easy and does not need to cost ££££. Online search for white / cream dresses you like. Leave the wording 'wedding' out of the search. In the day you want to be comfortable, and most importantly YOU.

Nectarines · 21/06/2019 22:29

What size are you?
I have a nice wedding dress that I am happy to give away.

BelladonnaBlue · 21/06/2019 22:31

First off, what’s your budget? Have you looked at bridal dress ranges available on the high street?

Monr0e · 21/06/2019 22:34

I'd first try a different seamstress and get a second opinion.

thirstyformore · 21/06/2019 22:35

www.sellmywedding.co.uk/

Try here?

Banhaha · 21/06/2019 22:41

Monsoon do floaty.
What is your budget? I know you said second when but you might be able to get new?

Original poster
WHAT91 · 21/06/2019 22:42

Thank you all for the links and comments. I'm de-stressing...

I've already spotted some that have been posted above and I love them but some didn't have my size. I will check through them properly on the laptop.

Nectarines I am a 12/14 in regular clothes but also flunctaute. So a 16/18 in wedding? But they all differ, especially the floaty boho style ones. That is so lovely of you to offer, how kind. What size is it? Flowers

My budget is absolute max £200 as I'm 5.5ft and will likely need it taken up or altered slightly so will be more money.

Is another option to look at size 18s so if I get it altered there's more fabric to play with?

I know I sound like a cheapskate but I don't want to spend hundreds on a dress for one day, but I do still want to look nice. Can I have my Cake and eat it?

OP posts:
Siameasy · 21/06/2019 22:42

Needle and thread. Their wedding dresses are dear (£800ish so not dear for a wedding dress but you know) but their normal dresses are reasonably priced and beautiful
Even the Freeman’s catalogue does wedding dresses these days.
How come you bought a dress that required so much adjustment?
JJs House can do made to measure
Lace and Beads another nice brand.
ASOS is so quick and free returns you will defo find something on there

Original poster
WHAT91 · 21/06/2019 22:43

I'd also buy from a catalogue/department store on credit if it was a little more ££.

OP posts:
JoyceDivision · 21/06/2019 22:43

Whereabouts are you? I know a fantasticb ideal seamstress and she would be horrified at £600 alterations!

JoyceDivision · 21/06/2019 22:43

Bridal not ideal!

Nectarines · 21/06/2019 22:46

I’ll try and find a pic for you. My dress was size 14 if I remember correctly. I got married 11 years ago but had my dress steam cleaned after wedding and it’s been boxed ever since.

I’d love for someone else to wear it actually.

Mokepon · 21/06/2019 22:48

Definitely try and get a second opinion!

FakeUsername · 21/06/2019 22:50

Try asking elsewhere first. My friend came to me sad that her coat needed £90 of work the ither day, my local one charged £10!

SusieOwl4 · 21/06/2019 22:51

I was going to say the catalogues as I saw some lovely ones ( joanna hope? ) the other day very reasonable price . just put in bridal in search loads around .

Sciurus83 · 21/06/2019 22:52

Not sure why you think you need to go up to a 16/18 in wedding dresses? I don't think sizing up is a thing, especially if you want a floaty boho style. If you're a 12/14 usually definitely don't order 18s or you will be in the same boat again. Try some of the links above, you can send back if they don't fit and get a refund, also go to monsoon or a department store in they have them in stock and try on for size. You've got enough time, fear not! H+M do wedding dresses now too, worth a look m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0735576001.html

Expressedways · 21/06/2019 22:54

Definitely get a second opinion on the alterations. If it’s confirmed as a no-go then Anthropologie’s bridal line BHDLN has some beautiful boho dresses and I think they’re having a sale at the moment. Could be worth a look?

MittensForKittens123 · 21/06/2019 22:55

You could try the Depop app - it’s second hand clothing - they often have needle and thread dresses on there (as mentioned above)
There is also eBay
I tried quite a lot of needle and thread dresses on in shops so I knew what styles would suit me

Oysterbabe · 21/06/2019 22:56

You've got ages. I didn't even start looking for dresses until a month to go Grin

delilahbucket · 21/06/2019 22:58

I am in a few groups on Facebook where people sell/buy wedding items. It's well worth joining groups like this and posting what you want. Anyone who has something similar will then reply.

Original poster
WHAT91 · 21/06/2019 22:58

I'm based in Scotland JoyceDevision but what are the chances?

Nectarines I'd love to see a pic.

And to everyone else. Thanks very much for putting my mind at ease. I've already started going through the above links and have even found a couple not in my size on the sites on eBay!

Just to clarify, the dress I took to be altered today was a bardot, lace, a-line tulip style. So it was not a boho but it has made me reconsider. Especially as the theme of my wedding is relaxed.

OP posts: