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

[WHAT91]

Hello . 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 . 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?

www.asos.com/search/?q=bridal+dress

Absolutely loads on ASOS

Thank you for all of these. I'm going to be ordering a few to try out different styles. You've really saved me

Try chichi London, they have some really pretty dresses in the sale -

www.chichiclothing.com/wedding-dresses/

Have you considered hiring a dress? I did that for my wedding and had much more choice in my price range.

I'm loving looking through all of these. You have all helped me out of my post fitting slump. Thank you!

I looked into hiring but there aren't any options in my local area or even further afield for that matter.

www.foreverunique.co.uk/dresses/white-lace-embroidered-ruffle-midi-dress.html

www.foreverunique.co.uk/dresses/white-button-front-midi-dress-with-elasticated-sleeve-detail-30167.html

www.foreverunique.co.uk/dresses/white-embroidered-lace-keyhole-cutout-maxi-dress.html

The last one might be a bit risqué but you could probably close the slit fairly easily.

Have you been to any bridal shops? Many have a sale rail of sample dresses in various sizes. I tried on a beautiful boho style designer dress in my size, RRP £1450, reduced to £250 as it was a sample (so tried on by lots of people before they order their own). The shop cleaned and pressed it for that price too.

My sister in law bought her dress online at ASOS and it was absolutely stunning.

Monsoon, ASOS, Whistles, J Crew all do boho style wedding dresses.

Have you considered separates? You can get some really nice bridal style skirts from Needle & Thread for around £100 and then all you'd need was a flowy top to go with it?

Another recommendation for alternations in Glasgow, starstitch in the city centre. They are absolute wizards! They are close to the Hugo boss shop in merchant city so a lot of people go directly in there after shopping for alterations.

www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-alana-embellished-tiered-hem-dress-linen-white/p4137059

www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-isla-embellished-dress-summer-white/p4097113

May be too relaxed

www.johnlewis.com/hush-joline-lace-dress-off-white/p4135163

If you see a dress you like that doesn’t have arm coverage I would go with it anyway because IME it is pretty cheap to get a dress altered to add some fabric to the arms.

My friend got her gown from Debenhams for like £150, IIRC correctly they have a decent selection. Good luck!!

Oxfam wedding dresses online

Bombshell hq

Tie front dress - there is one in silver birch which is stunning! (I have it and am wearing it to my wedding!) £199.

www.bombshellhq.com/products/pre-order-silver-birch-grace-tie-front-shirt-dress

Add a hair piece and flowers and pretty shoes

It is really flattering, sizing is spot on!

Genuinely call your local bridal shops and ask them. If someone called me in your position I'd do my upmost to help, and probably would be able to.

The problem with second hand dresses is they aren't always the bargain people think they are. If something has been altered already it can be very costly or sometimes impossible to alter again. Eg most seamstresses will cut the seam right down to make it lie flat once they've done the bodyfit, so can no longer just let it out if needed.

Good luck- quickest bride I've done was 3 weeks!

I ordered a coup last night so will see how I go. Will also call local bridal shops to see if they do sample sales or anything like that.

For those recommending alteration places, I have tried Alter Girls (didn't have space) and was told by them and another that I may struggle to get an appointment as it's bridal and prom season. Think this it's what's making me panic most!

Couple*

Have a look at monsoon, they have some gorgeous boho style wedding dresses

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_40.1/6402014606