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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you’d do? Wedding dress related.

169 replies

150poundrebate · 19/05/2022 13:54

I bought a wedding dress on Saturday. I have decided that I despise it and would like to return it (or set it on fire). The shop (little boutique) only issues store credit. I don’t think it’s likely that I will use thousands of pounds of wedding boutique store credit.

What would you do? I’m screwed, aren’t I?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
gunnersgold · 19/05/2022 18:05

Or use the credit for accessories or bridesmaid dresses

BalloonsAndWhistles · 19/05/2022 18:06

Can you put the credit on FB to see if anyone is about to pay their deposit and would do you a favour?

ChocolateHippo · 19/05/2022 18:07

The other thing you could do is shred/layer the flounces. So rather than having a puffball princess skirt, you have a more interesting layered tulle skirt.

BalloonsAndWhistles · 19/05/2022 18:07

Pay their balance sorry.

mnamna · 19/05/2022 18:09

Even before reading other responses I thought it needed a wide sash belt and the hem taking up to calf length. You could really show off some amazing shoes that way too.

ShirleyPhallus · 19/05/2022 18:09

Some lovely ideas and comments here but ultimately the dress doesn’t really fit the edgy brief. I’d go back in with the dress and have a look with a fresh pair of eyes for a different dress.

As an aside, anyone remember tThe thread from a few years back when a very kind MNer altered another MNer’s wedding dress for free? She got the train up etc and did it all for free, then the bride blocked her and never responded to any further messages!

Summerwetordry · 19/05/2022 18:10

I really don't like it. I'd go for the credit note and hope the shop gets something that you can wear or alter. I don't think you can do much to improve the one you've bought.

Bresmith · 19/05/2022 18:13

I would just sell it online. You will lose out on some money but not as much and you can use it towards something else. Take some nice photos of it so you will be more likely to get a closer to what you paid for it price.

cowskeepingmeupatnight · 19/05/2022 18:23

I bought a wedding dress, didn’t like it, settled for it, put it on a few hours before the wedding, still hated it, and changed out of it for a non-wedding dress 5 minutes before the ceremony. For similar reasons to you - didn’t want to be an identikit bride and just felt like some other type of (less sassy) woman wearing it. Totally disempowering for me initially but I’m so glad I found my courage just before the ceremony. So what I’m saying is, if you don’t like it, trust your judgement. Get what you can for it and move on. Then find something that is totally you and far less ordinary to shine in.

ChocolateHippo · 19/05/2022 18:23

ShirleyPhallus · 19/05/2022 18:09

Some lovely ideas and comments here but ultimately the dress doesn’t really fit the edgy brief. I’d go back in with the dress and have a look with a fresh pair of eyes for a different dress.

As an aside, anyone remember tThe thread from a few years back when a very kind MNer altered another MNer’s wedding dress for free? She got the train up etc and did it all for free, then the bride blocked her and never responded to any further messages!

Wow, I haven't seen that one. That's...quite a way to behave 😮!

Painiscrap · 19/05/2022 18:24

I agree with you, the dress does absolutely nothing for you! I wouldn’t want to wear it myself, as the skirt just seems to hang and hide your figure. Hope you find something else in the boutique that suits you better.

interferringma · 19/05/2022 18:27

I'd approach them nicely. Did they give you fizz? Say you got carried away and have cooled off - totally your mistake etc.
If they're a local business I'd have thought they'd want to reasonable

WhatInFreshHell · 19/05/2022 18:32

It's a lovely dress OP and it looks lovely on you. Maybe take it to a seamstress and ask them what they can do for you. They can actually work some magic and you can make the dress into whatever you imagine.

NadjaofAntipaxos · 19/05/2022 18:35

Could you see what suppliers the boutique works with and have a really good look to see if any have a style that does work for you? You might need to travel to another shop that has a sample to try it on but could they order that for you so you get to use your store credit?

Stravaig · 19/05/2022 18:36

Why not at least look for an exchange in the boutique? Given you're so changeable, maybe there's a dress you hated last time which you love now!

oldandscunnered · 19/05/2022 18:38

I'm sorry but I absolutely love it. It isn't your normal bridal dress, very individual. Get it altered into something you can live with but I think it looks beautiful.

KnitPurlKnitPurl · 19/05/2022 18:42

150poundrebate · 19/05/2022 17:15

I suspect I’m going to regret this, but this is the dress.

OK I am not a seamstress but a few ideas immediately spring to mind. Sleeves? Not full length sleeves, but short or capped sleeves. They could also alter the bodice by adding extra fabric or even creating a bolero or something for over the top. The skirt can easily be altered as there is lots of fabric there. Shorter, asymmetric, different shaped hem. Overskirt of some description with embellishment or something.

A skilled seamstress will have more "vision" than me but you have options if you can't get your money back. And it'll be unique.

whatnumber · 19/05/2022 18:52

I do love it but agree with others that it doesn't do your lovely figure justice. It needs to be fitted to YOU.
Do you have any example pictures of dresses you do like that you could show us? It might help to discuss what you like about them to get a clearer idea.

butterpuffed · 19/05/2022 18:55

Go back to the boutique and have a look at the other dresses again. I know you said you didn't like them but you did like this one and changed your mind. If you find one you like, go away and think about it before you buy .

Echobelly · 19/05/2022 18:55

I would try the shop seeing as it's so recent - you could hardly have worn it and got married in between, just maybe they will refund if you ask nicely?

TBH, I'm not a fan of the dress, I think the shade of pink is a bit sugary and you've obviously got a lovely figure that it maybe doesn't show to best advantage.

Grumpybutfunny · 19/05/2022 19:00

I love it as a dress but I think you need to see a semestres it looks to big on you

LankylegsFromOz · 19/05/2022 19:00

For what it's worth and I know you've already made up your mind, but I think the dress is lovely! I love how the skirt is pink!

venus7 · 19/05/2022 19:01

150poundrebate · 19/05/2022 17:15

I suspect I’m going to regret this, but this is the dress.

Um....I agree with you; the dress is rather horrid.
Too late to advise this, I know, but don't shop with anyone else, especially mother in law to be....too many dodgy fantasies.

Sillyotter · 19/05/2022 19:02

I don’t have any advice but if you do decide to get another dress then the boutique I have earmarked might fit your edgy modern colourful theme (they can do custom dye jobs on all their stuff). Happy to send a link if you’re interested

Whooshaagh · 19/05/2022 19:04

I agree it’s the skirt that spoils the dress. It makes it look a bit like a nightdress imo.