Ruined the wedding dress i was going to send back

[whathaveidonehelp]

Oh mumsnetters I'm hoping you can help me.

I'm getting married soon, and ordered a selection of dresses from John Lewis.

One dress arrived in a box, and as soon as i got it out i could smell it had been worn (BO). Took it back to the store same day, spoke to the manager, refund organised. Stay with me...

Try on another dress (also from john lewis). Got my daughter to take a couple of photos but it wasn't right, and was too small. Walked through to the bedroom and to my horror there is dark make up on the chest. It's a cream shimmery fabric. I have absolutely no idea how that happened, but it must have been my fault as the photo DD took had no mark on the dress.

Not content with messing it up, in my panic i tried to blot it gently and made it worse.

I'm on a budget. We can't afford a big do, I'm happy with that but I've just thrown £500 down the toilet. Ive already taken one dress back saying it was soiled and asked them to make a note to ensure it's not attributed to me.

Is there anything i can?

What?! How is it cheeky? I order everything in 2 sizes, and send back the ones that didn’t fit. All I do is try them all, how is it different from trying it on in a store?! Last time I ordered clothes worth £300 from Zara - everything in 2 sizes. The return process is easy, I never had an issue with it. I work as a nurse, crazy hours, and I have 2 young children - I have no time to go shopping. Why is ordering clothes and sending back the unwanted items, cheeky??!
Please, someone tell me I’m not doing anything wrong?!

If it's any consolation, I accidentally got foundation on the chest area of my wedding deess, 20 minutes before leaving for the ceremony! I had a full on panic attack, my Sister calmed me down, our amazing photographer got most of it out (with perfume!). Nobody noticed (until I had a few drinks at our amazing reception and told anyone who would listen!).

I don't think you're doing anything wrong but it's different than in a shop where you put the clothes that don't fit straight back.

The seamstress was very helpful - but potentially expensive. The dress would need darts at the front to fit the bust, possibly lace panels but the stain is very faint. Would also need shortening and the train being given somewhere to hook up at the back. About £350.

Then a dress arrived today that i ordered 2 weeks ago. I was hoping id hate it but of course i didn't

So voting time please.

A. Disaster dress, that needs adjusting. Put lace on the front (it's only pinned for a rough idea as to what it would look like)
B. Disaster dress, don't do the lace thing but get it adjusted

I'll post the next set of photos for the other dress separately

Disaster dress

Rogue dress. This costs £192 but will need shortening

I like stained dress better tbh even with the current makeshift lace.

Well I think I prefer the disaster dress… can not see a stain!
personally I’d send it back and get the size you want.

Your figure looks better from the back of disaster dress than the rogue dress, but the disaster dress looks shapeless and bland from the front. The rogue dress visually looks better in terms of style but it’s not a flattering fit.

Dress B looks incredible and like it was made to fit you. But only you know which makes you feel great.

If it were me I would chalk it up as a loss and try to sell Dress A second hand UNLESS finances really don't allow, in which case I would keep the only unreturnable dress (Dress A) and make it work.

Much prefer disaster dress.

Rogue dress looks gorgeous on you! Sell the disaster, wear the rogue

Surely this is what household insurance is for?

Accidental damage of something in your home!

Go with the disaster dress. It is extremely flattering from the back, which is a consideration for a wedding dress. Make sure you get the right underwear and it will be perfect.
Rogue dress is fine, but not as flattering to your figure, in my view.

I think both dresses look lovely on you, but I prefer the 'disaster dress'. If you really like the second dress though and if it's price is less than or similar to the cost of the alterations to the first dress, I would go with that.

Wrt the stained dress, there are various ways to alter the fit of a dress, so it could be worth taking it to another dressmaker for a second opinion.

Same here. I don't like other dress at all.

Not everyone has accidental damage added to their policy and even if then there is normally an excess so hardly worth it to claim and lose no claims bonus for future years and possibly have increased premium.

Really? I thought the rogue dress looked like a shapeless nightdress from the front. The disaster dress is much nicer.

Thanks for all your opinions!

I do feel "bigger" in the rogue dress so totally see what you mean.

Disaster dress for the reasons stated above. Imo it’s more youthful, lovely fabric and the button detail is beautiful. Underwear is your next project (not easy when it’s backless!).

Disaster dress looks amazing on you, you have a lovely figure and it shows off your arms and back beautifully. I don't like the other dress at all and on you, it doesn't do your figure justice xx

Dress B is too long in the bodice so needs adjusting at the shoulders to lift it up a bit to fit properly. Try dress A with an all in one possibly with a bit of padding in the bust area and see if the fit is slightly different. The right underwear can make a huge difference.

DD got a massive nosebleed at her wedding which delayed things by over an hour whilst we tried to stop it. She got a few spots of blood on her dress bodice so we sponged it as best we could and nobody noticed - put an emergency towel under the celebrants table in case it started again!

Rogue dress all the way- much more interesting! Drapes better due to beads.

Yup I'm going to invest in some serious big knickers!

Do seamstresses usually charge for a consultation BTW? This one did which i paid as appreciate it's her time, but like the idea of a second opinion as suggested so don't want to keep paying out unless that's standard.

By the way I do not know what size you are but I saw this on ebay and it is a lot nicer than the dress I got married in
MONSOON UK14 Beaded Dress | eBay