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Original poster

Wedding dress... I didn't think this through

67 replies

storminabuttercup · 28/03/2023 06:30

Getting married in a small ceremony this weekend, just me and DP and 4 family members, I've got a dress, long white, feels nice on, but it's too long, even with heels. It's far too late to get it altered, any genius ideas on how I can hold it off the floor so I can actually walk? I've tried googling and cannot find an idea I can make work in the space of 4 days.

Cannot sew to save my life.

Cannot afford another dress.

Feel really bloody stupid now

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ShillingSixpence · 28/03/2023 06:32

Are you sure you can't get it altered? If it's just the length at the front it might be quite a simple job for a local alterations place or dressmaker. I'd definitely ring round a few places and ask

name985 · 28/03/2023 06:34

Google places which do alterations and you might be lucky. I had mine altered and took 1 day.

Original poster
storminabuttercup · 28/03/2023 06:34

I've tried a few places, none can do it in time. Will try again today but not hopeful

OP posts:
MayhemMostly · 28/03/2023 06:35

Platform shoes ?

LovelyDaaling · 28/03/2023 06:36

Put out a plea on Facebook Local?

Merrow · 28/03/2023 06:36

Have you asked on a local Facebook group? There might be someone who can do it that's not a professional

Ylvamoon · 28/03/2023 06:42

Hemming (?) Tape?
You can iron it on and then iron it to the desired length.

LynetteScavo · 28/03/2023 07:08

Just hold it up while you walk?

FrenchTrellis · 28/03/2023 07:14

What about a simple hook and eye at the back to make a slight bustle? That's what I had done on mine, you couldn't see either when it was down for the ceremony

Ellmau · 28/03/2023 07:22

Pins?

Campervangirl · 28/03/2023 07:25

Ylvamoon · 28/03/2023 06:42

Hemming (?) Tape?
You can iron it on and then iron it to the desired length.

Wonderweb! Excellent stuff.
Or a plea on fb

ApolloandDaphne · 28/03/2023 07:27

I would go for a FB plea. Any decent sewer could fix this for you quickly and easily.

Zonder · 28/03/2023 07:35

Iron on wonda web. Or a plea on FB.

Just seconding previous posts!

Unbridezilla · 28/03/2023 07:37

What is your dress like? And what fabric? An answer for a simple silk shift dress won't work for a princess dress with loads of netting

Unbridezilla · 28/03/2023 07:41

Oh, and how much too long is it? A few cm or 50?

Brefugee · 28/03/2023 07:42

what does the dress look like? is there a waistline?
You could tuck up the bit that is affected at the front inside the waistband with safety pins, or tack it in place (surely you can manage that?)
It will add a tiny bit of bulk but you can iron it as flat as possible (if you tack)

you only need to do the few inches that are in the way of your feet.

Original poster
storminabuttercup · 28/03/2023 07:43

Thanks everyone

It's a simple silk look skirt with a kind of underskirt to it. No lace or embellishments would say it's more a line in shape

OP posts:
Sparklynewcareer · 28/03/2023 07:45

if it’s a change to the hem length only this is a pretty simple alteration, are you targetting bridal stores and specialists specifically for help?

if so - I would say look for a local seamstress, not a bridal specialist! As your alterations sound pretty simple an could be done in a couple of hours. Definitely ring round and get a Facebook plea out!

if the dress is a lace hem at the bottom, this can be cut with a steady hand and very sharp scissors.

if not lace , as PPs have said, wonderweb can work well on the right material but be careful with it and do a test piece first - I wouldn’t recommend it for satin fabric as it can stiffen and make the fabric boxy.

good luck!!

Tanktanktank · 28/03/2023 07:47

A lot of wedding dresses have a loop of ribbon sewn underneath that allows you to loop the train over your wrist. On mine it was a good 18 inches up a seam so the train fabric dangled off the loop. Or, if your not talking much can you tack a seam to raise it from the waist and cover with one of the belts covered in jewels.

hope you find a solution and have a wonderful day 💐

Kingsize · 28/03/2023 07:47

Could you add a petticoat so it sticks out slightly more. If its already a line then it might not change the look of it too much. Or, take it in to a seamstress shop and show them what you need done and how simple it is, and they might be more likely to do the work, rather than hearing over the phone about wedding dress alterations, which are normally more involved

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 28/03/2023 07:49

Do you know anyone with a sewing machine?

tribpot · 28/03/2023 07:54

I'm not suggesting going to quite this extreme in your wedding dress but is there any inspiration to take from Jenna Ortega's SAG awards dress - it was vintage Gucci and way too long for her but she wasn't allowed to make any alterations, so she used a clip to sweep the skirt up to be able to walk without falling over.

In your case it's only the front that needs to be shorter, is there anything that could be done with some strategically placed safety pins covered by brooches or similar?

Jenna Ortega Channels Wednesday Addams In Her Vintage SAG Awards Dress

Jenna Ortega’s ’90s Versace dress was suitably gothic in feel.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/jenna-ortega-sag-awards

Bemyclementine · 28/03/2023 07:57

Agree, FB plea for a local seamstress, curtain maker etc. Anyone who's a dab hand with a sewing machine?

icelollycraving · 28/03/2023 07:57

A hoop petticoat? Depends on the cut of the dress.

WonderingWanda · 28/03/2023 08:00

Also look for local tailors too, I've had dresses altered by a tailor before.