Getting my dream dress design changed?

[penguinwithasuitcase]

Found what I think is my perfect wedding dress –which as someone with 'picky' style is amazing. It's simple and luxe with a cheeky high split to stop it being too 'pretty pretty' and it has POCKETS!

It's this one

Thing is, it's 100% perfect for me from the front.

The back is ok, but I'd far prefer an illusion back with the flowers from the front continued, and buttons. As it is, it's a bit too 'princessy' for me.

I've no idea how all of this works –if I find the dress at a stockist, can they make such significant changes to it? And will it cost an absolute bomb to adjust it like this?

Gorgeous dress, I have no idea how much those alterations would cost but could you just remove the bow from the back to remove the cutesyness?

Its too princessy but you want more flowers? I think the back is what sets it apart and makes it stand out personally.

It would probably be cheaper to find a dress without a slit and get that alteration done instead.
Most things can be done by a skilled seamstress but it depends how much you want to pay. A good seamstresses doing major alterations to a wedding dress should cost you hundreds of pounds. If she's not charging a lot then you should be wary because it probably indicates she doesn't know what she's doing and you may not get a good finish.

I'd just remove the bow as a PP has said. It would probably be easier to get a bridal jacket or cover-up if you wanted the illusion look, as the embroidery on the illusion fabric is what will really cost you.

I'm a seamstress (not specifically bridal) but I don't know what you mean by an illusion back. If you describe what you want I'm happy to advise on what's possible.

@Anomelettefortheroad yes! Florals aren't cutesy / princessy in my mind if they're in this kind of style (a decent size, as much foliage as flowers in the embroidery).

@booksandballet and @Thinkingthinking might well have a point, though –a lot of what puts me off the back has to do with the bow, although I also have a scar on my back that I'd rather not be the star of the show from behind

@zurala an illusion back is when there's see-through fabric, usually with embroidery / lace applique to give the 'illusion' of skin without compromising on the structure of the dress (like in the picture here).

I think an illusion back would potentially spoil the style of the dress. That designer seems to have revealing backs as part of their signature style or you might have been able to find a different top half and order a custom mix and match type dress.

Where is the scar if you don’t mind me asking? No point us suggesting options that would cover you from your shoulder blades down if it’s the back of your neck you’re concerned about showing.

@TyrannosaurusRights the more I think about this the more I think you might be right.

Argh what a bubble-pop

Scar is about halfway down, two inches or so horizontal across the left half of my back.

Perhaps I need to just keep the front of this dress in mind and look for another one that has the same feel to it...

I think if you removed the bow and had a small illusion lace panel at the base of the V at the back of the dress that could work, obviously it depends where your scar is. I agree with the previous poster that if you come up high to the shoulder with the illusion it will spoil the look of the dress.

I cross posted I see you say the scar is half way up your back, I think that would probably need the illusion to be too high.

I don’t think the dress company would make design changes. You’d need to order the dress as is then get a separate seamstress to make changes.

I don’t see how any seamstress would be able to add matching lace at the back - where would she get the matching lace from?

However contrary to the other posters I think adding a high illusion panel, and buttons on that illusion panel, would work ok. I’m not sure what it would look like if you remove the bow however, it may be hiding a join or something underneath. Personally I love the low back and wouldn’t worry about the scar (but easy for me to say I know).

[quote penguinwithasuitcase]@Anomelettefortheroad yes! Florals aren't cutesy / princessy in my mind if they're in this kind of style (a decent size, as much foliage as flowers in the embroidery).

@booksandballet and @Thinkingthinking might well have a point, though –a lot of what puts me off the back has to do with the bow, although I also have a scar on my back that I'd rather not be the star of the show from behind

@zurala an illusion back is when there's see-through fabric, usually with embroidery / lace applique to give the 'illusion' of skin without compromising on the structure of the dress (like in the picture here).[/quote]
Nice design works on your dress