5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

My dress came in 2 weeks ago. I went to see it last week and it was 2 sizes too big and 4 inches too long. Normally not a problem BUT it is a sheeth of English netting and it cannot be hemmed since it has a scalloped bottom.
There is no way to make it shorter and taking it in so much on the sides might make it pucker a bit.
Even if they could alter it - I probably wouldn't get the dress until a couple of weeks before the wedding at best because it has to be done at the manufacturers location. (The expected date has changed a few times so I don't believe them anymore)

They said they could get me a new dress last week but this week they sounded very unsure of themselves and said they were going to cut the existing dress to make it smaller (despite telling me I was getting a completely new dress!). UGH - the beauty of the dress is the scalloped hem!!!
There was no mention of a discount so there is no way I am paying full price for a damaged dress that is pieced together.
Oh and there were two big pulls right by my nipples (sorry to be graphic). They said they could sew that but it should have come in perfect!

My fiance is mad because I spent $4,000 on this dress and all along - I had a feeling the store ordered the wrong size. I fit into the sample but they wanted me to order a size bigger to be safe. Then the manufacturer actually made it yet another size bigger. So I got a size 14 when i needed a 10!

I told my fiance it would be worth it when I got the dress because the salon was so great and I wouldn't have the headache that other brides have!!! So now he is telling me "I told you not to get that dress" all day long!!!

In the end if I took that dress - it would be all pieced together because of the dress shop messing up the order.
Now I have to find another dress within the next 6 weeks!!!
Way too much stress. Went to the doctor today and he said I need a sonogram to confirm it but I likely have an ulcer!

Oh and my fiance has a broken leg and a BM refused to order a new dress for the wedding after she found out she was pregnant. She said she didn't think she'd gain any weight since my wedding was at her 5 month mark. Now she's gaining a lot of weight at once (as is expected after the 3rd month) and she doesn't have another option. (That's her issue though - I can't stress about that too!)

Message edited 6/3/2004 7:19:32 PM.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

WOW...I would speak to the store manager...you cant be expected to pay $4000 for that? I would be screaming at everyone in there...you cant just sit back....

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I told them I am coming in and trying on all their samples. If I find one that fits - I'm buying it at a sample price!!! They are having a sample sale soon anyway so I said I expect to get first crack at it.

They still think i should wait and take the dress with all the seams in it. Here is the dress - you can see that a seam is going to ruin the dress - especially at the bottom

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Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I'm sorry but I woud not pay for any thing more, I would make them give me a new dress if this was there error? What are they telling you?

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

i wouldnt let them seam the dress it just wont be the same and if you agree and then it doesnt look right them will make you pay for it. i think you should try and insist on them ordering you a new one in the right size or see what shape there sample of your dress is in. if you can get the sample of the same dress and get it at a reduced rate that would be great. good luck and dont stress you will look beautiful regardless on your wedding day.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

wow... thats BS. I would demand that they order your a dress and get it there asap and they should give you some of your money back to cover some of your trouble and stress. That would just be good customer service recovery from a business standpoint.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

If the lace is just attached at the top of the dress and hangs down from there, maybe they can undo the hem at the top and lift the lace up, cut off the excess and resew. That leaves the middle and bottom of the lace intact. I would take the dress to another seamstress and see if they agree. Some people are more skilled at fixes than others and I bet you can find someone who can do it for and give you the dress you dreamed about!

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

If the sample dress fit you tell them you want the sample and you want them to pay to have it cleaned and then they can use your dress (that came in wrong because they ordered it wrong) as a new sample.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

mayeb if they are goignto shorten it, they are going to take it in from the top?They'd have to readjsut they, wist, but they have to take it in anyway.
If they are going to alter it, ask them if it will be from teh top or bottom. They may also be able to re cut the bottom to scalloped it, if they hem it from there.

Was it supposed to be ordered to your length? my dress can't be hemed without messing up the embroisery, so they are supposed to make it to my length- I hope it worked!

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm sure everything will work out! Since you have already paid for your dress and they screwed up the order, I personally think that the store should give you the sample for free and clean it for free. It's the least they could do!

Good luck, and your dress is beautiful, by the way!!

Message edited 6/4/2004 10:27:15 AM.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

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Posted by bridget&jimmy

If the sample dress fit you tell them you want the sample and you want them to pay to have it cleaned and then they can use your dress (that came in wrong because they ordered it wrong) as a new sample.

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Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I agree you should NOT give this place another dime. They have really screwed up on a very expensive dress. They should give you whatever you want at this point (the sample and cleaning was a good suggestion) and then refund you the difference in price btn that sample dress adn what you paid. Don't let them get away with such poor service and poor business practice!

Good luck!!! It will work out no matter what! (but be assertive )

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

Yeah PoB is almost street size - so that is WAY to big for them to order your dress - did you deal with Julie?

I fit into the sample of my dress but it was tight (but remember it wasn't strapless so it had the top tucked into it) so I ended up ordering the next size up to feel comfortable but they wanted me to order two sizes bigger than the sample and my mother, BM and I all put our foot down and said 1 size bigger only - rather take it in a little than be too tight.

I had the same issue my dress was a hem to hollow measurement but it came in perfect in length so I don't know how they measured you that way?

They CAN order you a new dress the first time I was there Julie had a girl who was decided to get married last minute and they got her dress in, altered and ready in like 3-4 weeks. I would DEMAND that they get you a new dress IN the CORRECT size since THEY ordered it too big in the first place.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

Where did you get this dress?

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

Well - I went today and didn't find a sample but I did find a dress that another bride didn't take. It is already hemmed at a perfect length.
It needs a few other minor alterations.
I was told the dress was originally $3400. they don't know what kind of discount they can give me yet. I would hope it is a sizeable discount (50%) because of the situation but also because I don't know how many other people can fit into it. I'm only 5'4" and it was the right length with my 2 inch heels. Lots of girls are not going to fit into it even if they like it since it has already been altered too. I was told it might only be a 10% discount. That's ridiculous. i bought my original dress at the trunk show and got a 10% discount. They'd have to give me more than that for taking someone elses dress off their hands (yes - I realize I'm also leaving them with my dress but that's their fault!)

I'm waiting to hear from the corporate offices tomorrow. I'm hoping they will come through for me. I feel so much better now that I know they have dresses I can get if the original doesn't work out. At this point, i'd rather take one of the dresses they have in the store because who knows what the original dress is going to look like after all the massive alterations they have to do. The dress I selected was in perfect condition. i dont' think anyone else had tried it on. it must have been froma cancelled wedding.

My advice to everyone is to lie about your wedding date. Not by 2-3 weeks - by 2-4 months!!!! It is the only way to ensure you have time to fix any mistakes!!!

Message edited 6/6/2004 8:18:04 PM.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I don't even think you should be paying 50% of the new dress. If you like the other dress than they should let you trade. In addition, they should reimburse YOU the difference, not the other way around.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I agree. No matter how much $ it is you are paying for something that you are not happy with & will only wear once

I hate to add fuel, but there is no way you should pay for a dress you didn't order. If the size is different from what was on the signed receipt, then you do not have to take delivery.

Checl this website to see if they have your dress... they are very resonalbly priced & have a lot of size 10's.

Bride Couture
FM me if you have any questions.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

I am so sorry that you are going through this that is way too much $*it!!!!!
Just try and stand your ground with the shop and cover your bases by looking elsewhere ( even if you start by looking online).

I am sure it will all come together and on your 10 year anniversary you could sit back and probably laugh about this over a glass of champagne.

In the meantime BREATHE ------- I am sure you will get everything together.

Re: 5 weeks to go and I need a new dress!

Have you shown your original gown to a dressmaker?? Even though you dont think it can be done somedress makers are mircle workers. They maybe able to hide a seam under the lace in the gown where no one would ever know it is there. Same thing with the hem. It might be able to be done but in a tricky way. I wouldn't completely rule it out until you get a GOOD dressmaker to take a look at it and by GOOD dressmaker I am not talking the girl that works in the bridal salon.

I don't know where you live but if you need some phone #'s I might be able to help you out. FM me