questions about dress shopping

autumnbride10 Posted: Oct 30, 2007 12:39 PM

questions about dress shopping

Hello ladies. I need your help once again. I am somewhat confused as to where to start as far as dress shopping goes. My wedding isn't until next October, so I figured I would start shopping after the Holidays. This would also give me about 6 weeks to lose 10-15 lbs.
One friend advised me to wait until I lose the weight, (she said that 10-15 lbs equals 2 dress sizes) and then tell the bridal store that my date is sooner than it is, in order to have it on time.
She said they can ususally take in one dress size, but not two without completely altering the look of the dress.
My MOH told me that I do not have to wait, I can start shopping as soon as I want to, and since I have more than enough time between now and the wedding, then can absolutely alter it later.
Who is correct? I'm so confused. Any advice?

JnD110808 Posted: Oct 30, 2007 01:24 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

I don't know if you should tell them your wedding is earlier than it really is bc than you can't try on ur dress like a week before the wedding. You might be running around the 2 weeks before the wedding so much you lose alittle more weight and then the dress will be too loose.

bigrd37 Posted: Oct 30, 2007 01:55 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

I thought about losing some weight before dress shopping, but most people told me to worry about dieting until after i ordered the dress. So I ordered my dress about 2 weeks ago and am hoping to start losing some weight soon. They will be able to alter it when you get it in next year.

It also depends on what designer you are looking for. The dresses can take anywhere from 3-9 month to come in and then you start fittings 6-8 weeks before your wedding. IMO, I would dress shop and order the dress now and lose the weight after! Good luck with whatever you decide!

NC1011 Posted: Oct 30, 2007 02:12 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

My wedding is next October and I just recently ordered my dress. Even if you are not ready to order your dress, you should def start trying on some and getting ideas of what you do and don't like. Some dresses take longer than others to come in once ordered so you might want to just start taking a look around.

DanNette Posted: Oct 30, 2007 02:32 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

I think you can start looking whenever you want! You seem so excited! Go ahead, just wait until it gets a little closer to get measured and place the order. If the deisgner decides to have a dress you picked out discontinued, the dress store should have enough time to notify you. As for the weight loss, it depends on your body. I am pretty tall, 10-15 pounds won't make me go down more than 1 size.

I picked out my dress in January but went back in April to get measured and to place the order, giving me 8 months before my wedding.

autumnbride10 Posted: Oct 30, 2007 02:52 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

Posted by DanNette

I think you can start looking whenever you want! You seem so excited! Go ahead, just wait until it gets a little closer to get measured and place the order. If the deisgner decides to have a dress you picked out discontinued, the dress store should have enough time to notify you. As for the weight loss, it depends on your body. I am pretty tall, 10-15 pounds won't make me go down more than 1 size.

I picked out my dress in January but went back in April to get measured and to place the order, giving me 8 months before my wedding.

Ahhh.....what a clever idea! Thanks for the info....

emcheung Posted: Oct 30, 2007 06:27 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

i agree with everyone. you can definitely go now to look for dresses...that way you can take your time trying different things on and you'll probably enjoy the experience more. if you happen to find something you love, wait a few more months and try it on again. if you still love it, then go ahead and order it. safely, you should probably order your dress 9 months before. when it comes in, even if it comes in early, you schedule for your first fitting about a month or two before your wedding.

jtgarsik Posted: Oct 30, 2007 10:06 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

GO DRESS SHOPPING GIRL!!!! just 'cause u go looking doesn't mean u have to order it right away if u're trying to lose some weight. I also would not reccomend giving them an earlier date unless it's like, a week before(and that wouldn't really make a difference)...only because u'll feel so much more secure going for ur final fitting a few days before the big day to make sure everything is perfect & freshly steamed and all. good luck!

Annoulak Posted: Oct 30, 2007 10:12 PM

Re: questions about dress shopping

My wedding is next November, but I'm already starting to look for dresses. I don't to plan to buy one soon, but it doesn't hurt to look and get ideas.

MrsQ-in2007 Posted: Oct 31, 2007 09:57 AM

Re: questions about dress shopping

I got engaged last October and married this October. I started looking in early November and was planning on ordering around January but I found my dream dress and ordered it in December. It came in early - in May (it was a Demetrios gown).

I think you can start looking for and trying on dresses now. At the very least, you'll get an idea of what looks good on you and what doesn't (just because you love a certain style, that doesn't mean it will look great with your body even if it seems it would) - and best case scenario, you find your dream dress and can order it!

As for losing weight and sizes... For me, 10-15 pounds could be maybe 1 size down, but definitely not 2. I think if you're already sorta of the small side then 10-15 pounds would be 2 sizes down, so keep that in mind.

Dresses can DEFINITELY be altered at LEAST 2 sizes down. Don't worry about that. Most don't recommend more than 2 sizes because you can lose the shape of the dress etc., but that's only with certain styles and I've seen seamstresses do some amazing work, so try not to worry about that too much.

For me, I ordered my dress 1 size too small because I realllllllly wanted to lose a lot of weight and my dress had a lot of beautiful detailing in the bust and waist, and some delicate ruching in the waist so I didn't want to lose the detailing if they took it in. However, with the stress of the wedding and planning, I didn't lose as much as I wanted so I was really scared when my dress came in that it would fit. I got really lucky because my dress was a perfect fit! They just needed to take in the bust a bit (cuz let's face it, there's not much there ) and do my hem and bustle.

Good luck! And go shopping!