Question about wedding dress

LokiFae

So here's a little backstory to my question:

My husband and I were married in a quickie courthouse wedding, to make sure we were married before I gave birth. (Our son was a little bit of a surprise!!!) We always said we were going to have an actual WEDDING wedding once things settled down a little.

Okay, so I found my ULTIMATE wedding dress. It's a long yellow floral backless dress and it is completely fierce. The problem is...I've only found one store that will ship to the U.S. because it's a European release and they only have three left and will not get more once they sell out. I know (at least I think) I'm going to buy it, but our wedding won't be until next summer (May 31st, 2009), and I have no idea what size I'll be by then. Should I just order a large and see if it needs altered by then? It's a pretty forgiving style (empire waist, tie in the back, etc.) so it should be okay by then, but what if I need a medium or something? I've always heard that you should never order your wedding dress smaller than you are, but...I might have to if I'm going to get it. Sorry for the long post, I just need a little advice.

LokiFae

So here's a little backstory to my question:

My husband and I were married in a quickie courthouse wedding, to make sure we were married before I gave birth. (Our son was a little bit of a surprise!!!) We always said we were going to have an actual WEDDING wedding once things settled down a little.

Okay, so I found my ULTIMATE wedding dress. It's a long yellow floral backless dress and it is completely fierce. The problem is...I've only found one store that will ship to the U.S. because it's a European release and they only have three left and will not get more once they sell out. I know (at least I think) I'm going to buy it, but our wedding won't be until next summer (May 31st, 2009), and I have no idea what size I'll be by then. Should I just order a large and see if it needs altered by then? It's a pretty forgiving style (empire waist, tie in the back, etc.) so it should be okay by then, but what if I need a medium or something? I've always heard that you should never order your wedding dress smaller than you are, but...I might have to if I'm going to get it. Sorry for the long post, I just need a little advice.

FitJoani

if all else fails rely on Spanx. they make your bod look slim and trim

REB89

depends how determined you are, personally i think if you know that you are goign to stick to your healthy eating then get the medium, if nothing else it will be a great motivator. however, if you want to be ont he safe side I guess you could always get the large and have it altered if it is too big!

kerrilucko

I've always heard thats the WORST mistake you can make when buying a dress. Guess at a size is really difficult, not to mention wedding dresses run in totally wacky sizes. I looked up my measurements and while I wear a size 16 in most things, I'd need a size 20-22 in a wedding dress! I'd save a photo of the dress and shop around once you are closer to the wedding date. Show the photo around, you may find something similar, or you could have the dress recreated for you by a dressmaker.

AlbertSchwartz

umm.. bit strange a bloke commenting ont his i know, but i know all the other guys have read this too lol.

I'm from the uk and don't forget the sizes are differant to that in the usa. i'm sure a us size zero is a uk 4, i'm not sure, but something to consider.

REB89

Oh and the other thing to remeber too is that generally a medium in the US is bigger than a medium in Europe (although it depends on which country) I agree witht others though, I'd keep a picture and shop around closer tot he date or have it made.

kerrilucko

I just wanted to add that I TOTALLY know how you feel, I am getting married in August/09 and I live in a really isolated place right now. I am spending the summer in Ottawa with my family and we are going to look at dresses but I can't buy one obviously, with all this weight to lose! So next year I will be back living here with nowhere to look for dresses...... I may end up getting my dress 1 month befor emy big day! which is cutting it so close if I need alterations!

LokiFae

I just wanted to add that I TOTALLY know how you feel, I am getting married in August/09 and I live in a really isolated place right now. I am spending the summer in Ottawa with my family and we are going to look at dresses but I can't buy one obviously, with all this weight to lose! So next year I will be back living here with nowhere to look for dresses...... I may end up getting my dress 1 month befor emy big day! which is cutting it so close if I need alterations!

I know! That's part of the issue. We are a little bit isolated too which is why I'm doing a LOT of dress searching online. I am trying to a) find a dress that I like, so that everything else can run a little smoother and b) make sure that I get it in time for any alterations.

Ahh!!! It's so frustrating trying to lose weight and plan a wedding!

Also, thanks to rebecca and Al...I had forgotten about the size difference...If I buy it, definitely going with a large.

jamie77

You may want to also keep in mind that is is way easier to have something taken in than out. You can only take it out so far before they have to add strips of material, which totally ruins the look of a beautiful dress.
Wedding dress sizes are way funky..I'm a size 12 and my wedding dress was a tight 18!:grumble:

LokiFae

It's also not a regular wedding dress, it's just a regular summer dress, so the sizing should be pretty accurate for normal dresses. That's another reason I don't want a regular wedding dress. I don't want to have to buy a size 26 when I'm actually a size 14 or something. That would ruin my motivation!!!!!

pmkelly409

If they only have three left, what choice to you have in the size you order? are you sure that the three left are even sizes that would fit you.

I say go as true to your current size and have it altered, you have no idea how much you will lose between now and then....

There was a post recently about someone who lost 10 pounds but didn't go down a size (i think it was jeans) but that happened to me too, I lost 10 pounds and now my clothes just fit better.

barefootbabe

Slightly off topic but . . . can you post a link so we can see it? I'm just so curious now! I promise I won't buy it . . .:laugh:

pmkelly409

Slightly off topic but . . . can you post a link so we can see it? I'm just so curious now! I promise I won't buy it . . .:laugh:

Oh I would love to see it too!!! So glad someone else asked!!!

LokiFae

I'll add it to my pictures. Just a sec.

Edit - Added a front, back, and side view.

briblue72

You can always have something taken in, but there's very little room for letting something out... go for the larger size.

pmkelly409

Oh it is beautiful Mary! This style will be very easy to alter!

I just went shopping this weekend and found quite a few in this style, color, etc. Have you looked on Lord & Taylor.com or Nordstroms.com?

LokiFae

Yeah, I looked yesterday. They have every other style by the label, but not this particular dress. :mad:

Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough, but everywhere I've looked (at least online) you can only get it shipped within Europe...Except for Zappos!!! (Bizarre to buy my wedding dress on a shoe website:ohwell: ) They have 3 larges, and I called yesterday to see if they would get more in stock and they said No.

Hence my dilemma.

BTW: Thanks pmkelly!!!

Shannon023

I don't know how much it would cost to do this, but maybe you could find a good seamstress who could recreate the dress for you. That way you'll know it fits for sure.

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

kerrilucko

I was thinking is was a wedding dress, which can be REALLY pricey to have made! But a dress like this should not be too costly, and it will be tailored to fit you perfectly! I would go with a seamstress. See her in late autumn to discuss this and tell her your situation. You need to allow for adequate time for the dress to be made, but if it is begun by next winter there should be plenty of time! The best thing is you can choose your own colours, fabrics and any changes you'd like made. It will be a very special dress!

barefootbabe

Thanks for posting, very pretty!

I agree, this looks like it would be simple to alter, or even recreate! I would just order the large and get it taken in if need be, considering the sizing difference, or if you are really concerned take the photo to a seamstress and get her take on things!

pmkelly409

Yeah, I looked yesterday. They have every other style by the label, but not this particular dress. :mad:

OMG that is my problem too!! Its like there is a black hole for perfect dresses!! I found a great dress at Lord & Taylor in the store and it is not online anywhere!! I was hoping to get it on sale... :sad:

uwhuskygirl

Taking something in more than 2 sizes (up or down) isn't a good idea. It'll ruin the dress if you have to alter more than 2 sizes.

Also, whoever said that a US 0=UK 4 is right.