Help...Need to buy wedding dress, but not at goal weight

KateJKrise
KateJKrise Posts: 12
in Health and Weight Loss
So...my wedding is 7 months away. I am 160 lbs. I want to be in the 130s by the wedding. Very doable! But... I need to get my dress soon! What size do I buy? I know it's a bad idea to buy a dress too small and hope to fit it. Do I buy one size smaller because that's realistic?
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Replies

  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    It's much easier to take in a dress that is too big than it is to let one out that is too small. Wedding gowns run quite small, too. Order the dress to fit you now, or *maybe* one size smaller, and let the seamstress adjust as needed when the time comes.
  • Ashleyanne271
    Ashleyanne271 Posts: 27 Member
    I would probably buy your size now or just one size smaller. It is a lot easier for a seamstress to take in a dress if you lose the weight.
  • mel4bee
    mel4bee Posts: 225 Member
    That's a tricky one...

    I would buy a size smaller! It is very doable and it is gonna be a big motivation for you!

    And if you are more than a size smaller, it is still possible to make adjustment to the dress so it can fit you better
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    Most boutiques will do fittings and alterations as you get closer to the date.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Maybe do one size smaller and then as it gets closer to D-Day, have it taken in if it's too big? I don't have much advice for you, sorry. I bought my wedding dress on Ebay... and it fit. LOL. Perhaps someone with more experience will have better advice.
  • diddles19
    diddles19 Posts: 122 Member
    Buy a dress the size you are now and have it altered nearer the time. Life gets in the way sometimes so you might for some reason not lose as much as you'd hoped. Also you can't guarantee your shape will be the same.
  • huango
    huango Posts: 1,007 Member
    Ditto.
    You don't want to add the stress of not fitting into your dress to the mountain of other things you can stress about.
    I loved loved my wedding, but planning it was quite stressful.
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    Most boutiques will do fittings and alterations as you get closer to the date.

    This. My sister had her final fitting like 2 weeks before the wedding date. She picked it up three days before and it was perfect. If you go just 1 size smaller, and one with a corset waist (they are very forgiving- usually you can let them out or tighten them within a couple of sizes), you should have no problems.
  • futuresize8
    futuresize8 Posts: 476 Member
    I would wait a few more months. Look now to see what styles you like, but don't actually buy until four months away. You'll still have plenty of time for alterations, and you may have a better idea in three months about what size you'll actually be on your big day.

    Congratulations and have fun! This is a super exciting time!! :)
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Maybe do one size smaller and then as it gets closer to D-Day, have it taken in if it's too big? I don't have much advice for you, sorry. I bought my wedding dress on Ebay... and it fit. LOL. Perhaps someone with more experience will have better advice.

    This is pretty much what I was thinking too.

    I don't even want to buy a swimsuit until April or May since I don't know what my size will be...much less a wedding gown! haha

    I'd wait and buy the gown MUCH closer to time, but that is just me. I have never been too obsessed w/ the whole bridal fashion thing and both of my weddings have been small.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Get a dress with a corset back. That's what I did. Not only was it extremely sexy, but I didn't need any alterations at all.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Buy the size you are NOW. Pre-wedding stress can do crazy things. Do not add the pressure of trying to shrink into a dress.

    Most dresses need to be altered slightly for a perfect fit anyway, so it's no big deal if you lose the weight you want and a seamstress has to make the dress smaller for you.

    Dresses can always be made smaller - it's a nightmare if they need to make it bigger. Plus - making it smaller will be cheaper in terms of alterations, because you won't be asking for miracles.


    ETA - do a search on here for wedding dress topics. There are a lot of brides coming in here in May/June freaking out because their wedding dress is too small, because they ordered a smaller size thinking they would shrink into it. Don't set yourself up for that heartbreak.
  • KateJKrise
    KateJKrise Posts: 12
    I would love to wait until closer to the wedding, but bridal botiques are telling me that I should order 8-9 months in advance. I have 7 months left. I would really prefer to buy off the wrack, so I don't think I'd have a problem...but the last thing I want is to wait too long and not have a dress.
  • swissbrit
    swissbrit Posts: 201
    Why do you need to buy it 7 months in advance??????? If you are losing weight it woould be better to try on dresses to find the style and shape you want but leave the buying until nearer the time ask at the store you plan on getting the dress how long you would need to leave for alterations to be on the safe side. I am getting married in June and havent tried on one single dress yet .
  • danger_kitteh
    danger_kitteh Posts: 301 Member
    I have 2 weddings next summer, both brides are wearing "corset" style dresses. They are much more forgiving and easier to alter. The dress they chose (yes they both picked the same one.. it's making for interesting bridesmaid times on my part) can be taken in almost 5 sizes due to it's original construction (corset waist, ballgown, minimal "detail"). When you go and try on dresses, they'll take your measurements and let you know based on the gown(s) you choose, how much you can go down in alterations. Taking a dress IN is way easier than letting a dress OUT - and having been on that road as a bridesmaid, let me tell you it's a VERY very stressful situation to try your dress on a week before the wedding and find out that it no longer fits by 2 inches. I couldn't imagine it as a bride, especially that close to the big day.

    As for purchasing - most salons suggest that your dress is purchased no later than 5-7 months out depending on the designer and dress style. The previous mentioned brides are both getting married at the end of June/beginning of July - their dresses had to be ordered by the end of December or they wouldn't be able to guarantee it.
  • LauraCarlson86
    LauraCarlson86 Posts: 55
    I agree with the above posters!

    Lace up back/Corset style dresses are forgiving and can basically fit a range of sizes (within reason). It's been perfect for me as I've lost about 30 pounds since first buying my wedding dress.. It does need alterations but definitely not as much as a zip up/button up dress would!
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    Buy the dress that fits you now. I was a member of a wedding website for years and I cannot count the number of brides that bought a dress smaller and in the end did not fit it and were doing crash diets in a panick. You can't choose where or how your body loses weight, and weddings can be very stressful. I've lost 12lbs already and a couple of inches an I'm still not anywhere near down one size yet. I'm not saying I don't think you can hit your goal, I'm sure you can. I'm just saying there is no way to predict what size you'll be or what life may throw at you in the next 6 months. It's not worth the risk.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    Why do you need to buy your dress now for a May wedding ??
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Buy a dress the size you are now and have it altered nearer the time. Life gets in the way sometimes so you might for some reason not lose as much as you'd hoped. Also you can't guarantee your shape will be the same.

    This! Buy your current size and it can be taken in. If a dress is too small, you can do nothing about it.

    Good timing too. I had a friend who bought her dress about 15 months before her wedding and it's now 2 sizes too small. IT was very snug when she bought it, she planned on losing more weight and ended up gaining a fair amount. Her dress won't even zip now.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Why do you need to buy your dress now for a May wedding ??

    Unless you buy off the rack, 6-9 months ahead is common for ordering, making and alterations to the dress.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    Why do you need to buy your dress now for a May wedding ??

    Unless you buy off the rack, 6-9 months ahead is common for ordering, making and alterations to the dress.

    I see....! Thanks for clarity.

    I bought mine off the rack 2 weeks before and they were able to make simple alterations in a quick time with no Up-charge. But then, I wanted to save my money for my house and not a dress :laugh:
    Do know that several sizes in alterations is really a "Do Over" for seamstresses.
  • Siobhan108
    Siobhan108 Posts: 80 Member
    Loosing weight while planning a wedding is going to be tough, but is very possible. Look at how much you have lost since starting MFP, what are you averaging ? You will always loose faster at first so remember that. I would think if you are loosing 3 to 5 lbs a month now you might tell the salon that information and let them help you. It is sometimes difficult to take in a dress more then 1 size without loosing the style completely. My daughter wore my dress ( part of it was my mother's ) when she married 18 yrs ago. It was a size to big and she took it to a great salon and they were able to fit it to her and it looked BEAUTIFUL. Make sure you check with friends about their experiences with any salon you choose. The most important thing is a good fit , it will make you look FABULOUS ! Best Wishes.
  • cateyedkp
    cateyedkp Posts: 70 Member
    I'll echo most of the sentiment from above (either buy it at the size you are now, or only one size smaller.)

    Once you pick your dress, ask your fitting consultant to talk to their alterations people about how easy your dress would be to take in- especially if you do lose 30 lbs. Some dresses are not made in a way that drastic alterations are that easy...so be up front with your fitting consultant, and they should be able to guide you. Have fun and good luck! :)
  • littlesis412
    littlesis412 Posts: 314 Member
    I would wait a few more months. Look now to see what styles you like, but don't actually buy until four months away. You'll still have plenty of time for alterations, and you may have a better idea in three months about what size you'll actually be on your big day.

    Congratulations and have fun! This is a super exciting time!! :)

    Don't do this, please. Unless you're buying off the rack, it takes forever to order a dress and you want to leave time for alterations. I'd suggest getting your current size or maybe 1 size smaller. A corset back would be a good idea because they're so adjustable. Having that motivation helps but things don't always work out. I'm in almost the exact same boat as you but I bought a dress years ago (long story) and it's too small. I'm currently 170 and was about 135 when I bought the dress. Even with the motivation, the weight isn't coming off and it's just adding to my stress (which go figure causes me to eat). I'm not saying you won't have better success (I hope you do, actually) but don't do that to yourself. It's so much easier to take a dress in and not have to worry about it. Oh, and have fun! I love dress shopping!
  • glass2diamonds
    glass2diamonds Posts: 43
    Most designer wedding dresses take 7 months to get in from the designer unless you go some where like davids bridal they will let you order or purchase of the rack with in a few months like 2 or 3. order one size smaller only. because most dress can only be taken down a maximum of 2 size below their current one to maintain the dress's stye and integrity. I had purchased my dress about a year in advance hope this helps!
  • UpToTheChallenge
    UpToTheChallenge Posts: 247
    I bought my dress already and my wedding is 5 months away (April) - they are doing alterations beginning of February. My dress came in in just a few weeks, so you will have time if you're going to David's Bridal, otherwise I would start shopping now and find out the lead time on dresses so you ensure you have enough time. I would go try on dresses and let the consultant know that you plan on losing 30 lbs - they will be able to give you the best suggestion on what to do.

    congratulations & good luck!
  • cmurphy252
    cmurphy252 Posts: 279 Member
    Buy the dress that fits you now. I was a member of a wedding website for years and I cannot count the number of brides that bought a dress smaller and in the end did not fit it and were doing crash diets in a panick. You can't choose where or how your body loses weight, and weddings can be very stressful. I've lost 12lbs already and a couple of inches an I'm still not anywhere near down one size yet. I'm not saying I don't think you can hit your goal, I'm sure you can. I'm just saying there is no way to predict what size you'll be or what life may throw at you in the next 6 months. It's not worth the risk.

    Agree with this 100% - "you cant choose where or how quickly your body loses weight". I'd play it safe and buy the dress in the size you are now. Thats one less stress you'll have to deal with as its easier to take the dress in if its too big. Congrats on your upcoming wedding :-)
  • eheinze12
    eheinze12 Posts: 58 Member
    alterations can be altered down two sizes.. so if you are sure you can lose at least another dress size before.. then order a size down but it is not necessary.
  • scubaknit
    scubaknit Posts: 1 Member
    I was in the same position. I bought my dress to fit me at the time...before I lost any weight. When the wedding rolled around I'd gone from about 165 to just under 130. The seamstress acted like it was no big deal to take it in. I went from a size 10 to a size 6. My dress looked awesome! She did a beautiful job and you wouldn't have known she pinched out about 6 inches all around.
  • JNettie73
    JNettie73 Posts: 1,211 Member
    I planned on losing weight before my wedding. I ordered my dress smaller. Of course when it was time for my fitting, I didn't lose the weight I had intended. So I was stuck with a dress that was too small and my dress had to be let out. I was in tears. Thankfully, there was enough material that they were able to do that and it all worked out fine. I put myself through unnecessary stress for nothing. I strongly suggest you do yourself a favor and save on stressing yourself out. Buy the size you are now. Definitely discuss this with the store you are ordering your dress from and ask them for their opinion.

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