How small do wedding gowns run?

[luv4mylittleones]

I was thinking of ordering my gown online but I'm concerned about the size difference of regular dresses compared to wedding dresses. I've heard they run smaller and I'm a little fearful to order not knowing if it'll fit. I know I'll have it altered, of course, but I also know that it can only be altered so much. Currently I'm a size 9/10 in jeans and probably a 10-12 in a dress. I just lost a baby so I'm carrying a little extra weight around the middle and plan to return to my normal size 7/8...would it be wise to order a size 10 dress to be safe? Or maybe the size 8? My current measurements are 36-30 (EEK!)-37. Here measurements of the dress I want:

Size 8...36-27-38 1/2

Size 10..37-28-29 1/2

By dec, my chest will probably go down to my normal 34 C-D...I don't know about the rest. What size dress did you need compared to what you wore for real?? Which size would you order??

 

[allisonswonderland]

Ok- They do run smaller than your street clothes. I worked at a bridal shop for 7 years. The catch is where you carry your weight- the size charts are a little crazy and no one really matches them. If those measurements that you posted are from a size chart and the measurements of yourself are correct your bust and hips would be in an 8 it is your waist that is a problem. I would go up as they can always be altered down but very often there is limited material to be let out depending on the gown. How soon do you need it? That is question number 1. Have you been pregnant before(sorry for your loss btw) and do you lose your weight fast. I would wait a bit if you can and order the gown at the size you are then and have it altered.

The problem today with wedding gown measurements is body types seem to be changing - from your measurements I would guess that you have little hips. and that is what I would see more and more - the hour glass shape seems to be going away and that is what they base their measurements on.I hope thatI am making some sense to you

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Thanks....that does help. I have had 4 babies and usually within a few months I'm back to normal size. Unfortunately this time I was on fertility medications and lost the baby going into my second trimester. My hormones are wacky and I've been stuffing my face to deal with the grief (it happened less than two weeks ago.) The earliest I'd need the dress would be mid-december, but possibly as late as may...we haven't decided yet. I wanted to go ahead an buy the dress since it's on sale but all sales are final which thein lies the problem. I have no idea how much I will lose, like I said I do tend to lose quickly but you can never know for sure. Perhaps the 10 will be my best bet...thanks so much!

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Okay..so I just ordered my dress in a size 10...I pray I can have it altered to fit the way I want. It retails for $750 and I got it new on ebay for $420 including shipping!

 

[jcnovak1]

Hi Diane,
I just wanted to say that I saw the picture of your dress in your planning journal and that's the same dress I ordered! You got a great price off eBay! I happen to have an Alfred Angelo store right in my local area and that's where I got my dress. But I paid $600. I just love this dress! Mine will be white and Hunter.

On the sizes, I wanted to say that I normally wear a size 16-18 in dresses, and I ended up ordering the size 20W based on my measurements. I'm going to have to have it altered some.

Also, I ordered my dress in early January. They said it would be here in 3 months, and I'm still waiting. I'm expecting it in a few weeks, but that's about 4 weeks past when they originally told me it would be here. I hope yours comes in sooner! You are right to buy it now.

Our wedding will be a few weeks before yours (if you get the Dec 15 date). Good luck!

 

[luv4mylittleones]

Hi Diane,
I just wanted to say that I saw the picture of your dress in your planning journal and that's the same dress I ordered! You got a great price off eBay! I happen to have an Alfred Angelo store right in my local area and that's where I got my dress. But I paid $600. I just love this dress! Mine will be white and Hunter.

On the sizes, I wanted to say that I normally wear a size 16-18 in dresses, and I ended up ordering the size 20W based on my measurements. I'm going to have to have it altered some.

Also, I ordered my dress in early January. They said it would be here in 3 months, and I'm still waiting. I'm expecting it in a few weeks, but that's about 4 weeks past when they originally told me it would be here. I hope yours comes in sooner! You are right to buy it now.

Our wedding will be a few weeks before yours (if you get the Dec 15 date). Good luck!

Well it appears that you have great taste!! I liked the hunter too and went back and forth between that and the wine. Green is my favorite color and I have green eyes but I really wanted to incorporate yellow roses (for my mom) into my wedding and thought that they'd go better with the wine. I was told that it could take up to 12 weeks to get the dress...I'm going to try to wait as patiently as I can but I really want to see it now!!!!

Thanks for the sizing info, I feel better about my decision now.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I know wedding dresses run really small... I am a size 6 or M in dresses and a size 8 or 10 in bridal gowns fit me.... I was scared until one of the ladies at the boutique told me that they run really small

 

[allisonswonderland]

Unfortunately they do...I wish the designers would not do that, I mean this is a big day for women and we are supposed to feel beautiful and we are normally one size but today we are wearing 2-3 sizes larger-

luvmy4littleones - going with the 10 sounds good to me - a safe choice. Give yourself sometime to grieve, you have experienced a great loss and then get back on track and I am sure you will look fabulous on your wedding day! Hang on there, It will take some time to heal.