How soon do I need to try on dresses?

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I've been seriously trying to lose weight before the big day. I already lost 25 pounds and we're not getting married until December. I really want to lose more weight before then - but I don't want to try on dresses too early and then it winds up being too big come December.

I know with some of the designer dresses you have to order them a year out, but if I find myself at David's Bridal do I need to order that far out? I feel too self-conscious to try on a dress right now. I gained about 10 pounds back (I originally lost 35 last year) between vacationing at Disney and the holidays.

What do you girls think?

 

[caryndisneydiva]

it depends on the dress that you choose. i got my first dress off the rack at davids and took it home that day. then i ordered my 2nd dress off ebay and had it in like 2 weeks! hth!

 

[suprgrlx]

I ordered my dress from David's Bridal. I believe she said at the time that it could take as long as 4 months to come in, but it actually only ended up being about 10-14 days. And of course, you could end up with something off the rack, which you'd take home that day. There were three dresses I tried on that I really liked - two of which I could have walked home with that day (of course I'm difficult and chose the third).

You'd also need to leave time to get your dress altered, which the lady from David's Bridal recommended that I have done about 6 weeks before the wedding.

Though in my experience, I bought my dress over the summer and then lost about 45 pounds. When I went for my fitting, the seamstress didn't seem to think it would be a huge deal to alter it to fit.

Good luck!

 

[lurkyloo]

Even if you want a designer dress that has to be ordered, the max it will take is about 6 months, so you still have a few months before you'd absolutely need to order it. Also, as other posters have said, they can alter almost anything down to fit you... happy dress shopping!

 

[disneychickforever]

One thing I was always taught (even though I'm not getting married yet lol) Is that they can always make it smaller, making it bigger is another story. I'd get it sooner and then just see as it goes.

 

[cseca]

I'd say start trying dresses on around 6 months before, then ask for ordering time. Keep in mind that ordering time fluctuate too... so if one day they say 2 months, the next week it might change. Unfortunately they are weird that way.
If you find something 6 months out even if the designer you choose takes 4 months to order you'll still have time for the alteration, which could take up to 6 weeks.
If you want to be safe, go for 7 months.
Like everybody say, you can always make it smaller... letting it out is definitely harder...

Oh and if you're short like me, special order (shorter hem) usually takes longer time... that's another industry BS...
So if you end up running short on time, pick a dress which could be shortened by a seamstress (some 1 piece dress with beading all the way to the hem might not be shortened without elaborate work or might be impossible... just keep that in mind ).

Good luck on your weight loss endevour...!

 

[lov2b@disney]

Congratulations on your weight loss!

My dress took about 5 months to come in, it needed to be ordered. I think It just depends on designer or where you find one! Make sure if you find the "one" you give them extra time, just in case. Things always seem to take longer.

Good luck!

 

[JandJ]

It depends on the bridal boutique and the designer. Some boutiques can rush order gowns. My friend got married in September and didn't go dress shopping until August. She got a Demetrios gown and paid a lot for the rush, but the gown came in fast, she had MAJOR alterations done to it, and it was all done in time.

Congrats on the weight loss!

 

[mla1977]

If you're in the mood, go shopping now. I just ordered a dress and made it very clear to my mom and the consultant that I plan to lose a lot of weight. We ordered it to fit my current size and everyone, including my mom, was confident that the alterations could be made even if I lost 50lbs. They also said that it would take 6-8 months for it to come in.

 

[wendy46001]

My dress took nine months to come in...i also lost a lot a weight post ordering...alterations cost a bit more, but i would have missed ordering if i didnt get it so soon

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Hi Wendy - where did you get your dress from? Who was the designer?

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I'm just very self-conscious about my weight and I just am nervous about shopping for a dress right now. I'd like to lose another 20 pounds before I go shopping so I'm hoping 6 months will be enough time to shop and order anything if I need to.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I was also nervous about trying on a wedding dress. Our wedding is November 2008. I went about 3 weeks ago "just to see". I went to Davids Bridal and tried on 4 dresses. I was a size 18 there and they had quite a few for me to choose from. My normal dress size is 16 so I guess it was pretty true to size. I am also planning on losing at least 40 pounds - more if possible. At Davids they said I really did not have to order until around April. I don't know if I am going to order from Davids or not. I am planning on more looking this weekend.

I would also suggest starting to look. I know you want to lose more weight but this will just give you an idea on styles you might light. I tried on 3 halter and one strapless. All 3 halters were cut differently and I like two of them. I was also surprise how well the strapless fit and it did not feel like it would fall down so I am now considering them. Even if you think you might like one style - once you try things on you get a better sense of what will work for you.

Linda

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Hi, Linda! We're both from NJ! Which David's Bridal did you go to? I heard horror stories about the one in Wayne.

I'm a size 16/18, too. (down from size 22! Woohoo!) Maybe I should just do what you're doing and at least look around and maybe I won't be as nervous. I saw a dress that I like on David's Bridal's website but I don't know if it'll look good on me or not.

 

[wendy46001]

Hi Wendy - where did you get your dress from? Who was the designer?

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I'm just very self-conscious about my weight and I just am nervous about shopping for a dress right now. I'd like to lose another 20 pounds before I go shopping so I'm hoping 6 months will be enough time to shop and order anything if I need to.

I ordered my dress from the designers it was amelia carrera
(part eve of milady)

I totally understand self-conscious, i really didn’t like how all samples are 10s and they didnt even come close to covering (no matter zipping)...so it didn’t start off as the best experience…but it sure was motivating once I found the dress

 

[lpizzuro123]

Mermaid_Ariel - congrats on losing weight and good luck keeping on track.

The Davids Bridal I went to was in East Brunswick on Rt 18.. I was not planning on going there - I was originally going to another Bridal place close to the EB Davids Bridal but they were closed when I got there and Davids Bridal was open so I just stopped in. It was a few weeks ago and the weather was really bad that night so they were empty. They had samples in alot of different sizes so that made it much easier to get a feeling on how the dress would look and feel. They had plenty of 16's and 18's. Like I said - I wasn't planning on strapless and when they zipped me up it was so comfortable I was really surprised. I also felt a halter would make me look broader and it really didn't and it was very comfortable.

I would suggest just going in and trying some gowns on. They gave me the strapless bra to try on with the dress and a big slip. I had my own high heel shoes with me as I was coming straight from work. Once you give it a try I am sure you will feel more confident and less nervous.

Let me know what happens.

Linda

 

[FIREFLY01]

It Took My Dress 3.5 Month To Come In And I Too Have Lost About 10 Pds Since I Ordered The Dress, (22 Alltogether) But I Rdered The Dress That Fit Then Even Though I Know I Wanted To Lose More, But In Case I Didn't, I Took Mine For Altereation Before Christmas They Said It Will Be Ready By Middle Of January, My First Fitting Is Jan 11, To See If They Have To Take In Any More, They Had To Take In 3 Inches Off Torso Area And 1.5 Off Hip Area In Dress, But Like Others Have Said Its Easy To Take Off Material Impossible To Put It On,,,,,,,,,,,,, Congrats On The Weight Loss So Far, Don't Worry About The Holiday Lil Gain It Means You Had Fun!!!!!

 

[hope1826]

Congratulations on your weightloss!!

I live in NJ also and went to the East Brunswick Rt 18 Davids Bridal. They were very nice, although if you can, you should go on a weekday, they are insanely busy on weekends and look like they are rushing the brides.

When I bought my dress, I was a size 16 but fit into their size 18 (women). Last year I was on a medication that made me gain 80 lbs in eight months and since I have been off of it, the weight just kind of falls off in spurts. So, I 'll lose 20 lbs in two months and then lose nothing for 3 or four months. So I explained to the DB consultant that I seriously had no idea what size I would be. I was really nervous about buying a dress, but felt I had to because my wedding was only 6 months away at the time and the DB consultant said it could take up to 4 months to come (it actually came in 14 days). She also explained that altering the dress to accommodate weight loss is much easier than the other way around. So to save money ($200), I crossed my fingers and ordered a 16 (misses) and two months later it fits perfectly.

I think you should try dresses on now. I was really anxious before I went and just seeing the options, trying stuff on and talking to them about how alterations work made me feel a lot better.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I went to the DB in East Brunswick also. I found they were very nice and had gowns in my size to try on. I will not be buying for a few months (my wedding is next November) so I hope to lose a few more pounds before then. What dress did you get from them and where in NJ do you live? I am in South Brunswick.

When all this started, I had actually wanted to get married on the date of your wedding. That was my parents wedding anniversary and my mom passed away a few years ago so I thought that might be a nice remembrance for my dad. We got late in starting everything so we switched to November. I see you are having your DP in UK Upper - I am having UK Lower - we could have met and had a big party. Oh well.

Hope things are going well with your planning. I really need to start a PJ. I have not set up an account in photobucket so I can't post pictures yet. Once I get that done I will start a PJ.

Linda

 

[PrincessBride010103]

well my case is probably a little different than everyone elses.
i ordered my dress a month ago when i thought my wedding was a year away and boy am i happy i did because now i am pregnant and i need my dress like NOW. still cost us an extra $250 to get it rushed but im so happy that i already had it picked out at my bridal shop and i didnt have to go buy something off the rack ya know

 

[hope1826]

I went to the DB in East Brunswick also. I found they were very nice and had gowns in my size to try on. I will not be buying for a few months (my wedding is next November) so I hope to lose a few more pounds before then. What dress did you get from them and where in NJ do you live? I am in South Brunswick.

When all this started, I had actually wanted to get married on the date of your wedding. That was my parents wedding anniversary and my mom passed away a few years ago so I thought that might be a nice remembrance for my dad. We got late in starting everything so we switched to November. I see you are having your DP in UK Upper - I am having UK Lower - we could have met and had a big party. Oh well.

Hope things are going well with your planning. I really need to start a PJ. I have not set up an account in photobucket so I can't post pictures yet. Once I get that done I will start a PJ.

Linda

This is my dress. no pics of me in it yet though. It's hanging in DF's closet though and I look at it everyday.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=908128&page=61

I live in Highland Park. I tried on lots of dresses all over Central Jersey, but ended up falling in love with a David's Bridal one. I still want to lose 30 - 40 lbs.

Oh, I'm sorry you changed your date. An Upper and Lower UK party would have been fun!!