I’m having my (soon to be) mother-in-law make my wedding dress.?

Question

She has been making dress for years, but never a full wedding dress. I worried about how long it will take.
Has anyone ever made there wedding dress? How long did it take? My wedding date is February 23, 2008.
When should we get started on making it?

Thanks!!

I was thinking of buying a nice, but plain wedding dress and having her add special touches to it (beads and what not…)…its just that she is so excited about our wedding and she make’s dresses all the time, I know she can do it and I know that it will look nice, but I’m scared that it may be not what I want then I wont have the heart to tell her…

Answer 1

My suggestion is like many others, THANK HER every chance you get as this could make or break your relationship with her. If your weight doesn't change often I'd say start the dress at the beginning of the year. Of course small alterations can be made later, but then you can get the jist of things and make sure you both are on the right track and still have time for changes if need be.
I really think you should get as many pictures as possible of what you want. I might even go to the extent of taking her dress shopping with you, trying on dresses, taking pictures in them and showing her what you like about each dress and why you think that type of dress would work best for you. Engrave in her head what you see in yours and hopefully that will keep her straying on the dress to a minimum. During the process of making it try it on often and correct anything you want before it can't be fixed.

I'd say start it early in case you end up completely disliking it, then you'll have time to find something new. Though that my cause rifts between you and the mother-in-law.

I totally know how you feel, my soon to be mother-in-law is trying to convince me their 45' x 30' back yard which is taking up mostly by a vegetable garden is the perfect location for our reception.

Answer 2

I love al the answers and let me just add that you should tahnk her PROFUSELY for her kindness and tell her that you would like a fitting by January so there will be PLENTY of time for modifications and alterations if needed.

Oh dear... what a situation your are in. Just make sure that she has a picture of what is what you want. Don't ler her do it on her own personal taste and style! make sure that she knows what type pf dress, what color, what type of material you would like...since she is an experienced seamstress she knows the procedure and won't feel offended by it.

Yes, she should at least have your measurements and she should start now. A wedding dress has a lot of detail and takes longer than a regular dress.

If you have chosen a dress with boning on it, make sure that she has experience doing that, because it's very difficult to do it right.

What ever she comes up with, tell her that is beutifl and that you appretiate her, otherside she will resent you for the rest of your life and make your life a living hell for being "ungrateful"

Good luck and congratulations!!!

Answer 3

I make wedding dresses for a living, and a dress can be made in a matter of dyays - but you should start working on it two months or so before the wedding so you have time for fittings, pressing etc.

Answer 4

Take note of some of the warnings from some of the answerers as they are valid!
There's an old saying that says never do business with friends or family, so take that into account.

I suggest keeping a strict business relationship here so family problems and emotions dont cause delays or stop work alltogether. Whatever you do WRITE UP A CONTRACT JUST LIKE YOU WOULD FOR A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION. That way, there's no confusion or false expectations.

Answer 5

Let me give you some priceless advice.

Whatever she makes, however it turns out, whatever goes wrong. YOU have got to grin and bear it.

I know people think that their wedding day is the most important thing in their whole lives, but the truth is it's one day. The marriage is by far more important than the wedding.

If you make an enemy out of your mother-in-law by being critical or showing anything but graciousness, your whole life will be affected.

I promise you, it's better to have a happy marriage than a perfect wedding.

Oh, you should start the dress ASAP so you'll have time to fix the uh ohs.

Answer 6

Hmmm.... I think it was very nice that she offered to do this for you, but I agree that I wouldn't want to be her "practice." Also, I'd be weary that your dream dress might turn into her dream dress. I say you only get married once (in theory) and you can get wedding dresses on sale. It's hard to gauge the "perfect dress" until you are wearing it. You have awhile so start looking now. Maybe she could just help you to customize one?

Answer 7

You should take the initiative and start showing her pictures of what your looking for and how you invsion your dress... show them to her often so she has an idea, let her know that you love this on a dress and you hate this on a dress so she knows.... I think she will take everything you have said and make you a BEAUTIFUL dress..... your lucky your going to have your very own custom dress....... its never too early to get started so start researching dresses today and start showing her stuff.... GL

Answer 8

I'm sorry but if you can get out of this now do it?? Your mother-in-law is making you her first ever wedding dress as in your the guinea pig?? Sorry sound like a nightmare waiting to happen. That's my opinnion...

Answer 9

Um, yeah...bad idea, especially if you are picky. You need to choose a dress, then tell her you changed your mind bc you saw something you fell in love with. She can make the veil.

Answer 10

Let me second what fly girl said.
Whatever comes out of mom-in-laws sewing room-you love it and it's perfect.
And ya, start today.