What can I do about my wedding dress? I don't want my big day ruined!!?

Question

I asked a online company to see me for an appointment
to measure me and make a wedding dress for me.

They have a very good reputation on ebay (nearly 99%
positive feedback) and a professional website. When I spoke with
them on the phone they were courteous and very helpful.

They were nice at the appointment, flexible with the time
and date, did'nt complain when I was late and so on.

Having completed my wedding dress on time, they sent
it to me in secure packaging. But it is an inch too big on both
sides, also two inches too long.

Their prices are competitive because they don't have a shop...I have
to say the dress is lovely but when I told them it was too big and too
long they said it had been made to the measurements provided, and
would not pay for alterations.

They went on to say that if, and only if it was their genuine mistake they
would pay for alterations, even though their policy states they do not pay
for alterations.

Is it fair for them to ask me to pay for alterations, or am I being unreasonable...
I know a bridal store would have charged
me much much more for the dress I would have had to wait longer, also charge me for
alterations, so I feel bad asking them to do more for me.

I want my dress to be perfect, but don't want to pay for alterations
(or rather my fiance does'nt!!). And I don't want to dis this company, who are a husband
and wife team and seem really good. Weddings are SOOOOO stressful!!

So what can I do?

I know they are online, but their customer service was really good. And I don't agree they were too cheap in order to add the alteration cost...they do say that they really do aim to make a very close fit...and the customers they have said how good they were.

I don't wish to sue them, just sort my dress!

Could I have really lost weight..I guess it is possible....

They were great actually. It was my fault over the shoes heaight, and I did'nt have the bridal lingerie for the fitting so teh bust area was bigger than it should have been. But they are paying for alterations so it's all done. Can I really say a bad word about them now - the dress really will be perfect!

Answer 1

If they took the measurments, then they need to pay...

However, if you got a great deal, spend another 100 (if even that) and have the dress altered....it will be worth it.

Answer 2

Sorry, but I think this is a drawback of ordering online. I don't doubt the dress has been made lovely but you have not mentioned these people have acted in the way a reputable wedding shop or seamstress would have. That is they would wait until near the wedding before a final fitting as they realise with brides to be often their weight can change and a dress can require taken in/out. Also they should have insisted you wore the bra and shoes you would be wearing on the day with you for fittings. It does seem a bit odd as I cannot see how height wise they could have possible have measured not knowing the shoes you would be wearing. Saying that it seems they have allowed for shoes. Could they have asked you the size of heel you would be wearing and you have forgotten? If not the type of question you should ask them is how they could have measured accurately if they did not know the height of heel you would be wearing?With regard to requiring taken it in. If you do feel this is due to weight loss and you didn't have late fittings could be you will have to pay. If this is the case surely their alterations charges aren't too bad? My daughter is being married in 2 weeks we live Nr Glasgow, Scotland . Her final fitting is 10 July and to give you an idea of alterations prices. Her dress was shop bought, and apart from 1 shop we visited in Glasgow, when you bought the dress you were also given the price of the alteration package and if you didn't take this a short time after buying the dress it was too late to book it when the gown came in. She got her dress from House of Fraser and their altertion packages start from £225 -£330. The cheapest packages in other stores started at £150. My outfit is from a Mother of the Bride shop and the alterations were £70. Seems OTT but you pay or take it elsewhere and if it has left the shop anything going wrong is not their responsibility. In you case the dress was supposedly made to measure but sometimes a true saying is that you only get what you pay for. Best wishes.

Answer 3

1. If they took the measurments and made the dress too big, it is their fault and they should have to pay.
2. If you took the measurements and they made it the wrong size, they pay.
3. If they took the measurements and made the dress the right size and then your measurements changed (you lost weight or size changed) It isn't their fault, you pay.
4. If you took the measurements and they made it the size you told them to and your size changed or you measured wrong, not their fault, you pay.

I would have someone re-measure you, if your size hasn't changed, then the dress must have been made wrong, which is their fault, they pay. If the measurements changed, it is your fault, you pay. Even though it is a good deal, it is also their responsibility to get you the right size dress, based on your measurements. You may have lost weight, but you probably didn't shrink for the dress to be too long, so that tells me that the dress was made wrong or measurements were taken wrong.
Either way, you want your dress to fit, and you don't want it to be too long, you'll be tripping over it all night, unless you get taller heels, so someone is going to need to pay for alterations. Remember e-bay has a great policy to protect buyers, you can file a complaint through them or pay-pal, if you paid that way, and they will mediate a solution with the company. As an e-bay seller, it tis their responsibility for them to get you what you paid for, and you paid for a dress that fit, but first you need to figure out who's mistake the measurements were, and if your waist size has changed, but like I said before, that doesn't explain the length, unless you were measured with heels and weren't wearing them the second time you tried them on.
If you need alterations, try finding an individual seamstress, or going to a dry cleaners, or small alteration shop. They will be less expensive then a bridal shop.

Answer 4

Most Brides to be lose weight with all the stress of organising things. I had my measurements taken by a proffessional wedding company and my dress was made abroad and shipped over. When it arrived at the shop i went for a fitting and had to have it altered but it didn't cost me anything. However 2 weeks later i went for final fitting and it was still too big as i'd lost half a stone. It only cost £25 to have it altered again which was a small price to pay for a stress free day.

Answer 5

You'll probably just have to pay and get it altered. It will look bad if it's too big, and most of the online companies have the same policy, they won't pay for alterations because they are depending on your word about your measurements. Some women just won't order a big enough size because they don't want to accept that they are a certain size. If the online store had done the measuring, they would probably pay for the alterations, but if you did the measuring, they won't guarantee an exact fit.

Answer 6

First of all, your dress is NOT going to be perfect. Princess Di's wedding dress was a special commission by Christian Dior that set her back $200,000, and it wasn't perfect either. Can you expect better than what she got by using an online discount seller?

Put it into perspective: if your dress isn't exactly perfect, will you then be unable to get married?

I do a lot of wedding work and have seen my share of brides who completely lost it because the sash on their bridesmaid's dresses wasn't the exact share of lavender that they wanted. They forgot that the event was a celebration of them announcing their commitment to the world and made it into a Hollywood-style event.

The marriage is more important than the wedding, and the wedding is more important than the ceremony.

That said, pay for the alterations and have done with it. Afterwards, spread the word about your dissatisfaction with the maker and why. But that's all you can do.

Just get married, and concentrate on the "I do" part. In the end, that is the only part of the day that matters, because if you do it right your marriage will last a lot longer than your wedding day. Your friends and family are there to party with you and each other, not to speculate on whether your dress is perfect. No matter what you wear, you'll be a beautiful bride.

Good luck!

Answer 7

It is entirely likely that you have lost weight since you ordered the gown. My gown had to be taken in a half inch on both sides the week before my wedding. I was busy; I didn't have time to eat. Also, if you lose the weight the gown will hang longer. Just suck it up and get the alterations. It will still be cheaper than if you got the dress at a bridal shop. Also, if you got the dress at a bridal shop, you would have definitely had to have alterations.

Answer 8

COMPROMISE! come in try on the dress, show them the mistake. Let them see for themselves and compare the mesaurements of the dress to the measurements they took from u that day. I think it is only fair to ask that and if it comes out maybe u lost a few inches! I think after doing this u can better base ur decision at whether they are at fault or not. didnt u come in for a 2nd fitting before accepting the dress. in most stores once u take it home u are soley responsible. i think u should just go and pay for the alterations and be mor eon top of things than leaving it up to them to make it right.

Answer 9

unless you have lost weight (which can happen in times of stress eg weddings, or sometimes you want to look just that little bit better at your wedding) i think they should pay for alterations.

They may have made it to the measurements they had taken, but they could be wrong! I is totally thier fault and in this day and age when money is everything and not only that weddings are expensive, they should pay for it! It doesn't matter if they are really nice, its business, that doesn't come into it!!!!!

and its your wedding day! u have to look how you want to look and obviously you are not completely happy with the dress!!!!!

They may have a good repuation etc etc but everyone makes mistakes!!!!!!! it was mot likley a genuine mistake and they should deal with it!!!

I know its the last thing you need, on top of all other weddings fiascos but you have to do it!!!!!

It will be fine!!!!!

congratulations and have a fantastic day on your wedding!!!! I'm sure u'll look beautiful!!!!!

good luck!

Answer 10

Most brides diet before their big day. Is it possible you lost weight and your measurements have changed? Also, most dress makers leave a little length to compensate for shoes. Were you wearing your bridal shoes at the meauring or were you flat footed? If you have lost weight, that is not their fault and you will have to pay for the alterations. Try the dress on with your shoes and see if the length is ok. Your best avenue is to just pay for the alterations and try to get reimbursed later if you can prove the measurements were wrong. 99% of brides have to have last minute alterations to their dress for many reasons. It is all part of the process.

Answer 11

If you gave them the measurments, then you are at fault and will have to pay for the alterations.

If they measured you, I would ask for a copy of the measurments. Then, I would measure the dress myself. If what they wrote down corresponds with what they made the dress to. If not, I would bring it to their attention.

In the end, I have a bad feeling that you will probably end up paying for alterations though. If you do get alterations, go elsewhere to an established company. Anyone can make a website