Unsure about dress alterations??? Any suggestions?

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I live in Colorado, but am marrying in Ohio. My dress is currently in Ohio, but I''m flying there in 7 (!!!!) days. I have no idea what to do with my dress in terms of alterations (where/when to get them). I have an Ohio alterations appointment scheduled, but also a CO one.


Having Alterations Done in Ohio

Good: My dress is already there, and I''m marrying there... So it''s easy- the gown wouldn''t have to make 2 trips across the US. It can be altered and steamed and ready to go for the ''big day.'' Plus my parents live in OH and are graciously paying for alterations-- so the payment thing is easier. If it stays in Ohio, then FI & I don''t need to drive to OH before the wedding and can fly instead-- costs just as much & will be faster!

Bad: My first fitting would be TEN DAYS from NOW. My wedding is in December. I''m hoping to be a bit more ''fit'' by the time the day rolls around. I also don''t have a seamstress recommendation- just called a lady who received great online reviews. Plus this would require a second flight to Ohio in November, which is $300ish.

Having Alterations Done in Colorado

Good: My appointment is not so SOON, and its with the same seamstress as KittyBean ::fingers crossed she make my dress too snug!::. Since I''ll be in the same state as my gown, it''s easier to go for a second/third fitting.

Bad: I have to fly the gown to CO then drive it back to OH (too scared to fly it *right* before the wedding). Driving to OH puts a kink it FI and my honeymoon plans, and cuts our potential h-moon time back 4 days (''cause the drive eats up so much time). My dress will need to be pressed in Ohio, after the journey, but I don''t know where I would take it? I''m nervous about my kitties scratching the gown- I don''t have storage options at my current residence... And FI may be sneaky and look at it

SO- what do all of you ladies think? Would you go one route over the other? The thing about Ohio that is great is that, well, the gown can STAY there. I''m very nervous about transporting it and keeping it at my home. The good thing about Colorado is ease of fittings/appointments. They won''t involve a plane ticket. And the first fitting won''t be 10 days from now...

TIA

 

[meresal]

Pilsn, I am having my wedding in my home town, and chose to keep my dress there, along with having my alterations appts there as well. With that said, my flights home are only about $150/flight, and I go back at least once a month.

How much weight are you planning to lose? Honestly, there is no point in having a fitting in 10 days, if you are just going to have to have another one after you lose a substantial amount of weight (ie, 10 lbs or more).

Question, where are you having your bridal pictures done?
I would fly the dress back to CO, find a salon to do the alterations and see if they can keep it at thier store until you go back home for the wedding. Then I would fly home for the wedding, with the dress.

BTW, How are you planing on getting gifts and things back to CO after the wedding? Would you be driving because of that anyway?

 

[lliang_chi]

Pilsn, I''m having my wedding in FL but live in Chicago. I have my dress in Chicago because it''s easier to do the fittings etc. We''ll probably drive down to FL with our stuff & dog, which is a very long drive (22 hrs).

So, if it were up to me, I''d do the alterations where I live. I SERIOUSLY doubt your fiance''s going to peek at the dress and even if he does it''s not on you, so if he''s like any other guy in the world, he won''t have any idea what it looks like on someone. Re: you cats, do you have a coat closet or a spare bedroom closet you can keep your dress in and the cats out of?

 

[bluebell]

Where in ohio are you getting married? I know a really fabulous seamstress in the Cleveland area that I used to work with

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Thanks for the responses, ladies


Meresal: All my photos will be in Ohio, but only the day-of the wedding... No separate bridal pictures. As far as weight goes, I''d *ideally* like to drop about 5 pounds... Or since weight isn''t a good indicator, I''d like to lose an inch or so off my waist and hips and tighten up my arms. Bascially, I want to tone up. Nothing too dramatic, but enough that the dress would be a bit loose. (But a *little* loose isn''t a bad thing.) We''re not expecting too many gift-gifts, since lots of guests are OOT. We''ll just ship what few items we receive back to CO. Now--- if our Honeymoon plans fall through, I bet we''ll drive... I kind of like driving


Llliang I hear ya on the long drive! We''re looking at 22-24 hours, too... How are you planning on de-wrinkling your dress once you get to Florida? Do you have a steamer of your own?


Bluebell I''m getting married in Cleveland (windows on the river!) I''d love any seamstress reccommendaitons... Do you know if he/she will do steaming/pressing for brides, or only alterations??

Thanks again, ladies

I''m still a bit conflicted, but thinking more and more about bringing the dress back to Ohio and seeing if maybe I can store it with the seamstress or something. I just hate the thought of it being crunched up on a plane right before the wedding... Heaven forbid there''s any lost luggage

 

[zipzapgirl]

Don''t know if you have been thinking through taking the dress on the plane. One of my books says to carry on in the big garment bag and tell the flight attendant it is your wedding dress and ask very nicely to hang it in the business/first class section for you. Everyone I''ve talked to says they always do it.

 

[LadyBlue]

I had my wedding in my home town as well. I bought and did the alterations in the city wich I live. My mom came a month before and she took the dress with her. I will suggest to take the dress with you on the plain, it''s so saffer. About the dress, I bought a huge tick black bad, and dress was safe there, I don''t think that your fiance will try to look at your dress, and even if he does, the dress will not look in the way that looks when you are wear in it.

 

[audball]

Date: 5/8/2009 1:07:41 PM
Author: zipzapgirl
Don''t know if you have been thinking through taking the dress on the plane. One of my books says to carry on in the big garment bag and tell the flight attendant it is your wedding dress and ask very nicely to hang it in the business/first class section for you. Everyone I''ve talked to says they always do it.

This sounds worth investigating...

 

[honey22]

I am a bit slow but I don''t understand why this is a problem for you? I am having my destination wedding in Nov, and I am having my dress ordered and altered here in my home town and then flying the dress up with me four days before the wedding. I honestly don''t think driving the dress and cutting into your honeymoon time is necessary.

If you store your dress in a garment bag, carry it on board and politely ask the flight attendants to store in neatly and safely they will. I spoke to the FA a few days ago with the carrier I am using and they assured me they are very accommodating for brides and their dresses. They said they will store it up the front away from other passengers etc to keep in safe. They don''t advertise this online nor will they promise this service if you ring them, but the FAs are very happy to help a bride to be.

The dress will be fine, try not to stress too much about it, and dont'' let it cut into your honeymoon time. Just breathe and relax!

 

[bluebell]

The seamstress''s name is Miranda Park and she works at the Perfect Bride in Rocky River, I would just give them a call and see what they can do. I used to work there and they work with out of town brides often, and they will keep your dress and veil until the day of or before your wedding and have it 100% ready to go when you pick it up, steamed, pressed everything!