Any Davids Bridal employees out there? Or anyone who's experienced their alterations

I was told when I bought mine there they could alter it 2 sizes up or down but otherwise they would recommend to get a different size. I think it depends on your dress but some structures would be fundamentally changed by trying to make it smaller.

Congrats on the weight loss though!

I didn't take mine in much and it cost me $145. If can go somewhere else I would recommend it.

DB manager here. If it is more than one size we absolutely recommend exchanging it for a smaller size to limit your alteration costs.

Thank you ladies!!! And @courtney s. Oh goodness im so afraid they're going to come out with some outrageous number like $500- $600 it also needs to be needs hemmed because im short plus the bustle for the train because its a huge ballgown.

@Lorith I'm really hoping thats an option! Would you say it depends on each individual store? Or is that typically something they'd all allow and recommend at most stores? The final sale policy is what scares me. I literally have the receipt and everything still. Its been hanging in a DB garment bag that i bought as well since i picked it up. Its a size 12 im estimating possibly needing an 8 or 6 by the time im done with my weight loss journey.

I haven't heard good things about DB alterations, but I don't have any firsthand experience with them. Take the dress to a seamstress and ask! Don't leave it for too late, though. Alterations take time.

I had my dress altered at DB. They had to take my dress in by 2 inches on each side. They did a wonderful job. I also had a huge ballgown that needed to be hemmed and bustled. It cost me $500.

Technically, yes it depends on the management team at your particular store, but at least in my district we all agree that this kind of situation is an easy exchange.

It's returns that we are more firmly against, because it goes back against the consultant you purchased with. Which feels so unfair to them. We are currently trying to make returns go against the house so it doesn't impact the consultants' commission. (Example: a $1000 dress is bought from Jane on 6/20. She receives her commission on the appropriate check. Then on 9/15 the same dress is returned and Jane gets the money taken from her on that check.) It's so hard on consultants.

I am currently in the process of having my dress altered at DB, I originally got a size 14. Lost some weight and was told that it would be close to $500 to alter the dress. They advised me to exchange the dress for smaller size. It worked out because I bought the dress for $1300, but when exchanged for different size, it was $800. The alterations to take it in and do the bustle was $250!

@silverlava I've heard such mixed reviews too but none hands on from my local one. The alterations department has my fitting scheduled for almost the end of January which in my mind originally was perfect for me to be done losing weight but I'm getting so anxious that I almost want to go in sooner. Although im thinking about getting an initial opinion from a seamstress just to hear from an unbiased mind first.

@mrsknolle yikes thats exactly the price that i think is going to be thrown at me and your situation sounds like it was the same and i cant see your picture all that well but the bottom looks very similar to mine except its strapless. Is that an oleg cassini?

@lorith yea i totally get the no returns thing because of their commission, i dont know what percentage they get but my dress was a bit much I'd be devastated if someone took that back from me. And i love my dress anyway i know they still have it at least online they do, I'd only want to exchange it. Hopefully the manager at my store has the same ideas lol.

@naydahyahb $250 i can live with! I think i may have to stop in before my alterations appointment or call to put my mind at ease. I just keep hearing that they can take it in two dress sizes without compromising the dress but I would imagine it depends on the dress.

You should be fine. Good luck with your weight loss journey!

I work at db and dresses can only be taken in 2 sizes

Here's my dress. It's an Oleg Cassini and has lots of layers.

The back. It has a long train and lots of layers which made the hemming more complicated. Plus they added the sleeves for me.

@mrsknolle yes! I think we're dress twins you look beautiful btw

I know the cost of alterations is something to consider when buying a dress but $500 was not in my head at the time yikes! Was the offer of changing for a smaller size ever offered to you? So that only the hemming, bustle and sleeves had to be done?

Also @lorith thank you so much! If you're still looking at this what does it mean when a dress is "special value" the dress online now shows that in the description. Does that mean its being discontinued?

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A special value dress online is a sample gown that will be sent to you from one of our stores. It may have flaws and is a 100% final sale. No return or exchange. ETA So yes, it's being discontinued. Sorry, I missed that my reading comprehension sucks. I'm home sick. Bear with me.

@lorith oh no! Im sorry to hear that. But no need to apologize you've been a big help! Okay so i think i have just one more question then just so I have an idea of what to expect, so lets say I go back today and they're willing to do the exchange for a smaller size are all the dresses they would be able to get the same situation as online? As far as them being "special value" sample gowns from any store and not like a brand new gown? Feel better!

No. They would call the distribution center and see what is in the warehouse. Then they would determine from there what size they can get you to minimize alterations. I would go in as soon as possible though to have the best chance of getting the exact size you need.

@lorith Oh okay that's a little relief. I think I'll be stopping in today actually and see how it goes. Thanks again!

No problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.