Bridesmaids dress doesn't fit

Wow, can you go to the store and find something in a similar color?

I've been in that situation where I tried on my dress last minute (1st time as a bridesmaid) and it didn't fit. My fault entirely, I wouldn't have asked the bride help me pay for alterations.

Oh man that is a terrible situation to be in. She definitely should have tried it on prior.

Agreeing with Kathryn, maybe she can find another dress in the same color? this really is an unfortunate situation, sorry i dont have better advice.

Does she have anything in her budget at all? For instance, if you found a used dress that fit in a complementary color for $50, could she afford it? Or can she return/exchange the dress for a sample that fits and is in a complementary color or neutral? Does she have a dress in a neutral color and similar fabric/style to the other BMs?

If she has no budget left at all, and can't exchange the dress for a sample in her size or return it, and since you can't afford to pay on her behalf, then perhaps ask her to attend as a guest or usher (a little black dress would work fine for that, and most women have one)

Why did she wait so long. I hate to be a brat but it should have been done weeks ago. I am sorry it isn't working for her but if you can't afford it there isn't much you can do. If it's a simple dress maybe find a replacement? How much does it not fit? I read that if you get a fabric that matches you can zip it as much as it can go and use the fabric to fill in the space, not sure how well that will work.

I feel like it's her issue and she needs to figure her money out and make it work!

Lauren- What did you end up doing?

GeeQT- No she doesn't have the money to "make it work" this was an unfortunate accident. It could have been prevented but doesn't matter at this point.

I just realized if she cant afford the alterations she likely cant afford another dress. Looks like your down a BM. I would still have her come and hang out while you get ready.

I've been in that situation as the bridesmaid twice. No salt/no carb/detox diet and some spanx usually did the trick.

Would it not close at all or is it the zipper?? Zipper is easy fix. Can she not exchange to dress or try it with something under?

OGK- I had someone take out the lining of my dress that made it tight. I had no clue that bridesmaids sizes ran so small!

Then 30 min before the ceremony I ripped the dress when I bent down to put my shoes on.... this is why sewing kits are put into emergency wedding kits!

My wedding is the day after yours and I'm in a similar situation. Except my bm knew her dress didn't fit and just didn't care enough to get it fixed. I'm thinking its better to not even have someone stand up with me that cares so little about such an important day. It's definitely hurtful, she's my oldest friend. Trying not to get upset about it though. I'm just going to have two of FHs brothers escort one of my bms

FFS Anna, it was an accident. I doubt it was malicious. She paid for the damn thing after all.

It's a dress from David's Bridal in the color plum and all of my BM's are wearing the same dress. There's no way she can exchange it. She can't afford another dress because she doesn't have the money for alterations. She can get it zipped halfway but it won't go any further and it's because she put on a good amount of weight since she purchased it unfortunately.

This is why we don't wait to the last minute. Sounds like she is SOL. Sorry, but you are down a bridesmaid. Hopefully, she learned something from all of this.

Maybe she could wear a sweater over it? My cousin had to do that for a wedding she was in. Ordered the dress 3 sizes smaller with good intentions. They got it clipped and then she wore a sweater over the unzipped back.

Or maybe try spanx?

This really sucks I'm sorry.

OP, double check with DB. They might either let me exchange it or let her have a payment plan with DB credit card.

I am sorry this is happening but it's not the end of the world. Let her figure out or give her option to show up as a guest. Have everyone tried on their dresses, including your family.

My SIL had to alter her dress the day before too.

Ooh goodness. okay yes again, i agree with Kathryn that if she doesnt have the money for the alterations she probably doens't have it for a new dress.

this definitely doesn't look like something that can be fixed (thats a big gap there).

it seems like you have two options here.

1 - tell her she can wear whatever dress she has and just be mismatched (although I assume that she wouldn't want to do that since she'd then "stick out" and possibly bring more attention to herself? i dont know your friend so Im not sure really..)

2 just have her come as a guest and hopefully she uses this as a learning experience (and hopefully everyone else here does too! try on your dresses friends! tell your BM to try them on too!)

maybe give her the options and see what she wants?

This happened to me, we swapped the zipper for a wider one.

Can they add a panel with the fabric from the hemming? My sister had to do that once for a bridesmaid dress. Is she short? Does she have any fabric from the hem?

Get on eBay, Poshmark, mercari and Tradesy (anyone know of any other resale sights?) and see if you can find a used version of the dress in the size she needs!