Extreme Alterations?

Love the dress! I am bad at wording so bear with me - it looks like if you make it more of a sweetheart it will cut your midsection in a weird spot in relarion to the belt. I say this asumming you will take away fabric not add fabric? ETA spelling

Another thought. Add sleeves and reconsider how that looks before making it more of a sweetheart neckline.

I've heard of people altering necklines to turn them into sweethearts so I don't think it will be too complicated. But of course the best person to ask would be a seamstress. I think this is a very pretty dress, and I'd be interested to see it with the bolero as well.

It's not impossible, but the more you change the more $$$ you'll be spending.

Do you have a local seamstress who can custom make a gown for you using what you like from each gown (straps or sleeves, this fabric, that beading, neckline, etc.)?

I think its super common to change a neckline to sweetheart (and I don't blame you for wanting that, I'd do the same!) -- that's not extreme at all! I had some pretty drastic alterations done to my dress, because just like you, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I loved the top of my dress, but had the whole skirt completely redone by an independent seamstress (not at the bridal store), and a whole slew of other adjustments made. I say, if it's in the budget, there's nothing wrong with buying a dress with the idea of changing it. Especially if you're picky (like me) -- it's not worth torturing yourself, looking for an ideal dress that you'll never find.

I was where you are. I liked the fabric of dress 1, the bodice of dress 2, the skirt of dress 3; all three dresses were by the same designer. So I made my own dress. They created my own dress using the styles of the three I liked and then made it to my bode shape. I paid for it.....if you know what I mean, but it was and still is worth it to me. While you only wear your dress for a day..... yet you wear it forever in your photos and that is important to me so I did it. I had a custom dress made.

What is your budget, look into Modern Trousseau. She is the queen of custom.

Have one made- as picky as it sounds you finding yourself (not a dig- those are all real issues LOL)- it might just be easier to have one made- where you can touch and feel the fabric and dictate the beading and design ahead of time.

Thank you all for the input...I have a sense of comfort knowing I'm not the only one with this struggle! This dress is about $800 under budget and I really love the shape and fabric, so the fact that it comes with the extra fabric of the bolero that can be repurposed I'm comfortable with the cost. Here's the stock photo of it so you can see the detail and the bolero. There are several bridal stores that can order it for me, so if this is the dress I choose I'm going to order it from the one who has the best seamstress.

Unless you have tons of extra money in your budget escpecial with the lace they cant just add/take away things (excluding sleeves) it takes alot of work, i'd keep looking. btw Have you looked at any discontinued dresses on sale, i bought my dress and it is way to big for me the boutique I bought it from gave me a max alteration cost (no matter what it would not cost me over X amount) its going to work out perfect?