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KBM
Expert April 2013

Is second guessing dress normal?

KBM, on July 7, 2012 at 3:43 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 27

I am getting married on April 19, 2013 and I bought my dress last month. I was watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and all these brides seem to know the dress when they find it. I did not have this feeling and I am now worried that I picked too soon. The dress hasn't been altered I am still waiting on it to come in. I liked it better when I had a smaller size on so altering may make the difference.

Any advice? Should I go looking again?

Does David's Bridal ever return or exchange for another?


27 Comments

Latest activity by Mrs. Williams, on July 7, 2012 at 9:44 PM
  • Mrs. Clark aka Mrs Awesomepants
    Master November 2011
    Mrs. Clark aka Mrs Awesomepants ·
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    Welcome to WW! Be sure to update your avatar so we can remember you in future posts.

    Here's how to do that and more: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/new-to-the-weddingwire-forums-please-read-before-you-post/b433c40c1a62b96a.html

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  • Fawn
    Super October 2012
    Fawn ·
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    On Say Yes to the Dress, first of all, most of the women there are spending over $4,000 for 1 dress...they better love it! And also, it's a tv show, they wouldn't show a bunch of brides who are all, "I think it's ok." or "this dress is nice, I'll take it." They want brides to be super excited and that's the atmosphere they create. TV magic!!

    DB isn't really like that. It's not that it's a bad store, it's just not the same as one that sells several $10k dresses every day. Consultants are helping 2 brides at a time, and the lighting isn't great, and the sales girl keeps telling you they can order the dress in "petique" when she really means "petite"

    ...So try to relax, your dress looks great on you and you'll feel a lot better when you step into it and it's all fitted for you!

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  • KrystalH
    VIP September 2012
    KrystalH ·
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    I tihnk it is normal, there have been a few times I have looked through a magazine and had dress doubts, but then I remember why I fell in love with my dress to start with. As far as I know DB is final sale and they don't do exchanges or returns

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  • KBM
    Expert April 2013
    KBM ·
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    I do remember it being prettier in person. I have never really been photogenic. I also had just had abdominal surgery so still a bit swollen.

    Just can't shake the feeling that I should have known. Did you know it was your dress?

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  • Fawn
    Super October 2012
    Fawn ·
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    I didn't. Some random mom who was sitting next to us actually started to cry when she saw me in my dress. I'm still kinda on the fence about my dress to tell you the truth, but I know others think I look good in it so, it can't be all that bad.

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  • Puffins
    Master November 2012
    Puffins ·
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    I wouldn't base feelings about my dress off of what I see on Say Yes to the Dress. In fact, I cut out watching all wedding shows because they are unrealistic. I don't really get butterflies and feel like I'm walking on air when it comes to wedding decisions. If it's in our budget, we like it and it fits our theme, we take it. I'm not saying we settle, but there are far too many options to consider everything and feel 100% confident about each decision. (I knew it was my dress because I felt good in it, and my parents smiled the most at it compared to others I tried. No exact formula for perfection there)

    I wouldn't settle on it if you have a specific second dress in mind, but I would plan more of your wedding and give it more time before you decide to return/exchange it. In time, you could try on a few and go back to your original one. Or you could try on a few and realize it was a mistake... but definitely give it some time, your wedding is plenty far away

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  • Carmiel
    Expert August 2013
    Carmiel ·
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    DB DOES do exchanges (no returns). I have recently exchanged dresses there. So, I obviously had dress doubt and returned my 1st dress. I am on dress number 2, and still have dress doubts. My fear is this "dress doubt" thing could go on up until my wedding date. Now I just try not to look at anymore dresses :-/

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  • KBM
    Expert April 2013
    KBM ·
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    I feel pretty when I am in the dress. When I look at pictures of me in it...it looks frumpy. Argh!

    Not sure may go looking again and try it on one more time.

    The dress is on order so I think they would definitely exchange it.

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  • Fawn
    Super October 2012
    Fawn ·
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    I would spend more effort looking for a good photographer if you think your dress doesn't photograph well. You're dress is supposed to accent how beautiful you feel. You need someone who knows the best angles to shoot from to make you look your best.

    The camera doesn't know how to catch your most flattering side, a real photographer is an artist, he'll give you tips on how to stand in ways that you'll photograph best.

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  • Puffins
    Master November 2012
    Puffins ·
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    I don't think you look frumpy in it! If that helps at all Smiley smile

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  • Liz
    Expert September 2012
    Liz ·
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    II second guessed my dress until I had my fitting last week. I put it on again and saw myself from all angles in the mirrors and it reminded me of how much I loved it in the first place. I did find myself seeing other dresses and saying Ooo wish they had that when I was dress shopping and I had to tell myself no lol. By the way I never had the crying Omg this is it moment either. The dress just made me feel good and it was the first one that made me feel like a bride n not just a girl in a fancy dress so I stopped looking and bought it.

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  • Shellie
    VIP July 2012
    Shellie ·
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    I never had a "moment" when I got my dress. Doesn't mean it isn't my dress. And I think I look bad in all the pictures of it as well

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  • Melody
    Expert August 2012
    Melody ·
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    I almost bought a second dress and was worried I chose my dress just because it was in my price range and fit my criteria. No one cried or swooned over it. I got talked into having my dress altered before i gave up on it and what a difference that made! I do love my dress and I know I will be beautiful at the wedding, but the pics of me in the store look horrible. What your feeling is totally natural

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  • Jill
    Dedicated September 2012
    Jill ·
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    Like Liz, I had lots of doubts between the time I "said yes to the dress" and the first fitting. The pictures just didn't do me justice, and I kept seeing the pic of the model wearing it... which I look NOTHING like, lol.

    But at the first fitting, as soon as I saw her working her magic, I was sold again and new it was the dress for me.

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  • Robin A.
    Master July 2012
    Robin A. ·
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    I did not have that feeling when I tried on my dress. I've had doubts, but I really love it. I actually didn't know my dress until I reviewed the pictures we had taken of dresses that day. It did NOT look good when I bought it! It was a sample and did not fit. At my last fitting, it looked really good and finally fit me for the first time ever.

    I actually think you look beautiful in that dress. I love where the umpire waist falls on you and I think that it has a beautiful shape and lovely lace!

    I think if you FEEL beautiful in that dress, then it's good! You have to like it; it really doesn't matter what anyone else says!

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  • M.S.P.D
    Master August 2012
    M.S.P.D ·
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    I second guessed mine more than a few times! I think it's normal!

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  • Soon to be mr K
    Expert June 2013
    Soon to be mr K ·
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    Second guessing is normal. It's a big purchase. And as for the shows, they never show how the bride feels a month down the line, do they. Okay, occasionally they show a bride showing up for her fitting and being unsure until she puts the dress on again and then is thrilled. Don't base how you SHOULD feel in your dress or the feeling you SHOULD get when you put it on on them. Do you love your dress? Do you feel pretty in it (I thought you looked pretty)? Can you see yourself walking down the aisle in it?

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  • krisalicious
    Master April 2012
    krisalicious ·
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    Totally normal! It's hard to remember exactly how you felt IN the dress when you're looking back on the memory of purchasing it.

    I loved my dress but it was never the most important part of wedding planning to me, so it's not like I cried and turned into mush when I found it. Now, when my Oma's veil was restored and I tried that on with jeans and a tank top? I cried and turned to mush.

    I have heard that DB will make exchanges - maybe go try on the sample again and see how you feel? But don't stress too hard. I think the second guessing is totally normal, and I bet once it's altered to your body and you're wearing it down the aisle you'll completely love it.

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  • Carole M (a.k.a "old tart")
    Master October 2011
    Carole M (a.k.a "old tart") ·
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    I agree with the other ladies, don't pay attention to those shows. They are filmed for maximum drama. There is actually an add running in a local bridal salon that reads they are looking for ladies with drama etc.

    Second, you absolutely do not look frumpy. You look beautiful. On the day of, when your hair is done, your jewelry and make-up on, you will look gorgeous.

    Last but not least, I think it is safe to say many of us second guessed. I second guessed my wedding gown and now I am second guessing my MOB dress.

    You will be a beautiful bride!

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  • DisDreamer06
    Dedicated October 2013
    DisDreamer06 ·
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    I definitely second guessed my dress. I did the exact same thing. However, if you listen, some of the girls on Say Yes do talk about returning, second guessing before the fitting, etc. It's subtly squeezed in between all the "OMG This is the perfect dress for only $10000!" But it is a TV show with motivation to make their shop look better than the rest.

    I think you look beautiful. Try not to look at other dresses and remember that something on the day you bought it made you love it enough to spend the money. Smiley smile

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