Mom’s wedding Dress and Alterations

I’d contact a seamstress and get a quote from her. You can download the thumbtack app and find one there for a reasonable price.

I tried on my Mom’s wedding dress and while it fit pretty perfectly I had the same problem envisioning what I would really want it to look like. Her dress had also yellowed and it was just too much to stress over, so we ended up getting me my own dress. My Mom didn’t care that I wasn’t wearing her dress, but we did get some silly pictures of me trying it on which was nice.

Hey there, Megan! Perhaps browse some dresses on Pinterest and the WeddingWire dress section, save images of dresses with features you like and bring them to the appointment to discuss. With the seamstress, you can chat about what would be possible to incorporate and he/she can help you design the final gown

I am wearing my mom's dress that also followed the poofy sleeve fad. I actually took the sleeves off myself (with a seam ripper very carefully, it's mostly satin). I started with that because I can't really imagine what else to do to it while I see those sleeves, and I got my mom to agree to removing the sleeves and then other changes are subject to her approval (she don't want it cut!) But now that they are off, it is a bit easier for me and my mom to envision how I would wear it and what other changes world make it mine! I'm not sure what other changes will be made but I'm hoping I can get her to agree to let me at least remove some appliques...

It would be hard to give advice on how you could change the dress with out pictures. But I would look at pictures of dresses and see what length, sleeve style/type, and neckline you like. Those are the easiest things that can be changed in a dress. Is it long sleeve buy you keep looking at short sleeve or sleeveless dresses? That can at least give you an idea.