Please advise! Are these alterations impossible?

That's a LOT of alterations- usually at best you want to go 2 dress sizes. I'd reconsidered that gown. or find a place that sells it closer in size- or check used.

When are the alterations supposed to be done? If she's a skilled seamstress, it may be possible, but she will likely have to literally disassemble the gown and then trim it down and reassemble it--it's a lot of work.

I would also consider checking with another store about the timeline for ordering--you may be unable to get the dress in your size by the time of your wedding. Some dresses can take 6 months to come in, especially in a special size like petite, and that would put it about a week before your wedding, which is not enough time for alterations.

It's not impossible. I've seen some pretty extensive alterations done when it comes to size, however it is usually VERY expensive to do alterations of this magnitude.

Thanks for the comments! I had my first fitting one week ago on January 18th. To add to my anxiety, she only pinned the sides of the dress. Granted, I know nothing about wedding gown alterations, but I expected that fabric would have to come from multiple seams. My mother sews, and is trying to ease my fears by telling me she is getting extra fabric out of the way before really starts fine tuning things, but I can't shake my anxiety about it. When I bought the dress, the woman told my mom and sister she was going to take the dress apart, but honestly, the first fitting scared me. This is the gown - the photo didn't make it into the first post.

I did this.

I'm a street size 2. I purchased a size 12 sample gown (designer so more like a size 8 street)

For me since it was a strapless gown. The alterations are going to be around $200.

It is possible... But the more beading and more lace and more layers the more it costs

Here is my dress (unaltered)

I had to have my dressing taken in about 4 inches and also up. The very first fitting she only pinned the side, she said she would start with that and make sure it was right. The second fitting, the top fit perfectly but she still had to cut of some of the extra fabric from inside the seams, as she wanted to make sure it fit correctly before she cut off the excess, in that fitting she also pinned up the inside layers from the bottom. I have anther fitting tomorrow morning, she plans to check the length of the layers she pinned up last time and pin up the outer layers. I should have to go back to her one more time to pick it up after tomorrow.

Thanks! I'm lucky I won't have to pay additional money for the alterations. Maria, I'm very happy that your first fitting began the same way. I might scope out what other options I have just to be safe. I wish I would have just slowed down and really thought about it before moving forward with the purchase. Live and learn.

I think pinning it that way just helps them know how much to take off; she may disassemble it more fully and take some out of each seam while you're not there.

I also have an Enozoani. I had to order 8 or 10 (I don't remember) sizes up for my bust and taken in drastically on the rest of my body. It wasn't an issue. My seamstress was AMAZING!

If it makes you feel better, I ordered my gown in a 12 b/c my measurements were uneven. Due to being short waisted, my bust was an 8, my waist a 12 (just missed the 10) and my hips were a 10. I'm also losing weight. This means that in the bust it will be taken in at least 2 sizes. The seamstress assured me it wasn't a problem at all. In fact, she said it wouldn't even cost that much more since once they open up the seam they don't care how much material they take out.

I bought a ball gown once with elaborate detail and beading in a 12 and had it taken to a 2. It worked and it was beautiful! It definitely can be done, just make sure you trust your seamstress.

Altering an entire dress down several sizes- isn't quiet the same as re-sizing one location (big butt- small boobs- or big boobs/small butt)- the process is different.

it's not that it can't be done- but resizing an entire dress is way more work given you have to take it fully apart and reslope everything.

I've seen more extreme alterations than this. If the woman has good reviews and isn't worried, I wouldn't worry either.