Please tell me the first fitting is supposed to be a panic attack inducing nightmare.

Well, they are called fittings for a reason... :o) sorry, im trying to figure out the part that was so upsetting - because you have to have alterations done? because that is just all part of the big superfun wedding extravaganza! sorry - im trying to lighten the mood.

it sounds like you had a perfectly normal first fitting - given everything you explained about the intricacies of the dress -- i had three fittings, and essentially all we were doing was length adjustments....

The first fitting is supposed to be a panic attack inducing nightmare.

Hey you asked.

No but seriously you said that particular dress is very intricate and needs a lot of alterations. Just calm down, wait until the alterations are done and then see how great it looks at the next fitting

I'm sure its nerve racking but they still have plenty of time to get it prefect you just have to remember the alterations team do this all the time so it will fit beautifully when they are done!

Thanks guys. It was just not even remotely fun. I knew it would need some work, but I wasn't prepared for how bad it would look the first time. Makes me understand why corset backs are so popular.

Just think that in the end your dress will be perfect for you, and you'll look absolutely amazing in it! I love keyhole backs I bet your next fitting will be a million times better!

I had a panic attach too because my dress was SO LOW CUT! They fixed it after 3 alterations.

Don't worry. I can imagine Bernadette would look pretty goofy if it hasn't been fitted to *you* yet. I'm sure next time it will look awesome, and then we'll all get to see pics

Yeah I just googled it.. it seems like it would need alterations. What was wrong with the way it looked (besides the needed alterations)?

You are FREAKING me out because my dress is very similar! Allure 8764 with a keyhole back. I already know I need cups sewn in and a bustle. But, I'm short and I know I need it to be hemmed which is going to be the most difficult part because of the detailed lace.

When I went to my first fitting, I thought there was no way they could preserve the look of the gown and still taking it in more than 2 inches on each side. Then, they go and tell me that "Don't be surprised if at the second fitting, it looks a little taken apart." WHAT?? I kept imagining my dress in a bunch of pieces, until I actually went to my second fitting. They just meant there would be raw seams on the inside, since they don't want to close it up yet until it fits. hahaha so I promise the fittings get better as the dress gets more and more perfect for you

@Buns, it made my back look all sorts of jacked up. The keyhole puckered out to the sides and then at the bottom of the keyhole, it seemed to pinch me and create rolls that I SWEAR aren't there normally. The seamstress said it happens all the time with this dress, but I wasn't prepared for it. The front did look really beautiful though according to my mom, and she says she didnt even notice the back rolls until I pointed them out.

The panic started when the first thing the seamstress said was that she couldn't do a thing about any of it. They eventually found a different seamstress with Bernadette experience who said it could be fixed. But those first 5 minutes kinda set the whole panicked tone.

Thanks Trena that makes me feel better! I'm definitely more prepared for the next fitting now haha. The consultant warned me and said, "now it might not look perfect at the second fitting either..." Probably for the exact reason you said.

I have heard that they can be a nightmare and brides can leave discouraged but in the end, they love all the changes to their dress. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised when you get your dress back.

@Amanda G, the first attempt to "fix" my dress was a major fail. I actually got the cups taken out, and it seems like those needed to be removed first, before the low cut issue was addressed. Once the cups were out, they were able to properly fix the cut. It was like it needed to be done with at least 2 fittings because the cups changed the way the dress layed on me.

Just like to say thank you for having this post !!! My 1st fitting is on Wednesday so it helps to see the responses and know automatically that I shouldn't freak out because it will need alterations : )

Thank you so much and I'm glad this will help prepare brides who have yet to go to their first fittings! I think especially for brides who wait months for their dress to come in (mine took almost 6), the dress gets built up in your mind and maybe expectations get a little high.

I'm feeling better after reading your feedback and giving it a few hours. The dress really highlights my hourglass shape and the color (ivory lace over light gold) compliments my light skin tone. I'm just going to do my best to take good care of myself and go into next month's fitting with a positive attitude.

I'm glad you are feeling better. Body image issues can definitely be intensified during the wedding process, I can relate to that. Just remember you are going to look beautiful on you wedding.

It's so hard I remember that with all that we have access to now. Those wedding shows can be helpful an hurtful... So just try to remember what it's all about

Amanda- I found this wedding bee post. Now...I don't totally understand how wedding bee posts work because I got confused glancing through it, but it seems many women have had extensive alterations done on this dress. Seamstresses are miracle workers! It'll end up being fine. I know that fittings made me have panic attacks, too.

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/maggie-sottero-bernadette-spring-2011#axzz2TggsQY4D

I'm getting a little nervous because I have this dress and I love it, I'm hoping that my alterations aren't panic inducing. I'm 6ft tall so the length for me is about perfect, I don't plan on wearing heels anyway. but i was in between sizes as it was so the lady made me buy the size up...my butt being the culprit.

Please let us know how the final product turns out. Also how were you planning on doing the bustle? Its probably in the thread, I'll read up.

Also has anyone removed the layer of netting? I can't remember it being on the sample, but when I tried it on today the netting kind of annoyed me.