Update: went for my 2nd fitting.

I have it down pat** lol

I don’t know why it’s changing the dollar sign to a & dollar and a smiley face. But oh well.

You look so beautiful, I love love love the bodice and veil! What self tanner are you using? Any tips?

What a pretty dress! I love those sleeves. I actually had to have a TON of alterations, if I hadn’t lucked out and found an independent seamstress who used to work in bridal shops I would’ve been screwed. I’m going to sing her praises all over town, she probably saved me a thousand dollars!

Completely new back
30+ holes/tears(it was a sample dress)
Extremely difficult hem due to the seamlines on a glitter under layer, this took 13 hours
Cups + alterations to the neckline
Replacement horsehair(it was cut out on one side!!)
Custom cap sleeves
Bustle

She really wanted to see this poor beat up sample dress get a new life, she said it’s the project she’s most proud of because of all the work she put into it, she even had her husband help. So yeah, definitely had a ton of alterations too lol

View Quoted Comment I’m using Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun in Light Medium. And a plain tanning mitt from amazon. Check out Selftanning.com they review all the self tanners honestly. I wanted something affordable that I could buy in person, mine was just 12$ for a decent sized bottle and it works really well, it isn’t orange unless you do two coats of it, so if you’re wanting to be darker grab the Dark Bronze one instead. I’m really pale so I didn’t want to change too much, just enough for a natural looking tan. So far all I have left to work on is tanning places I cannot see or reach well, be careful when tanning dry areas or creases, like hands feet etc,. Apply lotion to dry areas first. Wash hands a couple minutes after application so they don’t look uneven in the creases of your knuckles. I had a spray tan at an actually tanning place but it was splotchy and uneven, my hands were very orange and dark too even though I put a lot of lotion on. That was a no go for me, then I thought about having someone spray me by hand professionally but I don’t feel comfortable having someone see me like that lol. Also be cautious in your cleavage area, my first time it clung there and was really dark, so I apply lotion there before applying it and it fixed it. My tan looks natural until 3 days later when it begins to fade significantly, but still isn’t splotchy, the more you wash and scrub the more it’ll come off. You’re supposed to wash after a while of wearing it, I give it 5-7 hours honestly, and that works for me.

View Quoted Comment Wow!! Yes that would’ve costed a fortune, I just had a bit cut off and sleeves added and that was half a grand, yours would’ve easily been well over a grand! I’m glad you found someone that could do it professionally at a much better price!

So so pretty. i spend about $500 on my alterations as well. my dress is 4 layers and pretty complex and i had to get a bunch of the bottom cutoff and then the straps taken in. She gave me a bussle for free as our wedding present though!

View Quoted Comment I just looked this up and definitely want to give it a try! Thank you for such a detailed response!

Your dress is gorgeous, especially with the addition of lace sleeves! I didn't need many alterations for my dress - just a hem

Beautiful! I love the style, it looks so bridal. Shoes are super cute too! Yeah, my alterations cost $750 haha there were SO many that needed to be done!