Wedding dress is too big!? :(

First: CONGRATULATIONS ON LOSING WEIGHT! I got a gym membership once I got engaged and I have been to the gym a whopping on time.

When I was first dress shopping I found a dress I was in love with but it was discontinued and they only had a 10/12. I wear a street size 4 and was told it's only reasonable to reduce a dress size by two sizes through alterations. Other than that the process requires pretty much taking the whole dress apart and completely sewing a new dress together. But this is only something I was told by one person. I feel like things like this happen on a somewhat regular basis so I'd probably call around to some places and get some more information.

@Brittany: THANK YOU! You still have time girl, slow and steady is best I've found. About the two size thing - that is what I have heard as well! Which is why I am so scared. I feel like my seamstress could get it to technically "fit" me, but it will cost more and the proportions will just not be right!

Congrats on your weight loss!! Do you have any pics of the dress on you? How many inches do you think it needs to be taken in?

@Samantha: No, I do not. The size 14 I tried on originally had to be clipped at the top and straps had to be clipped up, so that one even had a couple inches to take in.

I'm not a seamstress, but looking at the dress it seems like it is promising that your chest is your biggest proportion. The bottom of the dress looks like it would be really easy to take in. Not sure about the top with those side panels, though. Love your dress! Super elegant, it will be beautiful

@Samantha: Thank you so much! I agree with you, the bottom won't be bad. I am mostly concerned about keeping the integrity of the beautiful lace and illusion paneling. :-\

Good luck at your appointment today OP! Let us know what happens.

Good luck! That dress is beautiful. And congrats on your weight loss!

Congrats on the weight loss!! I know it's stressful, but try not to worry unless the seamstress tells you that you have to. The right seamstress can seriously be a miracle worker. Let us know how it goes!!

Congratulations on the weight loss! I need to get on the ball with that myself.. My dress also has illusion lace and I actually wondered the same thing about alterations that will need to take place. We had to order for my biggest measurement (my hips) and it'll need to be taken in from there. I'm sure the seamstress will be able to work some magic and maintain the integrity of the dress. You're going to look gorgeous!

Without knowing your street size when you ordered it we don't really have any way of determining how big of a difference there could be, but if it helps, I'm a 6 and they suggested I order a 14.

Hello everyone, thank you for your kind words! The first fitting went so well! She will be able to take in everything without an issue. She cannot take the dress in on the sides due to the illusion paneling but will be able to take in the front and back without losing integrity of the lace. When I first tried it on I was nervous because it was so large on me but she got it looking beautiful just pinning it! So excited for my next appointment!

Awesome! You'll have to post when you get the dress back!

No matter what, go in with an open mind! Hopefully it'll work out fine in the end! I'm usually on the small side of a size four, and the dress I ordered is an 8 and hardly needs any alterations if it's about the same as what I tried on. I wish you the best of luck!!

Congrats on losing weight! I'm in the same boat and had to pay a lot for alterations, but that's because prices around the Boston area are pretty high--and she did have to basically make me a new dress. It can be done!!