Mrs. Gummi Bear, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 25, Japanese Importer/Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Game Developer/Programmer
Engagement Date: April 15, 2006
Wedding Date: October 13, 2007
Blogging Since: June 19, 2007
Venue: Organic farm an hour from San Francisco
About Me: I live for anthropologie, design blogs, sweets, japanese zakka, and vintage goods. We just bought our first home together and live with our two puppies and cat - it's a strange mixture of vintage, high-tech (we have 7 computers and 21 video game systems in all), and a whole lot of fur. Our wedding tries to embody the Japanese idea of "slow life", which is truly taking the time to enjoy food, company, and your environment!
The Dress… Again!? Last One, I Swear!
August 2nd, 2007 @ 12:48 pm by Mrs. Gummi Bear
I swear I won’t have another one of these. I had my side by side comparison of the two gowns I’ve been going back and forth on.
First, the Monique Lhuillier Scarlet. I’ll say that the alterations manager was just as horrible and awful in person as on the phone and yelled at me several times, demanding I tell her if “I have a problem” with what they were doing… not asking, just snapping at me. She basically told me I was stupid for asking questions if I did, and I spent the next several hours SEETHING. I watched her immediately offend another girl when I was leaving, looking her up and down and with the look of disgust on her face “god… you look tan, what have you been doing? AND you’re wearing ORANGE.” Mind you, this was another bride. Mr. GB left and immediately at the door said “god, what a rude bitch.” He’s far more patient and friendly than I am, and he was disgusted with her.
Ignore my otherwise sour expression and lack of makeup, I was angry most of the day because of my experience with her.
It’s more form fitting, there definitely needs to be some serious alterations, but otherwise I think I look fine.
Then we hopped on over to Saks 5th Avenue, where I had a really nice time. Our representative there is very sweet, lets me do what I want and walk around and doesn’t push me. She’s just helpful and attentive, but not overbearing in any way. I had a wonderful experience with the service there. Anyway, this is the Claire Pettibone Laurel. The clip is holding several inches in and the dress is hanging a bit low, and the back straps would go almost straight down rather than a V shape.
I’ll decide today or Friday, I promise. Really!
And another tidbit for you SF locals, I did stop by Jin Wang today to look at some Thomas Knoell Accessories. I met Jin herself up front and she was the sweetest. If I didn’t already have so many dress problems, I would have made an appointment! She seems really helpful and if the service I got for looking at her accessories is any indication of how it would go for a full bridal appointment…
Besides, look how pretty and light the salon is!
Back to agonizing over my gown decision… wish me luck!
74 Responses to “The Dress… Again!? Last One, I Swear!”
Can you get the first dress somewhere else? That lady sounds like total bitch! I wouldn’t want to give my money to her. lol
Could you take your dress to get altered somewhere else?
I love the second dress but the first dress looks stunning on you!
I vote for the first dress - it’s beautiful (and paid for, right?) - just go elsewhere for alterations.
The salon consultant sounds horrid. But that ML dress looks FABULOUS on you! The CP dress is lovely too.. But you really look absolutely stunning in the sexy Scarlett dress!
I like the first one too! It’s stunning on you!
You should do whatever works best for you, but know that you look totally unbelievably amazing in that first dress. I second all suggestions that you take the (paid for, right?) dress with you and run, don’t walk to another non-bitchy seamstress.
I would find a new seemstress asap. Paying for additional alterations is still less expensive than paying for an additional dress. 
And the first one is AMAZING on you. The second one is less flattering IMO.
You look amazing in the first dress!!! It’s a shame you’d have to deal with such rude woman though.
i like the back of the 2nd dress, but the front… kinda looks frumpy… maybe because it doesn’t fit well?
were you not able to try the other alterations locations that the other sf bees suggested? i’d get far far away from that woman. you totally need the alterations person on your side on these things. and be able to communicate well with them and be respected for your desires and decisions. i wish you lots of luck!
I agree with everyone else, the first dress looks amazing on you. I’ve seen it on a lot of brides but it looks BEST on you.
You look absolutely stunning in the first dress. I like the second dress as well, but the first one just looks incredible.
I agree, can you get alterations somewhere else?
i have to agree here, you look amazing in the ml dress. i’d go with that and run away as fast as i could to a different seamstress for alterations. no use spending any more time and money in a horrible place like that.
I agree. The first dress just looks beautiful on you. Get your alterations done somewhere else that way you’ll never have to deal with her again.
def go with #1!!
The first dress looks GREAT on you! As for alterations, there are tons of great seamstresses in SF so you won’t need to deal with rude woman anymore. The place where I got my dress in SF refers out for alterations so they gave me a whole list of seamstresses that specialize in wedding gowns. Let me know if you’re still looking for one.
I also vote for the ML. It’s MUCH prettier on you. Take it to another seamstress, and once you have the dress in your hands, either tell her directly or write a letter to her boss or supervisor letting them know exactly what a horrible experiece you had. They need to know that they can’t treat customers that way. It might not make any difference in the end (esp. if the lady owns the bridal salon) but at least it should make you feel better.
I don’t know if it’s against the rules here, but are you allowed to publish the name of the shop? To warn other girls about the service they might get there?
You’re going to look gorgeous in your dress no matter what.
I have always loved that Lhuillier dress. That was the dress I wanted, but it didn’t look good on me. It looks beautiful on you!!
Well…I love both of them - which one are you more comfortable in? I know this was an issue - and it will be the day of your wedding, so, which are you most assured and confident in? You look great in both - I love ML, but the other one almost seems a bit more “you” from what I can tell - yes, no?
Either way you win - they are fabulous.
And I def. think you should complain to the store - anonymously or not. That is so unacceptable!
Miss Gummi Bear, you look incredible in that first dress. Take it and RUN to another seamstress - do NOT waste any more of your time or energy, not to mention money, on that horrible woman.
Good luck Miss Gummy Bear. The dress experience should be fun and sweet.
You look absolutely amazing in that first dress. Few people could pull it off that well. The second dress is gorgeous but in a much different way, more whimsical I guess.
My only advice is how I would handle it. I let the money I spend count as my consumer vote. That is my approval of customer service from a location, the practices of the company making a product, etc.
If you go with that first dress I encourage you to consider where you purchase it from. I am certain that the people that run Monique Lhuillier would not be pleased by the story you told us about how you were treated. I don’t care if weddings are a BIG industry these days. There is no reason to be treated so rudely.
I guess Ill be different but I like the 2nd one. I think it looks etheral on you where as the second one is more vampy so I guess its what look you are going for.
And as a bride who wore Thomas Knoell his pieces are gorgeous and to die for.
Best of luck!
SCARLETT!!!!!! And seriously, don’t give that woman your business. Get it from a different salon.
The first one looks amazing on you! Try going to a different salon or having your alterations done some place other than where that lady is!
Few people can really pull off that first dress and you do!! Your feelings about the seamstress are infiltrating your feelings about the dress (and justifiably so). Run away with it to another seamstress and watch your feelings about it lighten and your mood improve.
Honestly, if I hadn’t seen you in the 1st, I’d be raving about you in the 2nd. So, you can’t go wrong either way!
I think the Scarlett looks amazing. Its the one already bought rigth?
I love the scarlett, its gorgeous on you and it seems to fit pretty well after the alterations. It shows off your wonderful figure. The 2nd dress is also pretty, less sexy but whimsical and flowy. They are both beautiful dresses tho, so you can’t go wrong.
Good luck with deciding.
Is it bad that im already married but i still want to try that dress on?
definitely keep the first dress. It looks like it was made for you, and I really don’t think that it needs TONS of alterations. just taken in, in a few spots. Just take it somewhere else for alterations.
both look so pretty. regardless of which one you pick, plllleeeeeeaaaaseeee don’t buy it from that horrible store. to buy the dress from that woman would just reinforce to her that she can continue to make money by treating people like sh*t.
That ML dress looks beautiful on you.
What a &^&$# :O
First dress look amazing on you…
#1.
ML!!!!….i like how your shoulder blades are showing just right =)
The first dress!!!!!!!!!! Fly to another city if you need to to find a decent seamstress, it will be cheaper than buying a seconddress anyway!
You know what - both dresses are amazing. Go with whichever one feels more “right” to you.
I really love the way the first dress looks on you. Looks absolutely amazing!
ditto on what everyone else has already commented. that first dress looks amazing on your frame and there is no reason you can’t find a seamstress on your own to do the alterations. Forget giving that business anymore of your money. Everyone at that bridal shop just seems terribly unhelpful- and brides are supposed to be made to feel absolutely pampered throughout the whole process.
ML ML ML ML ML =)
You look STUNNING in the first dress!
The ML hands down! And take it somewhere else for alterations and be sure to inform the manager of that store why you will be doing so. If that horrible woman gets any commission from your dress, buy somewhere else and tell them why.
scarlet! scarlet! scarlet! scarlet!
I vote dress #1!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a real live bride that looks better than you do in Scarlet.
Of course, you look beautiful in both gowns, but that first one … it was made for you.
Another vote for the ML : ) Take it and go to another seamstress!
Lots of comments already!
I think it boils down to: the CP is prettier, but the ML is much sexier. Which do you want to be on your wedding day? Which is more you? Modern and sexy, or romantic and ethereal?
Well, you already know I’m a fan of both gowns (which, btw, you look amazing in!)! You really can’t go wrong–I do think you look more comfortable (and perhaps it suits your personality and style more?) in the “laurel,” but that could be a reflection of your overall experience at the different salons.
Go with your gut. You can’t go wrong.
I’ve only halfway been following the saga, but why do you keep putting up with this TERRIBLE PERSON? If there’s a reason you keep having to deal with her, I think you should tell her to her face exactly what you think of her. “Listen lady, this is MY wedding and MY money and if you want any part of it, I suggest you keep your soured old dried up attitude out of my way or I’m walking out the door.”
Ah, I can just imagine the look on her face…
Miss GB, my heart bleeds for you. I had a horrible time with dresses…. I actually bought (shhh!) 3.
I know! but it’s hard, isn’t it?
You look beautiful in both, but I will say that *you* have to feel beautiful in whatever you wear, because I would think that you are going to feel it your wedding day, and then again, when you look later at your pictures.
In the mean time, don’t stay with that seamstress. if you don’t feel up to it, have someone tough (a MOH? mother?) tell that bitch exactly why you won’t be back. and then, if you want, write a quick note to the BBB. Getting a return call from them after a nasty vendor sure made my day.
ohh…the first one is soooo pretty on you! don’t put up w/ that b*tch. get the dress, find another seamstress and write a letter, a long letter, and complain. where’s the customer service?! don’t spend another dime there!
The first one is so stunning. My vote is DEFINITELY for the first one.
I agree with everyone else. The Scarlett looks beautiful on you.
Take your business elsewhere. I am sure there are lots of Bay Area brides that can recommend a great seamstress!
I love both dresses, but the Monique Lhuillier is SEX-Y! It compliments your figure very well. That said, I would find another seamtress. Weddings are supposed to be fun, not a pain in the A. I would also say something to her manager. She can’t talk to people like that and get away with it!
wow! you look great in both!
I say dress number one but definitely find another seamstress. That behavior is unacceptable.
no contest.
the first dress is the one. you look amazing in it.
i wish i could pull of that cut, too but oh well. i was blessed/ cursed with a bountiful ass.
haha
The first dress is amazing on you!
i commented already but wanted to add….
i think the 2nd dress looks too “sweet and frou frou” on you. i really think the scarlet is more your style. i say this as if i know you… =P
love the scarlett dress. hope you can find it elsewhere though.
the ml looks like it was made for you! im in love with it! BUT if you feel like the other one is more you, you should go with what you’re comfortable with. its too bad you couldnt get the ML with your second rep. blech.
love love love the first gown…
#1 all the way (you look beautiful), but try to go somewhere to do alterations.
I looove the first one…. gorgeous!!!
what an awful woman!
both gowns are lovely miss gb! so that’s up to you. but this lady has got to go! if you stick with dress #1, def find someone else to alter the gown. the nerve of some people! (besides, she didn’t tell you any gross or weird stories, you should have known better. 
You’re pretty! But I don’t really like either dress.. hope you have better luck at the next salon
I love the second gown on your. BTW I am a Thomas Knoell addict. I have so many of his pieces they are so beautiful. I wish I could go to a salon that has his pieces.
I love #1 as well. You look great in that dress. It fits you perfectly….
I like the first dress . Its simple but elegant, the second one is nice but it doesnt give it that “wow” factor. Im also a bride-to-be and gawd im enjoying every minute of wedding planning. Good luck!
1st dress is gorgeous on you!
Man, these sales people are awful. It sucks to be stuck with such nasty people when you’re already under stress.
That said, you look awesome in both dresses, so I don’t think you can go wrong. 
Both dresses look great on you, but the Monique Lhuillier is stunning and my favorite too. It’s sophisticated and sleek yet romantic and the shape is perfect for you.
auuuugh, i went to jin wang last weekend and i’m in agony now because i fell in love with a gown that i really shouldn’t buy with that price tag. you’re right, the service is probably the best i will ever encounter throughout this entire shopping and planning process.
First dress looks nice on you, need a little alteration. You look like a little girl with the second dress, not recommended for wedding.
[…] The Dress… Again?!? Last One, I Swear! by Miss Gummi Bear […]
#1 is my choice! It looks really elegant. I have been looking for similar styles myself and love your taste.
