Weddingbee Blog

Catch up with Part I

When it was finally time for the first fitting, I gathered up my shoes and my courage and paid a visit to a local seamstress. I slipped into the dress, and she pinned the sides of the gown.

(personal photo)

She told me the dress could be taken in easily, since there was a single seam down each side, and the dress lacked any lace or embellishment. This is not to say dresses with these features cannot be taken in, simply that it is easier without them.

It was decided that she would take it in mostly from the side seams, and also some from the zipper up the back, so that it wouldn’t gather in the wrong places. She would also sew cups into the dress, so my hunt for under-things was over. We scheduled a second fitting and I was on my way.

Several weeks later, I was on my way to fitting number two. I stepped into the dress, and it wouldn’t zip all the way up. It had gone from being several sizes too large, to being a half-size too small.

(personal photo)

I hate the photo above. The dress hugs in all the wrong places, is too tight around my gut, the straps fall too far down the shoulders, the zipper isn’t all the way up…this was a mere month before the wedding, and my stress levels were already in the red zone. I tried to fight back tears, as the seamstress told me this was all part of the process in finding the right fit. Sensing my worry, she scheduled another fitting for the following week. Coming home that night, I burst into tears when Mr. Husky asked how it went. I was convinced I had either gained too much weight, or chosen the wrong seamstress.

The next week, I nervously returned to try on the dress. Sure enough, she had made all of the necessary adjustments, and the fit was perfect:

(personal photo)

My reason for writing these posts is to encourage other brides to consider samples, but also caution them about the risks and stress involved. It is also to tell brides who have already purchased a sample that there may be bumps in the road, but try not to let them get you down. It is a process getting to the final fitting, and try not to fret until you get there. I realize this is easier said than done, but I hope it has helped to see my journey.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

*P.S. In the photo above, my little cousin is informing me that my dress is way to small for me. Oh, if only she knew…