Wedding Clothing Issues

I work in bridal, and although I'm sure some people have had success buying their dress online, I've heard waaaaay too many horror stories. Don't do it! Altering a wedding dress is a bigger deal then you would think, even just taking it in. Also, if there is something wrong with the dress, will you really have any recourse or time to find another one? Go to a bridal boutique- not a huge chain store. You will be surprised how inexpensive a simple casual dress can be, and the service you get for the price will be well worth it.

*edit- I just looked at the dress, this is going to be really hard to alter with the ruffles, rouching, and appliqué. I wouldn't do it.

L., so so happy that you are planning!

My niece ordered her dress online and I will say that it turned out fine. I would suggest finding a really good tailor who is willing/able to work on wedding dresses (lots won't) and get professionally "measured". Take a picture of the dress with you so that the tailor can measure accurately and help you order the best size.

As for what your fiance should wear... I would suggest a dark gray suit with a white shirt and a tie that coordinates with the bridal party. We got married in the early afternoon- my dress was floor-length, but very simple and my husband and his groomsmen wore charcoal suits. Black tuxes would have looked out-of-place at that time of day/year and with the "cocktail" attire of the guests.

He could also wear khakis with a navy blue sport coat- think New England on the beach!

If your gut feeling is making you hesitate on purchasing this dress then don't do it. It is being shipped from overseas and I didn't look at the shipping cost but I can't imagine it would be cheap.

Go to a used bridal site, like bravobride.com or use craigslist for someone local. You'd be surprised at the finds you can get! Your dress does not have to be brand new! I just sold my sister's expensive designer dress on craigslist (she lives in small town and I am near DC so I had better a better chance to sell it than her), and it was beautiful and it fit the girl who bought it PERFECTLY! She didn't even need alterations! She paid less than 1/3 of the cost of it new - so an excellent bargain!

If you just feel like you have to have a new dress, there are many discount bridal boutiques that you can find something reasonably priced and simple for your situation. (ie. David's bridal)

As for your fiance, have him wear those khakis and either a light sweater, or shirt and tie, and even a sport coat would dress that up just a bit more. That is, if he doesn't own a suit. If he does own one, he should wear it, if not, don't bother. I went to a picnic wedding years ago and he wore khakis and a nice polo shirt (it was a really hot summer day in a park) and she wore a simple white dress. They changed clothes right after to play volleyball, bbq, etc... It was lovely. No one cared what he was wearing - they were all looking at her and the beautiful setting.

Good luck on your special day! and congrats!

If you are getting married in warmish weather and you are going for a more casual look your fiance could wear a breezy linen button down.

I have purchased a bridesmaid dress online. The color was a bit different than we saw on the screen but otherwise all went well. If you purchase online just have someone available for alternations and have a backup plan in case the dress isn't exactly what you were hoping. Good luck!

i've never ordered a dress online, but i'm getting ready to start dress shopping so let me know how it goes. as for what the groom should wear, i'd put him in a suit or something similar. but that's based on what i think a wedding should be, if you want it less formal he could do khakis or something. but i just don't think it would look right.

good luck and let us know what you decide.

The site looks ok, but I would Definitely send all your measurements, and have a professional take them, make sure you wear the shoes you plan on wearing with the dress.

I got married on the beach. I did have a full length dress. My husband doesn't own a suit. He wore a tux for the wedding. We each had 2 people in our bridal party. The guys all wore flip flops and the girls were barefoot on the beach.

Our guests wore what they liked from hawaiian shirts to "standard" suits for the guys, and different lengths and styles of dresses for the girls.

If your fiance rents a tux, he doesn't have to worry about adding a suit to his wardrobe and possibly having to wear it again. The pictures will be beautiful and classic and you will be able to tell that they are "wedding pics". That being said, there are plenty of other dress options that don't involve an actual suit or tux. Decide on something that fits both of your styles and goes with the setting and feel of the wedding/reception. while the event is for the family and guests, it is still your wedding and should reflect your personalities and desires.

Sorry I can't help more on your dress dilemna. I say put your fiance in a tux, but add a little personal flair.

Ok, so you may not know that major department stores now have nice bridal collections and most are geared to second weddings or beachy/at home weddings... here is a link (i like the last one)
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/XGN.aspx?N=4294943555&Ca...

The website makes me weary because there is no designer name attached to the dress that is NOT normal even for a foriegn website.
put him in a nice suit to go with your dress, nice suit/tie in a slate grey color.

Okay, first of all, I looked at the dress and it's darling! If you feel you have enough time to find something else if this dress falls through for some reason or another then go for it. As far as your handsome groom, he definitely could wear something as simple as a pair of khakis and a dress shirt but you want to make sure that he looks like the groom of the beautiful bride, not like some guy that stumbled upon a wedding. Best wishes to you and your hubby to be!