ALtering your dress....

[WhiskeyGirl]

I had completely forgotten about what happened to me and my dress at my wedding... I had a very heavy train on my dress and when the lady who altered it put the hooks on it so that the train can be taken up for dancing and the rest of the night, did not do a very good job. Make sure that you have a full course in how it goes up and any back up plans if there are any. I found that the hand strap thing wasn't heavy duty enough and it started to rip out almost right away. My train "hook up" completely broke so I had to CARRY my train around ALL night and couldn't really dance. What I am saying is MAKE sure that the person who alters your dress does a GOOD job and that you have a back up. Make sure you have a needle and thread and some safety pins for back up!!! Even if you think its done exceptionally well its always good to have a back up!! Don't end up like this grumpy bride who spent most of her time in the hall trying to fix her dress. (After two hours of having to re-fix my dress I gave up and went back in there and had a good time....and had people stepping all over my dress! Oh well, I wanted to enjoy the night as much as I could!)

Anyhow, the moral of the story....make sure the person who does your altering and putting hooks on for your train does a good job!!!! Go to the shop where you got your dress, put it on and make sure it will hold! (Unfortanetly this wasn't a choice for me, I was too far away!!) Don't make my mistake and enjoy your reception!

~CanadianBride~

[CarlosHoney]

That's why I'm having my dress barely dragging the ground. In fact, i'm not even sure it qualifies as a train. Y'know, that's the stuff I don't want to happen.

Sorry to hear about your dress distress, but thanks for the warning!

[Irie_Bride]

My dress has a cathredal train (and I'm getting married on the beach--go figure) and now that you said something about this I'll make sure to check the hooks well ahead of time. I know it had to be frustrating carrying your dress around all night. Thanks for the advice!

[lenor_1]

WOW I have to make sure my seamstress has a good idea for this. The last thing i want is everyone stepping on my dress all night or having to fix it all night. I thought about back up shoes but never gave thought to back up safty pins for my train. One more thing to add to the list.

[CarlosHoney]

I like the idea of a detachable train, too. If I were going to have a train, I'd get one of those.

[wedbyjean]

Although some seamstresses swear by the hook-n-eye style of bustling, I personally (and professionally) don't think they hold up well enough against the weight of the fabric of most dresses. They are often hard to find among the detailing of the dress, and they can tear out.

I prefer the tie method. Usually about 5 sets of 2 ties each, one row of 5 on top, and the other row further down. Each set is numbered, so you tie together #1 with #1, #2 with #2, and so on.

Get a "lesson" in bustling when you pick up your gown (take someone else with you as well -- preferably the person who be helping you bustle). Bustling a gown isn't hard -- but a quick lesson in how-to makes it so much easier.

[bnd94]

That's why I'm having my dress barely dragging the ground. In fact, i'm not even sure it qualifies as a train. Y'know, that's the stuff I don't want to happen.

Sorry to hear about your dress distress, but thanks for the warning!

My dress is like that too. I think they are called chapel trains?? not sure though. I know I can't have a train, I would be afraid of tripping on it and falling off the mountain top. That would be BAD!! :lol:

[usahgrad]

When my brother got married, her gown had a HUGE train with a design and the bustle was done so that people could still see the design. It was the **** hardest thing to bustle, although everyone says the pics of her bridesmaids all hanging around her butt trying to bustle her dress are some of the best pics from the wedding. Lol.

[CarlosHoney]

That would be very bad, Bnd94. VERY. It's too much hassle for me. Simple is so easy!

I think that they look gorgeous, though. Just not me. I'm not using a veil either. I'm just not a fussy girl, and that's too much fuss.

[As You Wish]

It takes an experienced seamstress to properly alter most wedding dresses because they are often more complex, and made of delicate fabrics. Look for someone who works on wedding dresses frequently. Having your dress altered incorrectly or having it not fit well, is like throwing your money away. Most bridal salons will recommend someone. You can also ask dry-cleaning shops for recommendations.