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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 20:19:30 GMT
(UPDATE with more info further down) I am about ready to rip someone's head off. My daughter purchased her dress at a higher end store. The dress has been in for a while. It's been paid for since December. We are two months out from the wedding as of today. Saturday, she rec'd an email saying they shop's seamstress has quit. They had no idea when or how they'd get another seamstress, so essentially...come get your dress and you figure out how you're going to get it altered. They listed in their email 3 or 4 names/contacts she can try to find help. Would you, as the mother of the bride, be calling this shop and insisting they help us find a seamstress and/or compensate us for the stress and aggravation this is causing? I'm taking on the responsibility of finding a seamstress as my daughter is on her last stretch for college graduation and I want her focus there. But who do you trust? How can you know that the person you hand over this very expensive dress isn't going to ruin it? ::::: screaming "Arrrghhhhh!!!! ::::::: I realize my emotions are getting the best of me. Can you imagine how upset my daughter is? That makes me the most upset...don't make my baby unhappy or you get the wrath of this tiger mom.    |
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Post by mom2samlibby on Apr 18, 2016 20:26:17 GMT
No, no I would not call. I would call the names they recommend and ask them about their availability and the experience with wedding gowns. Since the shop recommended them, I would assume that they all have some experience with bridal items. I'd pick one and get an appointment set up.
If you have a David's Bridal near you, you could also call them and see if the would alter it.
You'll be more help to your daughter if you relax, pick up the phone, and set up an appointment. It will all work out. If they have experience with bridal, they will not ruin her gown.
It might take them awhile to find a seamstress. I bet the store is extremely stressed out over this too. It's hard to find seamstresses, as not as many people are learning that skill. Finding one that will do bridal is even harder, as it's a PITA to work on those gowns.
Just go pick up the dress and find someone that can do bridal. Call the ones they recommended, but you could also ask on facebook to see if anyone has a recommendation.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 18, 2016 20:26:22 GMT
did you pay for the alterations already? if not, pick up the dress and look for a seamstress you will be happy to work with. this you can control. hoping the dress shop can find a qualified seamstress and not knowing how much longer the work will take is a gamble this close to the wedding. I would just get the dress and find my own seamstress.
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SabrinaP
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Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,406 
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Apr 18, 2016 20:26:39 GMT
Wow! I bet they have a lot of angry people! At this point, I wouldn't want the shop to have anything to do with the dress since they've already dropped the ball once. I would ask for word of mouth recommendations from people I trust and go from there.
Sorry! I know how stressful weddings can be. 2 weeks before our wedding when we went to pick up DH's ring they decided hey wouldn't be able to get it in time for the wedding. I flew off the handle and told them that we unacceptable and they better figure it out. They did!
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 18, 2016 20:31:24 GMT
Ok, breathe. There are likely a lot of women in your daughter's position, and the most important thing is to get the dress altered well before the wedding, so before you do anything else at all, put your time and energy into identifying the best person who can do it on time, and get them locked down.
After that, I would worry about dealing with the store. It seems to me that this is the kind of thing that is likely to kill any reputation they have, and that if they had the resources to contract out the alterations right now, they would be doing so. You can try to get some compensation from them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are going under, and you aren't likely to be a creditor.
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Post by mommaho on Apr 18, 2016 20:33:57 GMT
Take a deep breath and check around with friends and neighbors to see if there is anyone who has a home business or a local tailor. We live in a fairly small town and a lady makes her living working out of her home. She came highly recommended and did an amazing job with our DDs dress.
But as another posted questioned, if you already paid for the alternations when you paid for the dress, make sure you get your refund!
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Post by peasapie on Apr 18, 2016 20:34:00 GMT
I am about ready to rip someone's head off. My daughter purchased her dress at a higher end store. The dress has been in for a while. It's been paid for since December. We are two months out from the wedding as of today. Saturday, she rec'd an email saying they shop's seamstress has quit. They had no idea when or how they'd get another seamstress, so essentially...come get your dress and you figure out how you're going to get it altered. They listed in their email 3 or 4 names/contacts she can try to find help. Would you, as the mother of the bride, be calling this shop and insisting they help us find a seamstress and/or compensate us for the stress and aggravation this is causing? I'm taking on the responsibility of finding a seamstress as my daughter is on her last stretch for college graduation and I want her focus there. But who do you trust? How can you know that the person you hand over this very expensive dress isn't going to ruin it? ::::: screaming "Arrrghhhhh!!!! ::::::: I realize my emotions are getting the best of me. Can you imagine how upset my daughter is? That makes me the most upset...don't make my baby unhappy or you get the wrath of this tiger mom. What a ridiculous way to run a business. If that is how they are handling this, maybe it's related to why their seamstress quit. (And I'm surprised they only have one individual for alterations.) As a business owner, I would be hitting the ground hard to make sure my customers were taken care of. So yeah, I feel your pain. But with that said, I wouldn't trust them at all now. Get the dress, find a reliable seamstress to alter asap, save the receipt, and bring it to that bridal shop. It's always something with a wedding... |
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Post by mom2samlibby on Apr 18, 2016 20:37:05 GMT
I am about ready to rip someone's head off. My daughter purchased her dress at a higher end store. The dress has been in for a while. It's been paid for since December. We are two months out from the wedding as of today. Saturday, she rec'd an email saying they shop's seamstress has quit. They had no idea when or how they'd get another seamstress, so essentially...come get your dress and you figure out how you're going to get it altered. They listed in their email 3 or 4 names/contacts she can try to find help. Would you, as the mother of the bride, be calling this shop and insisting they help us find a seamstress and/or compensate us for the stress and aggravation this is causing? I'm taking on the responsibility of finding a seamstress as my daughter is on her last stretch for college graduation and I want her focus there. But who do you trust? How can you know that the person you hand over this very expensive dress isn't going to ruin it? ::::: screaming "Arrrghhhhh!!!! ::::::: I realize my emotions are getting the best of me. Can you imagine how upset my daughter is? That makes me the most upset...don't make my baby unhappy or you get the wrath of this tiger mom. What a ridiculous way to run a business. If that is how they are handling this, maybe it's related to why their seamstress quit. (And I'm surprised they only have one individual for alterations.) As a business owner, I would be hitting the ground hard to make sure my customers were taken care of. So yeah, I feel your pain. But with that said, I wouldn't trust them at all now. Get the dress, find a reliable seamstress to alter asap, save the receipt, and bring it to that bridal shop. It's always something with a wedding... |
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 18, 2016 20:40:11 GMT
If you lived near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, I would recommend my SIL. She has been doing wedding dress alterations for over 30 years and is amazing. I would definitely call several of the people on the list after I had calmed down. You do have an ample amount of time to find a great person and it will get done. I would completely leave the shop out of it unless I knew someone there personally. Good luck. Don't panic yet.
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Post by hennybutton on Apr 18, 2016 20:40:42 GMT
No good can come out of getting worked up over stuff you can't control. Was the dress in for alterations? Did you pay the bridal shop for alterations? Has any work been done?
Obviously, you should receve a refund on any monies you have paid towards alterations if you need to take it elsewhere. If no work has been done, just pick up the dress and have your daughter go to a local tailor ASAP. You may need to pay a bit extra for a rush job. If the alterations have been started, you might have a problem. I don't know if a tailor shop would want to touch it if they can't have your daughter try it on first. Check with some local shops before you pick up a partially altered dress.
Stay calm when dealing with the bridal shop. They can't help it if the seamstress quit. If they care about their reputation, they will work with you.
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Post by mom2samlibby on Apr 18, 2016 20:49:18 GMT
What a ridiculous way to run a business. If that is how they are handling this, maybe it's related to why their seamstress quit. (And I'm surprised they only have one individual for alterations.) As a business owner, I would be hitting the ground hard to make sure my customers were taken care of. So yeah, I feel your pain. But with that said, I wouldn't trust them at all now. Get the dress, find a reliable seamstress to alter asap, save the receipt, and bring it to that bridal shop. It's always something with a wedding... I don't see why the business is at fault here. Their seamstress quit, which I'm sure they are extremely stressed about, as seamstresses are hard to find that will do bridal. They have let their customers know and given the names of people to contact. They are probably trying to help those with sooner wedding dates to find someone. The OP has plenty of time still to find someone with being 2 months out. I used to work in a bridal shop and alterations were not included with the price of the dress. They were separate, as you didn't know what needed done until the alteration fitting. Some only needed a hem, some needed taken in, some let out, etc. The price of alterations depended on the work that was being done. The shop I worked at only employed one seamstress also. |
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Deleted
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Sept 30, 2024 10:25:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 20:50:22 GMT
Thanks everyone who has responded thus far. My daughter did pick up her dress yesterday so that's all taken care of. I already tried calling the shop where I got my dress but their seamstresses are all booked. I've contacted one of the seamstresses from the list and have tentatively set an appointment for May 2nd. Just got off the phone with my daughter. She did a facebook post on Saturday after she learned the news and it happens that this seamstress was someone that was recommended in response to her facebook post.
Thanks for letting me get that out of system.
ETA: The shop was supposed to do the alterations (but we had not paid yet). They told her to call at the 2-month-out mark, so it's not as if she waited until it was past their own recommendations. Just one of those unfortunate turn of events I guess.
ETA2: I only asked about contacting the shop in an effort to determine what I *should* do. I wasn't inclined to call them as I agree with many of you that they are probably beside themselves with anxiety. It's the height of prom season here and they sell to that base as well. On top of the wedding season about to hit full-force. I am *always* polite and calm when dealing with businesses because the person I'm interacting with is human too. I only up the ante if I'm treated with disrespect or disregard. And then still, I'm never abusive in any way.
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Post by dewryce on Apr 18, 2016 21:20:49 GMT
How frustrating! I am glad she has found someone to work with that comes recommended. If that falls through, consider asking at a high quality fabric store. I had my wedding dress made and the shop has many people they recommended.
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blue tulip
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Post by blue tulip on Apr 18, 2016 21:53:31 GMT
just wanted to say.. 2 mos out is not "plenty of time" to find someone when you're starting from scratch like this. don't wait!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 22:04:04 GMT
just wanted to say.. 2 mos out is not "plenty of time" to find someone when you're starting from scratch like this. don't wait! 2 months was the *shop's* direction! How were we to know that trusting their advice would lead us to this place? It's been 26 years since my own wedding. My daughter has never been in a wedding before. We've never had to have something like this altered. We trusted the shop to guide us as they are the supposed experts. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 22:04:14 GMT
You have plenty of time.
You aren't starting from scratch.
Start now.
Breathe.
Check references.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 18, 2016 22:04:42 GMT
Sounds like you've found a good alternative already and hopefully it all works out smoothly. My theory is something always "goes wrong" with a wedding. Maybe you're just getting yours out of the way early!  |
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Post by peasapie on Apr 18, 2016 22:15:04 GMT
I don't see why the business is at fault here. Their seamstress quit, which I'm sure they are extremely stressed about, as seamstresses are hard to find that will do bridal. They have let their customers know and given the names of people to contact. They are probably trying to help those with sooner wedding dates to find someone. The OP has plenty of time still to find someone with being 2 months out. I used to work in a bridal shop and alterations were not included with the price of the dress. They were separate, as you didn't know what needed done until the alteration fitting. Some only needed a hem, some needed taken in, some let out, etc. The price of alterations depended on the work that was being done. The shop I worked at only employed one seamstress also. I hear that you worked at a bridal shop. But as a business owner, I would never depend upon one individual that way. Too many people depending on a person who could get sick, leave suddenly, etc for their big day is very bad business. Bridal shops are notorious for being late on having their alterations done, and if they have just one person doing the work - then that's probably why. While bridal seamstresses are hard to find, that is their business. |
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 18, 2016 22:52:27 GMT
I don't blame the shop. Someone quit and they let you know asap and gave you some names they trust.
It sucks, but shit happens.
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zztop11
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Post by zztop11 on Apr 19, 2016 0:09:56 GMT
If that were me, I'd be over to the store in 2 seconds flat getting my dress out of there. That's for sure. Last thing you need is a store closing shop. Take the dress and go to a couple of places. Ask them some questions. In the past, I've had great results with alterations using the seamstresses at a good dry cleaners.
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Post by princess consuela on Apr 19, 2016 6:42:42 GMT
Ugh that sucks. But at least you're right at 2 months - if I remember correctly (I got married last year) that's right when you want to start the process. Does she need a lot of work done to it? All I needed was my bustle placed in and hemming, and it still took 3 appointments. And lots of money  . I wanna say I had 8 bustles put in (ball gown, but not even a super huge one or a long train) and that plus the hem was over $400. Oh, and they attached the blusher to my veil as well. No steaming or anything either. Word of mouth reviews are great, especially as they're from people you know. Try not to stress too much! Sounds like you're doing what you need to do! Keep us updated  |
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Post by FLA SummerBaby on Apr 19, 2016 11:01:01 GMT
Good luck with "Plan B" -- hope that this alternate seamstress will do an awesome job for your daughter.
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Post by gracieplusthree on Apr 19, 2016 11:14:54 GMT
That's life.. I'm sure the shop would have preferred their seamstress not quit,and are probably scrambling to find another(really its not like they are a dime a dozen). What they did by informing you and others sounds respectable to me, they gave you names of people try at other businesses after all. Who knows, maybe the seamstress was in a bad accident, was diagnosed with cancer, is not taking care of an aging/ill spouse or parent etc. Things happen. If the alterations have been pre-paid then I would be expecting that money back, otherwise you were going to have to pay anyway. And you mention someone else potentially ruining the dress but do you know that their person wouldn't have? Really could be a silver lining thing, or it could be unfortunate part of life, it'll be ok though |
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 19, 2016 11:28:15 GMT
Use an independent seamstress or tailor, don't go to a shop. They will have more availability and more flexibility. It's not worth the wrath you're expressing.
The dress will get tailored, she will look divine. Put your energy into finding a tailor not associated with a shop. Ask your friends and family, they will have someone they use and it will be perfect... and a lot cheaper than any bridal seamstress.
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mallie
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Post by mallie on Apr 19, 2016 11:52:59 GMT
Use an independent seamstress or tailor, don't go to a shop. They will have more availability and more flexibility. It's not worth the wrath you're expressing. The dress will get tailored, she will look divine. Put your energy into finding a tailor not associated with a shop. Ask your friends and family, they will have someone they use and it will be perfect... and a lot cheaper than any bridal seamstress. Bridal alterations are very different than tailoring. Any tailor will not do. |
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Post by mcscrapper on Apr 19, 2016 12:02:48 GMT
First of all....BREATHE
Secondly, wine cures almost everything.
Thirdly, call around to some other bridal shops and see if they have a seamstress you can use or can recommend. I definitely would not uses just any tailor off the streets. Another idea is to call the better dry cleaner in town that does gown preservation and see if they know of someone. Often, they have a seamstress that does some common alterations but a lot of these people know one another and you might have some luck there.
meredith
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 19, 2016 12:13:56 GMT
Use an independent seamstress or tailor, don't go to a shop. They will have more availability and more flexibility. It's not worth the wrath you're expressing. The dress will get tailored, she will look divine. Put your energy into finding a tailor not associated with a shop. Ask your friends and family, they will have someone they use and it will be perfect... and a lot cheaper than any bridal seamstress. Bridal alterations are very different than tailoring. Any tailor will not do. I disagree. My suggestion comes from personal experience. I went with an outside tailor and it was perfect. Any tailor with formalwear experience can and will tailor bridal fashion. The tailor I went to has a wide variety of experience with clothing and has a thriving business, formal and bridal wear is actually a small percentage of their business. And quite frankly, the whole belief that bridal alterations are so completely unique is just the Wedding Industry Complex (WIC). It's not true at all, just another ploy to have brides overspend because "they have to because it's a wedding". |
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blue tulip
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Post by blue tulip on Apr 19, 2016 12:30:33 GMT
just wanted to say.. 2 mos out is not "plenty of time" to find someone when you're starting from scratch like this. don't wait! 2 months was the *shop's* direction! How were we to know that trusting their advice would lead us to this place? It's been 26 years since my own wedding. My daughter has never been in a wedding before. We've never had to have something like this altered. We trusted the shop to guide us as they are the supposed experts. sorry, I wasn't saying that you had done anything wrong. 2 mos scheduled at the shop where you bought your dress, where you are on their calendar and being planned for, is not a problem. calling up a seamstress who has never met you, doesn't know the dress, and may already have a full schedule at this time of year... 2 mos is not the same, is what I meant. I was afraid you might think it wasn't a big deal, and stroll into a shop 4 or 6 weeks out and have a rude awakening. which even then I guess would be dependant on your area- we don't have many seamstresses here, so they are always booked. a larger city could be different.
anyway, glad you found someone and the crisis is averted.
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Post by whopea on Apr 19, 2016 12:32:39 GMT
Wow! I bet they have a lot of angry people! At this point, I wouldn't want the shop to have anything to do with the dress since they've already dropped the ball once. I would ask for word of mouth recommendations from people I trust and go from there. Yes this. The seamstress quitting could have been innocent but then could be an indication of financial difficulty for the store. I would be picking up my dress ASAP so it doesn't get stuck in a shut down. |
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julieb
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Post by julieb on Apr 19, 2016 12:35:18 GMT
As a fall MOB, I would flip also. Save the Dates just arrived and they printed horribly. I think we will pay to have them re-printed. Long story. Anyways, my dd is having her dress made, so I'm happy we don't have to deal with alterations!
I'm sure your dd will look amazing. If the seamstress was recommended, it's a good sign.
If you are in Chicago area I can give you the name of the women making dd's dress. She also does alterations.
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. I wanna say I had 8 bustles put in (ball gown, but not even a super huge one or a long train) and that plus the hem was over $400. Oh, and they attached the blusher to my veil as well. No steaming or anything either. Word of mouth reviews are great, especially as they're from people you know. Try not to stress too much! Sounds like you're doing what you need to do! Keep us updated 
