I purchased my wedding dress this summer and had it altered in Sept./Oct. for my upcoming May wedding. The woman who altered it came highly recommended by the bridal store as they did not have their own in-house seamstress. About two weeks after having it pinned, my mom received a call that I wasn't going to be able to pick it up as planned as the seamstress had an emergency that she needed attend to. Something bothered me about that phone call and I immediately told my mom that I thought she (the seamstress) was having trouble with it. I finally went two weeks later, and I was quite right! The hem is longer on the right side than the left. The bustle is not even. It doesn't even appear to have been taken in. When I originally called the seamstress, I told her that I should have ordered it one dress size smaller than the bridal store suggested be/c I never wear a 4, I'm a 2, but I didn't want to argue with them since my measurements fell within their guidelines for a 4. She assured me she could take it down to a 0. Now she's telling me she can't take it in anymore, and the hem and the bustle are meant to be uneven since my dress is asymmetrical, and if I wanted a dress that looked even, I shouldn't have bought that particular dress! I called Alfred Angelo and they said that simply is not true and to find another seamstress. I don't think I should have to since I already paid this woman. Since she's adamant about not fixing my dress (I do have it now as I was terrified to leave it in her possession), what are my options? Is it in poor taste to take it to another bridal salon and beg for one of their seamstress's to fix it?
Please note that we are not lawyers and are not providing legal advice - only suggestions:
I would go back to the salon where you made the purchase and tell them about the issues you've had with the seamstress they recommended. If they seem reasonable maybe they will offer to speak to the seamstress and get you a refund or possibly get you another referral. Take lots of pictures of the dress as it is now so that if you decide to bring an action to small claims court you'll have evidence of the before and after. Get something in writing from the designer if you can. Also keep records of the bill of sale and any contracts with the seamstress and the salon.
If the salon is unable to help ask around for a referral for a new seamstress and go to speak with her before she makes any changes to the dress. Ask her what can be done and what she intendes to do and get it all in writing before you leave it. Make sure to get a deliever date and list of fitting appointments on the contract too. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Botched wedding dress alterations
