Uh-oh: someone asked us, what to do if I hate my wedding dress and now we’re tackling wedding dress regret! Find out your options below + subscribe for more helpful tips like this.
Do you have wedding dress regret?
It happens from time to time, usually when you bring one too many people to your dress fitting, and someone sort of talks you into the dress. ;) Then you might wake up in the morning, sweating, and thinking, no way am I wearing that wedding dress! That is usually called immediate wedding dress regret — getting that nagging feeling right after making the purchase.
A bride-to-be is dealing with this same issue. Nichole writes us with this question:
“Dear Emmaline, I can’t believe it but I have wedding dress regret and I’ve changed my mind about it. I am wondering what to do if I hate my wedding dress? Do you have any tips?”
Ah, this is a classic wedding conundrum. You tried it on, you loved it, took it home… and now you hate your wedding dress.
If you changed your mind about your wedding dress, don’t worry: I’ll help you get through it! Now, as an FYI, keep in mind that it is normal to doubt your wedding dress especially right after you buy it. But if that nagging feeling won’t fade, here’s what to do if you have wedding dress regret.
Wedding Dress Regret: What to Do If I Hate My Wedding Dress
There are a few different types of regret: see what to do if you hate your wedding dress depending on the timeline.
Immediate Wedding Dress Regret
If you immediately regret it, e.g. you put down a deposit yesterday or last week and you’re already “shopping” for a different style online, you probably have wedding dress regret. In this case, it is best to identify if you absolutely do NOT want to wear the dress. If so, here’s what to do.
Contact the bridal shop Call or visit the retailer where you purchased your dress. Ask them what your options are for returns, getting the deposit back (if possible), or perhaps canceling the entire order. Explain you regret the style or had a change of heart. Not all retailers will honor a return or give you back the deposit, but it helps to be upfront and honest.
If Your Purchase Was Months Ago
Many brides start to have second thoughts about the wedding dress if they haven’t seen or tried it on in a while. This is because a dress takes months to make, then time to get it fitted to you just right. For most brides, the fear of the dress not being “The One” melts away at the first dress fitting. Hopefully, this will be the case for you.
However, if you are feeling like the dress isn’t right for the wedding, find out what you don’t like about it.
Is it the fit?
The way the dress fits can play largely into how much you love it. Talk to your tailor to make sure your dress will fit like a glove.
Is it the style?
Did you change your mind about a trend or style?
Do you want to add or remove a detail?
If you want to add sleeves, remove sleeves, add a belt, a bit of lace, or add a topper, these are all things that can be done with your existing dress. No need to go back to zero and find a dress with the accessory you want. Instead, you can add these things on (or remove them) with the help of your tailor.
Biggest Wedding Dress Regrets
Remember, the best way to avoid getting wedding dress regret is to stop shopping once you find the dress.
It can be tempting to continue looking online at different bridal gown styles or going in-store to shop, but STOP!
Doing so may only cause you more dress regret or indecision. Instead, be confident in the dress you found, tried on, and loved; remember that you get one dress, that’s true, but you did find one that made you happy, so no need to keep shopping once you found it. Be happy with the dress you selected.
Another way to avoid regret is to have regular wedding dress fittings and on the time schedule given by your tailor. This will ensure your dress will fit perfectly and you’ll love the way it feels on the wedding day. Many brides get nervous about not fitting into it or worry the dress will be too big, so getting the fittings done on time can ease your concerns.
I hope this helps you to avoid and tackle any wedding dress regret that may come your way. If you have questions on the topic, just let us know in the comment box below!
On to you: do you have second thoughts on your wedding dress? Why? Tell us about it below.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
