How many sizes can a wedding dress be taken in?

View quoted message Good for you! One of my friends lost 80+ lbs before her wedding (after buying her dress) and had it remade into a stunning one-of-a-kind gown. A talented alterations specialist can work wonders!

Hope this is still active!
I got my dress when I was A LOT heavier. I have lost 55+ lbs so far and my goal is to still lose 20-30 more. So 260 at buying time and currently 9 months out I'm around 200. I bought my dress in a 22 because I have large breasts even for my build. I'm worried because already it needs to come down to a 20 or 18 and I still have so long to go.

I apologize in advance, I do not in any way mean this to be a Debbie Downer, but I've seen so many brides (including myself), say that we're worried if we lose "too much weight"... but realistically, if your wedding is in July, you will not be able to safely, or healthily lose enough weight that your dress needs to be completely reconstructed. I ordered my dress 9 months out from the wedding, only 15 lbs into what I wanted to be a 60 lb weight loss (which would have only been maybe 3 sizes difference). I tried an 18 in the store, it fit, so I ordered a size 16 (they suggested against it, but I did it anyways). My dress is also a corset so I knew there was a bit of wiggle room. When it came in early 3 months later, I'd lost 15 more lbs, and it fit perfectly. But since it came in September, I've only lost 5lbs. However, my size 16 dress could easily be taken down to a 12 if I'd somehow lost 30-40lbs...

So it's totally possible you can lose quite a bit of weight, I'm not saying that! But don't worry about it being SO MUCH in 6 months that you can't alter your dress small enough. Honestly, a good seamstress can do just about anything, too. I will warn you though, to more detailing on the dress, the more difficult it is to alter, and the more expensive it will be.

A dress can typically change up to 4 sizes without losing structural integrity. This means to go from a 14 to a 10, not down 4 'jumps' (from a 14 to a 12 to a 10 to an 8).

Generally speaking, 1 dress size is about 10-15 pounds, give or take (it's a little different for everyone but this is a good rule of thumb). So unless you lose more than 60 lbs, you should be fine.

I wouldn't worry too much - most of the time a dress can be brought it but I mean if it has elaborate lace detail then maybe just consult a seamstress first as to how much they can do confidently and go from there. Keep in mind that as much as I am trying to do the same, I would be more than happy if the dress looked a bit off at the wedding if it meant I was healthier and smaller for the wedding in general. I can always go and buy a second dress that would only cost a couple hundred dollars (I wouldn't go all out for it but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world).

View quoted message I was told that Wedding dresses are much harder to bring in than a bridesmaid dress. My girls were all told their sress could be brought in yo to 5 sizes, whereas my dress and most wedding dresses have a 2 size maximum (which is why I went with a corset back) because it can enable another 2 sizes without messing up the dress

Congrats on your weight loss, that's so inspiring!!

I wouldnt aim to take in too much more than 2 sizes! After that the overall structure of the dress need to be modified to accommodate a smaller body (where the cups sit, where the boning in the front sits, hip and side hems need to be adjusted especially when booty and thigh sizes drop (if you have a tighter dress)
10lbs roughly equals one dress size, so if you're planning on losing more than 20lbs I would speak to a seamstress now just to be sure! Or maybe continue the weight loss path after the wedding too?

When my FH proposed I was a 3x. I had begun my weight loss journey starting at a 4x. I know my engagement ring was a size 9 1/2 when my fb gave it to me Jan 11, 2016 & last Year we sized it to a 5 1/2. We just chose my Wedding ring (eek) yesterday and now my engagement ring needs to be sized down to a 5. Mind blowing. My ring is inset with Princess cut diamonds at the sides so it's a difficult process. I think with fabric on a Wedding dress you'll be fine. A couple of my bridesmaids wanted to order a smaller sz dress then their size and our Wedding attire store said no... taking in is super easy and relatively inexpensive. Its letting the dress out that is more difficult. The dresses I chose go to to a 4x but bridesmaids dresses seem smaller like Wedding dress sizes. One of my bridesmaids is having a corset in the back so it will fit properly. I think you will be good!

I ordered the size that fit me at the time, but I plan on losing quite a bit of weight. I got corset so that my dress can comfortably be tightened more if I happen to lose extra weight. I was told that they could safely bring it in 2 full sizes, and the corset will make it possible to cinch it another 2-3 sizes

View quoted message Not a problem! I was worried once it came in and I put it on. But the woman at the salon told me not to worry and the seamstress I had picked was the best!
Continue rocking the weight loss! It will all work out

View quoted message That helps me put my mind at ease! Thank you!

That helps me put my mind at ease! Thank you !

I wouldn’t worry about it too much! When I bought my dress I was at my highest weight, and got it in a size that I would be comfortable in at that weight. Since then I have lost 25lbs and when I picked up my dress once it came it I had to clip quite a few places where it needs to be taken in. Plus I plan on loosing another 15 pounds before I start alterations. You seamstress should be able to find a way to make it fit you regardless. I am sure they experience this many times with brides!