Dress shopping while losing weight

First of all, congratulations on the weight-loss surgery and your journey towards better health!
It looks as though your wedding is only 5 months away, which is already a very, very tight timeframe to get a wedding dress. Many designers take 6+ months to deliver a dress, then you need time to alter once you receive it. At this point, you have a couple options.

1. Look for a designer that specializes in quick turnaround times. This option definitely has the potential for your dress not fitting at all, because you are going to lose a significant amount of weight in five months. You would definitely need to get a dress that can be easily altered down several sizes (so probably a ballgown or a line with no sheer illusion or lots of beading, etc.). If you go this route, make sure you work with the bridal consultant and speak with the seamstress before purchasing a gown, to ensure it can actually be altered significantly. I’ve heard too many horror stories on this site where consultants tell brides it will be no problem to alter, then after they purchase the dress the seamstress says it’s impossible.
2. Purchase a dress as-is off the rack. This is probably your best bet, since you can wait until closer to the wedding date, and will have a better idea of your body shape/size at that point. The only drawback is your choices will be more limited, so you may have to go to multiple stores before finding “the one”.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much yes that’s what I’m thinking too it’s so crazy to get everything done but I’m excited to look amazing in my dress I will likely have to purchase in December and get final alterations in January yikes

View Quoted Comment You’ll find one you love, and you’ll look amazing! And bonus: buying off the rack means you’ll save $$$ too!!

View Quoted Comment Yes very true thank you so much the excitement is insane right now

View Quoted Comment I hope you share pictures with us when you find your dress!

Oh yay, we're date twins! Congratulations on your wedding and on your weight loss!

As the others have said, if you plan to buy in December, you will have to purchase off the rack, but this will mean you'll likely save money!

I also agree that a ballgown without illusion details or heavy embellishments will make alterations a lot easier, and DEFINITELY check if they have a consultant who also does alterations before making a purchase - the bridal store I purchased from had one, and it was so useful, consultants will tell you all sorts of things that actually cannot be done (not always out of malice/desire to get that commission - sometimes they just don't know, and alterations often depend on how the dress was constructed).

I bought my dress in the size I was at the time then I lost 40lbs & had to go down 2 sizes when it was time to get it altered!

Find what you love, let them know about the surgery, order a generous size and then that's what fittings are for!!!

I also wanted to lose some weight before dress shopping. I did my best to lose as much as I could before my dress shopping appointment. I lost 15 pounds and then found my dress 9 months out. When I started my dress fittings this spring I lost 5 more pounds which for some reason made a big difference in how much alterations needed to be done since my try on in December. I ended up taking the dress in one size and it cost me more than the dress did. My advice is to lose what you can before finding your dress and then just maintain your weight until after your wedding. It’ll save you money and protect the dress in case taking it in causes it to lose its shape. It’s also good to go with the corset lace up backs because you can loosen or tighten it as much as you need to. You are also so close to your date and may have to buy off the rack. If anything ask your store what dresses can they get the fastest if you don’t want to buy off the rack. I got the Mori Lee 5108 and turns out it’s so popular and always in demand my store is always able to get it shipped in 3 months. I picked the dress in September and got the call it was in before thanksgiving.

Corset backs will be your friend! They can help adjust up to 2 or 3 dress sizes

View Quoted Comment That’s amazing congratulations that’s a beautiful blessing

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much yes I actually went ahead and ordered a dress I’ll definitely be sharing pics when it arrives in a few weeks

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Thank you so much

All the best wishes in your health journey and congratulations on finding a dress.
So much depends on the tailor you choose. Be upfront in sharing your needs with them. I am a size 18/20 and chose a size 22 as a precaution.

My tailor told me that 1.) 15-20 lbs equals approximately one dress size and that 2.) to alter more than 2 sizes up or down is essentially constructing a brand new gown. Stay in close communication with your tailor, especially as you see how the weight loss changes your silhouette and determine your shapewear needs, if any. As an example, you will likely experience enough weight loss that you will gain the option to have bust cups sewn into your gown. Budget extra because alteration costs can get pricey. My alterations cost half the price of the gown itself. Also, it's not too early to start finding a tailor. Because of so many pandemic postponements, many tailors need a longer lead time to turn around alterations. I thought I was overeager in booking my consult in February/March for this month, but by then, the tailor already had 300 gowns she was working on between postponed 2020 weddings and new brides.

View Quoted Comment I bought my dress one size down so I hope and pray everything works out I’m nervous

View Quoted Comment Thank you I just ordered my dress I went one size down it is ballroom and the back should be pretty easy to alter I am praying everything works out