Follow up from Hayley Paige herself on gown issue

You're absolutely right, the entire shape of the top changes in both the way the lining fabric looks and the appliques. In the original picture the appliques beautifully flow and follow the sweetheart line etc.
In the pictures of the dress you got, they do not. I would also be very upset !
However, I am so glad to hearthe shop owner seems to be taking responsibility for this and that HP herself responded! Those are both good signs

You ladies have been super helpful, I know now that I am not crazy, these are details I did not pick up on when I first put the gown on when it came in but when I stared at the photos the discrepancy was HUGE. I will post Hayley's reply below, it was on IG. I know she is far too busy to really get into this, but she gave me an email to send my issue to, and I got a response back on that too. Basically, they said that I need to rely on the alterations stage because that is when the gown can really "transform." It wasn't super helpful, but, ok. It just sucks because I see other, slimmer girls in the dress and I'm like, why can't I get THAT dress? I paid even MORE for the gown because of the plus size. It freaking sucks. And I am very anxious about the outcome.

The salon owner is reaching out to her HP rep to see what the options are. So far, I am thinking we will have to order extra appliqués and the seamstress will have to sew them into the empty spaces. Luckily I have seen the reviews of the seamstress my salon works with and apparently she is a wizard. I think I am going to have to get very close to her and put a LOT of faith in her skills. This is going to be a major alteration.

It is a beautiful gown regardless, and I know no one will really know the difference, but what matters is that *I* know. I have a tendency to avoid conflict, I hate being annoying, but in this case, I think I need to be. It's my gown, and my day, and we paid a s*it ton of money for it. I won't settle. I'll be damned if I have to walk down the aisle to marry my love in a gown that feels like a cheap knockoff. No sir.

Anyway, here is a screenshot of Hayley's reply. Mind you, it sounds desperate at first because I had sent her a long message a couple weeks ago about it and it was marked as 'seen' and she hadn't replied. I am just glad to have gotten ANY reply.

hayley's response

Completely agree your dress is off... it’s the application of the appliqués that bothers me not necessarily the extra coverage. I do get where you’re coming from with not wanting the added coverage, but I feel like if the appliqués were more similarly applied to the original then it would look much better

Hi again!! I'm still of the opinion your gown is not the same, but I do think a talented seamstress will make it perfect. I hope you don't have to pay for the extra appliqués? I've been ill, we both have hypothyroidism if you recall. I'm not plus sized, but I had to try on a size 18 gown at the salon. It was so huge couldn't really see what my gown looked like on me, but I knew it was THE ONE! My gown finally arrived after 9 months and it didn't fit. Way too big in the bust, I'd need a 44DD to fill them and I'm a 36C and it was supposed to be ordered by that measurement. I guess my point is the salons just can't always deliver. We have similar issues, live in different areas, and there is no excuse. My gown is going in for MAJOR alterations. I do know your gown will be lovely!! I hope my sharing this has helped a bit. You are not alone. I just hate it for you, but in a way it's nice to know someone feels like I do. I mean this nicely. I'm not happy your gown is the way it is. Hope this makes sense. Very thankful for these forums. Big hug!!❤

I'm sorry, I would not accept the fill it in with appliques. That was what my salon said at first. I was so upset it was gong to be different than the dress I wanted. I would demand a new bodice...it really isn't that much to ask. Like I said, my deigner spoke to my salon, the seamstress told them what was wrong and what needed to be done and they made it in 24 hours. Below is when it first came in and how it looked on wedding day.

This is going to sound super odd.. but was the shop you got it from really reputable? The more I look at the photos, the more it doesn't look like the original dress.

You don't think the store owner would be taking your money for the Hayley and then ordering an off-brand version for you, right? I know that's nuts, but it just seems so weird that they wouldn't already know that the bust would be larger before ordering your dress. Seems like an excuse they'd use if they didn't know what the knock-off would look exactly when it arrives.

I dunno. My bridal shop was able to tell me the exact measurements of everything and even show me what possible alterations would look like (corset back, added beading, etc) in a catalog they had. This whole thing is odd, I'm sorry you had this happen.

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Very good question - they are reputable, but somewhat 'new.' They are only a few years old. The owner is sweet as can be, and I know she really had no idea this would happen. I believe that I am one of, if not THE first, plus size bride they have really worked with. I have seen photos of their clients and they are all very slim. I know it isn't an excuse, and I told them BEFORE I went in for the original appointment, that I am plus sized. I checked and the gown does have the official HP tag, and I had even sent photos to Hayley herself and she didn't remark anything about it looking so far off that it would be a knockoff.

I have been in further contact with Hayley, as the original email I received from the PR team was not helpful, so I was not satisfied with the response. I asked her to look at it herself. I know she is swamped but she did take the time to look and agreed, so she is now putting me in contact with her sales director. I have yet to receive their email but this convo happened this morning.

Again, I truly hate making such a huge deal of it, but honestly it's not like I am so far gone that I am about to be on My 600 Lb life. I am plus sized, but not gigantic, so I don't see why getting me a normal looking gown should be such a "deal." I'll be damned if I am punished simply because I am a little wider than most brides. But that's what it kind of feels like - a punishment.

I'll be waiting for the email from her director and hopefully this will provide more options. If I have to drive up to NYC just to have them look at me in the gown for five minutes I will do it.

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I am so glad they were able to fix this for you in such a short amount of time. You look lovely!!! I think in my case, the bodice is just so very intricate, that it will take more than just sending a new one. I'm so lost. I have faith, but dang. I never imagined having this big of an issue over a wedding dress.

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You are very sweet. I very much appreciate your support, and I know everything will turn out beautifully for you!

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Thank you for your supportive comments! It means a lot to me

View Quoted Comment From keeping up with your posts I can tell you are a really reasonable and sweet girl. And no, the dress you received is not the same.

After working in retail for 8 years I have a tendency to be extremely nice to people I ordered food/clothes or anything from because I know they don't make the rules....but i'm noticing more and more they're taking advantage of my kindness and I feel they are doing the same to you.

I know you don't want to be "a pain" and I really do understand, believe me I do, but before you lose any more money on someone else's mistake for one of the most important days of your life....please consider taking a firm hold of the situation and making it known this is not okay and you will not be spending anymore money to fix it. That's my honest opinion/suggestion although I didn't read every single comment. I hope you get this figured out and can have the dress of your dreams!

View Quoted Comment I can't wait to hear what they tell you. You deserve the gown you bought! Period. Stay after them. You are in my thoughts. Big hug!!❤

Hi ladies!

I am sure you are on the edge of your seats for an update on this (sarcasm ) but I just wanted to follow up on the off chance anyone was wondering.

As mentioned I have been in contact with Hayley herself on the issue, and as disappointing as the discrepancy with my gown has been, I have actually been super impressed at how responsive she has been. For being a HUGE name in the bridal world, I was very happy to see that she did take the time to discuss my dress with me. Both she and the boutique I ordered from followed up with me today and told me they will be sending extra appliqués and beading, as well as extra bodice material for the gown. So, while it will not turn out EXACTLY like I had pictured, I will still be able to add where it is needed.

This will now be a huge project for the seamstress. I will have my first meeting with her in late June or early July, and we will then discuss where these extra pieces should be added to create the same effect as the sample. It will not be a cake walk, but the reviews I have read of the seamstress have been nothing but positive so I am hopeful. I am trying to see the bright light out of all of this and it is kind of cool that I will have a somewhat customized HP dress at the end of the day, and get a real say on how the artwork appears.

I did mention to the boutique owner that it might be wise to pass along to the HP sales director the issue, as it seems I am not the only one who has had this problem with the gown. I told her it would be good to let them know so in the future they can give a solid head's up to anyone ordering a plus size gown that it will not come out like the sample.

Thank you again all of you who have been so supportive and helpful. I love this wedding board community, I have felt so much better hearing your thoughts and ideas. Much love

I'm so glad that you are getting to some sort of resolution! I think with a fantastic seamstress and some additional materials to work with, you are going to end up very happy! None of this is your problem or your mistake and I'm upset for you that you've had to give this more than a moment of thought.

That said, I've seen what a good seamstress can do and I have no doubt they can make this right for you! Good luck!

When I ordered my dress they specifically asked me if I wanted larger "cups" for the gown. Myself, I am a 38DD, so of course I did. I have huge boobs, but they said some women do not want the larger cups because they prefer the heavy cleavage look. Me, not so much. Maybe once it is fitted, you will be happier. You are such a cute girl that I honestly do not think it will matter...you will be adorable no matter what.

Oh my lordy! I'm so sorry you are going through this. As a plus size bride myself, I know the struggle you talk about. I also believe this is not the same dress you ordered. I didn't realize at first, until going back to your photos. I truly hope it all works out for you. No bride wants to feel less than beautiful on her big day!

View Quoted Comment I know you your first statement is sarcasm, but I really have been following your story. I think everyone deserves to be fabulously happy with everything wedding related, and I'm rooting for you. Can't wait to see the finished project!!