Chinese Wedding Dresses
What Issues Might You Find

No doubt you have come across websites and sellers on EBay who sell bridal dresses directly from China. Should you consider buying one of these wedding gowns?

Like most brides these days you want to cut costs where you can in your wedding budget. One place to cut your costs is on your bridal gown.

“But remember you don’t want to cut costs at the expense of having to sacrifice quality, especially when it comes to your wedding gown.”

How can you be sure that the Chinese wedding dresses sold on the web and EBay at incredible prices will meet your expectations? “You can’t!”

“You really just take your chances when ordering dresses this way and hope for the best.”

There are a few issues that I have read about on wedding boards and forums. Interestingly, these same issues I have come across when brides bring in these gowns from China to be altered.

I have observed that the construction, especially the inner structure of these gowns, is less than that of the typical gown in most cases. And the fabric is of a lower quality than normal. This is why these gowns can sell at such low prices.

Color Issues With Chinese Wedding Dresses

Determining the color of the details on the gown has been a problem for some brides. In the cases I personally know about, the color of the dress was not the shade the bride expected.

One bride thought she was getting a white dress with red embroidery design details on it. That’s what it looked like on the computer screen. What did she end up with?

“A white gown with hot pink embroidery!” She had to then change her flowers and other decorations for her wedding so that it would not clash with her dress. “Imagine the trouble that would cause if it happened to you!”

Another bride I worked with had to have them send her another dress because the color of the first dress was a rust color, instead of the burgundy color she expected.

Sizing Issues And Problems With The Cut

If you don’t have yourself measured and order your gown using the sizing charts . . . then more than likely your dress could be several sizes too small.

“Most alterations I have had to do on these gowns has involve the gowns being way too small.”

I am not sure if this happens because the brides misread the charts or if it is that the charts are hard to understand. What results is a gown that doesn’t fit. Most cases, I have to add panels to the sides of the gown to bring the gown out anywhere from 2 to 5 sizes.

When ordering Chinese wedding dresses . . . please make sure you order the right size. It is better to order it too big than too small. It is easier to take a dress in than to let one out.

Another problem is the cut of the bust area. It appears that the bust area of some of the gowns is cut smaller than normal. This is a complaint I have seen on the forums by some brides, especially from some plus-size brides.

But from my experience you don’t have to be plus-size or a full cup size to have this happen. The gowns I have worked with seem to be cut more for an A to B cup individual.

So if you are a B cup or larger. . . you might find that the neckline on a strapless wedding gown will not be high enough. This has been my experience with brides and bridesmaids dresses.

Poor Construction and Fabric Quality

The majority of the Chinese wedding dresses I have worked with lacked the linings and inner structure needed to provide a smooth finish while wearing the gown.

The fabrics the bridal gowns are made from are not up to the quality of typical designer wedding gowns. The linings are extra thin enough in some cases that you can see through them.

Most brides don’t realize that the lack of proper structure will cause problems in the fabric of a bridal gown laying smoothly on the figure.

But they soon find out. When is that?

“When looking in the mirror, during a fitting, they notice wrinkles in their dress.” They ask me if they can be ironed out or altered. At this point I have to let them know that because of the fabric and/or construction, nothing can be done.

Customizing Problems

Some of these manufacturers say they can design the gown of your dreams. Be careful. I have seen simple additions such as sleeves added, not come out correctly.

I would be a little apprehensive to have a whole dress designed this way. It is best to get someone you can go directly to someone to have a custom made wedding gown. This way you can have the necessary fittings and see the design as it progresses.

• Check with the wedding forums and bridal message boards to see what other brides are saying about these manufacturers.

• Notice which manufacturers the brides on the message boards recommend. Also check manufacturer’s customer satisfaction ratings on EBay.

• Read all of the company’s policies carefully, especially the return policies. Read the sizing charts. Don’t guess at your size. Get your measurements taken by a sewing professional.

• Ask if a color swatch can be sent to you. You might want to ask if you can send them a color swatch to make sure they can match your color.

• Order in plenty of time. No less than 9 to 6 months prior to the wedding. If a problem arises, you have time to fix it.

• Some bridal retailers sell these gowns in their shops. If you find out one exists in driving distance from you, go to see these dresses in person. This way you can compare the quality with what you have been seeing from the designer’s dresses in bridal shops.

• Realize your alterations costs may be more than the norm to get the gown to fit properly and repair areas of the gown not sewn correctly. But since you saved significantly on the gown purchase you still might save overall.

If you are a bride who tends to be particular about things, have expensive taste or if you are a worrier . . . you probably should not order a gown this way.

If you are a bride who because of not being in the best shape may need more structure . . . then you might want to pass on this one.

I have had a couple of brides buy Chinese wedding dresses on EBay that were of an acceptable quality. Most I have come across are pretty gowns. So it is possible to find a nice dress.

“It’s just that the odds of getting one that might disappoint you are higher than any other method to acquire a cheap wedding dress to fit your budget, in my opinion.”

Some brides look at it this way. . .

If the dress is not right-- they will just get another dress somewhere else and sell the Chinese dress. If it turns out right-- they will have saved a bundle.

Bottom line? You have to know yourself.

“For some brides having to worry if the gown will come out right would be too stressful.” “They would rather have piece of mind and pay a little more.”

Even with all the changes . . . “some of the brides I worked with who ordered wedding gowns direct from China still felt they overall got a good deal.” “Even after paying for the alterations and after the re-designing I did to their gowns.”

So are Chinese wedding dresses the way to go?

“Only you know your personality, your finances, the time frame you are working with and the stress levels you can take.”

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