From one of our partners

Wedding Theme Boards

Cat:Wedding Theme Boards

Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

Destination Weddings

Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

Planning a celebration far away? Join our destination brides and grooms here.

Hi girls, So I just tried on my wedding gown for the first time since it came in. It needs some alterations, so I'm not as excited as I thought I would be! Mostly because now I'm freaking out over wha

False

Destination Weddings

Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

Planning a celebration far away? Join our destination brides and grooms here.

Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54

Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8

[
						{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:30e96e37-87bf-4088-aaec-3531c034c7f7","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 18, 37, 52, 266)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:cbb27984-6e8e-4012-9583-df8149e76faf","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 19, 36, 56, 477)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:928264d6-3bc2-41d2-9f4a-5ddb224f08b0","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 19, 59, 45, 65)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:3a19c65a-2a05-4ed8-b55f-d8342342a285","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 20, 5, 50, 433)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:9938bf30-84bf-49cd-a63a-6566852a33aa","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 20, 46, 50, 896)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:b765d5d7-8298-4c19-b10e-8be9f6b41b5b","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 22, 16, 47, 529)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:6a251d8d-03d3-4f87-99b4-0583b9ff7c67","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 4, 23, 6, 31, 965)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:6c57f2d7-ae08-4150-809c-e38413e70878","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 5, 1, 6, 58, 685)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:4a940e6c-8611-4c9b-8570-23ffea197b7a","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 5, 11, 33, 2, 812)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:ed10e592-d5ab-44b7-93f3-a2765a9dd316","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 5, 13, 0, 20, 965)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:f0d7535c-fa6a-4dc0-8415-ea7ff030c435","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 5, 13, 5, 3, 684)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:3cddbaee-f056-4d87-99db-8142c02cdb6f","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 5, 13, 35, 46, 356)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:25daa1a4-1838-46be-94cd-e3637190112f","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 6, 12, 1, 32, 920)} ,					{"Key" : "Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:923fa269-b717-43dd-b804-04a4bba113e8Post:0d49ff69-815a-45c3-b5e2-7145a538324f","Timestamp" : new Date(2012, 1, 6, 17, 42, 36, 58)} 				]

Forums > Wedding Theme Boards > Destination Weddings > Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register

Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 6:37 PM EST on theknot.com

krrystal

Joined on
05-03-2003
ST. LOUIS

728695312504704

Posts: 11

First: 12/13/2011

Last: 2/6/2012

Hi girls,

So I just tried on my wedding gown for the first time since it came in. It needs some alterations, so I'm not as excited as I thought I would be! Mostly because now I'm freaking out over what shoes I should wear...

We are getting married on the beach (PuntaCana), in the sand, at 5:00 pm. My plan was to go barefoot, then put on flip flops for the dinner at the resort. No problem, right? But, we are having a reception back home 1.5 months later, where I planned on wearing really cute 5" heels. I assumed a temporary hem would be possible, but when I mentioned this to the seamstress at the bridal shop, she said I shouldn't go barefoot at all so I don't ruin the bottom of the dress!

I'm pretty upset, because it's not like I'm going to be hanging out on volcanic rocks or anything... I'm not sure how the dress would get ruined in white sand. Plus, this ruins my whole plan! Now I either have to wear high wedges on the beach that match the height of my heels for the reception, or change my plans completely, and wear flat sandals for both wedding & reception. I'm barely 5', and I really like the way I look in heels.. and my fiance wants me in heels too...

What should I do? Is a temporary hem even possible? The dress is made of chiffon with satin underneath...

And if you were married on the beach, what shoes did you wear? Are wedges going to be too hard to walk in?

Thanks!!

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 7:36 PM EST on theknot.com

jtoly

Joined on
03-12-2002
LEHIGH VALLEY/POCONOS

755525937501676

Posts: 4324

First: 9/7/2011

Last: 5/16/2012

I'm wearing wedges mostly because my dress T-length. I have a pic of them in my bio. I'm hoping that they are easy to walk in the sand with. I've never heard of a temporary hem, but I've never had to look into it.

Jenn's DW Siggy Mix:

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 7:59 PM EST on weddings.com

Jen2012

Joined on
07-29-2010
SOUTH FLORIDA

6264160285714794

Posts: 300

First: 1/10/2011

Last: 5/2/2012

Temporary hems are possible. But it really depends on the dress and the fabric. Plus you would have to be super careful not to catch it on anything or it could snag/pull the stitch and come off. Your seamstress is worried that the very edge would get dirty and then when you un-hem it there would be a ring going around the dress.

However - if you are super careful and if its do-able I say go for it. I'm not sure what your dress looks like but what about a bustle type thing all the way around to lift it up?

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 8:05 PM EST on theknot.com

krrystal

Joined on
05-03-2003
ST. LOUIS

728695312504704

Posts: 11

First: 12/13/2011

Last: 2/6/2012

Oh.. Jen2012, thank you! I didn't think about the edge being dirty...

My dress is Maggie Sottero's Reese. A bustle all the way around wouldn't work.. I'm tempted to just have her hem it to my high heel length, and just go barefoot in the sand. I don't think it would look bad being longer, since the fabric is really flowy and light...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3240#.Ty3WHQs6jQU.link

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 8:46 PM EST on weddings.com

id012

Joined on
01-09-2012
CONNECTICUT

9149617214362774

Posts: 119

First: 1/9/2012

Last: 5/17/2012

why dont you go barefoot on the actual beach ( i dont see how a few mins in the sand could RUIN your dress) but on the way to the ceremony and after wear heels that are the same height of the ones your going to wear at home.

Thats what i would do...if worse came to worse im sure you could have your dress cleaned/fixed if the bottom was completely unwearable ruined when you got home

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 10:16 PM EST on theknot.com

kje_

Joined on
04-06-2008

9551430983185781

Posts: 679

First: 2/21/2011

Last: 5/16/2012

Love the dress. To maybe help with the hem question, if you hem something and leave too much fabric on the hem, it will affect the way the material/hem lies, which is why if you are getting a large amount hemmed, excess fabric will normally be cut off. My dress was hemmed about 4 inches, and it was cut off even before she pinned it up. It's been the same for me when I have jeans hemmed too. Your seamstress might be concerned about the fall of the fabric around the hem if you leave 5 inches basted up. As others mentioned, you may also have dirt or a crease along the bottom after the hem is let out. All that said, if you can find someone who can/knows how to do it, go for it! Good luck!!

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/4/2012 11:06 PM EST on theknot.com

jtoly

Joined on
03-12-2002
LEHIGH VALLEY/POCONOS

755525937501676

Posts: 4324

First: 9/7/2011

Last: 5/16/2012

I saw this dress....I love it!

Jenn's DW Siggy Mix:

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/5/2012 1:06 AM EST on theknot.com

BMcLeodTeam

Joined on
05-16-2011

5641411454320602

Posts: 9447

First: 5/21/2011

Last: 5/17/2012

Your dress is gorgeous!!! Worse comes to worse hem it to your heels and get it cleaned after being on the beach :)

Planning Bio (Updated 04/08/12)

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/5/2012 11:33 AM EST on weddings.com

*Moderator*

kimmykupcakes

Joined on
06-30-2010
PORTLAND

8868135244734417

Posts: 5022

First: 10/29/2010

Last: 5/17/2012

You can't get a temporary hem in a wedding dress. Well, you could, but you are taking a big risk. My mom's a professional seamstress/designer. so I promise I know what I'm talking about. With the kind of fabrics that your dress is it can leave holes and/or a crease in the fabric where the hem is. It also won't lay right if you leave the extra fabric on there to be able to let the hem down later. Not to mention, one miss step will rip a temp hem out.

The thing with hemming the dress to 5 inch heels is you are going to trip on that hem during the wedding. 5 inches is a lot. Tnaq's dress was half an inch too long and she tried on it all night. You would have to hold your dress up all day long to be able to and you'd still probably trip on it. Plus, would you hold your dress up when you walk down the aisle?

You also aren't going to want to wear flip flops. Think of that sound they make when you walk. Brea tried that and ripped them off right away because she couldn't stand the sound.

I think you either have to decide to wear flats and have your dress hemmed to those shoes or you have to wear heels the whole time and have your dress hemmed to your shoes. You could wear wedges on the beach if you decide to do that.

Tikilife Blog** Planning Bio- Updated 2.24.12** Tiki Wedding Website

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/5/2012 1:00 PM EST on theknot.com

breaness

Joined on
02-12-2008
BALTIMORE

8929384144307187

Posts: 6430

First: 12/29/2010

Last: 5/8/2012

Yep, I totally kicked off the flip flops right away and only wore them to dinner.

Also, the sand isn't going to ruin the bottom of your dress any worse than a dirty floor would. After our beach wedding the bottom of my dress was a light brown. After the reception back home it was BLACK, and it was completely cleaned and restored to the pretty ivory color it meant to be in between those. Also, I actually did sit and lay on lava rock and that didn't discolor or rip my dress :) it made for awesome photos.

Wedding Bio
Life and Love at #16 | our married life blog

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/5/2012 1:05 PM EST on theknot.com

krrystal

Joined on
05-03-2003
ST. LOUIS

728695312504704

Posts: 11

First: 12/13/2011

Last: 2/6/2012

Thanks for all the replies! And thanks - I'm in love with the dress!

I think I'm going to go with wedges down the aisle (it's a short walk and short ceremony), then kick off the shoes and go barefoot for the photos :) I'll just hold onto my dress when I need to. I don't think the sand will ruin anything! And I'll have a month and a half to clean it before the reception, anyway. That way I can still wear my awesome heels!

Now I just need to find the wedges... thanks again for helping me breathe!!

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/5/2012 1:35 PM EST on theknot.com

jtoly

Joined on
03-12-2002
LEHIGH VALLEY/POCONOS

755525937501676

Posts: 4324

First: 9/7/2011

Last: 5/16/2012

Sounds like a great plan! Do you have any pics of your awesome heels??

Jenn's DW Siggy Mix:

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/6/2012 12:01 PM EST on weddings.com

GinaK119

Joined on
08-02-2009
Chicago Suburbs

8835848094249635

Posts: 488

First: 4/26/2011

Last: 4/10/2012

I was having the same problem. Before we decided on a destination wedding a bought a pair of cute purple heels. We are having a reception back home about a month after the wedding. I decided to not wear the heels and I am going with flats. I am probably not wearing the flats in Jamaica I am going to go barefoot on the beach but I will bring them just in case, but I will wear them at the home reception. I figure when I go to weddings I kick my heels off anyway half way through the night so I will be more comfortable in flats anyway.

Report Abuse

New post Reply to this post Private Message

Re: Are temporary hems possible? Having a beach wedding/reception back home

posted at 2/6/2012 5:42 PM EST on theknot.com

krrystal

Joined on
05-03-2003
ST. LOUIS

728695312504704

Posts: 11

First: 12/13/2011

Last: 2/6/2012

I usuallly kick off my shoes too, but there's something about having heels on that makes me feel super sexy :) So I won't give them up on my wedding day!!

Here's a pic: they're Steve Maddens: