Dress Developments: Reality Hits

So I've been thinking a lot lately about how I want to look at my wedding, and I started doing some research. As it turns out, many of the dresses I thought were a possibility suddenly weren't.

By now, I wonder if every bride hasn't heard of the "bridal sizing shock," but I certainly hadn't until I was a few months into planning. Luckily, many designers include patterns for their dresses up to size 24, but many simply don't go up that far. I knew this, but thought I could get the dress custom sized. But then I started looking at the extra fees! Most of them are not too bad.

I thought this info might be helpful for those just starting out with their dress shopping. When I started shopping, I was a little too intimidated to call around and when I did, often the bridal salon staff didn't know or wasn't sure. I mean, if you're going to squeeze into a too-small dress, you don't want it to be in vain, right?

For a "street size" 24/26/28, here are some designers whose dresses will definitely fit:

Augusta Jones: up to size 30
- only some gowns
- add 45% of purchase price (I hope this is not true)

Alfred Angelo goes up to size 32

Allure bridals: size 32
- no upcharge
- hollow to hem add $50

Anjolique bridal: up to 32

Bonny: size 26/28
- add $60

Casablanca: not sure, custom sizes available for extra charge.

David's Bridal: up to 26
- $100 to $150 extra for sizes 16W-26W

Demetrios: size 26/28
- add $150

Jasmine: size 28, customizable after that
- add $60

Maggie Sottero, up to size 32; past that no charge.

Saison Blanche: size 24/28
- add $40

(Feel free to add to this list in the comments.)

There are only one or two designers in that list whose dresses I was really into. I'm sure several of the top tier designers (eg. Priscilla of Boston, etc.) will make a dress in any size you want, but I haven't looked those up, as those dresses are likely to be over $5,000.

So I'm faced with some choices here.

I could order a dress that costs x amount, and then end up paying nearly twice that with extra fees and alterations, or, I could order a dress that fits, but isn't quite like what I want to wear. That would be okay, too, but perhaps there is another option...?

Anyone else shocked by "bridal" (or "traditional," as they say) sizing? Did it impact your shopping?