I bought a wedding dress from Silk Stitches Bridal in Parkhurst to the amount of upwards of R25 000, on the condition that they could extend the neckline further up the neck for me, as I was going for an elegant, sophisticated/ Victorian type look.

They said they would do it but not once did they relay any potential problems or that it would turn out to look like a 2 year old did this.

I was called in to their store on a number of different occasions to view the progress of their work and on every occasion I left heartbroken and in disbelief. The first time the color of the beads did not even match the color of the rest of my dress. It looked like someone had spilt coffee over a patch of this neckline.

I had to point out to them that the beads did not match as they were reluctant to accept responsibility. It had become evident that this was going to be a nightmare, but I had no idea how much so.

They then said they would find matching beads and after weeks had past, the owner Kate (who insisted on remaining anonymous until I got my lawyer involved) then said she would have to send the dress back to Italy to have it done there as she couldn’t get the beads to match after all.

More weeks had past and then when they called me in to have a look, I was horrified to say the least. Not only was my dress now filthy and resembled a cheap second hand dress, but the work they had done to it officially rendered my dress as something no bride would ever consider wearing. A very obvious seam which showed the addition of the new lace with the old lace. Beads overlapping beads so much so that there is no distinction of the beautiful patterns that was supposed to flow. It’s now one big ugly crust. When I told the seamstress this is unacceptable she asked me how they can fix it. I emailed the evasive owner and she continued to tell me they don’t want to add lace to cover the seam because it would look ugly, but the next time I viewed the dress again they had beaded over the Seam to try hide the seam, thereby doing exactly what she said she wouldn’t do, but with beads. banquet gowns

She told my lawyer she would call me. No phone call to this day. She told my lawyer she would meet me but she failed to show up every time. She promised us a reply from her lawyer but we have still not heard from this mysterious lawyer.

My lawyer has sent out two letters of demands to her stipulating that we wish to cancel the contract and that she needs to refund. Her reply is simply that they don’t offer refunds. Yet not once did she ever offer any alternative solution...

And so I had no choice but to purchase another wedding gown from Bridal Wardrobe Who have been so kind in accommodating me on such short notice.

This gown cost me another R22 000

Upwards of R47 000 has been spent on wedding dress, this excluding lawyer fees.

I wish to share my story so that NO BRIDE will ever experience what I have. It’s been traumatic and left me riddled with anxiety. This is supposed to be the best time ever for any bride but thanks to Silk Stitches this has been a very bad time for me.

Ladies please choose where you buy your wedding gowns from with utmost care. Be very careful when you see “no refunds”- do not ever allow yourself to be trapped into anything that is unsatisfactory like I have been.

I do not wish this on my worst enemy. Thank you Silk Stitches aka Silk Worst Experience Ever, see you in court ??