When Jess and Michael got engaged, her cousin Sarah offered to sew her wedding dress as a gift. But at the final fitting, Jess discovered a shocking problem: the dress was two sizes too small. Would Sarah fix her mistake, or would Jess have to take matters into her own hands?
My cousin Sarah and I had always had a tricky relationship. She was outgoing and loved attention, always basking in the spotlight that the family naturally gave her. Over time, it seemed easier for the rest of us to let her have that attention.
But when Michael and I got engaged after four wonderful years together, it felt like it was finally my moment to shine. Surprisingly, Sarah took charge, rallying the family and organizing a girls’ night out in my honor. She brought together all our cousins and my closest friends for a celebration that felt truly special.
During the party, Sarah, holding a champagne glass, danced her way over to me, excitement in her eyes.
“Jess! I have the best idea!” she exclaimed, swaying slightly to the rhythm of the music.
I grinned, feeling curious. “What is it?” I asked.
“I want to make your wedding dress!” she announced with a big smile.
I was a little surprised and hesitated for a moment. Sarah was a talented seamstress, no doubt. She had made some stunning outfits in the past, but with our complicated history, I wasn’t sure if accepting her offer was a good idea. Still, she seemed so genuine, and the thought of a handmade dress by a family member touched me.
“Really? You’d do that for me?” I asked, feeling genuinely moved by her offer.
“Of course! It’ll be perfect!” she said, her face beaming with excitement. For the rest of the night, the celebration continued with laughter, dancing, and shared excitement about my upcoming wedding.
Weeks passed by as Sarah and I worked together on the dress. We spent hours choosing the perfect design and fabrics, and I entrusted her with my vision. Everything seemed to be going smoothly as the big day approached.
Finally, the day came for my final fitting. I was so eager to see the dress in all its glory. But the moment I tried it on, I felt my stomach drop—it didn’t fit. Not even close. The dress was at least two sizes too small, and I couldn’t even zip it up.
“Jess, did you gain weight before the wedding?” Sarah asked, her voice dripping with fake concern.
I froze, feeling a mix of shock and hurt. I hadn’t gained any weight. If anything, I’d been so stressed that I had barely been eating.
“No, Sarah,” I said, my heart sinking with every word. “I’ve been under so much pressure that if anything, I’ve lost weight.”
She shrugged casually, not a hint of real concern on her face. “Well, I’ll try to fix it, but I’m swamped with other clients. I can’t promise anything,” she said, her tone almost indifferent.
Driving home, her dismissive attitude played over and over in my mind. This wasn’t just a mistake. The way she had spoken, that subtle smirk—it all suddenly made sense. Sarah had done this on purpose.
That night, I sat with Michael, feeling heartbroken and unsure.
“I don’t know what to do,” I confessed, feeling the weight of everything crash down.
Michael took my hand gently. “Let’s take it to Mrs. Lawson,” he suggested. “She’s a friend of my mom’s, and she’s amazing with alterations. If anyone can fix this, it’s her.”
The next day, I took the ill-fitting dress to Mrs. Lawson, a retired seamstress known for her ability to work miracles on even the worst fashion disasters.
“Oh, honey,” she said kindly as she examined the dress. “We’ll make this work.”
And that’s exactly what she did. Together, we transformed the dress into a short, stylish cocktail number—bold, fun, and completely me. It was nothing like the original dress Sarah had made, but it felt perfect.
On the day of the wedding, I stood in front of the mirror, wearing my newly transformed gown. I felt incredible, confident, and beautiful. When my father saw me, his face lit up with pride.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
As I walked down the aisle, soft music played in the background, and I could feel all eyes on me. The admiration in the room was almost tangible, but it was Michael’s face that I was focused on. His eyes widened, and his smile grew as he saw me, his expression telling me he was falling in love with me all over again.
Before I reached him, I glanced over at Sarah. Her face had gone pale, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. She had expected me to be embarrassed, stuck in the ill-fitting dress she had sabotaged. But instead, I was radiating confidence and happiness.
The ceremony was perfect, filled with love and emotion. Michael’s vows brought tears to my eyes. But it was at the reception when Sarah finally cornered me.
“Jess, what happened to the dress? Why didn’t you wear my design?” she asked, clearly irritated and struggling to keep her voice calm.
I smiled sweetly, savoring the moment. “Well, it didn’t fit, remember? So I took your advice and made it better. Turns out, someone who actually cared about how I looked on my wedding day helped me create something perfect.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but before she could get a word out, Michael called me over for our first dance. I turned away from Sarah, feeling lighter than ever, and joined him on the dance floor.
As we twirled under the soft lights, surrounded by love and joy, I knew one thing for sure: I had won where it truly mattered. Sarah’s petty games couldn’t touch me, not here, not today.