When Jess and Michael got engaged, Sarah, her cousin, offered to make Jess’s wedding dress as a gift. Excited by the idea, Jess agreed. However, during the final fitting, Jess discovered that the dress was two sizes too small. It left her wondering if Sarah would fix the mistake or if Jess would need to take matters into her own hands.
Sarah and Jess always had a complicated relationship. Sarah was outgoing and thrived in the spotlight, something the family often indulged her in. When Jess got engaged after four years of dating Michael, her family showed genuine excitement, but Sarah stood out. She gathered their girl cousins and Jess’s friends for a celebratory night out, ending in an Airbnb. Sarah seemed thrilled for Jess, making the occasion all about her engagement.
During that night, Sarah approached Jess with a champagne glass in hand, exclaiming she had a great idea: “I want to make your wedding dress!” Sarah, a talented seamstress, had made beautiful outfits in her career, so the offer felt sincere, despite their complicated history. Jess, touched by the gesture, accepted.
In the weeks that followed, they spent time together choosing the design and fabric for the dress. Jess trusted Sarah to create something special for her big day. When it came time to take the final measurements, Jess was optimistic, especially since she had been maintaining her figure on a strict diet. Sarah assured her that the dress would be perfect, and if her weight changed, they’d adjust accordingly.
Excited for the final fitting, Jess arrived, but quickly realized something was terribly wrong. The dress was far too small, to the point she couldn’t even zip it. Sarah, instead of apologizing, mockingly accused Jess of gaining weight before the wedding, which Jess firmly denied. Sarah, smirking, claimed she’d try to fix it but made no promises due to other clients.
Driving home, Jess replayed the situation in her mind. The lack of remorse and Sarah’s dismissive attitude made it clear that this wasn’t a mistake—it was intentional. Sarah had deliberately made the dress too small.
Feeling helpless, Jess turned to Michael for advice. He suggested she take the dress to Mrs. Lawson, his mother’s friend, known for her expert alterations. Reluctantly, Jess agreed. Mrs. Lawson, with her years of experience, reassured Jess she could salvage the dress. Together, they transformed the ill-fitting gown into something completely new: a chic, cocktail-style wedding dress that was bold and unconventional. It was everything Sarah’s dress wasn’t—fun, flirty, and perfectly suited to Jess’s personality.
On the wedding day, as Jess stood in front of the mirror, she felt beautiful and confident in her new dress. Her father, upon seeing her, was stunned and complimented her on how incredible she looked. Though the dress wasn’t what anyone originally envisioned, it made Jess feel like a bride, and that’s what mattered most.
As she walked down the aisle to a classical rendition of a Lana Del Rey song, all eyes were on her. She could feel the admiration from the guests. When Jess reached Michael, his smile lit up the room, and she knew he was falling in love with her all over again. But before she took her place next to him, she glanced at Sarah. Sarah’s face was pale and shocked, clearly expecting Jess to be humiliated by the situation. Instead, Jess was glowing.
The ceremony was flawless, filled with love as Michael’s heartfelt vows brought tears to Jess’s eyes. But it was at the reception that Sarah confronted her.
“Jess, what happened to the dress? Why did you change my design?” Sarah asked, trying to mask her confusion.
Jess, now fully in control, responded with a smile. “I made it better. Your design didn’t fit, remember? It was two sizes too small, and you weren’t even sure if you could fix it.”
Sarah, clearly taken aback, accused Jess of throwing away all her hard work. Jess calmly replied, “No, Sarah. Your work was the foundation, but it’s better now because the person who finished it wanted me to look and feel beautiful on my wedding day.”
With that, Sarah was left speechless as guests continued to compliment Jess’s unique dress. In the distance, Michael called for Jess to join him for their first dance, leaving her feeling truly happy for the first time in weeks.
