The dress itself isn't bad looking, but that does suck. Alterations are stupid expensive if you get them done at the bridal shop. Do you have a friend maybe that's real good with a machine?
I hated the bridesmaid dress I was stuck in for my friend's wedding last May. I feel like they design bridesmaid dresses so you
have to get alterations. The halter strap was 27 feet long and was connected under the pits, so a halter bra wouldn't work, and the back was dipped so a strapless wouldn't do. The bust was incredibly awkward too. I only had to make a few adjustments and I did them myself. F paying for them. I'd never agree to be in a wedding again. Hubs and I were both in it and ended up forking out over $1000 between us, NOT counting our gift.
