You’ve found your gown and now it’s time to schedule your fitting. How exciting! But, going into this process, there are some basic tips you need to know. It very rarely (if ever) happens that your wedding dress won’t need some kind of alteration. It’s normal, so be prepared. You want your dress to fit you like a glove, and that will take some work. You need to consider how it fits everywhere on your body as well as the length. And don’t forget to take your shoes and undergarments with you!
Choose a seamstress
Choosing who is going to do the alterations for your wedding gown is the most important thing to consider.
- Hire a professional who has lots of experience with wedding gowns. This is an absolute must.
- Ask your bridal shop for recommendations as well as friends and family who have recently had work done on their gown.
- Finally, always check reviews and references.
Basic Alterations
There are a few main types of wedding dress alterations.
- First is hemming the gown. You want the gown to be the perfect length. If it is too short it will look odd, and if it is too long you might trip. Yikes! (This is where your wedding shoes will also be crucial.)
- A perfectly fitted bodice is key to your overall look. You want it to fit snuggly, not loose. (This is why you need your undergarments.) A bodice that is the wrong size for your body can throw off the entire fit of the rest of the dress.
- A train loop or bustle is becoming more common. It’s a pretty simple alteration used to lift a dress train off the floor at the reception. Perfect for keeping your dress clean and dancing the night away with ease.
- Strap adjustment or sleeve adjustment is also common. Any shoulder straps may need to be made looser or taken in for the perfect fit. Sleeves may also need to be shortened or lengthened, no matter the style.
Cost
Wedding gown alterations are to be included as part of your overall wedding budget. But, since every dress and every bride is different, it is impossible to give you an exact quote or amount.
- Discuss overall cost with your seamstress, as many factors will contribute.
- Details such as beading, lace, and embroidery and even some fabrics, like satin, require more time, therefore the cost will likely be more. Same goes for more extensive or custom work, like lowering or raising a plunging back or neckline or adding sleeves.
- Getting your dress ready for alterations early is imperative. Don’t wait! Putting a rush on any kind of work can be super pricey. We recommend starting the process at least three to four months before the wedding.
