So, you go over your checklist for your big day and feel like everything is in proper order: Catering? Check! Wedding rings from Washington? Check! Guest list? Check!
However, even if you think you’ve found the perfect dress and have officially signed the paper that says the gown is now truly yours, you might not be ready to walk down the aisle just yet. Most bridal gowns require a few alterations, although the extent may vary depending on your needs.
What you need to remember is the more labor-consuming the request is, the more time and money you’ll have to spend to get the work done properly. With the right planning and the help of a trusted tailor or seamstress, you’ll be confident on your wedding day with a gown that truly complements your style and personality.
1. Get the timing right.
It’s a given that brides need to purchase their gown well in advance of the big day. Once you’ve gotten your hands on that gorgeous dress, don’t wait until it’s already too late to make adjustments to it.
Many top dress makers have a long list of clients, especially during peak wedding months, so it may take a lot of time before they can accept your alteration request. Contact your tailor or seamstress a few months ahead if you’re planning to get your dress altered.
However, don’t do it way too early, as there are times when a dress that fits perfectly six months ago may either be too loose or too tight on the actual day of your wedding. So, make sure to get the timing right.
2. Find the right seamstress or tailor.
While it’s common, not all bridal salons offer alteration services on the wedding dresses they have in their catalog. Some brides choose to order their gown somewhere really far from where they live or where they’re planning to conduct their wedding.
For these reasons, it’s highly recommended to choose a dress maker or tailor that lives closer to you, so you can save time and money having to travel back and forth to get the bridal fittings right.
Find someone with many years of experience handling not just wedding gowns but also formal evening wear. Before turning over your dress, have a consultation with the seamstress in person. Remember, your dress is a huge part of your special day, so don’t risk bad alterations due to poor choices.
3. Take your shoes and undergarments with you.
On the day of your wedding dress fitting, make sure to bring your undergarments and shoes with you. Your entire wedding looks consists not just of your bridal gown, but everything you’re planning to wear from head to toe.
Wearing a different bra or shapewear you’re not used to can make a huge difference to the actual fit of your gown. Even an inch or two difference in your shoes’ heel-height can greatly affect the ideal hemline for your dress.
To get the perfect cut, make sure the hem just grazes the ground while you have your chosen shoes on. While they do the pinning, put on your wedding shoes to see how they look with your dress.
All the extra work involved in getting your wedding gown altered can feel like an additional task on your long list of wedding must-dos. Still, it doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into an enjoyable experience.
