How to Make Alterations to Your Wedding Dress: What You Need to Know

As a bride, you want your wedding dress to be perfect on your big day. However, finding a dress that fits perfectly off the rack can be difficult. This is where wedding dress alterations come in. Alterations can help ensure that your dress fits like a glove, enhancing your natural beauty and making you feel confident and comfortable. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of wedding dress alterations, covering everything from choosing a tailor to common alterations, and the alteration timeline.

How to prepare for your fitting

Choosing the right tailor is crucial for a successful wedding dress alteration. Look for a tailor with experience in bridal alterations, and check their reviews to make sure they have a good track record. When you schedule your fitting, make sure to bring any undergarments, shoes, and accessories you plan to wear on your wedding day. This will help the tailor make the appropriate adjustments. Additionally, schedule your fittings in advance, giving you enough time to make any necessary changes.

Common wedding dress alterations

There are several common alterations that brides may need to make to their wedding dress. These include shortening the hem, taking in the sides, adjusting the bust, altering the sleeves, modifying the neckline, and resizing the dress. Shortening the hem is often necessary if you plan to wear flats or a shorter heel. Taking in the sides can help create a more fitted silhouette. Adjusting the bust can help provide better support and enhance your natural shape. Altering the sleeves or neckline can help transform the style of your dress. Resizing the dress is often necessary to ensure a proper fit, especially if you have lost or gained weight since you purchased the dress.

Here are some steps to follow for each common alteration:

• Shortening the hem: Your tailor will need to measure the length of your dress and adjust it to your desired length. This alteration may require several fittings to get the perfect length.
• Taking in the sides: Your tailor will need to measure the sides of your dress and take in the excess fabric. This alteration may require multiple fittings to ensure a perfect fit.
• Adjusting the bust: Your tailor will measure your bust and adjust the dress accordingly. This alteration may require multiple fittings to get the perfect fit.
• Altering the sleeves: Your tailor will measure the sleeves and adjust them to your desired length or style. This alteration may require multiple fittings to achieve the desired look.
• Modifying the neckline: Your tailor will measure the neckline and adjust it to your desired style. This alteration may require multiple fittings to achieve the desired look.
• Resizing the dress: Your tailor will measure your body and adjust the dress to fit your measurements. This alteration may require several fittings to achieve the perfect fit.

Wedding dress alteration timeline

It’s important to schedule your fittings in advance to ensure that your dress is ready in time for your wedding day. We recommend scheduling your first fitting 2-3 months before your wedding. This will give you enough time for multiple fittings and any necessary alterations. The number of fittings required will depend on the extent of the alterations. You should plan to have your final fitting 1-2 weeks before your wedding. This will give you enough time to make any final adjustments and pick up your dress.

How much do wedding dress alterations cost?

The cost of wedding dress alterations will depend on several factors, including the extent of the alterations, the complexity of the dress, and the location of the tailor. On average, alterations can cost anywhere from $200 to $800. It’s important to budget for alterations when purchasing your wedding dress to ensure that you have enough money to make any necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

Making alterations to your wedding dress can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and guidance, it can be a stress-free process. Remember to choose a tailor with experience in bridal alterations, bring any necessary items to your fittings, and schedule your fittings in advance. By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be able to make sure that your wedding dress fits perfectly on your big day, allowing you to feel confident and beautiful.