Wedding Dress Fittings And Alterations: What You Need To Know

So, you have found the perfect wedding dress for your big day. Congratulations! That is a huge weight off your shoulders. However, you aren't quite done with your wedding dress just yet. You have to make sure that it is fitted perfectly to your body shape. It may only need a simple hemming, or it may need a complete restricting. Whatever the case may be, you need to schedule a fitting. If you aren't familiar with fittings and wedding dress alterations, here a few things you need to know.

Plan for Two to Three Fittings 

Many brides make the mistake of assuming that alterations won't even be needed, while others assume that a single fitting will be all that they will need. However, most brides will require two to three fittings – at a minimum – to get their gown alterations perfect. Therefore, it is imperative that you find and order your dress early since it can take several months for your dress to arrive at the salon.

Ideally, your first fitting should be approximately two months before the wedding. Your final fitting should be about two weeks before the wedding. If another fitting is necessary, it should be at about the one-month mark.

Bring Your Bridal Accessories

At your initial fitting, don't forget to bring along your undergarments and shoes that you will be wearing on your big day. These are integral to the overall fit of your wedding gown, so they are essential to the alteration process. For example, the length of your wedding dress will vary greatly if you are wearing a pair of bridal sneakers as opposed to a pair of five-inch stilettos. And the effect that shapewear has on the body speaks for itself.

Go ahead and bring along your jewelry as well. While the jewelry doesn't necessarily affect the fit of the gown, it does impact your overall look. Plus, the necklace has a direct impact on your neckline.

Speak Up to Your Seamstress

It is important that you talk to your seamstress about what you envision for the dress at the first fitting. If there are changes that you would like to make to the neckline, sleeves, etc., let them know. Then, at subsequent fittings, you need to speak up about the fit of the dress. If the dress does not fit the way that you think it should, let the seamstress know. You have a timeline to stick to, but you can't do that if you remain shy.