Bridal CoutureYou found your dream gown! You said YES, celebrated with your favorite people, and now you’re anxiously waiting for your beautiful wedding dress to arrive.
But wait...
Wasn’t there something your bridal stylist told you that you were supposed to do before your gown arrives?
YES! And don’t worry, we know exactly how this happens!
Between the excitement of finding your dress, celebrating with your family and friends, taking pictures, and making your purchase, there’s a good chance you missed some of the important information your stylist was sharing with you.
We get it! It’s an exciting day!
But one of the most important things you should do after purchasing your wedding gown is find an experienced bridal seamstress.
And trust us, this is not something you want to wait until the last minute to do!
First Things First... Find Your Seamstress!
Even if your wedding is still 12 months away, now is the time to start researching bridal seamstresses.
Experienced bridal seamstresses are in high demand, especially during wedding season. Some book their calendars many months in advance, so you want to make sure you have someone lined up well before your gown arrives.
If you purchased your gown from one of our three Hill Bridal Collective boutiques, you received a list of seamstresses we recommend based on their experience working with bridal gowns and their professionalism.
However, we always encourage brides to do a little research of their own.
Read reviews. Look at their social media pages. Ask other brides about their experiences. And don’t be afraid to call and have a conversation with a seamstress before making your appointment.
Here’s something we have learned over the years...
Just because someone does beautiful alterations doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for YOU.
We’ve had brides tell us their alterations were wonderful, but they didn’t necessarily enjoy their experience with the seamstress.
And that’s important!
You’re going to have several appointments with this person, often while standing in a gown that makes you feel a little vulnerable. You want someone who makes you feel comfortable, listens to your concerns, and communicates well.
But Wait... Why Do I Need Alterations If I Ordered My Size?
Oh, this is one of the biggest misconceptions about wedding gowns!
When you purchase your dress, your bridal stylist takes three important measurements: your bust, waist, and hips.
We then compare those measurements to the designer’s size chart to determine which size to order.
But here’s what many brides don’t realize...
Your wedding gown is not being custom-made to your exact measurements.
It’s being ordered in the designer’s standard size that best accommodates your measurements.
And because very few of us fit perfectly into a standard size chart, alterations are almost always necessary.
For example, your measurements might correspond to a size 12 at the bust, a size 10 at the waist, and a size 14 at the hips.
In most cases, we’ll recommend ordering the size that accommodates your largest measurement and then having the other areas altered to fit your body.
Why?
Because it’s generally much easier to take a gown in than to let it out!
We would much rather have your seamstress take in a little extra fabric than have you discover that your gown is too small and there isn’t enough fabric in the seams to make it larger.
And remember, bridal sizing can be very different from the size you wear in everyday clothing. Don’t get hung up on the number on the tag!
What Alterations Will My Gown Need?
Every gown and every bride is different, but there are a few alterations that are extremely common.
Taking in the bodice: Even when your gown fits beautifully through your hips and waist, the bust may need some adjusting to ensure everything stays exactly where it should.
Hemming the gown: Unless you’re quite tall, there’s a good chance your dress will need to be shortened. Wedding gowns are typically made with extra length to accommodate different heights and shoe choices.
Adding a bustle: If your gown has a train, you’ll likely want a bustle so you can comfortably walk, mingle, and dance at your reception without dragging your train behind you.
Adjusting the fit: Depending on your measurements and any changes in your body between ordering and fittings, your seamstress may need to adjust the waist, hips, straps, or other areas.
And please remember, needing alterations does not mean your gown was ordered incorrectly.
It simply means your seamstress is doing what they do best—making your beautiful gown fit YOUR body.
What Should You Bring to Your First Fitting?
Your first fitting is incredibly important, so you’ll want to arrive prepared.
Here are a few things we recommend bringing:
1. Your wedding shoes
Yes, the actual shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day!
Your seamstress will use the height of your shoes to determine the proper length of your gown. If you change your heel height later, it could affect your hem.
2. Your wedding-day undergarments
If you’re planning to wear shapewear, a particular bra, or other undergarments, bring them with you.
Many wedding gowns have enough structure that a traditional bra isn’t necessary. In fact, your seamstress may be able to sew cups directly into your gown.
But you’ll want to discuss those options together.
3. One trusted person (if you’d like someone there)
This is one appointment where we recommend keeping your entourage to a minimum.
We know everyone wants to see your gown, but your alterations appointment is not the time for a fashion show!
Your seamstress needs to concentrate, and you need to be able to communicate exactly how your gown feels and fits.
Bringing one trusted person is usually plenty. You can also attend alone if you prefer.
4. An open mind!
This one is important.
Your seamstress may make suggestions about adjusting certain areas of your gown that you hadn’t even considered.
Listen to their recommendations, ask questions, and make sure you understand what they’re suggesting before agreeing to any changes.
After all, they’re the experts in making your gown fit beautifully!
How Many Fittings Will I Need?
This varies depending on your gown and the amount of work needed.
Some brides may need only a couple of fittings, while others may need three to five appointments.
Many seamstresses begin alterations approximately two to three months before the wedding, although your timeline may vary depending on the complexity of your gown and your seamstress’s schedule.
Some even like to see their brides one final time just days before the wedding to make sure everything is absolutely perfect.
And here’s one little piece of advice...
Try to avoid major changes to your body measurements once alterations are underway.
We know some brides hope to lose weight before their wedding, but significant changes after fittings can mean additional alterations, extra expense, and unnecessary stress.
Your gown should be tailored to fit you beautifully—not the other way around.
Let’s Talk About the Bustle!
Oh, the bustle!
Such a small detail that can make such a BIG difference on your wedding day.
If your gown has a train, your seamstress will likely recommend adding a bustle so you can lift the train off the floor for your reception.
And depending on the style of your gown, these bustles can be a little complicated!
Here’s one of our favorite pieces of advice:
Bring the person who will be helping you bustle your gown to your final fitting.
Whether that’s your maid of honor, your mother, a family member, or someone else in your wedding party, make sure they know exactly how the bustle works.
And PLEASE have them take a video of your seamstress demonstrating it!
Trust us on this one!
The last thing you want is five people gathered around the back of your gown trying to figure out where all those little hooks, buttons, and ribbons go while you’re ready to get on the dance floor!
Now... How Much Will Alterations Cost?
Let’s talk about something brides sometimes forget to budget for.
Alterations are an additional expense beyond the purchase price of your gown.
Depending on the style of your dress, the amount of work needed, and the experience of your seamstress, alterations can vary significantly in price.
As a general planning estimate, many brides may spend approximately $400 to $1,500 or more on bridal alterations.
A simple gown that needs a hem and minor adjustments may cost considerably less than a gown with intricate lace, heavy beading, multiple layers, or extensive structural changes.
Our recommendation?
Ask your seamstress for an estimate before alterations begin so you have a clear understanding of the potential cost.
And please don’t choose your seamstress based on price alone.
We completely understand that weddings are expensive and that every bride has a budget.
But after spending so much time finding the perfect gown, the last thing you want to compromise on is the quality of the alterations that make it fit you beautifully.
One Last Thought...
Your wedding gown is probably one of the most meaningful pieces of clothing you will ever wear.
You’ve spent months dreaming about it, shopping for it, waiting for it to arrive, and imagining how you’ll look walking down the aisle.
Alterations are the final step in bringing that vision to life.
So take your time finding the right seamstress. Ask questions. Be prepared for your appointments. And most importantly, enjoy the process!
Because when you finally step into your gown on your wedding day, we want you thinking about one thing...
Marrying the person you love.
Not pulling up your dress, adjusting your straps, or worrying about whether everything fits.
And THAT is why great alterations are worth every penny.
Have questions about your wedding gown or the alterations process? Reply to this post! We love helping brides feel prepared and confident throughout their wedding dress journey.
With love,
The HBC Insider Team ❤️
Originally published by The HBC Insider.