Part 1: Choosing a bridal seamstress and booking your alterations
Do I Need Bridal Alterations?
If you’ve bought your wedding dress from a high street boutique or preloved, there’s a high chance you’ll need some alterations to ensure a perfect fit. Bridal gowns are designed to an industry-standard form, which represents an ‘average’ body shape—but, of course, most of us don’t match this exactly! You’ve probably experienced this when shopping for everyday clothes; you might be one size in the bust and another in the hips, or perhaps the sleeves are slightly too long or short. While we often accept a less-than-perfect fit in daily wear, wedding dresses are a different story.
Wedding gowns are typically highly structured, with boning and multiple layers that can make any fit issues more noticeable. Most are also designed to be floor-length, which means they’re made for taller-than-average brides. Unless you’re particularly tall, you’ll almost certainly need the hem shortened to avoid tripping over your gown or spending the day holding up the front of your skirt like a Disney princess!
But My Dress Was Made to Measure…
The term ‘made to measure’ can mean different things depending on where you purchase your gown. If you’ve ordered from a boutique or designer and had multiple fittings—possibly including a toile (a mock-up version of your dress in a cheaper fabric)—your gown should have been made to your exact measurements. In this case, you shouldn’t need alterations, as the dress has been refined throughout the making process.
However, some online retailers also offer ‘made to measure’ services where you submit your measurements and receive a completed dress without fittings. These dresses are often made to the closest standard size rather than truly tailored to your shape, so they will likely need alterations. I’ve worked with many brides whose ‘made to measure’ dresses required significant adjustments before they fit properly
Why Choose a Specialist Bridal Seamstress?
While dry cleaners or general tailors may offer alteration services, I strongly recommend working with a specialist bridal seamstress—and here’s why. Hemming a pair of jeans and altering a lace-beaded ballgown are both forms of sewing, but they require vastly different skills. Your wedding dress is likely the most special (and expensive!) garment you’ll ever wear, so it’s worth entrusting it to someone with the expertise to handle delicate fabrics, intricate beading, and complex structures with care.
The Bridal Alterations Process
I recommend booking your alterations appointment as soon as you’ve ordered your dress. Specialist bridal seamstresses get booked up months in advance, particularly during peak wedding season, so securing your slot early will give you peace of mind.
Most seamstresses schedule the first fitting 8–12 weeks before your wedding. If you’re planning on losing weight or anticipate any changes in body shape, try to reach your goal size before your first fitting. If you lose significant weight after your second fitting, additional alterations may be needed, which can mean extra time and costs.
If you discover you’re expecting a little one, let your seamstress know as soon as possible! Even in early pregnancy, your body can change significantly, so your fittings may need to be rescheduled closer to your wedding date to achieve the best fit. Adjusting appointments can also affect other brides’ schedules, so early communication is key.
What to Expect During Fittings
Bridal alterations typically take place over three fittings:
- First Fitting – The seamstress assesses the gown, pinning and marking adjustments.
- Second Fitting – You’ll try on the adjusted dress to check progress and refine the fit.
- Final Fitting – A last check to ensure everything is perfect before you take your dress home.
I’ll go into more detail about what happens at each stage of alterations in my next blog. For more information on alterations check out the website or contact me here with any questions – I’d love to hear from you!
