When to Get Wedding Dress Alterations

Every bride wants the perfect wedding dress on her special day. However, finding a gown that matches your taste while fitting your unique body shape isn’t easy. That’s why many people turn to a skilled fitter or seamstress for wedding gown alterations to ensure their dress fits immaculately when they walk down the aisle. Here’s when to get wedding dress alterations so that you look your best on your wedding day.

Why Wedding Dress Fitting Is Important

Bride at the clothes shop for wedding dresses; she is choosing a dress and the designer is assisting her

Bride at the bridal shop for bridesmaid dresses; she is choosing a dress, and the designer is assisting her

Nearly every wedding dress needs alterations to look its best. Dressmakers sculpt wedding gowns to the bride’s body, allowing it to fit her shape to the utmost degree. Failing to get the proper alterations leaves the bride open to disproportionate dress sizes, wardrobe malfunctions, and more.

Experts recommend seeing a fitter or seamstress at least three times before the big day. This schedule ensures the dress fits perfectly and highlights the bride’s beauty while she walks down the aisle. Wedding gown alterations typically range from $50 to $1,000, so make sure to budget accordingly.

The first wedding dress fitting session should take up to an hour to complete. The bridal boutique seamstress usually conducts the fitting or recommends another tailor who specializes in wedding dress alterations. Before starting the second fitting process, brides need to:

Make budget room for bridal alterations

Make sure they wear their wedding shoes during every fitting session

Anticipate their wedding weight

Bring undergarments and other crucial accessories

Ask a close friend or family member to accompany them during fitting sessions

Types of Wedding Dress Alterations

Basic Hemming

One of the most basic yet crucial wedding dress alterations is hemming. It adjusts the dress’s length, width, and overall fit on the bride. It prevents the bride from tripping over or tearing the dress when she walks down the aisle, as well as other embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions and unwanted situations. There’s no one-size-fits-all wedding dress, so basic hemming is vital for any bride-to-be.

Additional Alterations

Many brides enjoy modifying their bridesmaid dresses to match their personal tastes. Some add sleeves, beading, buttons, off-the-shoulder straps, and other modifications to make their dress better suit their needs. However, it’s important to note that additional wedding dress alterations become costly rather quickly. Make sure to budget accordingly if you want to customize your dress further.

When To Get Wedding Dress Alterations FAQ

How Many Fittings Should a Bride Schedule?

It depends on how many alterations the wedding dress needs. Most wedding dress experts believe brides need at least three fitting sessions before their big day to ensure everything fits accordingly.

However, if a bride needs minimal alterations, two fitting sessions might suffice. Reversely, if a dress needs multiple alterations, the bride may need to schedule more than three fittings.

Weight fluctuation also plays a role in the number of fitting sessions. If a bride plans on losing weight before her big day, she might want to plan on scheduling a few extra fitting sessions to ensure the dress complements her figure.

How Long Does It Take To Alter a Wedding Dress?

How Long Does a Wedding Gown Take to Alter.

The first alteration and fitting session usually take the longest. Many last an hour or more, depending on the number of alterations. The remaining sessions typically take less time since they consist of less strenuous alterations and fittings.

When Should I Get My Wedding Dress Altered?

Deciding when to get your wedding dress altered is usually one of the most stressful aspects of the alteration process. Most professional seamstresses and fitters recommend coming in for your first alteration session two months in advance. If your dress calls for multiple alterations, schedule an additional dress fitting appointment up until two weeks before your wedding day.

You should schedule your last fitting session during the final two weeks before the wedding. Scheduling your last session sooner than two weeks often leads to a disproportionate dress since most brides diet before walking down the aisle.

You May Find Helpful: A Guide For Wedding Gown Preservation Cost

Alteration Tips

Create a Wedding Dress Alterations Timeline

Creating a wedding dress alterations timeline helps brides stay on top of their responsibilities. It also relieves some stress from the process (if the bride follows it) since the bride won’t have to crunch her time the final few weeks. Try buying a dress ten months before your big day. Wedding dresses usually take a few months to arrive, so it’s best to order one as soon as possible.

After the dress arrives, schedule your first fitting appointment eight to 12 weeks before walking down the aisle. This timeframe should give you plenty of time to plan additional alterations (if needed) before your final fitting session. Your last fitting session should take place no later than two weeks before the wedding.

Keep Your Wedding Weight in Mind

One of the biggest mistakes a bride can make is ordering a dress a few sizes too small to motivate her weight loss. It’s much easier to alter a larger wedding gown than to modify a smaller dress to accommodate a bigger size. Around 40% of wedding dresses have a built-in corset that a seamstress can loosen or tighten. There are also A-line gowns that cover up excess weight if you don’t meet your weight loss goal. Just keep in mind that slinkier dream dress are harder to alter if you lose or gain weight.

Bring Your Undergarments, Wedding Shoes, and Accessories to Every Fitting Session

Bringing all your wedding essentials to fitting sessions is vital if you want your dress to fit perfectly. The seamstress or fitter needs to accommodate your undergarments, wedding shoes, and other day-of accessories to give you the perfect dress. If a bride doesn’t bring her wedding shoes to a dress fitting appointment, the gown might be a bit too long on her wedding day. It also may be too big or too small if she doesn’t wear the exact undergarments to her fitting sessions as she does at her wedding.

Don’t Worry About Making Too Many Alterations

A heavily altered wedding dress is much better than an unaltered dress. Alterations are a key aspect of the wedding dress process. They help the gown fit your body and make you look your best during your big day. Although it’s possible to go overboard with dress modifications and accessories, a dress rarely receives too many alterations.

Just keep in mind that it’s easier to make a dress smaller than bigger. If you can’t find a dress that fits your style or complements your body, find a bigger dress that you like and take it to a seamstress for alterations. They can make it accommodate your body much better than a smaller dress.

Bring a Family Member or Close Friend to Your Fitting Sessions

Fitting sessions are often nerve-racking and a bit stressful. Bringing a friend or family member along usually makes the process easier and calms your nerves. They can help you decide the best alterations for your dress and document the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Plus, it’s always nice to have support when making such big decisions.

Get a Hemline That Grazes the Floor

Few things are more important during the fitting process than getting the correct hemline. Most wedding industry experts advise a hemline that grazes the floor. Having too long of a hemline may cause the bride to trip over her dress, ruining her big day. It can also cause unsightly stains that diminish its visual appeal. Always walk around after getting your dress hemmed to ensure it’s comfortable and the correct length. You want the dress to graze the floor, not engulf it.

Where Can I Find a Reliable Seamstress or Fitter?

If you are in the East Bay area and need a reliable wedding dress alteration service, contact Martinizing Dry Cleaning. We have over 15 years of experience helping brides alter their dresses for their big day, ensuring you receive a beautiful gown that leaves your guests in awe. Our team consists of dedicated tailors and seamstresses that want nothing more than to make your dress the best it can be. Martinizing Dry Cleaning also provides wedding dress preservation services that will keep your gown in prime condition for years to come.

Martinizing Dry Cleaning is East Bay’s go-to choice for wedding dress alterations. If you’re wondering when to get wedding dress alterations or just need some help with the fitting process in the East Bay area, contact Martinizing Dry Cleaning and allow your wedding alterations to reach their full potential.

Destination Wedding

Contact Martinizing Dry Cleaners after a destination wedding, proper cleaning and preservation of your gown are crucial. Pack your dress carefully in a breathable garment bag with padding for delicate areas. Once home, choose a professional dry cleaner experienced with wedding dresses, like Martinizing Dry Cleaners, to address any
stains and preserve the gown’s beauty.

For guests attending a destination wedding, suggest attire that suits the
location’s climate and setting—light fabrics for warm destinations or layered
outfits for cooler ones. Ensuring guests dress appropriately for the event’s
formality and cultural norms helps create a cohesive and stylish celebration.