So, you’ve found the perfect wedding dress—it seems like a dream, and you can’t wait to see yourself in it on the big day. But before you say “I do I do” in your dress, there’s one crucial step left: alterations.
This is where your gown is transformed to fit your body perfectly, ensuring it feels like it was made just for you. It can be a little nerve-wracking but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a detailed guide to help you navigate your bridal alterations with ease.
Timing Is Key: When Should You Schedule Your Alterations Appointment?
First things first, you want to allow ample time for alterations to be done properly—ideally around 2-3 months before your wedding day. This gives you plenty of time for any necessary tweaks, second fittings, and final adjustments. This is why we factor in timing for alterations when you purchased your gown!
Be sure to schedule your appointment with Meghan, our head of alterations! She will email our brides when their gowns arrive in studio. Make sure to check your spam folder as she sends so many emails out in a day that they sometimes get filtered into there. When she does email you, make sure to answer right away. Our alterations are done on a first come first serve basis, meaning they are not guaranteed. Answering Meghan’s email right away, even if it’s months in advance, ensures we can find a time that works not only for your schedule, but ours as well.
Our alterations are offered to brides who purchase their gown in studio, so unfortunately, we cannot alter any gowns purchased elsewhere. But don’t worry, we have fantastic recommendations for local places that offer bridal alterations.
What to Bring: Your Shoes, Undergarments, and More
Before you step into the fitting room, you’ll want to gather a few things to ensure the appointment goes smoothly:
- Shoes: Bring the shoes you plan to wear on the big day. The height of your shoes will affect the length of the hem, so it’s important to have THE shoe in time for your first fitting. If you do not have shoes for your first fitting, we will have to reschedule.
- Undergarments: Don’t forget about your wedding-day undergarments (bras, shapewear, etc.). If you plan to wear a specific type of lingerie under your gown, bring it along, as this can affect how your dress fits. If you are unsure what undergarments to wear with your gown, check out The Daine Shoppe in Morristown (right around the corner from our studio!) and they can assist you!
- Accessories (Optional): If you’ve already purchased jewelry, a headpiece, or any other accessories, bring them to see how they look with your dress.
*Your gown and veil (if purchased at the same time as your gown) will be kept in studio between the time it arrives in studio until the day it is ready for pickup.
What Happens During Your First Fitting?
When you first arrive at your alterations appointment, you'll be introduced to your seamstress, who will be your partner in the transformation process. Here's what you can expect at your initial appointment:
Initial Assessment
The first thing your seamstress will do is assess the fit of your wedding dress. She will look at how it fits your body, paying attention to the bust, waist, hips, hemline, and shoulders.
Pinning and Marking
Your seamstress will pin the dress to your body and make markings where adjustments are needed. The main objective of this fitting will be to pin your hem, which is why it is important to have your shoes at your first fitting! Some of our seamstresses will sometimes pin the bodice to prep for the second fitting as well. Don't be surprised if you have pins in your dress, as it's an essential part of the fitting process.
Discussing Changes
Your seamstress will walk you through the changes they plan to make and ask if you have any specific concerns or preferences. This is the time to speak up if there’s something you don’t feel comfortable with or if you'd like to try something a bit different. Clear communication is key to ensuring your dress is exactly how you want it. If there is concern you have in fittings, you must communicate it! Our seamstresses are very talented, but they are not mind readers.
How Many Fittings Will You Need?
For most brides, three fittings are typically required. Here's a breakdown:
- First Fitting: The initial fitting is mostly about getting a feel for the dress, making initial adjustments, and marking what needs to be changed. Depending on the complexity, this fitting can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Second Fitting: This usually happens about a month later. By now, the seamstress will have made the major alterations, and you’ll try the dress on again to see how it fits with those changes. It’s likely there will still be tweaks needed, like taking in the sides slightly more.
- Final Fitting: A week or two before the wedding is when you’ll try your dress on one final time. By this point, everything should be completed, unless there were some final last minute tweaks to be made. You will also learn how to bustle your dress at this fitting, so bring the person who will be assisting you with it day of! You’ll make sure everything feels comfortable, the dress fits perfectly, and you’re ready for the big day!
The only time there would be additional fittings is if you plan on doing custom work to your gown. Each additional fitting will be $125.
How Much Will Alterations Cost?
Our alterations in studio are a flat fee of $800. This includes your hem, bustle, bodice work, steaming, pressing, and ready to go in a garment bag for your big day! The only additional cost to the $800 would be any custom work done to the gown, in which you would have to pay for the materials and labor. Each additional fitting, for whatever reason you may need, will be $125 on top of the $800.
- Some Tips for a Smooth Alterations Experience
- Be Honest About Comfort: Don’t hesitate to let your seamstress know if anything feels uncomfortable. You’ll be wearing this dress for hours on your wedding day, so it needs to be as comfortable as it is beautiful.
- Bring a Friend or Family Member: If it feels right, bring someone whose opinion you trust. Having a second set of eyes can be helpful for feedback on the fit and overall look.
- Wear the Right Undergarments: If you’re planning to wear a particular type of bra or shapewear, make sure to wear them to your fitting. It can make a big difference in how your dress fits and feels.
- Give Yourself Time: Bridal alterations are a process, so don’t rush. Allow enough time for multiple fittings and for the seamstress to make adjustments. Trying to rush alterations might result in mistakes or last-minute issues.
Remember, the gown is not going to look like the final product upon your first fitting. It will be loose in some areas and tight in others; this is to be expected. This is what alterations are for!
You’re Almost Ready!
Your first bridal alterations appointment is the beginning of the final touches that will make your wedding dress feel like it was made just for you. Remember to be patient, communicate clearly, and most importantly—enjoy the process! It’s supposed to be fun! With the right alterations, you’ll feel confident, beautiful, and ready to walk down the aisle in a gown that fits you to perfection.
Call us at (973) 998-6215 if you have ANY questions regarding our alterations process!