Look no further - your complete guide to bridal alterations is here!
It's a pretty common misconception that a wedding dress will fit like a glove when it's delivered from the designer to you, and that alterations are only necessary if you're buying off the rack. The truth is, just about every bridal gown and bridesmaid dress will need to be altered to fit perfectly, even if it's as simple as a hem or adjusting the straps!
We wanted to answer your biggest questions about the alterations process so you know what to expect when your gown arrives at the boutique! Staying in close contact with our recommended seamstresses allows us to give you the inside scoop on all things alterations. Here are some of our most asked questions and topics broken down for you!
When to book your alterations appointment
There are two things to know about when you are wanting to book your alterations appointment. We recommend that your first appointment is booked about 3 months before your wedding. Typically there will be a total of 2-3 alteration appointments with time in between to get the work done. Starting 3 months out allows you to pick up your gown steamed and ready to walk down the aisle with a few weeks to spare! During the final fitting, there might be a few tweaks to make here or there but generally you will get to see yourself in your gown ready for the big day!
When should you book this appointment? Seamstresses enter their busy season starting as early as April, so they will get booked up for those peak wedding dates and it’s great to call them even before your gown has arrived! When calling we recommend sharing with your seamstress, “This is when my gown is expected to arrive, this is my wedding date, when would you like to see me?”
What to Bring for your alteration appointment
Bring along anything you're planning on wearing on your wedding day -- such as shapewear, shoes, and the bra you plan on wearing- because everything changes the fit of the dress. Many brides don't bring bras anymore, because of the way necklines are cut many brides choose to have cups sewn into the bodice! This is something your seamstress will have available to try during your appointment.
Alterations Pricing
Most often, the seamstress will want to see you in the gown to determine pricing. It all depends on where the dress needs to fit better. If you’re needing a hem, a seamstress may charge by the layer or offer a flat rate based on the detail of the gown. If your hem has a lace finish you won't want to lose the detail when hemming so all of the lace is carefully removed from the hem of the dress and sewn back on when the length is perfect. Know that whether the dress needs to be taken in an inch throughout or 2-3 inches, you will see similar pricing! Average pricing from adjusting the gown from top to bottom can range anywhere from $450-$900.
If your dress is feeling too snug
It is possible for your measurements to fluctuate between when you said yes and when your gown arrives! If your gown is feeling snug when you try it on, know that there are ways to adjust it to fit you perfectly! Several designers we carry leave seam allowance in their dresses. If there isn’t any seam allowance, the gown can be let out in other ways. One fix for when your dress is too tight on your bust is to add a tulle insert under the arm. It'll look like it was there all along, and you can get up to 4 additional inches from it! Creating a corset back can create a comfier fit as well. Sometimes you can get some extra space out of the zipper, too. Maybe you have to let out every seam possible, maybe you have to order more fabric and add panels, know that seamstresses can create magic and make it work!
Off-The-Rack Alterations
If you said yes to your dress and took it home off-the-rack, there’s a chance you are taking it in more than you would have if you were ordering and would select more of your true size. Of course there's a limit to how much it can be taken in, but it depends. Some of our alterations experts have taken in a size 12 to a size 2. This is where you want to utilize a trusted seamstress because you don't want to modify the dress style! You have to be careful not to throw off the curves. Some off-the-rack gowns have been with the boutique a couple of seasons and need a little more TLC. An alterations specialist has many tools to get your gown ready to walk down the aisle! It’s super common to need spot cleaning and beading tightened up, share that you purchased your gown off the rack and they will be able to look things over. If you got your gown at a great discount, you can make it go farther in alterations by customizing your gown to be uniquely yours.
Customizations
There are many ways customizations can be added to your gown. If the designer does not offer customizations when you place your order, an alterations specialist is able to bring your vision to life! Your strapless gown can be transformed by adding sleeves or straps, many brides love the romantic look of off the shoulder straps. These are a simple pattern and can add a special touch to your dress. If you’d like to create more modesty on your gown, this is something that can be done in alterations! Fabric can often be added to the neckline in a way that it looks purposeful and makes you feel comfortable, adding a lining to a sheer bodice is also a very common alteration need.
If you are hoping to create a more dramatic neckline, you can often reshape the cut in alterations too. All of these customizations are generally style dependent, but your alterations expert will guide you through what is or is not possible based on your specific gown. Some customizations our recommended seamstresses are familiar with include: Creating a slit in the skirt, adding a glitter tulle layer, and adding buttons down the train.
Purchasing Materials
When choosing to customize your dress, you will sometimes need additional fabric to execute the design. A simple off the shoulder sleeve can be created from your hem if you are a shorter bride, but someone taller will not have leftover fabric for this! Fabrics can be requested to our designers and we are always happy to make sure you have the matching materials you need! Know that fabrics can take anywhere from 1 month to 4 months to arrive so do your best to plan ahead! If you know you will create a sleeve in alterations but haven’t purchased fabric yet, check your timeline as you will want this for your fitting. Check in with your bridal stylist or the alterations expert to see how much of each material you may need.
Bustle 101
Every bridal gown can be bustled! It depends on the dress & every dress is different! You can have the same dress on 3 brides and the bustle might be different on each one, because it depends on the height of the bride and their personal style. Your alterations specialist will show you the best options based on the shape and details of your gown. There are 3 common bustle options: the traditional American bustle, the Ballroom bustle, and the French bustle (underneath). You want the bustle to compliment the dress, not fight with it. Here is an example of one gown with the 3 different bustle types!
American Bustle (left) creates fun movement when dancing, and is a simpler bustle style usually finished with buttons and loops. Ballroom Bustle (right) creates a modern sleek look. The train truly disappears with hidden ribbons and loops underneath the skirt
French Bustle (center) creates texture and has a more dramatic feel, perfect for adding personality to your look.
What your seamstress wants you to know!
There are endless options in alterations, and there are many talented alterations experts out there! We have taken the time to curate a list of trusted experts here in the Milwaukee community and hope you will utilize them to create the perfect fit on your gown! Trusting a family friend can be fine for other garments but a bridal gown is special and requires expert care. Make sure your seamstress understands gown construction, and don’t be afraid to ask about their experience. Know too that if you want to change something along the way, your alterations specialist wants to know how you are feeling! If you have a vision for how your gown should look, your seamstress can guide you but only you know how you want it to feel on your wedding day. Don’t be afraid to share how you’re feeling! Seamstresses do this work because they love it, and when you are standing in your gown fitted perfectly to you, it gives them so much joy to see you having another bridal moment as special as finding your dream dress!