Your wedding day look is not complete just because you have finally found the dress of your dreams. Now that you have the dress in hand, you need to make sure that it is perfectly fitted for your body. While it may not be the most exciting or romantic part of the wedding planning process, your dress alterations play a key role in how fabulous you look as you glide down the aisle. Here are six things to keep in mind as you alter your wedding dress to fit you like a glove.
Stick to a Schedule
Be aware that the dress alteration process may take longer than you expect. Most bridal salons recommend three fittings to ensure a perfect fit. The first fitting should happen a few months before the wedding day. The second fitting is best around one month before you walk down the aisle. The last fitting will be just a week or two before the wedding. Do not have a dress altered to fit your goal weight.
Budget Accordingly
Alteration costs vary widely depending on the style of the gown, the region that you live, and the complexity of the work. However, most brides can anticipate spending a significant amount of money on this part of the wedding, making it important that you budget accordingly. Some salons will build in the cost of one fitting into the price of the dress. Be sure to ask about alteration costs and schedules when you are shopping for that perfect gown so that you are not caught off guard.
Bring the Right Accessories
When you schedule your final alteration, you need to make sure that you have every piece of the wedding ensemble with you at the fitting. The most important accessory to try the dress on with is the shoes that you plan on wearing on your wedding day. You want the hem to be altered to fit the exact height you will be when you wear the dress. If you go in for the fitting and you do not have your shoes yet, be sure to bring a pair that is the height that you anticipate wearing. You also need to bring your undergarments to the last fitting so that you can see how everything will look together. Wearing your jewelry will give you a visual of where you want the neckline to fall.
Aim for a Hemline to Graze the Ground
There is a substantial amount of debate that surrounds the hemline of the dress. Most experts agree that the ideal length will barely graze the floor. This length will allow you to dance and move around freely without worry of tripping over the dress. For best results, ask the seamstress to pin the hemline at this length and then walk around the room and move as if you would during the ceremony and reception to make sure that it is comfortable.
Choose Your Company Wisely
Bringing along a trusted adviser is also a good idea when attending the dress fittings. Beware that bringing too many people may complicate the advice and overwhelm the seamstress. Choose somebody that you trust to be honest and that also has a good sense of style. If your dress has a train that needs bustling, consider including your maid of honor at the last fitting to learn how to do this properly.
Be Vocal
If something doesn’t feel right or you are not 100% happy with the dress, you need to voice these concerns right away to the seamstress. Your seamstress wants you to feel like a million bucks, making it important that you speak up and give your honest opinion.
You want to look your absolute best when you meet your partner at the wedding altar. Following these alteration tips will ensure that your dress is perfectly suited for you.