Bridal Alterations can be daunting, and we find many brides don’t always know what to expect. Often there is uncertainty around what work is needed to be done on the dress, the cost of this process, and how far in advance to book fittings before the big day. Consider this your Bridal Alteration “Cheat Sheet”, with everything you need to know in one place.
What do we mean when we say “alterations”?
Basically, this is a process where we take a standard sized gown and make it fit your body perfectly. This generally takes 2-3 fittings and we walk you through the process – starting with a consultation where we provide a quote, to explaining what needs to be altered each step of the way and ending with a beautifully fitting garment.
When you purchase a dress from a bridal store or brand it comes in standard sizing (i.e., 6, 8, 10, 12). Ironically, exact ‘standard sized’ bodies aren’t very common. Some people have a size 12 bust with a size 16 hip; others have a torso shorter than the designer’s mannequin. This is where alterations come into play. We take your standard sized dress and make it fit your unique body, perfectly.
Some designers do offer ‘custom sizing’ where, for example, you can order a dress with a size 8 bust and a size 10 hip. It probably leads you to question whether you need alterations, right? The reality is there are still aspects to the dress, like length, that are standardised and so there may still be 1 or 2 small tweaks needed.
When should I book my fitting?
Ideally you should book in your first fitting 8-12 weeks prior to your wedding date. However, we completely understand that not everyone has an “ideal world”. If you are worried about your dress arriving later, get in touch and explain the situation so we can allow time in our calendar for a quicker turn around. Also, it’s important to let us know if you are on a weight loss journey, as we may recommend having your fittings closer to your wedding date to ensure the fit is perfect.
I want to customise my dress, what do I do?
To customise a wedding dress we need a lot more time than a standard alteration. As soon as you have your dress, book in a fitting and start the process right away.
Most customisations are completely possible! Some of the more common customisations are adding/removing layers of the skirt, adding sleeves, and changing the neckline.
What to bring
