Wedding Wednesdays: You've Got the Dress, Now It's Time to Alter It

Even if you’ve found your wedding dress and signed on the dotted line to officially make it yours, you still aren’t ready to head down the aisle quite yet. Most gowns need some sort of alteration, and the scope of work can vary greatly, depending on where you purchase your gown and how many changes need to be made. Once you've found your gown, take it to a pro who can fit it perfectly to your figure. With the help of a professional seamstress or tailor, you’ll be ready for your wedding day with a gown that suits your figure flawlessly. Here's what to know before you go.

When to Go
It's important to time your alterations right. If you bring your gown in too early, you might not end up with a proper fit. (You may lose or gain weight after your gown is altered, which could affect the dress's overall look and fit.) Bring your gown in too late, and you run the risk of not allowing enough time to let the seamstress work their magic. We recommend allowing two to three months from your first fitting to your last as an ideal timeline to make all the alterations. Also keep in mind that the amount of times you need to go for fittings depends on how much you're getting done to the gown—on average, most brides go for three or four fittings.

Where to Go
If you purchased your gown at a bridal salon, you can most likely get dress alterations done there. It's possible the salon might not offer alterations though, in which case you should head to a seamstress or tailor who specializes in bridal gowns. Ask the salon if they have recommendations—they'll likely be able to point you toward a great pro. And remember this isn’t a job for your local dry cleaner, unless they know the intricacies of formal eveningwear. Wedding gowns have so many complex details—boning, hems, bustles and so on—that it's best to find a professional who's seen and worked on such gown components in the past.

What to Bring
When you head to the tailor or salon, bring more than just your gown (just like you did to go wedding dress shopping)—take your undergarments, shoes and accessories to fittings as well. With all of the pieces in place, it'll be easier to envision your overall wedding day look. Your undergarments and shoes will ensure the proper fit and length of your gown, and your hair accessories or veil will help you maintain the right overall balance. If you don't have the exact shoe you'll be wearing, bring something similar in height.

What to Expect
Whether you found your gown at a couture salon or a bridal sample sale, the options for alterations are nearly endless. Many tailors who have worked on bridal gowns are used to reworking fabrics and opening up hems, and can practically redesign a dress. This is particularly common when a bride wants to modernize her mother's gown—a seamstress can use the same fabric but create an updated style.

You've got the dress and now you're prepared to get it altered! Look stunning on your wedding day and devour the details of your alterations with these helpful tips.