Wedding Dress Alterations and Fittings: Everything You Need to Know
Nothing will make you feel your confident best more than a beautifully sculpted wedding dress – which is why alterations are everything. Make sure you get the best fit for you!
We get it; fitting appointments – where a seamstress or fitter will work out which wedding dress alterations need to be made – don’t quite elicit the same excitement levels as, say, shopping for wedding dresses for the first time or picking out your accessories, but they are key in helping you feel like the best version of yourself on the big day.
“In general, unless you’ve gone down the bespoke or maid to measure route, wedding dresses are made in the most appropriate standard size for your measurements and then tailored to fit,” explains designer Kate Halfpenny.
“Very few women’s measurements fit a ‘standard size’ because we’re all unique, and the fittings process is a time for us to sculpt your dress to your own gorgeous figure.”
Not only are dress fittings there to ensure the perfect fit, but they also allow you to customise the design of your wedding dress – whether that’s adding sleeves, swapping a zip for a corset back, or something else altogether.
What’s more, there are practical alterations that can be made to help with your on-the-day comfort, such as having a bustle added to a dress with a train so you can move around with ease. The whole process generally takes just two or three appointments, but you can have as many as you need.
The costs will vary depending on how much work is needed and where you are. But given how key alterations are to making you feel your best on the big day, it’s definitely worth building them into your budget.
We explain everything you need to know about wedding dress alterations – from what to expect during your bridal fitting appointments to costs, finding a professional dress tailor, and more.
Wedding Dress Alterations 101
Does Every Wedding Dress Need to Be Altered?
It’s likely that every wedding dress will need to be altered in some way, even if it’s just a few tweaks here and there. “Where one bride might need a very slight alteration – perhaps to the hem length – another might need to have more intricate adjustments to ensure a perfect fit on the big day,” explains Rebecca Baddeley of award-winning wedding dress boutique TDR Bridal.
Even if you’re not buying your wedding dress from a boutique, alterations will make all the difference to the fit of a high street or vintage dress, too.
Where Do I Find Wedding Dress Alterations Near Me?
If you’ve bought your wedding dress from a bridal boutique, it may have an in-house wedding dress alterations service. This is usually the best option to go with as you’ll be working with professional seamstresses who are more than familiar with your dress design. Plus, it’ll help you stick to your fitting timeline.
If an in-house service isn’t available, almost all boutiques will be able to recommend a local seamstress or bridal dress tailor who specialises in wedding dress alterations.
If you’ve purchased a pre-loved or second-hand dress, a high-street wedding dress or a gown from a sample sale, you can still contact your local boutique. Sometimes their alteration services aren’t exclusive to brides who’ve bought dresses from the store, or they’ll be able to put you in touch with a reliable seamstress.
You might also want to ask for personal recommendations over at the Hitched forum!
How Much Are Wedding Dress Alterations?
Wedding dress alteration costs will vary depending on what you need to have done and the style of your gown, but it’s essential to factor them into your budget. Your boutique should be able to give you an estimate of alteration costs once you’ve chosen your dress, though you should treat this as a guideline only.
“In general, I’d recommend allowing anywhere between £100 to £500,” says Rebecca. As a guideline, the most expensive part of the fitting is usually the hem. “Changing your heel height or going up or down a dress size once alteration appointments have begun will inevitably mean you may need to budget extra,” Rebecca adds.
Of course, bespoke changes – such as adding straps, embroidery, or beading – will raise the price.
How Far in Advance Should I Get My Wedding Dress Altered?
Rebecca reveals that most of her brides will be booked in for their first fitting six to eight weeks prior to the wedding date, but some boutiques work to a schedule of eight to 10 weeks to allow ample time for the seamstress or dress tailor to work their magic, as well as flexibility for you to attend your appointments.
“Three to four weeks later (or around two weeks before the big day), brides will return for a second fitting to make sure they’re feeling super confident in their outfits,” she adds.
“At this point, if a bride has requested a slight design change or her weight has fluctuated, a third appointment can be arranged.”
How Many Wedding Dress Fittings Do I Need and How Long Do They Take?
“You should be offered as many appointments as you need, but usually the whole fittings process can be completed in two or three,” says Rebecca. Those who have requested more complex customisations may have two to four.
Be sure to allow an hour for each appointment.
What's Involved in a Wedding Dress Fitting?
First fitting: You’ll likely have said “yes” to the dress some months before, so in your first fitting you’ll try it on again in your size and the seamstress will assess where it needs adjusting. This will probably take an hour and will be your longest appointment. This is also your opportunity to discuss any extra customisations, such as the addition or removal or sleeves.
Remember, your seamstress is the pro here, so go with an open mind. If they warn against a tweak or suggest an alternative, it’s for a good reason. Trust their experience and knowledge of the garments.
However, if you find that what they’re suggesting doesn’t really match up with what you want, ask for a second opinion, particularly if you’re not using a specialist wedding dress service.
Not everyone is as experienced in working with certain types of fabric or making certain customisations, so it’s not offensive to take the dress to a different seamstress for a second opinion. Ultimately, however, you get what you pay for – so make sure the seamstress you choose is right for the job in hand.
Second fitting: In your second wedding dress alteration appointment, if it’s still not quite the perfect fit, your seamstress will usually add tacking (temporary stitches) to heck the fit and make any final tweaks.
Third fitting: The final fitting is usually when you’ll get to see yourself in the dress as it’ll look on the day. You’ll take your wedding dress home with you at this point, too. Ask your boutique for advice about safely storing your dress at home ahead of the wedding.
Types of Wedding Dress Alterations
What Are the Most Common Wedding Dress Alterations?
The most common alterations are related to the fit of a gown – so, tailoring the hem length and the fit on the side seams and shoulders. These basic adjustments are essential and key to ensuring you feel confident and supported on the day – not to mention avoiding any wardrobe malfunctions.
Other common requests include the addition of bespoke features, such as sleeves, pockets, bra cups, and corset backs, as well as custom coverage such as modesty panels or raising a neckline.
“For those gowns that have long trains, the hem will be adjusted to your height and tapered at the sides – not to mention, of course, the addition of a bustle to allow you to hit the dance floor,” adds Rebecca. “We have infinite ways of adding ribbons, buttons and hidden loops that will play an integral part when it comes to shortening the train for the evening celebrations.”
How Much Can I Alter My Wedding Dress?
If you’re keen to customise your dress, a lot depends on the original design, fabric, and embellishments.
Talk to your boutique before you order the dress about what alterations can be made. If you want extensive changes, it’s important to work with a seamstress who already knows the dress design well.
“Our team are able to customise most of our international designers’ dresses as well as our own couture gowns to create an individual look,” says Jane and Maria of Mirror Mirror London, whose wedding dress alterations are made on-site in their design studio in London. “Adding or removing sleeves, making a new top or skirt, or raising the neckline or lowering the back are just some of the changes we’ve made over the years.”
What Is a Wedding Dress Bustle?
‘Bustling’ is for wedding dresses that come with a train. Essentially, it’s a method of lifting the train so it’s easier for you to move around (and dance!). It makes the dress far more practical for all-day wear.
A bustle will be offered at the first fitting, as there are many different ways a dress can be bustled, so you can pick the look that you prefer.
Take this opportunity to bring along a member of your wedding party so they can learn how the bustle works in time for the big day – self-bustling is tricky business!
Wedding Dress Alterations: On the Day Fittings Advice
What Will I Be Expected To Do During The Fittings?
The honest answer? Stand there and not move until you’re asked to do so…
We kid (kind of). The most important thing is to answer the seamstress honestly and communicate what you want.
If something feels too tight, is rubbing or you don’t quite like how it fits; it’s your seamstress’s job to make your dress as perfect for you as possible, and you can help them do that by giving them feedback.
Once it’s been pinned and tucked, you’ll likely be asked to move around and try sitting down in it. Remember, wedding dress alterations are as much about comfort as they are style, so make sure it feels like you can eat, breath and dance.
What If My Weight Has Changed Since I Ordered My Wedding Dress?
“It’s ideal to try to maintain the same shape after ordering your dress to ensure a perfect fit, but these things happen,” says Kate.
“Your dress is usually made in the size most appropriate for your measurements, so if you find those have changed dramatically, the first thing to do is talk to your boutique before your appointment.
"At the time of ordering, if you suspect your body will change for any reason – pregnancy, for example – then see if you can get measured closer to the wedding. You can normally let out or take in a wedding dress by one size, perhaps two; a more drastic change is tricky.
"It’s incredibly difficult and time consuming to alter dresses across a spectrum of sizes, and it’s best to avoid this," says Kate.
"Also, under no circumstances should you order a dress in a size you dream of being, as that pressure on yourself is something you should avoid. Make the dress work for you, not you work out for the dress!
"Honesty is the best policy and the more notice we have the better, to help us work with you to make your dress perfect for the big day."
What Should I Wear To My Wedding Dress Fittings?
“Our number one piece of advice is to not forget your shoes!” says Rebecca. “Your seamstress cannot pin the perfect hem if you’re not wearing your bridal shoes.
“Secondly, maintain consistency with your choice of undergarments. Source some flattering underwear (and by this, I mean underwear that sits smoothly against the body with no VPL, preferably in a colour that matches your skin tone) prior to your appointment. Wear that same underwear to your second fitting.”
If you’re feeling confused about what to wear to your appointments, check in with your fitter beforehand who’ll be able to advise.
“Ill-fitting underwear can impact the fit and drape of the gown,” says Rebecca. “Think about the cut of your dress when choosing your bra, too. Some dresses don’t require a bra as support cups can be supplied and sewn in.”
Who Should I Bring To My Wedding Dress Fittings?
It can be tempting to bring your whole wedding posse along for a look at the dress but try to limit it to just one guest – certainly no more than two.
There’s a good reason for this. A fittings appointment should be about you communicating with the seamstress, without the distraction or opinions of well-meaning others.
However, if you’ll need help getting in and out of your dress, or you’re having a bustle, it’s worth bringing a trusted friend or family member who can learn how to assist you on the day.
For your final fitting, we suggest taking along your accessories, so you can get a sense of your overall look. It can be tempting to go with a full face of makeup or even get your makeup done for an extra confidence boost, but we’d advise keeping makeup to a minimum – a foundation streak or mascara splotches on your dress are not conducive to a stress-free fitting!
First fitting booked? Now you've got the practicalities under control, it's on to the pretty stuff! Start with our guide to wedding hair accessories.
