By Kristi Kellogg, Brides
Fit is everything. Which is why when it comes to your wedding dress, alterations are also everything.
"You can splurge on a pricey dress, but if it's not altered properly it
won't look any better than a gown that's a tenth of the cost," says
Terry Hall of New York City's Kleinfeld Bridal. As you break out the measuring tape, here are seven key things to remember when it comes to bridal alterations.
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1. Stay on Schedule
To
take the stress out of wedding-dress alterations, it's best to buy your
dress early, leaving plenty of time for fittings and tailoring. Buy a dress 10 months before
the wedding if possible. (It can take up to five months from the time
you order it to arrive in the salon!) Schedule a fitting two months
before the wedding and a final fitting no later than two weeks before
your wedding. If you're making major changes to the design—reworking the
corset or cups, for example, or accommodating a pregnancy—budget a few
extra weeks.
2. Remember to Budget for Alterations
Bridal
alterations can add up. Some salons charge per service ($225 to shorten
your gown, $150 to resew seams, etc.) while others do a flat fee
(around $500 to $700) that covers anything you'll need to make the dress
fit you perfectly. Design changes can cost anywhere from $50 (to cut a
sweetheart neckline) to a few hundred (to add lace or beading, reshape
the silhouette, or change the fabric). Make sure you factor in these
costs before you buy.
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3. Be Mindful of Your Anticipated Wedding Weight
Never
order a too-small dress as motivation, Hall says. Even if you're
diligent about those kale smoothies, you can't predict how much you'll
shrink—and it's easier to take a larger dress in than to let a smaller
one out. Instead, consider a gown with structure. About 40 percent have
built-in corsets, which can be easily tightened or loosened. And ask if
the designer will build new cups if your bust size changes. (Some
won't.) Can't find a corseted gown you love? Try an A line, which covers
lingering pounds. In general, the slinkier the gown, the harder it is
to fix the fit if you gain or lose weight.
4. Wear Your Wedding Shoes
When
your tailor adjusts the hem, make sure to bring the shoes you'll wear
at the wedding so you'll be the same height you will on the big day. If
you haven't picked out your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair with a
height comparable to the shoes you imagine yourself wearing!
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5. Go for a Hemline that Grazes the Ground
Rita
Ertl, Monique Lhuillier's director of alterations, advises brides to
aim for a hemline that gently grazes the ground. "With your hem grazing
the floor, you will be able to walk, dance, and mingle with your
guests," Ertl explains. The main thing is to make sure you won't trip on
the dress. After the seamstress pins the dress hemline so that it
grazes the ground, walk around the salon a bit in your shoes to make
sure it's a comfortable length. As for any brides wondering if a grazing
hemline will end up staining and ruining the dress, rest assured that
no matter the length, the bottom of the gown is going to get a little
dirty on the big day, but the stains will come out during the post-wedding preservation of the wedding dress. So don't worry about it!
6. Bring Along the Undergarments and Accessories You'll Wear on the Big Day
Bring
whatever undergarments you plan on wearing along with you to your
fitting. We all know the difference Spanx or the right strapless bra can
make. You want to wear exactly what you'll be wearing on your wedding day, including shapewear,
for the best possible tailoring. And while jewelry, gloves, and other
accessories might not change the fit of your wedding dress, they
contribute to the overall look. For example, where your wedding necklace
falls might influence where you want the neckline of your dress to sit.
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7. Bring a Friend
It's
always good to bring your mom or a friend with you to your dress
fittings, just so you have an extra set of eyes. Bring someone with a
great sense of style and an opinion you trust!
