The_Importance_of_Bridal_Gown_Alterations

The Importance of Bridal Gown Alterations
The majority of the time a bride finds the perfect dress in a ship but she also finds that it
doesn’t fit the way she wants it too. Off the rack is never tailored to fit the bride trying it on
correctly, and the pins and claps placed on by the shop owner are in no way permanent. A dress
from a shop usually needs to be altered and made to fit the bride. Some brides may find that
they are more interested in finding a dress that fits perfectly the first time – but unless you go
to a specialty shop and have the dress made from you there on the spot, having your dress
altered is usually a must.
No matter where you go to get your dress altered there are a lot of things to keep in mind. Do
you think you will lose or gain weight before the wedding? What is your budget for alterations?
Do you have a timeline for your wedding dress to be completed? All of these are excellent
questions. A bride may have found the perfect wedding dress, but if it hangs off of her, or sucks
her in so tight she can’t breathe, that beautiful gown won’t be so perfect on the wedding day.
Below is a guide to help you work out some of your alteration worries and set you on the path
to your perfect fit.
Weight Loss and Gain: As we all know, getting married is a stressful time. In fact, on the Holes
and Rahe Stress Scale it is listed as the seventh most stressful event in a person life. Many
brides deal with a fluctuation in their weight during the planning stages of their wedding. Stress
can lead to overeating and sometimes under-eating due to the sheer amount of planning and
work that needs to get done. Keeping that in mind as you find someone to do your dress
alterations is a big plus. Working with the tailor or seamstress to judge how much to take in, or
out, the dress will save you money in the long run.
What’s Your Budget: Some brides may not realize that alterations can end up costing the bride
quite a bit of money depending on where they go. This is where you need to step into the role
of the frugal bride. Check around at different shops for discounts. Some shops may offer you
discounts if you bring in your entire wedding party to get their dresses altered. Now and then
you’ll find a wonderful seamstress who has done a ton of brides that doesn’t charge a lot of
money to have your dress altered. Ask family members and friends if they have heard of any
good shops around to take your dress to. More than likely someone has heard of a good place
to go and you’ll be able to go that won’t be too expensive. Try and set a budget for your
alterations and stick to it if at all possible.
Remember Your Timeline: More than likely you have heard the horror stories of dresses not
being done in time. There are even stories about overwhelmed brides forgetting to pick up
their dress before the shop closes. These are all things that can be prevented if you have a solid
timeline in place for your alteration expert to review. Working with them to plan exactly when
the dress needs to be done by, saving room for any issues that might happen, will save
everyone the stress of not having the dress finished on time. It is recommended that a bride

have their alterations finished one month ahead of the wedding so there is wiggle room in case
something needs to be fixed.
Find Someone You Trust: Just as with finding your wedding dress, finding someone to do the
alterations is just as personal. All brides should keep in mind that you will be seeing this person
several times and they will be an integral part of your wedding day. You should first and
foremost find a seamstress or tailor that will fit your budget and also that you can easily explain
things to. You’ll need them to understand the exact look you want from your dress. Having a
seamstress or tailor you trust to help you get the exact fit you want will mean all the difference
on your big day.
Following these steps will ensure that your wedding dress alterations are on track and on
budget. Finding the right alteration expert might take a few tries but at the end of the day when
you find the perfect person it takes a major stress off the bride.
Contact us a Labella Too for your alteration needs at 703-494-2929. We are experienced fitting
specialists, dedicated to giving you the best alterations and tailoring you will find. We have over
40 years of experience in fine custom sewing and alteration of bridal gowns, prom dresses,
men’s suits, as well as a host of other clothier services.
http://labellabridalboutique.com/