One of the most important things for you to do is to find a professional seamstress who's expertise is bridal gowns, this should be done when you purchase the dress. The alterations can be done closer to the wedding. Be prepared to drive a longer distance to get the professional you desire, need, and feel comfortable with. A good seamstress will know how the dress should fit and how to make proper adjustments.
For referrals ask:
- Place you purchased the dress for a list
- Friends
- Friends mothers
- Co-workers
- Your church
- internet:
Some questions you might want to ask:
- How long have they been alterating wedding dresses?
- Does she/he do the work themselves or do they hire someone else?
- Do they guarentee their work?
- Do they work out of their home or place of business?
- Ask prices
You may need to make an appointment for an exact price, but this way you can talk to the seamstress to and find out if you are comfortable with her/him doing your dress. Most seamstresses do not charge for this appointment but ask to make sure.
Wedding gowns are an essential element to all brides on there wedding day. However, wedding gowns need to be comfortable and express the personality of the bride. Most importately they need to fit properly. Ready made wedding gowns often require custom alterations by a professional.
Items needed for the fitting appointment:
- shoes - must be comfortable for standing and walking
- petticoat - if desired (personal choice to compliment the wedding gown)
- undergarments - if desired (fitted by a professional; enhances your wedding dress and feels comfortable)
When calling the seamstress the following infomation may be beneficial:
- the wedding date
- the portrait date
- weight loss or not
- if size changes during monthly cycle
Possible alterations to wedding gowns
- sides - let out or take in
- shoulders - take up
- straps - take up or redesign
- hem - from joining area or bottom
- bustle - this is where the train is brought up and attached to the back of the wedding dress so that it is one length all around, there are several different bustles to suit the bride.
Sometimes modifing the dress to better suit the brides personality.
Alterations that can be done on bridesmaids, flower girls and mother of the brides dresses:
- sides - let out or take in
- shoulders - take up
- straps - take up or redesign
- hem - from joining area or bottom
- front side seams
- back zipper
For the hemming of the bridesmaids' dresses, the bride should attend the fitting. It is usually the bride's choice on the length of the dress. This is something that bride should consider and tell her attendants about. The seamstress may be helpful by showing the bride different lengths to be considered. The time of day should be a consideration.
About a month before the wedding you need to start preparing your basket of needed items:
- safety pins
- babywipes
- liquid shout
- white washclothes
- 1 white towel
- ziplock bags
- q-tips
- thread
- needles
- extra pair of nylons for each (if wearing)
- dress shields
- non smear deoderant
- facial makeup
- double sided tape
- crochet hooks
- needle nose pliers
- large bed sheet
- hand steamer (if wanted)
