Weddings are all about the bride. The bride is all about the dress. The dress is all about the perfect fit!
Unfortunately, brides hear all kinds of misinformation about wedding dress alterations that can add stress and confusion—and sometimes even unnecessary cost. In this blog, we share seven common myths and set the record straight with the facts, plus a few helpful tips.
Myth 1: The dress you choose should fit to a T
Fact: No wedding dress, no matter how expensive, is expected to fit perfectly off the rack. It needs alterations to show off the bride in her most radiant way.
When planning a wedding, make sure to save time and budget for dress alterations (and, if desired, alterations of wedding party dresses). Wedding dress alterations can cost as much as $600 to $1,000, depending on the dress and alterations needing to be done.
Myth 2: Be spontaneous. There will be plenty of wedding dress choices a month or so before the wedding.
Fact: A wedding dress is something you don’t want to leave to chance. We recommend this alteration timetable: Purchase your gown at least six to eight months before the wedding. Start alterations two to three months before the wedding. Bring in bridesmaids and mothers two months out. Make final alterations about one month out.
Myth 3: Buy the dress a little small. It will motivate you to slim down.
Fact: Buy the dress to fit the size of your largest measurement (bust, hips, etc.). In general, it’s easier (and cheaper) to take in a dress than to let it out. And it’s better to be your natural weight and not add the stress of a diet to an already stressful planning time.
Myth 4: Any good seamstress can alter a wedding dress.
Fact: Altering a wedding dress is different from everyday tailoring. The fabrics are more delicate and there are typically more details to work around, from sequins and beads to built-in bras and bustle hardware. You’ll be happier with the outcome from someone who specializes in wedding alterations. Check out online comments from past customers before making a selection. And, make sure the work is done onsite, not farmed out.
Myth 5: One fitting should do.
Fact: We offer two fittings. At the first fitting, we’ll start with hemming and sculpting. The second fitting, a few weeks before the wedding, will confirm that the changes work and show us if final tweaks are needed. Remember to bring your wedding shoes, undergarments and accessories to all fittings so the dress is altered accordingly.
Myth 6: A gown hung in a closet for months is ready to wear.
Fact: Last-minute cleaning and pressing are essential. At Oceanside, we often do final steaming, pressing—and even last-minute alterations—right before the wedding to make sure the gown fits and drapes beautifully when you put it on at the wedding site.
Myth 7: The other members of the bridal party are on their own.
Fact: The entire bridal party reflects positively on the bride when dresses are beautifully fitted, cleaned and pressed. We recommend bridesmaids get their dresses fitted two months before the wedding. We can then clean their dresses and deliver them to the wedding site at the same time we deliver the bridal gown.
Mothers of the bride and groom may have their own tailors they prefer using, but you can offer yours as a convenient option.
Plan ahead for peace of mind
Make it a priority early on in your wedding planning to find a tailor you trust and schedule all the fittings and cleaning so everything is on the calendar and you have one less thing to worry about. A good tailor will alter the gown so you feel beautiful, confident and relaxed—both before and on your wedding day. Then your focus can be on enjoying and remembering the moment!