Planning a wedding is no small feat, with numerous decisions to be made and details to consider. Among the most important of these decisions is choosing the perfect wedding dress. Once you’ve found your dream gown, the next step is ensuring it fits you like a glove. Alterations are key to achieving the flawless fit you envision for your wedding day. However, the question often arises: How many months in advance should you get your wedding dress altered? It depends on several factors, including the complexity of the alterations, the time it takes for the dress to be ordered and delivered, and your personal schedule.
Understanding Wedding Dress Alterations
Before delving into the ideal timeline for getting your wedding dress altered, it’s important to understand the nature of wedding dress alterations. Alterations are the adjustments made to the gown to ensure it fits you perfectly. These modifications can involve:
Hemming: Adjusting the length of the gown.
Taking in or letting out seams: Ensuring the dress fits your body’s measurements.
Adding or removing straps: Modifying the dress’s neckline or strap design.
Bustle: Creating a bustle for the train so you can move easily during your reception.
Altering details: Changing or customizing embellishments like lace, beading, or buttons.
Each wedding dress is unique, and the amount of alteration required can vary significantly depending on your body type, the dress’s design, and your personal preferences. A dress that fits off the rack may need minimal alterations, while a custom gown may require more extensive changes.
When Should You Start Alterations?
As a general rule, you should begin your wedding dress alterations at least 2 to 3 months before your wedding day. This allows ample time for fittings, adjustments, and any unforeseen delays. Alterations often require multiple fittings, as the tailor or seamstress will need to ensure that the dress fits perfectly with each adjustment made.
In addition to the fittings, you also need to factor in the time required for delivery, any necessary customizations, and potential scheduling conflicts. Let’s break this down further.
Factors Affecting the Alteration Timeline
When You Order Your Dress
The timing of your alterations is highly influenced by when you order your wedding dress. Wedding gowns are typically ordered 6 to 12 months in advance, depending on the designer and store. This allows time for the dress to be made, shipped, and delivered to the store. Some bridal boutiques may offer rush orders for an additional fee if you have less time before your wedding, but this should be an exception, not the norm.
If you purchase a gown off the rack or from a sample sale, you might need fewer alterations or need to start the alteration process sooner.
Complexity of Alterations
The complexity of your dress’s alterations will also impact when you should start the process. For simple adjustments like hemming or taking in the seams, a few fittings may be all that’s needed. However, for more complex alterations, such as a custom bustle or changes to the dress’s structure, it’s best to begin early. A highly intricate alteration can take several weeks to complete, and it may require more than one fitting to get it right.
Scheduling Availability
Bridal seamstresses and alteration specialists can get busy, especially during peak wedding season (typically spring and summer). If you are planning your wedding during these months, it’s wise to book your alteration appointments well in advance. Waiting until the last minute may result in scheduling conflicts or limited availability with the best alteration professionals.
Your Body Changes
One of the most common concerns brides have when it comes to alterations is their body’s changes leading up to the wedding. Some brides lose weight, while others gain weight or experience changes in muscle tone. Ideally, you want to be at or near your final weight and measurements before you begin alterations. If you’re planning on making significant lifestyle changes, it’s wise to wait until the closer to the wedding day to begin alterations to ensure they fit you perfectly on the big day.
Final Fitting Timeline
Once your dress has been altered, you’ll need a final fitting to ensure everything looks just as it should. This final fitting is typically scheduled 2 to 4 weeks before your wedding. At this point, your dress should fit you like a glove, with any minor tweaks being made during the final fitting. Be sure to wear the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on the day of your wedding, as these can impact how the dress fits.
Suggested Wedding Dress Alteration Timeline
Let’s break down a suggested timeline based on a wedding that is set for 6 months or more in the future:
6-9 Months Before Your Wedding
Order Your Dress: This is when you’ll need to select your gown and place your order. Ensure that you order the gown well in advance to allow time for alterations.
Determine Your Alteration Needs: Once the dress arrives, consult with a tailor to assess what alterations will be needed. If the dress is purchased off the rack, the alterations may be minimal, but custom gowns or gowns purchased from sample sales might require more extensive changes.
3-4 Months Before Your Wedding
Schedule Your First Fitting: This is typically the earliest you’ll want to begin alterations. At your first fitting, your seamstress will assess the fit of the dress and take initial measurements for adjustments.
Begin Initial Alterations: This might include taking in or letting out seams, adjusting the length of the dress, or adding minor modifications.
2 Months Before Your Wedding
Second Fitting: A second fitting should take place about 1 to 2 months before the wedding. At this point, more adjustments may be made, including adding bustles, adjusting the hemline, or refining the fit.
Work on Complex Alterations: If your gown requires more detailed changes, like the addition of beading, lace, or other custom touches, this is when those alterations should be underway.
4 Weeks Before Your Wedding
Final Fitting: By this time, the dress should be nearly complete. This fitting will ensure that everything fits perfectly, and any final tweaks can be made.
Wear Wedding Shoes and Undergarments: It’s essential to wear your wedding shoes and undergarments to the final fitting to ensure the dress is tailored to the exact look and fit you desire.
One Week Before the Wedding
Pick Up Your Dress: After the final fitting, your dress should be ready for pickup. Take it home carefully, and store it in a cool, dry place to avoid wrinkles or damage.
Emergency Alterations: What to Do if You’re Running Late
If you find yourself running short on time due to delays in ordering the dress or other factors, you still have options. Some alteration professionals offer expedited services, though these typically come with an additional cost. Be prepared to pay extra if you need rush alterations, and understand that your options may be more limited as far as fitting times and availability.
In cases where you have very little time, be sure to communicate with your bridal salon or seamstress as soon as possible. They may be able to fit you in during their busiest times, or they may have suggestions for other experts who can help you in time.
Conclusion
Getting your wedding dress altered is a critical step in ensuring that your gown fits you perfectly on your big day. As a general rule, it’s best to begin alterations 2 to 3 months before your wedding to ensure you have enough time for fittings, adjustments, and any unforeseen complications. Keep in mind that alterations can be complex, especially if your gown requires custom changes or if your body is still undergoing adjustments.
By following this timeline, staying proactive about scheduling fittings, and giving yourself enough time for alterations, you’ll be able to enjoy your wedding day in a dress that feels custom-made for you.
