Wedding Dress Fitting Guide
You’ve said yes to the dress. The wedding dress has arrived at the boutique, you’ve tried it on, and it looks beautiful.
But between collection day and your big wedding, you are likely to need the hand of a talented seamstress to make sure everything fits perfectly.
Wedding dress fittings are the bit of the bridal journey that happens quietly in the background, but they’re what transform a beautiful dress into your special dress.
This guide covers what to expect at each fitting, how many appointments you’ll need, what alterations typically involve, and how to make sure everything is perfect for your big day.
Why Bridal Alterations Are Essential for a Flattering Wedding Gown – By a Wedding Dress Boutique in Glasgow
Wedding dresses are made in standard sizes.
Even a gown ordered in your size won’t fit exactly right out of the box. This is because standard bridal sizing is a starting point rather than a finished product.
Designer dresses are cut to manufacturer specifications, and those specifications rarely match the exact measurements of a specific body.
Professional bridal alterations adjust the gown so it fits flawlessly.
The hem is brought up or down to match your wedding shoes. The bodice is taken in or let out to sit smoothly against your body. Straps are shortened, necklines are adjusted, and bustles are added so you can move freely after the ceremony.
Great alterations transform your dress into one that fits you perfectly and makes you feel your best.
Every Bijoux Bridal dress comes with access to our in-house wedding dress alterations service, so your dream dress moves from off-the-rack to made-for-you without leaving the boutique.
Here is everything you need to know about wedding dress fittings.
How Many Wedding Dress Fitting Appointments Will You Need?
Most brides need two or three fitting appointments between the dress arriving at the shop and collecting it before the wedding.
The exact number depends on how much alteration work is needed, how delicate the fabric is, and whether your measurements change between bridal fittings.
First Fitting
Your first fitting usually happens six to twelve weeks before the wedding.
The dress is tried on with the wedding shoes you plan to wear and the undergarments you’ll have on the day.
It is important to wear the same bras and shapewear as your big day because they can completely change how the bodice sits.
Your seamstress pins the alterations while you stand on a small platform in front of a mirror, marking where the hem needs to come up, where the bodice needs taking in, and where any other adjustments are required.
First fittings can take an hour or more.
You’ll be standing still while the bridal seamstress works.
Make sure to have a drink nearby and a snack beforehand so you are well-prepared for the process.
Second Fitting
The second fitting is typically two to six weeks before the wedding, once the major alterations have been made.
You’ll try the dress on again and check how the changes have come out. Small adjustments might be pinned and completed before collection, but most of the heavy work is done by this point.
Some brides only need one fitting after the initial alteration work.
This may be the case if the dress fit well from the start and the changes were easy to make.
Others need a third fitting for more complex alterations or if the dress needs further adjustment.
Final Fitting
The final fitting (if needed!) is usually one to two weeks before the wedding.
This is when you confirm that everything is perfect.
The dress fits flawlessly, the bustle works, the length is right with your shoes, and nothing feels tight, loose, or uncomfortable.
You also learn how to do the bustle yourself (or teach whoever’s helping you), because bustling the dress properly on the day is easier if you’ve practised.
At the final fitting, your dress is packaged so you can take your dress home.
This is the moment where the alteration process is complete and the wedding gown is ready for your wedding day.
Our stylists will talk you through caring for the dress until the big day so it arrives in perfect condition.
Different Bridal Alterations
Bridal dresses are complex, and there are various features that need to be altered.
It may only need a simple hemming to adjust it to the correct height. Another common alteration is within the bodice to ensure the dress sits correctly.
Otherwise corsets, bustles, necklines, and sleeves can all be altered to ensure the perfect fit.
Getting the Perfect Fit and Perfect Dress for Your Wedding Dress Fittings
A few things that make the difference between a dress that fits well and one that fits you perfectly.
Bright the Right Shoes
Your wedding shoes (or shoes the same height as the ones you’ll wear) need to be at every fitting.
Hem length is based on the shoe height, and a last-minute shoe change means a last-minute hem change.
Wear the Right Undergarments
The bra, shapewear, and knickers you plan to wear on the day should be worn at every fitting.
Switching underwear between fittings changes how the bodice sits.
Don’t Try to Lose Weight Between Fittings
Major weight changes after the first fitting mean the dress has to be refitted, which adds time and cost.
If you’re planning to change your body shape, do it before ordering the dress, not after.
Eat and Hydrate Beforehand
Standing still while someone pins a dress is more draining than it sounds.
A proper meal and water before your appointment keep you feeling good.
Bring Someone to the Final Fitting
Whoever will help you with the bustle and dressing on the day should come to the final fitting to learn how everything works.
Speak Up
If something feels wrong (too tight, too loose, itchy, rubbing), tell your seamstress.
They can only fix what they know about, and small discomforts at a fitting become big ones after eight hours on your wedding day.
Why In-House Bridal Shop Alterations Matter for Your Dream Dress
Some bridal boutiques don’t offer alterations and refer brides to outside seamstresses. Others work with experienced bridal seamstresses who’ve worked on thousands of gowns from the designers they stock.
At Bijoux Bridal, our bridal seamstresses work on-site.
They know the designers, the fabrics, and the construction methods because they see them every day.
A reliable seamstress who specialises in wedding dress alteration is a different proposition from a tailor who occasionally works on bridal gowns, and the results show in the final fit.
Trust Bijoux Bridal for a seamless bridal shop and alteration service. Our team is here to help you find the perfect wedding dress.
If you’re ready to start your bridal journey, book your appointment today or call us on 01698 200122.
Wedding Dress Fitting FAQs
When should my first wedding dress fitting be?
Typically six to twelve weeks before the wedding. Your bridal consultant will book the first fitting once the dress has arrived and you’ve confirmed your wedding date. Starting earlier gives time for multiple fittings if needed.
How long does a wedding dress fitting take?
First fittings usually run 60 to 90 minutes because the seamstress is pinning adjustments from scratch. Second and final fittings tend to be shorter, around 30 to 45 minutes, as the major work has already been done.
What if the dress still doesn’t feel right after alterations?
Speak up before collection. A good bridal shop will make further adjustments if the dress doesn’t fit flawlessly by the final fitting. Leave yourself time to go back if needed rather than waiting until a day or two before the wedding.
Can I customise my dress during alterations?
Yes. Adding sleeves, changing the neckline, converting a zip to a corset, adjusting the train length, and other customisation options are all possible depending on the dress. Ask your bridal consultant what can be done during the initial consultation so you know what’s realistic.
