What To Expect During a Wedding Dress Fitting
You're only a few months out from your wedding day. You have the venue booked, the invitations sent out, the flowers chosen. Now it's time for the final step before you say your vows: fitting your wedding dress.
A wedding dress fitting is an appointment you make with your chosen bridal boutique or designer to try on your wedding dress. It's a chance to see your dream gown come to life on your body, as well as make any necessary alterations so the dress fits perfectly on your big day. If you're a bride-to-be preparing for your wedding dress fitting, here's what you can expect during the appointment.
Scheduling Your Fitting
Most bridal salons recommend scheduling your wedding dress fitting at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding day. This gives the seamstress enough time to make any alterations, so your dress is ready on time.
It’s important to remember that when you order a dress from Justin Alexander, it’s made based on a size chart rather than being custom-made to measure. This means some alterations will always be needed to achieve the perfect fit. In certain cases, a bride may require more than one fitting, especially if significant adjustments or multiple alterations are necessary. To allow ample time for any additional fittings, it’s a good idea to schedule your first fitting as early as possible.
Who To Bring
You want to bring the right people with you to your wedding dress fitting. This typically includes your maid of honor and/or mother, as they can help with decision-making and provide emotional support. You may also want to bring a trusted friend or family member who knows your style and can give honest feedback.
But try to keep the group small. If you're being bombarded on all sides with different opinions, it can make it harder for you to make decisions on alterations and can add unnecessary stress to the process.
What To Wear
On the day of your fitting, wear or bring the undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day, such as a strapless bra and shapewear. This will give you a more realistic idea of how the dress will fit on your big day.
You should also bring the shoes you plan to wear during the wedding ceremony and reception. This is especially important if you plan on wearing heels, as it can affect the length of your dress and how it falls on your body.
The Alterations Process
One thing to expect during your wedding dress fitting appointment is a lot of measuring and re-measuring. During the appointment, the seamstress will take note of your proportions and fit the dress to your body. They may also make any necessary alterations such as hemming, adjusting straps, or taking in or letting out certain areas of the dress.
At this time, it’s important to communicate any concerns or changes you’d like to see in the dress. Your seamstress will fit your dress beautifully, to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your gown for your big day.
Final Fitting
After the seamstress completes the alterations, you'll have a final fitting appointment to try on the dress and make sure everything fits perfectly. This is also a great opportunity to practice moving in your dress, such as sitting down, walking, and dancing.
If there are any last-minute changes or adjustments needed, this is the time to address them. Just like your first appointment, you should wear your wedding day undergarments and shoes during this final fitting so you can see how the dress will look and feel on your big day.
Additional Tips for a Successful Fitting
A wedding dress fitting can be stressful and time-consuming. Don't let it overwhelm you and remember to enjoy the process. Here are some additional tips to help make your fitting experience as smooth as possible.
- Be sure to eat and hydrate before your fitting appointment so you have enough energy and can accurately gauge how the dress feels on your body.
- Bring along any accessories or jewelry you plan to wear with your dress, such as a veil or hairpiece, so you can see the full bridal look during your fitting.
- Don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't feel right or needs adjustments. The seamstress is there to make sure the dress fits perfectly for you.
- Trust the professionals. They have years of experience and expertise in bridal alterations, so listen to their advice and suggestions.
- Take photos during each fitting appointment so you can see the progress and have a reference for any changes or adjustments made.
A wedding dress fitting can be nerve-wracking, but it's all part of the process of finding your dream gown. Be open and honest with the seamstress about any concerns or changes you'd like to see and trust their expertise. If you tell them what you want and communicate clearly, they'll work their magic to make sure you look and feel amazing on your wedding day.
After the Fitting
After your final fitting, take good care of your wedding dress until the big day. Hang it in a safe and dry place, away from direct sunlight or any potential hazards that could damage the fabric.
Also, be prepared for some minor touch-ups on the day of your wedding. It's normal for dresses to slightly shift during transportation and movement, so have someone on hand who can quickly fix any small issues that may arise.
Remember to also budget for steaming or pressing services, as most bridal salons won’t include this in their alterations package.
The wedding dress fitting is one of the last things you need to do before you walk down the aisle. At this stage of the wedding planning process, you’ll probably be eager for the planning process to end, so you can just relax and enjoy the weeks leading up to your big day. But don't forget to take a step back and appreciate this special moment of seeing yourself in your dream dress. This is all part of the journey towards becoming a bride, so try to savor every moment!
Of course, before you start the process of fitting your dress, you need to find your dream gown! Visit Adore by Justin Alexander to view a variety of styles to create your unique bridal look.
Once you have found a style that you would like to try, you can locate authorized retailers all around the world by searching the ‘Find a Retailer’ page on our website. Our fitted wedding gowns come in a range of sizes and designs, so you can find a dress that's almost perfect from the get-go. Finding a dress that suits your body shape and silhouette and ordering your gown in the correct size to begin with will make the whole final fitting process seamless and stress-free.
