Fit is everything… Therefore when it comes to a wedding dress, alteration is everything. After all, your wedding day is the only day you can show off that gorgeous dress you’ve spent months looking for. On your special day, the last thing you need is to deal with wardrobe malfunctions.
Every wedding dress needs some alteration to make it fit perfectly. “You can splurge on a pricey dress, but if it’s not altered properly it won’t look any better than a gown that’s a tenth of the cost,” says Terry Hall, former fashion director of New York City’s Kleinfeld Bridal Manhattan.
Dress alterations are essential, budget accordingly – expect to spend $150-$1,500 depending on necessary alterations. The whole process can be done in two or three fitting sessions, with the first lasting up to an hour. At Rose N Silk, we offer expert wedding dress alterations services that ensure seamless results at affordable prices.
Types of Wedding Dress Alterations
Basic Hemming
Simple wedding dress alterations start with the hemming the length, adjusting the sides of the skirt and improving the fit of the dress. These basic modifications are essential to make your wedding dress look its best. “Every wedding dress needs a alterations,” says Tina Zimmerman, director of alterations at Kleinfeld. “The alteration ensures that the bride’s wedding dress fits perfectly, meets all her specifications and, most importantly, makes her feel as beautiful as possible.”
A fitted dress should support and shape the bust, accentuate and complement the body shape, and be long enough to cover shoes, but not so long that the skirt becomes a tripping hazard.
Adding Details
If there is enough time and budget available, more significant changes can be made, albeit at a higher cost. Alterations includes adding details such as straps, sleeves, hem lengths, lace, beading, buttons, and a bustle. “Gowns do not come with a bustle,” says Zimmerman. During the alterations process, bustle were made and sewn to the wedding dress “to prevent the train from being dragged behind the bride as she danced at the reception.”
When shopping for a wedding dress, consider the alterations you need and factor the cost into your dress budget.
