You said yes to the Dream Dress! it yours, but does it FIT?
Did you know Most gowns need some sort of alteration? whether you need a simple hook to be moved or an intricate BUSTLE, you will need some sort of alterations. The most important thing to keep in mind is, the more labor intensive the request, the more time and money you should allow for the process of creating your dream dress. With the help of a professional Tailor, you’ll be ready for your wedding day with a gown that fits you body regardless of the shape you are in.
When to make your initial consultation and fitting?
A Bridal gown is complex in its construction, therefore performing alterations on them takes time, that is if you need your alterations right. At Memorial Tailors we recommend to consult with us on a plan of attack, if done too early (You may lose or gain weight after your gown is altered, which could affect the dress’s overall look and fit.) Bring your gown in too late, and you run the risk of not allowing enough time to let Our Tailors work their magic. We recommend allowing one to two months from your first fitting to your last as an ideal timeline to make all the alterations. That doesn’t mean we can’t perform miracles and get your emergency alterations done in less that 24 hours if needed. Now, that has a rush fee which is very reasonable, considering the emergency.
Also keep in mind that the amount of times you need to go for fittings depends on how much you’re getting done to the gown—on average, most brides go for two or three fittings.
Where to Go for Alterations?
Obviously If you purchased your gown at a Bridal store in Houston, we would love for you to use our alteration services. but if you live outside a drivable distance from us, you can most likely get alterations done at the store, but that could complicated if you live far from the store. We recommend using our services if you are in Houston, we have two amazing locations. search google or yelp for the best tailors that can work on wedding gowns. The Bridal store you purchased your gown from, may be able to have some recommendations—they’ll likely be able to point you toward a great pro. And remember this isn’t a job for your local dry cleaner or inexperienced Tailors, unless they know the intricacies of formal evening wear. Wedding gowns have so many complex details—boning, hems, beads crystals, sequence, bustles and so on— it’s best to find a professional who’s seen and worked on such gown components in the past. Look for awesome and recent reviews.
What to Bring on your first fitting consultation?
When you have found the Tailor and made your appointment online, bring more than just your gown (just like you did to go wedding dress shopping)—take your undergarments, shoes and accessories to fittings as well. With all of the pieces in place, it’ll be easier to envision your overall wedding day look. Your undergarments and shoes will ensure the proper fit and length of your gown, and your hair accessories or veil will help you maintain the right overall balance. If you don’t have the exact shoe you’ll be wearing, bring something similar in height.
Who should accompany You to your appointment?
While you might have legions of bridesmaids, it’s not a good idea to bring everyone to your fittings, unless we want to make it a Bridal Party, which some Tailors offer, we do at Montrose Tailors, but you’ll definitely want someone to come with you. Consider inviting your mom, another trusted relative or friend to accompany you to your fittings for their reliable opinion and another set of eyes. And because your maid of honor will need to know how to do the bustle, it’s a good idea to bring her to your last fitting so she can learn how your gown works from the pro.
What to Expect from your Tailor?
Whether you found your gown at a couture salon or a bridal sample sale, the options for alterations are nearly endless. Many Tailors who have worked on bridal gowns are used to reworking fabrics and opening up hems, and can practically redesign a dress. This is particularly common when a bride wants to modernize her mother’s gown—a seamstress can use the same fabric but create an updated style.
Still searching for your perfect wedding dress? Shop at our preferred list of Bridal boutiques in Houston- Austin
Missora Bridal
Unbridaled
Venturas Bridal
BrickHouse Bridal
Mia Bridal
Beholdn
Modern Affinity Bridal
