Sarees are gorgeous garments from the Indian subcontinent which can be worn for everyday activities or special events. During an Indian wedding, the bride typically wears a saree with extra embellishments and other garments that accentuate the dress. Since there are so many important parts of this wedding attire, it’s important for brides to get saree dress alterations before their big day.
Styling the Bride’s Saree
Indian bridal attire is intricate, which adds to its charm. For weddings, sarees are most commonly worn, which includes a long fabric draped around the body that’s typically made of cotton or silk. Sometimes, Indian brides choose to wear a lehenga instead, which is a flared, ankle-length skirt typically paired with a fitted blouse called a choli and a draped scarf called a dupatta.
There are ways to wear a lehenga, choli, and/or dupatta with a saree, but it’s up to the bride to decide how to style her bridal gown. Most brides choose red for their wedding sarees, but other popular colors include gold, green, and white. The color and details of the outfit may vary based on the bride’s culture, location, and ethnicity.
Types of Saree Dress Alterations
It’s no surprise that the attire at Indian weddings is stunning, but like any bridal clothing, your garments should fit perfectly to look best on your big day. Below are a few alteration types you might need to get for your saree or other bridal garments.
Adjusting the Saree Length and Fit
It’s always a good idea to try your outfit on a few months before the wedding to ensure everything fits as it’s supposed to. Even though a saree is one large piece of fabric, it’s important that it drapes correctly over your body. If anything looks or feels off when you’re trying it on, contact a tailor for saree dress alterations.
Wedding saree alterations could include adjusting the length or hem to make it fit better and appear differently. Certain parts of the saree are woven with thicker densities to help it drape properly. If the tailor has experience working on sarees, they can look at how it fits and offer their advice on how to alter it to make it look perfect.
Adding or Fixing Embellishments
Sarees, especially those worn by brides, typically have embellishments to add to their beauty. They might have embroidery, sequins, and beads to give them a unique design. Tailors can either add new embellishments or repair any that have ripped or fallen off.
These add-ons look beautiful, but they can be delicate. So, if you have intricate alteration needs, make sure you find a tailor who has experience with dainty garments and complex patterns. Once they’re done adding those finishing touches, the saree should look like it was made for you.
Repairing Damage
Since sarees are often made with delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, and georgette, they could snag, tear, or fray with rough handling. Even the most careful brides could find damage on their bridal garments before their big day.
If you notice any rips, contact a tailor for professional repairs. Knowledgeable tailors can fix delicate materials and get them looking good as new. Many tailors even offer same day services for small alterations like that. With these repairs, no one will even notice your saree was damaged by the time of your wedding ceremony.
Lehenga Alterations
Since the lehenga is the long skirt part of the outfit, length is the most important consideration. Some brides prefer floor-length lehengas while others want them to rest near their ankles. If your lehenga length doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, you can have a tailor hem it to the desired length.
If the lehenga doesn’t fit quite right in other areas, such as around the waist, tailors can make those adjustments too. Increasing or decreasing the waist on a lehenga can ensure it doesn’t fall off or restrict movement. After all, it’s important to have properly fitting clothes so you can comfortably dance at the reception.
Choli Alterations
A choli is the upper garment, so it needs to fit right to ensure comfort and an elegant appearance. You can adjust it a size or two to make it tighter or looser, depending on what you need. You can also alter the cup sizes. If a choli doesn’t fit perfectly, it could make movements uncomfortable. You should be able to move freely during your wedding, so every part of your attire should be the ideal size.
Dupatta Alterations
While a dupatta doesn’t require as precise of a fit as a saree, lehenga, and choli, it still may need alterations. This scarf-like garment may need repairs and adjustments to the lace, embroidery, and other embellishments. If it doesn’t look quite right with your other garments, consider adjusting the length.
With proper alterations, every aspect of your bridal saree will look flawless on your wedding day.
Can You Get Same Day Alterations for a Saree?
If you experience any last-minute issues with your saree, there’s no need to panic. Many tailors offer same day alterations, depending on the repair needs. If you need minor adjustments shortly before your wedding, such as a tear in the fabric or slight hemming, contact your local tailor to find out how quickly they can get it done.
An experienced tailor knows how important big events like weddings are. So, many offer same day services to ensure your saree is ready as soon as possible to reduce the stress associated with weddings.
Book an Appointment for Wedding Saree Alterations
A bride’s saree is special and unlike the wedding attire of other cultures. So, if you need to get saree dress alterations, it’s important to go to a tailor who has experience handling the delicate fabrics of sarees, lehengas, cholis, and dupattas.
At Memorial Tailors, we specialize in wedding garments, handling every clothing item with care. We have worked with lots of sensitive materials, so you can trust us to take good care of your saree during alterations. If you live near Houston, book an appointment with us today to ensure your bridal attire is in the best shape possible for your big day.