As the temperatures get a tiny bit cooler and we spend our down time thinking about our sweater collections, Im reminded that though summer is winding down, wedding season is not.
Fall weddings are extremely popular. June weddings used to reign supreme, but move over because October is climbing to the top of the wedding cake in a burst of burgundy flowers with gold accents.
All that popular fall foliage means that our alterations department is still operating in high-gear, and it makes it a perfect time to give brides a few pointers for alterations.
I think the best way for our brides to have a great experience in alterations is to be up front, and give them as much information as possible. I mean when was the last time you had a piece of clothing altered? More importantly, when was the last time you wore clothing that didnt stretch? Your jeans, to be fair, probably arent jeans.
Trust the Process
So what is important to know when you come here for alterations? Perfection takes time. That means it takes our seamstresses a long time to sew the gowns, and that it takes multiple fittings to get the gown where it needs to be. Every bride is different and every dress is different, but on average brides can expect 3 to 4 fittings.
That can seem like a lot, and its easy to get frustrated after 2 fittings. We understand. Again, its unfamiliar territory. But a wedding gown is practically a living, breathing thing. Every adjustment that is made to it can make another adjustment necessary. A tweak here necessitates a tuck there.
All this nipping and tucking is really an elaborate bridal version of a trust fall. We put you up there on a pedestal in your gorgeous gown and ask you to essentially lean back into our open arms. We ask you to trust us because what doesn't fit perfectly in one fitting, will in the next. Also, we have decades of experience and loads of talent to earn that trust.
Ask Questions
Of course we also want you to question us. Having gone through alterations here myself and watching hundreds of brides do the same, my advice is to ask questions. The best way to learn about an unfamiliar process is to ask about it.
And ask about it during the fitting.
We get a fair amount of phone calls with questions that take place long after the fitting. Sure, sometimes things pop into your head later as your replaying all your wedding details in your head for the millionth time, so by all means, call. But dont be afraid to speak up during the actual fitting. Its so much easier to address your wedding dress when youre actually standing in it.
Budget that Money, Honey
Alterations are expensive. Its a cold hard fact. Alterations can cost upwards of $700 or more based on the dress style and other factors. Thats a lot of money, but its because alterations are a lot of work.
Finding seamstresses who can work with these elaborate gowns is not easy. Whether you choose to have your gown altered here, or somewhere else, make sure to budget for it.
I often wish that I could show brides how hard our seamstresses work. I wish I could show them exactly what it takes to sew a hem or move a zipper. These are things that dont magically happen. They come by way of painstaking and precise work.
And they ensure that your wedding dress will fit better than any piece of clothing you have ever worn in your entire life. So to save yourself from sticker shock, budget high for your alterations, and feel free to research other options. We provide alterations as a service, but no one is obligated to get their gown altered here. You might know a friend of a friend or you might want someone closer to home or to work.
Its important to budget your time too and pick the option that works best for you as you get busier and busier with planning.
If you keep all of these things in mind, you are sure to have a smooth alterations experience no matter where you go. That means happy brides, and that's basically what we live for.