I try to pin whatever way is possible to give the client the option. For bustles, different gowns bustle better different ways depending on the cut. She unfortunately had to make a choice, don’t sit at my wedding or enjoy my wedding. I pinned the gown in to her desired amount and she loved it! Then I asked her to sit. I explained she had to be careful not to go too tight, but she was determined. For instance, I recently had a bride who wanted the thigh of her gown pulled in tight. I try to walk a bride through and explain when she is asking for something to be done. SH: Communication! Our expertise is alterations, not mind reading. RB: Being that it is usually a foreign territory for someone entering the process, what is key for a good relationship between their alteration person and the bride? Also, you may want to ask for an estimated cost up front so you are not surprised at the end. All of these items are important because if I have to do something twice (like a hem or bustle) it’s not only extra time for me but extra money for the client. I expect a Bride to arrive with her gown, her shoes (if not the actual wedding shoe, then the exact heel height), and any undergarment she intends to wear. It’s important for both you and the alterations person to be thorough. SH: Always ask what you should bring so you will be prepared.

RB: What should a bride ask when setting up her first alteration appointment? Sherry, from Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists in Holland, MI has 30 years of experience altering wedding gowns. They know their business and can be trusted with a bride’s gown and exceptional profile. I’ve reached out to two seamstresses that I know and trust to get their input. Your dress and your day deserves better than simply hoping for the best. You put your trust in someone you don’t even know and hope for the best. Most people getting their gown altered don’t have sewing or tailoring experience so the process can be somewhat intimidating. A beautiful dress is only a work of art when it fits correctly. I also have seen botched jobs that made me want to cry. I get photos of brides who wore my gowns almost daily and over the years I have seen some outstanding tailoring. You want your stunning gown to fit amazingly on your perfect day. And this is not a time to make a mistake. All “alterations people” are not created equally. Some simply hand you your gown with a list of local alterations people. Some that don’t offer the service themselves will conduct fittings for you with an out-of-house alteration person. Then what? You run to the store (when they can schedule you in) and try it on. Then, one day the phone rings and your sales consultant on the other end says, “Your gown just arrived!” You do a little dance. You buy that fabulous dress and wait (and wait…) for it to arrive. All these things s hould grab you…but often the last thing on your mind is the alterations your gown will likely need. The excitement of shopping for your gown, the anticipation of wearing it on that special day, the dreams and fantasies of your life ahead grab you. There’s nothing quite like knowing you and your dress –like you and your marriage partner – look fantastic together.

It’s worth it, but read on to make sure you are making the most of your dream purchase. In the real world, for real women, the first time you usually drop some real bucks on a garment is when you are getting married. Hormones change as you get older, those visits to McDonalds may have reached critical mass, or your body simply got better acquainted with gravity.

That, of course, was before you became a full-blown woman and your body decided to change directions, before your bottom became a different size from your top or your boobs went on a separate journey from the rest of your body. Like we all did that as children, right? Come on, how many of us experience anything remotely close to Paris runways and perfect fitting fashion? Sure, you may have had a fitting on your prom gown…or maybe that dress fit nicely because you were young, beautiful, and could wear a perfect size 4, 6 or 10. She spoke about it as if it were the most normal childhood experience ever. I remember reading an interview where a very famous designer spoke about childhood trips to Paris with her mother to view the season’s fashion shows and for her mom to have fittings on a new wardrobe. Do your homework and shine on your wedding day. Not just anyone with a sewing machine and tape measure can make you and your wedding gown look great together.

Nip and tuck dance mom