Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dress alterations are an important part of the bridal journey, with most dresses requiring some form of adjustment. One of the most common changes is the hem length, which can be altered to accommodate different shoe choices. For example, a bride may choose to wear heels for the ceremony and photos, and then switch to flats for the reception and dancing. This can pose a challenge as the dress may become too long, requiring further alterations. To avoid this, it is recommended to bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fittings so that your seamstress can ensure the hem is the correct length.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average number of fittings | 3-4 |
| First fitting | Review what needs to be tailored and modified |
| Second fitting | Adjust the bodice and start working on the hem |
| Third fitting | Finalize everything |
| Fourth fitting | Try the dress on one last time and pick it up |
| Average cost of alterations | $150-$600 |
| Bigger customizations | $500-$1000 |
| Hemming | $38-$300 |
| Design changes | $50-$300 |
| Number of fittings | Depends on the seamstress |
| Time taken for alterations | 6-8 weeks |
| What to bring to the fitting appointment | Wear the shoes you plan to wear on the day |
| Bring a pair with a comparable height if you haven't picked out your wedding shoes | |
| Bring the undergarments you will wear on the day |
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What You'll Learn
Hemming the dress to the right length
Hemming the wedding dress to the right length is the most common alteration, as it ensures the gown doesn't drag on the floor. It is important to bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fittings so that your seamstress knows how to hem your gown. If you haven't picked out your wedding shoes, bring a pair with a similar heel height to your desired shoe. This will ensure that your dress is not hemmed incorrectly.
Rita Ertl, Monique Lhuillier's former director of alterations, advises brides to aim for a hemline that gently grazes the floor. This will allow you to walk, dance, and mingle with your guests without tripping on the dress. Once the seamstress pins the dress hemline, walk around in your shoes to make sure it's a comfortable length.
If you plan to wear two different pairs of shoes, bring both to your alterations appointment. Your seamstress will be able to recommend the best move for hemming the dress length. This may mean hemming to the shorter shoe height, which may cause your feet to show a bit more.
If you are wearing a fitted or A-line dress, you will see the front portion of your shoe when you step forward. When standing straight, you shouldn't see your shoes, but they will peek out a little when you step forward.
Hemming a wedding dress can be labour-intensive, especially if there is beading or lace trim on the bottom of the dress. Seamstresses will need to lift the beading and lace, hem the dress, and then place the fabric back down.
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Choosing the right shoes
Choose your shoes early
It's important to select the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day well in advance of your first fitting. This will ensure that your seamstress can hem your dress to the correct length. If you're planning on wearing two different pairs of shoes, such as a heel for the ceremony and a flat for the reception, be sure to bring both pairs to your fittings so that your seamstress can advise on the best course of action.
Consider the height of your shoes
The height of your shoes will impact the length of your dress hem. If you're wearing a heel, the hem will be shorter at the front so that your shoes are visible when you walk. If you're wearing a flat shoe, the hem will be longer, and your shoes may not be visible. Consider the overall look you're going for and choose your shoes accordingly.
Comfort is key
It's important to choose a pair of shoes that you feel comfortable wearing. Wedding days can be long, and you'll be on your feet for much of it. Consider a block heel or a comfortable flat shoe to ensure you can dance the night away without sore feet.
Style and colour
The style and colour of your wedding shoes should complement your dress and overall bridal look. If you're wearing a traditional white or ivory dress, you may want to choose a shoe in a similar colour palette. However, if you're feeling bold, you could opt for a coloured shoe to add a unique touch to your outfit.
Seek advice from your seamstress
Your seamstress will be able to advise you on the best type of shoe to wear with your particular dress style. They will take into account the silhouette of your dress, the length of the train, and the desired hem length to recommend a shoe that will complement your dress perfectly.
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Adjusting the waist, bust and hips
When shopping for a wedding dress, be sure to consult the sales assistant about the possibility of alterations to these areas. It is usually easier to take a dress in than to let it out, as you don't have to worry about the old seam showing. However, a trained seamstress will be able to advise you on what is possible.
You will typically need about three fittings before your wedding dress is ready to be worn. During the first fitting, the seamstress will review what needs to be tailored and modified. The second fitting will involve adjusting the bodice and starting work on the hem. The third fitting is to finalise everything, and you may also have a fourth fitting to try the dress on one last time and pick it up.
It is important to bring your wedding shoes to your fittings so that the seamstress can ensure the dress is the perfect length. If you are planning to change shoes throughout the day, bring both pairs so the seamstress can advise on the best move for hemming.
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Adding or removing sleeves
Adding sleeves to a wedding dress is a very common alteration. Maribel Diaz, creative director and cofounder of Lotus Threads, says, "You can add sleeves to almost any wedding dress, depending on the desired look and coverage." The type of sleeve you can add will depend on the style of your dress. For example, adding straps to a strapless dress is a simple alteration, while adding a full set-in long sleeve to a strapless dress will be more complicated without first building up the neckline.
Lace sleeves are a romantic option that offers extra coverage, while illusion sleeves are a common choice for a full set-in sleeve. A simple cap sleeve lends a vintage-inspired look to your wedding dress. You can also add sleeves to the shoulders or design them as off-the-shoulder, detachable, or illusion styles. Your seamstress will either use excess material from the hem of your dress to build the sleeve or you may need to purchase additional fabric.
If you want to remove the sleeves from your wedding dress, you can do so by first roughly cutting off the sleeve, leaving a couple of inches of fabric. Next, if you have a serger, use it to serge off the excess sleeve about 5/8” from the seam line. If you do not have a serger, carefully measure and trim off the excess, measuring 5/8” from the seam line. You will then use the remaining piece of sleeve as a facing by turning it inside out on the seam line and top stitch it into place, 3/8” from the edge. You may need to reinforce the bodice structure of your dress after removing the sleeves.
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Altering the back
When altering a wedding dress, it is important to bring the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day so that the seamstress can properly hem the dress. If you plan to change shoes throughout the day, bring both pairs so that the seamstress can make a recommendation for the best option for hemming the dress. For example, the dress can be hemmed to the shorter shoe height, but this may result in your feet showing a bit more.
If you are making major changes to the design of your dress, such as reworking the corset or cups, it is recommended to budget a few extra weeks for alterations. It is also important to bring any undergarments you plan to wear to your fitting appointments so that the seamstress can ensure a proper fit.
Hemming the length of a wedding dress is the most common alteration, as most dresses are long and need to be shortened. This can cost anywhere from 38-300€ depending on the layers and if there is lace that needs to be removed and reattached. It is recommended that brides aim for a hemline that gently grazes the floor so that they can walk, dance, and mingle with guests without tripping.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common alteration brides need is hemming the length of their wedding dress. This ensures the gown doesn't drag on the floor while walking down the aisle and posing for photos. It is important to bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fitting appointments so that your seamstress can hem your dress to the correct length. If you plan to change shoes at any point during your wedding, bring both pairs to your fitting appointments and discuss with your seamstress how to hem your dress to accommodate the height difference.
On average, brides will need about three fittings before the dress is ready to be worn. The timeline for those fittings depends on the seamstress, but wedding dress alterations typically take about 6-8 weeks to complete. The first fitting is to review what needs to be tailored and modified. The second fitting is to adjust the bodice and start working on the hem. The third fitting is to finalize everything. A fourth fitting may be necessary to try the dress on one last time and pick it up.
The price of your alterations will depend on how much you are planning to change and the schedule of your seamstress. Typical wedding dress alterations cost between $150 and $600. Bigger customizations or modernizing an older dress may cost up to $1,000.
