Categories
Customizations & Alterations Dress Shopping In-House Alterations

6 tips for wedding dress fittings and alterations

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN GETTING YOUR WEDDING DRESS READY FOR THE BIG DAY

In a perfect world, finding your wedding dress would mean a perfect fit right off the hanger. But more often than not, the dress of your dreams needs a few dress fittings and alterations to perfectly suit your body and style.

That’s where fitting comes in! Once you’ve found your dream wedding dress, you will need to have it fitted. Fittings are the perfect opportunity to add special details and personalize your dress.

Whether you prefer long sleeved wedding dresses or sleeveless gowns, there’s something perfect for your size and style to ensure you can shine on your wedding day. Seamstress work and tailoring can make your dress look and feel even better.

If you’re not sure where to start with fittings and alterations, don’t worry – we’re here to help! We’ve covered everything from first fittings to who to bring, and we’ve included some tips for sizing and alterations.

First things first:

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DRESS FITTING

Your first fitting should take about an hour. When you try on the dress, your seamstress will pin it properly to give you a sense of how alterations will look. This will also give you a sense of how your dress will fit once it’s fully fitted. If your dress has a train, this is also an opportunity to look at bustle options.

After the first fitting, each fitting onward should take less time since the alterations will be closer to completion. This initial fitting is usually the longest, and future fittings will generally take much less time.

WHEN TO SCHEDULE DRESS FITTINGS

The sooner you schedule, the better. The further out you schedule, the more time you’ll have to ensure your dress is perfect for your wedding day. Try to schedule your first fitting when you buy your dress, or at least 8 to 10 weeks before your wedding.

Brides typically have three or four fittings, depending on the number of alterations. With each fitting, your dress will become more sculpted to your body. And after the second fitting, you should have a better idea of how the dress will fit.

Your seamstress will help you set a fitting schedule based on the date of your wedding. At the very minimum, expect your final pickup fitting to be scheduled a month after your first fitting.

Ideally, you’d have two to three months between the first and final fittings. Keep in mind that if you ask for a greater number of alterations (or if the alterations are more time-consuming), it’s going to take more time. Remember, your seamstress is the expert – when in doubt trust in their skills and instincts!

WHAT TO BRING

Since you want your dress to fit perfectly on your wedding day, bring everything you plan to wear on your big day to your fittings. This includes undergarments (bra, slip, shapewear), bridal shoes, a veil, hair accessories, and jewellery. With everything on, you will have a better idea of how each piece fits together for your final look.

Undergarments affect how a dress fits, and shoes will change how the dress’ length looks. If you don’t have your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair with similar heels so your dress won’t look too short or too long.

DISCOVER WHAT STACEY & MEGHAN ARE UP TO

and get a sneak preview of Sinder’s Bridal Guide for free!

By completing this form and clicking on the Submit button, I expressly consent and agree to receive e-mails from Sinders Bridal to the e-mail address provided.

WHO TO BRING

Remember, fittings aren’t the White Dress Experience. By the time you’re getting fitted for your dress, you’ve already made your choice. That said, it’s worth bringing a few people to your fittings, especially if they’re part of the wedding party. Consider your maid of honour and perhaps another close friend.

You want people who know your style and what you’re looking for, but who aren’t afraid to be honest and tell you if it’s not quite perfect. Plus, if you plan to make your train a bustle, your maid of honour should be present at the final fitting so she can learn how to bustle your gown.

SIZING

The rule of thumb for choosing a dress size is to opt for comfort. In short, pick the larger size! It’s far easier to take in a dress during fittings than it is to make the dress bigger. Nevertheless, it is possible to bring a dress up in sizes, in some cases. Don’t worry if your size changes throughout the fittings. That’s what fittings are for!

STYLE & ALTERATIONS

The style of your wedding dress should suit your individual preferences. And if you can make it suit the style of your wedding location, theme, and décor as well, that’s even better.

Your seamstress will help you decide which alterations will work best without compromising the style of your dress. Along with the length and fit, you can choose alterations to make your dress more like you, such as:

  • Necklines – For example, if you want to change the neckline from straight to sweetheart.
  • Sleeves – You can add sleeves to a strapless wedding dress to create a cap-, short-, or long-sleeved wedding dress.
  • Corset Backs – You can switch out a zipper back with one that laces up. This might give you more room to breathe as well.
  • Bustles – If your dress has a train, you can opt to lift up your train after the ceremony. This bustle will change your look for the reception, giving you more mobility to dance.

Most bridal shops have experienced seamstresses who will work with you and your dress leading up to the big day. So if you have any concerns, or want alteration advice, your seamstress will be there for you, making sure your dress fits perfectly, and just how you imagined for your wedding day.

Categories
Customizations & Alterations Dress Shopping

Custom Wedding Gowns from Jolicoeur

A LOOK INTO MEGHAN AND STACEY’S JOURNEY FROM DESIGNER DREAM TO RUNWAY REALITY

After decades of making their brides’ dreams come true, it’s time to finally make their own dreams a reality with their latest project: Jolicoeur.

If you haven’t already heard, the Sinders Bridal powerhouse sisters, Meghan and Stacey, have taken the plunge and launched their very own Canadian-inspired custom line of designer wedding gowns.

Immersing themselves in the bridal industry has helped them understand what exactly their brides are looking for. It has also enabled them to take to the drawing board and come up with masterpieces. Their custom wedding gowns are flawlessly designed with the female body in mind, and backed behind decades of experience in fashion, design, and sewing.

KEEP READING FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT JOLICOEUR, WHAT INSPIRED THE SISTERS TO START THIS LINE, AND WHAT THEY BOTH DISCOVERED ALONG THE WAY.

WHAT SPARKED THE IDEA?

It all started when we were searching for gowns to carry in our shop. We were often met with dresses that were just shy of perfect for our standards. Time and time again, we encountered gorgeous pieces, but something was always missing. We knew that if certain characteristics of the gown were altered, or a seam was shifted, that it would make it a perfect dress that our brides would fall in love with. Over the years we started to realize – we know what our brides are looking for better than the designers we carry. So, why not design custom wedding gowns we know our brides want! And that’s exactly what we set out to do.

WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME AND HOW DOES IT TIE INTO THE BRAND?

The name Jolicoeur is our grandmother’s name. She grew up in the Ottawa area and raised her family there, and though we grew up in the Ottawa valley, this area is our home. We’re proud to start our own brand here. We wanted a name that represented our heritage. So we could bring our family on this journey with us and remain connected to our roots. Plus, while it might not be a perfect translation, we love what the name means in French. How could you not love the sweetness behind falling in love with a Jolie Cœur; a Pretty Heart!

HOW LONG HAS JOLICOEUR BEEN IN THE MAKING?

It feels like yesterday! We finally sat down, planned our strategy, and committed to creating our line in late 2018. We dabbled with the idea of starting our custom line of gowns several years earlier, however, the project didn’t have our full commitment behind it at the time. Though our reasons were the same, and we had many years of wedding industry experience behind us, we didn’t have the backing of a bridal shop that could show our gowns to their greatest potential. Both Sinders Bridal House and Jolicoeur have grown and flourished from the same love of fashion and design. Now both names are ready to work together to make your dreams come true.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION?

Since our infancy, we’ve been in love with fashion and design. So being able to craft works of art for our brides was an extremely attractive endeavour for both of us. 

Having a hand in how the gown would look and feel excited us. Especially after spending so many years doing what we love to do and having a background in weddings, design, and sewing. We know what our brides want. We want nothing more than to deliver that to them through the best styles and designs. It’s not uncommon that our brides tell us that they were looking for something specific but couldn’t find it in Canada as it was a European style. Or, that they had a vision for their dress but can’t seem to make it come to life. Our goal was to provide our brides with stunning, affordable custom wedding gowns they would see on the runway.

Beyond our struggles with finding beautiful gowns that were missing that “je-ne-sais-quoi,” we also discovered that Canadian design houses were few and far between. Europe had dominated the fashion and bridal world, and we felt that they shouldn’t be the only players in the game. We wanted to bring home some credit for our industry and show the world that Canada has a lot to offer brides.

On a more personal note, Stacey always aspired to become a designer, so Jolicoeur is now a little girl’s dream surfacing into a reality.

DISCOVER WHAT STACEY & MEGHAN ARE UP TO

and get a sneak preview of Sinder’s Bridal Guide for free!

By completing this form and clicking on the Submit button, I expressly consent and agree to receive e-mails from Sinders Bridal to the e-mail address provided.

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE? EXPLAIN THE JOURNEY.

When we embarked upon this journey, we took inspiration from the female body. With 25 years of experience helping brides find the dress of their dreams, we know which styles flatter which body types. How gowns are supposed to fit on the body, how to customize dresses from headtotoe, and what features and adornments add that extra oomph. Lace should flow in the right direction, seams should both enhance and diminish curves, and although this sounds impossible to achieve simultaneously, I assure you it is the basis for a perfect fit when it comes to wedding gowns!

First, we sketch the rough outline of how the gown should fit, then work with high-quality fabrics and choose the best ones for each individual gown. 

Every gown has a bride’s name on it before it’s even created. It’s as though the gown is destined to be hers. This idea is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time because we know she’ll come visit us in our boutique and fall in love with the dress. So it needs to hold up the Sinders quality standards. The design, fabric, shape, style – everything needs to be just right, otherwise, it won’t feel like ‘the one.’

When we go through the process for each gown and make decisions and support each other’s ideas, we know we’re creating something incredible!

We live for the moment our brides look in the mirror and just know, ‘that’s the one’. We design gorgeous gowns that are not only expertly crafted, but are comfortable to wear. Plus they make our brides feel confident, beautiful, and proud.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST THROUGHOUT THIS EXPERIENCE?

How seamlessly everything just falls into place when you design a gown with purpose. The fabric sits perfectly, the lines glide down beautifully along the body, and the whole thing suddenly comes together almost effortlessly. When we completed our sample design, and finally got the gown on our model for the first time, it was an absolutely magical moment I will cherish forever.

Meghan

More humbling than surprising, but the level of support we received from our friends, family, and Sinders team of experts! From the moment we committed to designing this line of gowns to finally receiving them, we’ve received so much positivity and support from everyone. We couldn’t be happier to have them by our side throughout this experience.

Stacey

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT YOURSELF?

I learned that it takes a village to achieve what seems like the impossible. We create a powerhouse team when every person contributes their strengths. Even though we both had this dream and planned to bring our dream to fruition, it takes every person in our shop. To keep us on the journey moving forward, until that dream becomes a reality.

Meghan

I learned that it has taken 25 years of ups, downs, and massive challenges to get me to this point. The designs and ideas are from working with hundreds of brides and really listening to their wants and needs, and educating myself on women’s bodies to know what looks good on certain shapes and sizes. That allows me to create gowns for all women. Gowns designed to make you feel like you are realizing the dream you’ve always desired.

Stacey

WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LIFE-LESSON YOU BOTH LEARNED?

The most significant life lesson we learned both individually and separately was that for us to truly achieve our goals–professional and personal–it all starts with believing in ourselves and harnessing that confidence to make things happen.

From running a business to designing our custom line staying connected to one another, taking care of our families, and trying to juggle all the challenges life throws at us, having faith in ourselves and each other separates the thoughts of ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’. We are overwhelmed some days with daunting tasks, trying to keep all the pieces in the air moving together. But it pushes us outside of our comfort zone, and in the end, we are incredibly proud and blessed to have each other and our incredibly supportive family behind us. And our amazing Sinders family has been by our side every step of the way, which we are eternally grateful for.

SINDERS BRIDAL HOUSE AND THE MISS UNIVERSE CANADA COMPETITION

HOW DID SINDERS GET INVOLVED?

An incredible woman with whom we’d worked with for several years in bridal shows in the Ottawa area had approached us. We had no idea she had been a Miss Canada contestant and even beyond that, a winner in the Miss Grand Canada competition. When Grace modelled for us each year, we got along so well, and she loved the fit and style of the gowns we chose for her. She was a natural on the runway – graceful and elegant – and she looked stunning in everything we put on her. It was hard to choose just one or two gowns!

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE?

We were just starting the creation process for one of our very first Joliceour designs, Sophia, when Grace approached us about sponsoring her path through Miss Universe Canada. She has such a presence and a confidence about her. We knew she would be a perfect fit for such a one-of-a-kind gown. We designed Sophia to be a statement piece, one you need to be able to pull off, or it will overpower you. When we had our sample ready for Grace to try on, it was like witnessing magic. The fit was perfect, she was jaw-dropping, and we knew she’d excel in the competition.

WHICH DESIGNERS DID YOU USE, AND HOW MANY GOWNS WERE IN THE MIX?

Miss Universe Canada has several phases and requires a gown for each phase. Along with our Joliceour gown, Grace also chose several of our pieces from Eva Lendel and WONÀ Concept (formally known as Crystal Design). Based in Ukraine, WONÀ is one of our favourite designers. We were fortunate enough to have met the designer/owner and established a great relationship with their team. One person is responsible for making each every one of their gowns, from start to finish. It’s such a rare thing these days in the fashion industry. Everything has been so commercialized. We really admire their creativity, and we were so grateful to have them partner with us in dressing Grace.

Throughout the competition, Grace needed one evening gown, six cocktail gowns, and one formal piece for the interview portion for which she chose an incredible ivory pantsuit we carry from Eva Lendel. It’s a showstopper, and she absolutely rocked it! She knew what looks she wanted to embody and was confident about how to portray herself in the garment. We felt so privileged to be able to provide Grace with every one of the pieces she needed, with the help of our amazing designers Crystal and Eva.

WHAT WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

The best part of working with Grace for Miss Universe Canada was that she taught us so much about her work in sociology and the competition itself. It’s no surprise that these types of competitions get a bad reputation. We even heard comments like ‘…ew, those things still happen?’. But what’s amazing is that every woman involved in these competitions has a voice and is finding her platform to use it to help others. Grace stands for many tough subjects like police brutality, violence against women, and racial profiling, to name a few. Every woman there is trying to grow personally, philanthropically, and in their career in order to help others. So, why should society look down on that? A portion of these competitions might be based on fashion and aesthetics, but we ourselves are guilty of taking our love of fashion to the extremes sometimes!

What if we were to use our love of fashion to help educate and bring light to certain subjects, isn’t that worth it? We stood behind a woman who stood for confidence and empowering other women, and we are very proud of that.

“Empowering each other in life is something we think everyone should do more of these days.”

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR NEW CUSTOM LINE, JOLICOEUR!
Categories
Customizations & Alterations In-House Alterations

The different ways you can customize with wedding dress alterations

TIPS FOR CUSTOMIZING YOUR GOWN INTO THE DRESS OF YOUR DREAMS

If you’ve tried on countless wedding dresses and have struggled to find a gown that ticks every box, then it’s possible what you picture for your gown is something that you need to create with the help of the right bridal shop and dress alterations team.

With the right alterations expert, you can transform almost any bridal gown into that dream dress you have in your head.

Whether it’s adding sleeves or changing a neckline, we’ll explain the importance of alterations and all the different ways you can dramatically alter your gown to best fit your vision.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ALTERATIONS ON A BRIDAL GOWN

Even if you aren’t customizing the design of a gown, dress alterations are crucial to ensure that your dress fits your body and unique shape perfectly.

Your bridal stylist will take your measurements to ensure you are ordering your gown in the correct size. However, your dress will, most often, need to be properly tailored to be a perfect fit. Especially if you experience any weight fluctuation after ordering your gown.

Dress alterations can cost anywhere between $50 to $1,000, depending on what needs to be done. So make sure to factor this into your dress and accessory budget.

DRESS ALTERATIONS TIMELINE – WHEN TO START THE PROCESS

Because designer wedding gowns can take up to 8 months to arrive after being ordered, it’s important to start dress shopping early. To ensure you have enough time for alterations when your gown comes in.

Try to schedule your first alterations appointment at least eight to 12 weeks before the wedding, and a final fitting no later than two weeks before.

WAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR GOWN WITH ALTERATIONS

Besides the typical dress alterations like changing the hem and taking things in, there are more dramatic alterations you can do to completely change the look and feel of your dress.

Here are some ideas to bring up with your seamstress.

ADDING SLEEVES

If you’re struggling to find a more modest gown that fits your vision, ask your bridal stylist about the possibility of adding sleeves to a strapless or sleeveless gown.

Sleeves can be custom-made to match your gown perfectly and give you the look you’re going for.

A removable bolero is also an option if you want to be more covered for the ceremony but not the reception.

STRAPS

Fell in love with a strapless gown but looking for a bit more support? Adding straps are a great option, whether you simply prefer the look of straps, or you need a bit of extra support in the bust.

CHANGING A NECKLINE

Plunging necklines are super in trend right now, but if you’d rather be a bit more covered, there are plenty of options for you.

From closing a deep neckline to altering a strapless gown into a sweetheart neckline, most neckline alterations can be done. Be sure to discuss with your bridal stylist whether your vision is feasible with certain gowns.

CORSET BACK

A corset back not only gives your dress a sexier feel but is also a great option if your dress is a bit too small leading up to your wedding day.

Because, while a dress can be easily taken in, making it larger can be a bit of a challenge. Depending on the style of your dress, a corset lace-up back may be the perfect solution.

CREATE A LOW BACK

Love a dramatic low back? Depending on the style of your gown, this can be achievable. While often tricky with strapless gowns, many dresses with straps or sleeves can be altered to be given an open back. Be sure to ask your bridal stylist whether the design of your gown will accommodate this.

CREATING AN OVERSKIRT

On the fence about whether to go with a sleek and sexy fit and flare or a dramatic ball gown? Why not choose both? An overskirt is an incredibly popular option for brides looking for the best of both worlds.

An overskirt is a dramatic ballgown-like skirt that’s open at the front and is worn over a more fitted wedding dress.

Celebrities like Sophia Vergara, Ashley Tisdale, and more have looked stunning on their wedding day with an overskirt wedding dress, so be sure to check them out to get a feel for how it may look.

CUSTOM CAPE

Another huge celebrity red carpet and bridal trend is dramatic capes. From Gweneth Paltrow at the Oscars to Kaley Cuocco on her wedding day, capes add a bit of edge and fashion-forward flare to any gown.

Whether it’s stunning beaded lace or simple and ethereal tulle, a cape will ensure you truly stand out on your big day and will have your future spouse and guests swooning as you walk down the aisle.

DETACHABLE OFF THE SHOULDER SLEEVES

Romantic, drapey, off-the-shoulder sleeves are a huge trend right now. And if you don’t want to be committed to them all night? Just ask your seamstress if they can create a detachable option if you love the look of this type of sleeve!

OTHER DRESS ALTERATIONS TO CONSIDER

Besides more extensive customizations, it’s important not to forget some of the smaller alterations that can make a huge difference, such as:

  • Adding structure and boning
  • Hemming
  • A bustle
  • Adding extra beading
  • Taking in around the bust
  • Shortening or lengthening the straps
  • Adding extra layers of crinoline
  • Adding more structure
  • Creating a statement bow

When shopping for wedding dresses, it’s important to remember that you may never find a gown off the rack that is perfect in every way. No matter how much you love your dress when you first try it on, most dresses require some alterations. To ensure you are getting the perfect look and feel on your wedding day. So, if you love certain elements of one dress but it doesn’t tick every box, ask your stylist and seamstress* what can be done to make it look exactly how you envisioned.

Read More: Wedding Dress Alterations Advice

* Did you know Sinders Bridal House has our own experienced in-house seamstress? Check out Rose’s Custom Sewing to make your quick, professional and high-quality alterations!

Categories
Customizations & Alterations In-House Alterations

Wedding dress fitting: the final details

WHAT TO EXPECT AND PLAN FOR DURING YOUR FINAL FITTING – AND WHAT COMES NEXT!

By this point, you’ve likely already made a few trips to your local bridal boutique for careful fittings, alterations, and more dress fittings.

Now, though, the end is in sight, and the big day is fast approaching!

As your big day nears, it’s time to get ready for your final fitting, the last round of measurements and modifications before you wear your dress on your wedding day.

The final wedding dress fitting is likely not too far from your wedding date to better ensure a perfect fit for when you walk down the aisle.

And, in all likelihood, you’ve probably got a million other things on your mind. The last thing you want to worry about is yet another fitting!

All the same, taking the time to visit your bridal boutique in Ottawa and seamstress will help you to relax and guarantee that perfect fit.

Not sure what to expect? Don’t worry. Read on to find out more about your final wedding dress fitting, what to look for in the fit of your dress, and what comes next!

WHAT DOES A GOOD FIT FEEL LIKE?

At your final fitting, think Goldilocks: your dress should fit just right.

It shouldn’t be too tight, but neither should it be too loose. Take some time to move around, practice walking down the aisle, and consider a few (gentle) dance moves!

Think of everything you’ll be doing in the dress, and how much time you’ll be in it. You don’t want to feel restricted.

Strapless gowns should still let you bend over, hug, sit, jump, and dance without fear of slipping.

Keep an eye out for:

  • Material that pulls
  • Wrinkling
  • Bunching

Even though your expert seamstress has likely made a few key alterations by this point, this is your opportunity to find any and all issues and address them, no matter how small.

WHAT’S THE RIGHT LENGTH?

Bring your wedding shoes with you to your final wedding dress fitting and check the length of your gown with them on.

If your dress is still a bit long in your wedding shoes, don’t worry – that can be addressed. Consider bringing a pair of flats with you, too; you might want to swap heels for something more comfortable as the reception moves into the evening.

For long dresses, the bottom of the skirt should just skim the top of the front of your shoes.

Walk around to see how this feels. You don’t want your heel to get caught in the hem.

Ideally, you won’t be kicking the front or back of the dress as you walk, unless you have a long dress or train. In this case, you might opt to have a bustle added for the wedding reception.

WHAT’S THE RIGHT NUMBER OF FITTINGS?

Ideally, and time permitting, you will have three wedding dress fittings. These fittings should be scheduled at the moment you buy your dress from wedding dress stores in Ottawa.

Remember to bring the wedding accessories you plan to wear on your big day, including any undergarments or unique items you’d like to feature.

These are especially important for your final fitting to ensure everything works in concert perfectly.

As to when you should schedule your wedding dress fitting…

THE FIRST FITTING – 3 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

Your dress likely won’t fit well when you first try it on. This is when your seamstress will take note of the alterations needed.

THE SECOND FITTING – 1 MONTH BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

During the second fitting, you will see how the alterations fit, and if any other changes are needed before the final fitting.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for more alterations if you don’t feel 100% comfortable with your dress.

THE FINAL FITTING – TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

This is when you get to see the final product!

While you probably won’t need more alterations at this point, this is your last chance to request them.

If your final fitting goes well, then you get to take your dress home that day!

BUDGETING FOR ALTERATIONS

For your wedding dress to fit well and look perfect on your big day, you will likely need to make some alterations. These could be as simple as adjusting the hem length and taking in the dress, or as complex as adding a bustle and altering the neckline.

Whatever alterations you need, make sure to account for them in your total budget.

The easiest way to account for alterations in your budget is by using an in-house seamstress at your bridal boutique.

Keeping your dress alterations in-house ensures a seamless experience (pardon the pun) from the day you find your wedding dress to the day you take it home, while sticking to your timeline.

THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND ATTITUDE

We’ve discussed this before, but it bears repeating: bring one or two close people to your final fitting.

This isn’t a shopping experience, after all.

Bring your maid of honour and/or your mother. They’ll gladly offer advice, support, and help you dress and style everything perfectly.

Bring your mom and/or maid of honour for advice, support, and to learn how to help you put on and bustle your dress. An extra set of hands can help with complicated buttons, tricky bustles, and other fasteners.

Alternatively, you can hire a dressing service on the day of your wedding to get your seamstress to help you into the dress to ensure everything’s perfect.

Remember to ask your seamstress questions about the appropriate care instructions for your dress. Better still, some bridal boutiques in Ottawa offer complimentary storage and steaming of your dress to ensure it looks perfect for your big day.

The days and weeks leading up to your wedding can be stressful. Don’t let your final fitting add to it! Working with an expert bridal boutique in Ottawa can help you make the most of your precious time, put your mind at ease, and help you get the perfect for your perfect day.

Categories
Customizations & Alterations

Getting ready for your first wedding dress fitting

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR FIRST WEDDING DRESS FITTING AT YOUR OTTAWA BRIDAL SHOP

You’ve gone shopping at wedding dress stores in Ottawa and have found your dream wedding dress. Now you need to have your first wedding dress fitting to make sure it looks perfect on your big day.

A wedding dress fitting ensures that your gown is the right size, colour, and design. Fittings help make sure everything from the neckline and sleeves to the train and hemline fit perfectly.

It also gives your seamstress a thorough understanding of what alterations need to be made.

Make sure to have a vision in mind before going to your first fitting so you can be as specific as possible about how you want your dress to look.

Once you have the dress on, your seamstress will look for where the dress needs to be taken in, let out, shortened, lengthened, and altered in any other ways.

You first fitting at your Ottawa bridal boutique should be about six to eight weeks before your wedding day. Once you’ve booked it, keep these tips in mind so you can make the most of your first wedding dress fitting.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

COMFORTABLE CLOTHES

Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to change in and out of at the bridal shop.

BRIDAL LINGERIE

Your wedding dress will fit differently depending on what you’re wearing underneath. So you should wear the same undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. This includes your bra, underwear, slip, garter belt, stockings, and shape-wear.

WEDDING SHOES

Bring your bridal shoes to wear while fitting your dress. If you don’t have these shoes yet, bring a pair of shoes with the same heel height as your desired wedding shoes.

The height of your shoes will affect whether the seamstress needs to adjust the hemline of your dress. You’ll also want to see how your dress looks while wearing specific shoes.

ACCESSORIES

To complete your look during your fitting, wear the jewellery, headpiece, veil, bag, and wrap you plan to wear at your wedding.

This will give you a more accurate picture of how you’ll look on your big day. It will also affect adjustments, such as how a necklace will look with the neckline.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST FITTING?

A NOTEBOOK AND PEN

Bring a notebook and pen to write down the alterations needed before your next fitting.

Look in mirrors to see your dress from all angles.

As your seamstress adjusts your dress, bring up specific adjustments you’d like. This should include which parts of your body you’d like to accentuate in the dress.

Keep an eye on the neckline and speak up if you want a fuller bust or not, and if you want to show more or less cleavage.

If you notice anything that you don’t like, bring it up with your seamstress as well. Your seamstress can tell you why the problem exists and how to fix it.

Don’t be afraid to speak up if you have concerns. These fittings are meant to make sure you’re completely happy with your dress on your big day.

Take note of the following details while moving around in your dress:

  • How does the dress fit while standing? Bending? Walking? Sitting? Dancing?
  • How does the fabric fall?
  • Is there any bunching, bulging, pulling, or puckering?
  • How well-sewn are the stitching, embroidery, and beading?
  • If your dress is full-length, does the hem skim the tops of your shoes or graze the floor?

Go over the desired alterations with your bridal boutique seamstress. She will give you an estimate for when the alterations will be completed. And you can schedule your next fitting appointment based on this time frame.

A CAMERA

Have your trusted companion take pictures or videos of you in the dress at various angles and while moving around. This will help you remember how you looked at your fitting and ensure you’re completely happy with your dress and overall look.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Your hair and makeup on your wedding day will also influence how you look, which alterations make sense, and how you’ll wear your headpiece and veil.

If you plan to wear your hair down, then there’s no point in adding details to the back of your dress if your hair will only hide it. And if you plan to wear it up, make sure the veil and headpiece work.

Wear your hair up or down at your fittings, depending on how you plan to wear it on your wedding day.

Avoid wearing makeup that could easily wipe off onto your dress. If you do want to wear a bit of makeup, opt for smudge-proof eyeliner and mascara.

If you wear lipstick, eyeshadow, and foundation, you are taking a risk. You may need to clean your wedding gown before the wedding if you get makeup on it.

BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE

As with shopping for your wedding dress, the fewer people you bring to your fitting, the better. Invite one or two trusted companions to your fittings.

These people should be honest and offer advice that you trust. While your own instincts are what matter most, also listen to what your seamstress and trusted companions have to say.

One of these special people should be the person who will help you into your dress and also bustle your gown after your wedding ceremony. This could be your mom or your maid of honour. Your seamstress will teach both of you how to fasten the dress and bustle it.

HOW MANY FITTINGS SHOULD I HAVE?

You should have a minimum of two fittings. But you might need three fittings depending on the alterations and timeline.

At your first fitting, your seamstress will determine the initial alterations that need to be made, such as taking in the dress, adding a bustle, and shortening the hemline.

Your second fitting will assess if the initial alterations fit well and determine if there are any other adjustments needed.

If the second fitting is your last fitting, it should be as close to your wedding date as possible, but with enough time for your seamstress to make any final adjustments.

Although going to bridal shops in Ottawa for multiple fittings may seem tedious, try to stay positive and be patient. These fittings are worth it to make sure your dress fits perfectly so you look stunning on your special day.