So you found the wedding dress you have envisioned. Hooray – you are now closer to achieving your dream bridal look. However, I hate to break it to you but your wedding dress-induced stress and bustle are not yet over. Next to finding your dream dress is making sure that dress fits you from head to toe, or rather, from neckline to hem.
Fit is key to perfection. That being the case, you have to run a few wedding dress fittings to ensure the gown is tailored perfectly. It can be stressful, I must say, but it doesn’t have to be. To avoid dress fitting blunders, here are some dos and don’ts you should keep in mind.
1. Don’t cram (but don’t get too excited either)
Last-minute alterations and fittings heighten the stress levels of everyone involved in your wedding, especially the ones who handle your wedding dress. When you cram, you run the risk of not having enough time to tailor the gown perfectly. Scheduling fittings too early, likewise, is risky as well since you can’t predict your weight change months prior to your wedding.
Set your timeline right. Most wedding experts suggest allowing two to three months from your first fitting to your last. The frequency of your visit depends on how much work needed to get done on the dress. On average, brides opt for three to four fittings before their big day.
2. Do your hair and makeup
We’ve all been there: You enter a poorly lit fitting room and you start to look disgusted at your own reflection. No, it’s not always the fault of the dress or the bad lighting – it’s often because of your bare, pale, and oily face and messy hair. You don’t want to make the same mistake on your wedding dress fitting. Allowing five to ten-minute to freshen up isn’t too much to ask.
Apart from making you look good, wearing a bit of makeup on your fitting encourages you to come up with good judgments. It is also the perfect time to do your hair and makeup trial so it would be easier for you to envision the dress’s full potential. If you can’t bring your stylist with you for the trial, at least try to be a little extra and fancy yourself up with full, fresh day makeup.
3. Don’t forget to bring your wedding shoes
Ladies, this is very important. Shop for wedding shoes prior to making alterations and bring the pair with you. It’s more than just about style – wearing your shoes along with your gown will ensure the proper length of your gown. Stepping constantly at the edge of your dress because it’s cut too long for your heels can be stressful. Cutting the hem too short can also be unsightly. If it’s impossible to bring the exact pair of shoes, try to bring a pair that is similar in height.
4. Do accessorize
Next to shoes, don’t forget to bring your wedding accessories with you. Putting every detail in place allows you to envision your overall bridal look.
5. Don’t underestimate your undergarments
Aside from bringing everything that will be seen, also regard the essentials that are hidden underneath your gorgeous wedding dress. During your first fitting, ask your seamstress what type of bra would be best for your dress. Some dresses might need more support or padding. Some dresses, with see-through elements, may require special kinds of undergarments.
If you intend to wear shape-wear to boost your features and conceal trouble spots, communicate this to your seamstress so you can fit the undergarment with the dress for a perfect finish.
6. Do think about your angles
Ever cringed at some of your tagged photos because they captured all your bad angles? You might experience the same fate when you see your wedding photos IF you omit the importance of angles. If you’re not a fan of the left side of your face, never consider cutting a high slit on your left thigh. Catch the drift?
Determine which side you want to be photographed the most and place an embellishment or a standout piece on that side of the dress. You should also consider the venue as well as the position of the photographers to make sure your embellishments and best features are captured.
7. Don’t just stand there – move!
You won’t be as passive as a porcelain doll on your big day – you’re going to move a lot. With this, it’s critical to make sure your dress can move along with you.
During the fitting, test your wedding dress:
Are you able to walk comfortably in it?
How about taking a seat?
Let’s say you dropped your hanky, can you pick it up?
Let’s say it’s a strapless dress, don’t you feel the urge of tugging the dress up?
Can you dance in it?
Optional: Can you twerk in it?
If something feels off and uncomfortable when you try to move, relay this information to your tailor so he or she can make the adjustments accordingly.
8. Do speak up
More than anyone else, you know your body best. You can easily spot if something feels or looks off, like if it’s too tight, too loose, too itchy, or too embellished for your taste. After all, it is your wedding dress so don’t feel pressured to ask questions and make changes if they deem fit.
Krishan Jangir