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Wedding Dress Alterations: Your Complete Guide to the Fittings, Timeline & What to Expect

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If you want to learn more about wedding dress alterations and what to expect, you are in the right place. This is your complete, no-fluff guide to how wedding dress alterations work.

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Whether you bought a made-to-measure Grace + Ivory wedding gown or another designer dress, every bride goes through the alterations phase.

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Alterations are what transforms a beautiful dress into a dress that is tailored to your body.

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Below is the full alterations process, the typical timeline, how many fittings you may need and what to expect.

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Do All Wedding Dresses Need Alterations?

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Short answer: yes.

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Long answer: Your wedding dress was made for your measurements, but your body is uniquely you. Bodies shift over months, fabrics relax and no two brides share the same proportions.

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Alterations ensure your gown hugs, drapes and moves exactly the way you want.

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Think of alterations as the final step to achieving the perfect fit for you!

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When Should Wedding Dress Alterations Start?

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A common rule: Start alterations 4–8 weeks before your wedding date or the day you’ll wear your dress.

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Most seamstresses will schedule fittings based on your specific timeline and their workload. The closer your fittings are to your actual wedding date, the more accurate your final fit will be.

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The Wedding Dress Alterations Process (Step-By-Step)

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1️⃣ First Fitting

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At your first alterations appointment:

• ✔️The seamstress will pin your dress to tailor areas like the bust, sides or waist.

• ✔️You’ll discuss and pin your hem length.

• ✔️You’ll talk about (and possibly pin) your bustle, if you want one.

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Every bride’s needs are different. Because bodies change over time, your seamstress won’t know what’s needed until the gown is on your body!

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2️⃣ Second Fitting

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Time to try the dress again.

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At this stage:

• ✔️If your adjustments were minimal and everything fits beautifully—including hem and bustle—this may be your final fitting.

• ✔️You’ll learn how to bustle your gown (pro tip: have someone take a video).

• ✔️If there are still tweaks needed, your seamstress will pin again and schedule a third fitting.

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3️⃣ Third Fitting (Only If Needed)

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This is typically your final check:

• ✔️Final adjustments are complete.

• ✔️The gown is fitted to perfection.

• ✔️Bustle instructions are reviewed.

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After this fitting, your dress is fully wedding-day-ready!

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Do Some Brides Need More Than Three Fittings?

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Yes, and that’s completely normal!

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Fashion design and garment tailoring are dynamic, especially with wedding gowns and with bodies that shift due to stress, travel, seasons and life.

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If you’re wearing your dress for more than one occasion, try on your gown again a few weeks before the second event.

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You may not need anything—but you’ll be glad you checked.

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Wedding Dress Alterations Tips Every Bride Should Know

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✔ Book early

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Alterations schedules fill fast—especially during peak wedding season.

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✔ Time fittings close to the actual event

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The closer your fitting is to the wedding, the more accurate the final silhouette.

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✔ Bring your wedding shoes & undergarments

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Your hem and bodice fit depend on them.

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✔ Take how-to bustle videos

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Your bridesmaids will thank you later.

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✔ Communicate your vision

Your seamstress can tailor not just the fit but the look: a snugger silhouette, more movement, lifted bodice, softened waistline—whatever you want.

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Final Thoughts: Alterations Are the Last Step to Your Dream Fit

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Your wedding dress alterations are the final moment when your wedding gown gets tailored to your body. Whether it takes one fitting or three, the end goal is the same: a dress that celebrates your body, your moment and your movement!