Wedding Dress Fittings Advice

So you have found your perfect dress and can’t wait until it finally arrives, then what?? Your bridal boutique should have a seamstress that they work closely with and can recommend. At The Ivory Room we have two to make sure there is always someone available for you, but don’t feel this is your only option as you are more than welcome to source your own. 

Generally the fittings will take place in the bridal boutique to make life easier and more relaxed for you. Here are a few tips and nuggets of information for you before you start your wedding dress fittings.

Before

It is best to wait until around two months before your wedding day to start any fittings as your shape can alter within those last few months, either intentionally or not! This will give you plenty of time for two fittings for any major changes and then a last minute check two weeks before the wedding day. 

So that the seamstress can get the best fit possible for you it is best that you get your wedding lingerie sorted before your first fitting. If you are wearing a bra then this is essential and also if you have decided to wear shapewear then please bring this too as it can make a huge difference to the fit of the dress. 

Just as important is bringing your wedding shoes with you so that the hem length can be set perfectly. 

Bring any accessories that you have already chosen like your veil, jewellry, coloured sashes etc. This way you can get the full wedding day look and see it all come together, it will also help your seamstress envisage the look you are after. 

Possibly this will be the first time you will have been able to try on your own wedding dress so bring someone with you to share the occasion, fittings can take a while so its nice to have the company too. 

During

The design of the dress can make a big difference to the ease of alteration, the more intricately the dress is decorated with lace and beading then the harder it will be to alter. The style also has an impact here as fitted dresses are again harder to alter than a ballgown style. 

It is really important that you practice doing everything that you will be doing on the day so dance around the boutique, sit down on a chair, fling your arms around and make sure it feels comfortable!

Do not be afraid to point out any thread snags, marks or other imperfections to your seamstress, everyone wants you to look and feel amazing on your wedding day so the small details are important.

After

It is very rare for any alteration costs to be included in the price of your dress so please check with the retailer but expect to have to pay extra for any alterations you might need. It is best to get a quote for what needs doing so that you know how much to budget before any work is carried out. 

Make sure you get the date of the next fitting in the diary so you know what timescales you are working to. 

It wont be long until you are wearing your dress on your wedding day so enjoy every moment of the build up!

How to choose your accessories

The way you decide to accessorize your wedding dress can alter your look completely. From a chapel length to a birdcage veil or a tiara to a bun comb there are so many options available for you to get the look you are going for. I love that there are no rules nowadays as to what you ‘should’ be accessorizing with and how much, or how little, is appropriate.

I had a wonderful veil delivered this week that had mocha netting with ivory lace edging, it was stunning and would work perfectly well with both a coloured or an ivory dress. Your accessories can dictate your look by adding a vintage feel, glitzy glamour or understated elegance and that’s what I love about them!

The Headpiece

Lets start with the headpiece. Things have moved on from the tiara being the standard accessory, you can now have a bit of sparkle anywhere in your hair to complement your hairstyle. Combs are a really great way of having the headpiece exactly where you want it rather than where the headband or tiara dictate where it will be. They are so versatile and can be moved around throughout the day, for example once you take your veil off it can be moved further around the back of your head to catch the light during your first dance. Ivory & Co are my supplier for jewelry and headpieces, all products are designed in the UK and of superb quality.

The Tiara is still huge and gives the quintessential wedding look that many brides are after. They can vary widely in height and glitz but always look stunning. A mixture of pearls and crystals is a very popular look as not only is it timeless but the style complements all the pearls and lace currently in fashion whilst still bringing the bling!

A side headband can offer a beautiful vintage look and is very flattering to all hairstyles. Some side bands can have all the detail in one area and some have it spread out across the band but more built up to one side. Try all types on to see which suits you best and achieves the look you are aiming for.

If you are worried about your headband staying in place for the whole day then just talk to your hairdresser who can pin it in place for you and design your hairstyle around it. Your headpiece supplier might even let you borrow a few for your wedding hair trial to see which will work best.

Veils

I love to see the look on a brides face when she tries on a veil for the first time (if they are goinlg to cry then this often the moment!) A veil can turn a lady in a beautiful dress into a bride and complete the fairy tale look.

The most popular length of veil is 72″ which will end mid thigh and frame the back of your dress perfectly. I’m seeing more and more brides come in now wanting to have the front of the veil over their face as they walk down the aisle, this is a romantic tradition and I’m glad its still popular. Chapel length veils work beautifully matched with dresses of the same train length, especially the fitting lace dresses.

Veils can be designed to complement your dress perfectly, with crystal scatters to pick up the crystals in your belt to a ribbon or lace edge to match the dress material. My veil stockist, Elizabeth Dickens, are based in Cambridgeshire and are exceptional when it come to ordering bespoke pieces so don’t be afraid to ask for something a little different!

Birdcage veils are also a more vintage option and will look great with a tea length dress or could even be your second look of the day after the ceremon

Necklace, Earrings and Bracelet

Some dresses might not make it possible for you to wear a necklace as maybe they have a higher neckline or there is enough glitz on the dress already so it would be too much to add anymore. I often advise my brides that it is their wedding day and so they have the best excuse to be a little over the top and a touch of extra glamour is definitely appropriate! Adding a necklace, earrings and bracelet set is a great way to do this and it makes a lovely keepsake of your day that you can wear again and again. This could also be the perfect opportunity to have something borrowed and wear a family heirloom or your mums diamond necklace.