Those unsure about how long do wedding dress alterations take must allocate two months after purchasing the dress. Next, we will discuss the timeline that your wedding dress will undergo, assuming that you’ll also have three fittings like most brides.
Do note that the type of alterations will affect the time it will take for your dress to be aisle-ready. And if you’re confident with your sewing skills, you can even learn how to alter a wedding dress yourself rather than bringing it to a sewist.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Wedding Dress Altered?
Brides will typically wait two months to get their wedding dress altered because they will undergo three to four fittings once the dress arrives. The complexity of each alteration, the number of alterations, and the intricacy of the wedding dress design will all affect your waiting time to get your wedding dress perfect for the aisle.
So because of this expected duration of wedding dress alterations, you want to schedule a fitting eight to twelve weeks before the wedding day, so your seamstress will have enough time to modify the dress. Then, you’ll have a final fitting two weeks before your wedding to ensure that it will fit perfectly on you.
How Quickly Can A Wedding Dress Be Altered?
A wedding dress can be altered as quickly as an hour on the first fitting. In addition, some alterations are relatively simple, so you won’t need to dedicate months or weeks to them.
Individual alterations can even be finished after 24 hours, but this doesn’t mean that you can skip the two more fittings as your wedding day gets closer. Remember that weight fluctuations are possible, or you might be informed of modifications that you must do to the dress to make it more appropriate for the type of wedding you’re having (e.g., make it more modest-looking for conservative wedding venues.)
Is 6 Months Enough Time To Get A Wedding Dress?
It’s possible to order your wedding dress six months before the wedding, but the optimal timeline is to start shopping as early as nine to ten months before the wedding day. It’s more ideal to start wedding dress shopping early, especially when you want a made-to-order dress that may require materials that are hard to find or need to be sourced outside the country.
And even if you intend to buy a ready-made dress, remember that it will likely need alterations to ensure that it will fit you well. Additionally, you might be having your wedding during peak season, so it’s hard to set an appointment with bridal salons, and sewists and designers are extra busy.
So if you order your dress as early as nine months before the wedding, you’ll also have time to shop for the correct undergarments and accessories for it rather than rushing. Don’t forget that you’ll also be busy with other wedding preparations and you’re not only focused on the wedding dress.
How Long Does It Take To Finish A Wedding Dress?
It can take 6 to 9 months to finish a wedding dress, especially if it’s a custom-made design. You can appreciate the process by reading how long it takes to make a wedding dress if you’re curious.
Here is also the ideal wedding dress shopping timeline while considering the alterations:
6 to 10 months before the wedding day
It’s never too early to start wedding dress shopping, but you don’t want to be under six months before the wedding to purchase the dress. Ideally, you must find the wedding dress 9 to 10 months before the wedding day.
Then, you will usually wait four to six months before the wedding dress gets delivered. And once it arrives, you can schedule with the seamstress for your first fitting.
3 to 4 months before the wedding day
Once your wedding dress arrives, please bring it to the seamstress to start the alterations. But, of course, the bridal shop or designer you purchased it might also be the one altering.
Check how much wedding dress alterations cost to prepare your budget wisely.
2 to 3 months before the wedding day
The hem is typically the most common part altered, so you must be wearing your wedding shoes to get the ideal wedding dress length. The bust and side seams might also need alterations, which is why it’s best to wear your wedding day undergarments as well.
And if you need the neckline or sleeve of the dress changed, tell the seamstress early on.
1 month before the wedding day
Bring the jewelry you’ll wear on your wedding day to get an idea of your bridal look. Make sure also to mention your concerns to the seamstress if the dress needs more modifications.
2 to 3 weeks before the wedding day
Three weeks before the wedding will be your final fitting, and it will also be when you’ll pick up the dress from the seamstress.
Note that it’s also possible to have a fourth fitting, which will mean you can get the dress two weeks before the wedding.
Conclusion
And that’s it! To recap how long do wedding dress alterations take, allocate two months for the fittings and changes to finish.
However, simple and individual alterations can also be done after an hour to 24 hours. Nonetheless, you still want to shop for your wedding dress early to have three fittings.