Here’s how to organise your wedding dress alterations in Melbourne

Are you wondering about wedding dress alterations in Melbourne? Your wedding dress is one of the most important dresses you can wear in your life.

Associated with cherished memories and love, it’s not just the mementos your wedding dress holds but about making you feel extra special on your wedding day.

After spending months finding the perfect dress, it’s important that it fits your unique body shape. Every dress will need to be altered, even if it’s only a little, to ensure a proper flattering and comfortable fit. This is why fit (and a few alterations) is everything when it comes to your dress, especially if you want to slip into your gown on the morning of your ceremony with no wardrobe malfunctions.

In Melbourne, known for its vibrant fashion scene, you can find a range of skilled professionals to alter your wedding dress to ensure you look and feel spectacular on your big day. 

Importance of a well-fitted dress and the role of alterations 

A well-fitted wedding dress does more than flatter your figure; it boosts your confidence, allows you to move gracefully and comfortably throughout the day, and looks stunning in photographs. And alterations are key to achieving this ideal fit.

Since most wedding dresses are made to order rather than tailored to individual measurements, it’s guaranteed that your wedding dress will need some alteration, even if it’s as tiny as a basic hemming. A wedding dress fitting with a seamstress or tailor is a vital appointment when your dress will be altered to fit correctly and sculpt to your body. 

Tailors will use this appointment to make sure everything from the hemline to the neckline fits flawlessly, enhances your posture, and, most of all, allows you to move more comfortably so you can focus on enjoying your day without any wardrobe distractions. 

Finding the right alterations expert 

When it comes to alterations, not just any tailor will do. You need someone who specialises in wedding dresses, with a keen eye for detail and a gentle hand to handle delicate fabrics and intricate detailings. In Melbourne, there are many talented experts, but finding the right one can feel daunting, especially when it comes to something as important as your wedding dress. 

At Easy Weddings, we’ve compiled a list of some of Melbourne’s most reputable wedding dress designers who also offer in-house alterations. These professional seamstresses and designers are familiar with the latest bridal fashion trends, have experience working with delicate materials often used in wedding dresses, and have a deep understanding of how to make a wedding dress fit like a dream. 

While it’s perfectly fine to find a different retailer for your alterations if your wedding dress designer offers in-house alteration services, it’s highly recommended to stick with them. By using your designer, the alterations completed will be done in the same style and standard as your dress, ensuring that the structural and aesthetic alterations will be handled with the utmost professionalism and care. 

Booking your first fitting alteration appointment

Timing is everything when it comes to alterations, so you need to schedule your fittings at the right times to make sure it’s all ready for your day. Ideally, you should need from one to three alteration appointments. Your first fitting and alteration appointment should be booked about ten months before your wedding, with the last booked about 8-12 weeks before your wedding to account for any changes in the body. 

You should come to each alteration appointment with all your wedding accessories and garments; that means shoes, underwear, shapewear, jewellery, veils and whatever else you plan to wear on the day. This ensures that adjustments are made to the proper fit for your wedding day. If you haven’t picked out all of these details yet, try to bring shoes or undergarments similar to what you’ll wear on the day. This helps you see exactly how the dress will look as a whole and allows the tailor to make accurate adjustments. 

During your alteration appointment, you’ll be asked to move around, sit, and perhaps even dance a little to see how the dress moves with you. These appointments usually take an hour to ensure that all measurements and details are taken accurately. 

Tips for communicating your vision to your tailor 

Clear communication with your tailor or seamstress is crucial during this process. It’s important to be honest about what you like and don’t like about the dress as it currently fits. If you have specific details, such as adding a bustle or changing the neckline, bring some inspo photos or examples to translate your ideas clearly. Remember, while tailors are experts in their field, they’re not mind readers, so the more specific you can be, the better they can fulfil your vision. While you may have a particular vision in mind, make sure to listen and take in any suggestions from the tailor, as they may offer advice based on their experience with similar dresses and fabrics, which could enhance the final look of your dress. 

How much to budget for alterations 

The cost of alterations generally isn’t included in the price of your dress, but it should be included in your wedding dress budget. The exact cost in your budget that should be put aside for alterations depends on each dress and its needs. Many alterations depend on the complexity of the changes and the dress’s fabric. While minor adjustments might cost a few hundred dollars, extensive reshaping and other needs could run up to a thousand dollars. 

It’s a good idea to discuss costs upfront with your tailor to avoid any surprises. Remember to allocate a portion of your wedding budget to alterations from the beginning of your planning, since practically all dresses will need some scale of alterations to ensure a perfect fit.

Caring for your dress post-alterations 

Once your dress has been altered to your unique physique, it’s crucial to keep it pristine until your wedding day. Your tailor should give you specific storage and handling instructions and a breathable garment bag to hang it in until your wedding day. While you may want to pull your dress out to look at every now and again in the lead-up to your wedding, it’s important to avoid handling it unnecessarily to keep it free from wrinkles and stains. 

After celebrating your wedding, consider cleaning your dress professionally to maintain its beauty for years. It should also be stored properly after the wedding, especially if you want to keep it as a keepsake or even hand it down for future generations. 

Find your dream dress fit with alterations in Melbourne 

Finding the perfect fit for your wedding dress might require a bit of effort, but it’s worth every minute when you walk down the aisle feeling beautiful. Alteration experts will always ensure your dress is nothing less than perfect on your special day. To start the search for your dream wedding dress or find the right tailor to achieve the perfect fit, browse Easy Weddings’ dress directory or contact our team to take the stress out of your wedding planning.