There’s a first time for everything. At least, that’s what they say. The unfortunate part is that the first time is usually the scariest, because you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into!
So what am I so vaguely referring to today? Actually, I’m talking about your wedding gown fittings. Selecting your wedding dress requires a lot of focus in and of itself, but once you’ve got the perfect dress picked out, you still have a few things to do before you’re all set.
So, as the been-there-done-that expert I am, I’ve put together a little list of what you should expect when it comes to your dress fittings. And don’t be scared, the whole process is completely harmless.
First of all, you should probably expect to have two or even three fittings before the big day to make sure your dress is absolutely perfect. As great as it would be to get everything exactly right the first time around, having another one or two fitting sessions just further ensures your dress will fit how you want it to when your wedding day arrives.
Second of all, when you come to your fitting appointments, you should have everything you’re planning on wearing on your big day with you. This means your undergarments, shoes, veil, and even your hoopskirt or petticoat (if you’re going to be wearing it with your dress). You might not have everything picked out for your first fitting, but you should be pretty set for your second and third.
Once you’re completely prepared for your fittings, the next question is ‘what should you expect.’ Well, it’s pretty simple:
- You’ll be asked to try on your dress (with any extras you’ve brought with you).
- When you come out of the dressing room, your seamstress will make you stand around for awhile, sometimes in funny positions, while she pins the dress accordingly.
- Your seamstress might also mark your dress where it needs to be let out if it happens to be a little too tight in some places.
And yes, this is all that will happen all three times. The good news is that with each progressive appointment, there will, presumably, be fewer changes to make until you have the perfect dress that fits you perfectly!
Basically, if you put in the time for a few fittings before the big day, you’ll end up with a dress that’s perfect for you and no stressful surprises. Even with everything you have to do, it’s definitely in your best interest to find the time for your dress fittings!
P.S. It’s up to you, but I recommend bringing a friend to your fittings. It’ll make the appointments a lot more fun, and they might be a big help: getting into your dress, holding your veil, and even learning to bustle your gown. Just my two cents.
