Every bride wants to find that perfect dress. The dress that fits her body and makes her feel confident and beautiful for her special day. Some brides have a style in mind, others have no idea where to start. It is important to try on different styles to see which style really showcases your individual style and body. Alterations can go a long way to helping take your bridal look from good to unforgettable.
It can really help you to save money but having a dress altered to be that perfect dress instead of having to spend several thousand to buy that style. You can spend $200 on a discounted dress, spend $300 on alterations and achieve that perfect look for much less, even with a good bit of alterations. It helps you capture that perfect style that is specific and individually perfect for you.
Alterations cost vary greatly from each seamstress. It is a good idea to get a quote from 2 or more seamstresses to decide who to hire. You can also research them to read reviews and ask to see pictures of other work they have completed to help you choose the right seamstress. You will want to make sure your dress is ready before the wedding if you will be doing a bridal photography session. Here are a few alterations you may not know were even possible.
1. Add “Bling”
This is where it gets fun! Let’s say you found the perfect dress, you love the style, fabric, color and it fits your body type. However, it just doesn’t have that glamour you want. You can purchase individual or already assembled jewels, pearls, and many other options to add to the dress to give it the exact look you want. It is amazing how adding some jewels, rhinestones, pearls or other adornment can take the dress from good to perfect. You can see how adding jewels along the waist can add so much style to an otherwise simple dress. You can also go more ornate like in the second picture with a combination of pearls, rhinestones and add your own personal style. Of course, the more ornate and detailed, the more expensive the alteration would be. However, you will be able to have that perfect dress that is exactly what you wanted.
2. The “Perfect Fit” Alteration
Most wedding dress are made long and with a larger bust. The reason being it is easier to take in than let out. This usually allows the seamstress to take it in to be the perfect fit for you. Altering the hips, waist and bust can really add that perfect silhouette that give the dress the look that it was made just for you. Also, having these alterations allows you to be more comfortable in your dress
3. Alter the Neckline
This can be a bit trickier depending on the style you want or the detail already in the neckline. However, you would be surprised to see how you can change a halter dress to be strapless, or have straps. If you find that perfect dress, but you don’t like the halter dress style, don’t toss it out. Just change it.
4. Add Sleeves or Straps
Do you dream of elegant lace sleeves? Does the perfect dress not have them? Don’t give up on the dress. You can have sleeves added to many styles of dresses. You can even purchase a lace top or bolero without having to alter the dress. Here is a picture of a dress that was sleeveless that we added a lace bolero that buttoned in the back and totally changed the look of the dress. The lace sleeves added an elegant touch and helped showcase the brides beautiful silhouette. You can also add sleeves, straps, or remove them fairly easily.
5. Alter the Closure
Many brides are surprised to find out how relatively easy it is to alter the closure on the dress. If the dress has a zipper and you have dreamed of buttons all the way down the back, it’s surprisingly easy to alter. Many wedding dresses have a zipper with just buttons sewn on the back so that you don’t actually have to fasten all the buttons but you still achieve the same look. You can also take the back from a zipper to a corset back. There are so many options, and they are surprisingly affordable and simple.
6. Add Lace
Lace is very popular right now. There are so many different styles and designs of lace. You can add a simple lace scalloped edge around the base of your dress, add an amazing lace train, or even add lace to the entire outside of the dress. You can work with your seamstress to pick the style of lace you like and design that perfect look.
7. Add Style to your Waist
You can purchase a waist ribbon band that has a wide variety of styles to add a little extra to your dress. These are surprisingly affordable and when paired with the right dress can add just the right touch.
8. Have a Fuller Hem or Remove some “Fluff” from the Hem
If that perfect dress is just too fluffy for your style, it’s usually a pretty easy fix to just remove some of the under layers that add that style. Likewise, on many styles you can purchase a slip that has some layering to it to add a bit to the skirt of your wedding dress.
9. Big Alterations
Depending on the style and fabric of the dress you have chosen you can make some big style changes. You can add a bigger train, create a mermaid look or even alter one piece of the dress significantly. We had one bride that was in love with the top half of one wedding dress and the bottom half of another dress. She did a facetime call with her seamstress to show her both and they were confident they could combine the top of one dress with the bottom of the other dress to give her that perfect style. Since both dresses were affordable, this was the perfect option for her and gave her exactly what she wanted.
10. Accessories
When picking out your dress don’t forget how much accessories can add to the look you are desiring. A more simple styled wedding dress can be complimented with an exquisite veil for a captivating style. You can add a tiara, earrings and necklace to compliment your wedding dress. Think of the total picture of what you want with accessories included as you pick out your dress.
We hope this has helped you when designing your wedding style and hopefully opened the door to more dress options to help you find that perfect dress while fitting with your desired budget. We can’t wait to see you and help you find that perfect dress!
