Bridal Alterations Etiquette

Alright, you secured a spot with a talented bridal seamstress and the moment has finally come. It is time to go to your first bridal alterations consultation. I have compiled a list of bridal alterations etiquette that will help you prepare for your alterations journey and will help you become your seamstress’s favorite client! 

1. Be punctual – being early is not ON TIME!

Being punctual means arriving at the time you were scheduled. If you are a responsible girlie that likes to show up 15 minutes early everywhere, keep in mind that this does not work for a bridal seamstress. If you get in early, chances are you will interrupt the previous appointment and remember: everyone deserves the seamstress’s whole attention. So be mindful of your fellow brides and of your seamstress.

2. Limit companions -

This rule is more to protect you than anything else. During the initial consultation your seamstress needs you to be completely honest with her about the things you want to fix/address about your dress. Those things might be very intimate and maybe even a big insecurity of yours and believe me: no one wants an audience when telling our seamstress if they can help us hide them! Don’t worry, if you want to bring guests for moral support, us seamstresses completely understand, just ask beforehand and the seamstress will tell you how many people they can accommodate.

3. Communicate clearly - 

There is nothing a bridal seamstress loves more than full transparency from a bride. Whether you are on a weight loss journey, using ozempic, trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or idk getting a boob job in two weeks – communicate! Bridal gown alterations is a service that heavily relies on your HONEST feedback. If something is not comfortable, to your liking or just plain off, please please COMMUNICATE IT!! I cannot stress this enough, us seamstresses cannot feel the dress on you, and what might look great to us, might feel uncomfortable for you. Having good communication during fittings with your seamstress will ensure your dress fits amazing and that we all have a great experience. 

4. Be Respectful- 

Allow your seamstress to access the state of your dress and the fit. Allow her to pin, measure and give suggestions, she will then ask for feedback and your thoughts on the fit of the dress. Do not try to tell your seamstress how or what she needs to do to your dress, she is the professional and knows the best way to tackle your fit issues. A good seamstress will make suggestions and request your feedback and only once you both are on the same page, will make the decision to go ahead with the specific alteration. Being respectful here means allowing the professional to do their work. 

I hope that these not so obvious rules will help you become your seamstress’s favorite client and most importantly, it will ensure your alterations are executed promptly and to the highest standards. Remember that even though the bridal seamstress is the professional, it is your COLLABORATION that makes all the difference and ensures quality results. Trust the process and enjoy the journey!

What you ACTUALLY need to look for in a bridal seamstress

Okay you just walked out of the bridal boutique with the most precious dress you have ever bought and are in bridal heaven. Now what? 

You get in the car and reality starts seeping in: the bust cups make you look like Madonna, the skirt is half a foot too long and the zipper is doing a weird lumpy shape through your back. Yup. Your dress needs alterations!! Where do you begin? The bridal shop gave you a list. Okay! Wait, but how do you pick one? KEEP READING!

Aside from the thing we all know to look for in someone who offers a skill as a service (eg. expertise, specialization, availability), I will list 3 very serious things you ACTUALLY want to consider when looking for a bridal seamstress.

The truth is: we are all good at what we do, period. We do this day in, day out. Some of us went to school and received classical education some others know it by trade, by family traditions, by experimenting; you name it. We do it for money and we get paid for it, so we must know how to do a thing or two right. But what will really set your bridal gown alterations experience apart are these three things:

Reviews! 

It was kind of obvious right? No, but like the real reviews and more than that; the willingness to have them! Does your seamstress have a Google Profile where people can arbitrarily leave an honest review about their experience? Do you notice a common theme in reviews? What are the past brides liking/commenting the most on? Does it align with what you are looking for/ it’s important to you?

Transparency (Overall!!) 

Like in everything they do! From the minute you contact them. Are they giving you a quote WITHOUT seeing your gown in person? Why? Are they disclosing if they work out of their home? Are they preparing you for a realistic timeline? And then once you’re at your consultation: Are they being up front about pricing? Are they explaining how the process works, what alteration your dress needs and WHY it needs it?  These are just a few things you should be asking yourself and paying attention to see if they align with what you are looking for.

Comfort level! 

What is this? How comfortable are you with them? Do you feel like the seamstress really cares about you, or are you just another client they are getting through? How does she show you are important? Is she actively listening to your needs, concerns and trying to understand your vision? Is your seamstress promoting body positivity, making you feel welcomed and beautiful? Do you feel comfortable talking to her about self image? Are they catering to you in everything they do? from making information/education readily available, ease of booking, multiple open channels for communication? This pillar is SO SO SO IMPORTANT because this is what will truly set a bridal seamstress apart and provide you with peace of mind as your alterations get underway.

Asking yourself all these questions is crucial because at the end, you will have figured out whether or not the bridal seamstress’s values and work ethic align with yours. These non-tangibles will make the difference between having a transactional experience getting to your wedding look finish line or having a magical personalized experience building up to the best day of your life.

What do you think? What is the most important thing for you when looking for a wedding vendor?