Wedding Dress fitting

Question

My wedding is May 24 and I am trying to figure out when I should get my first dress fittings. I def need it hemmed and the bust taken in majorly and I may need straps put on. I want to have a bridal photo shoot done in April, so when should I get my first dress fitting?

Answer 1

You're supposed to get your first fitting 2 months before the wedding. Sometimes it only takes one fitting. Other times it can take two fittings. You don't want to have it done too far in advance because you could gain or lose weight and your dress won't fit right. I had mine done in January 2007 and got married on March 10th. That was a month and 1/2 before and I lost about 5 lbs. My dress was a little big. I suggest doing one 2 months before the wedding. Then try the dress on again about 3 weeks before the wedding and if it needs work, have it done then.

Some places charge you a fee for having it done less than 6 weeks before the wedding b/c if they mess up and have to order you a new dress, it won't be back in time. If you get your dress altered where you  bought it, they'll usually insure it. Having it done elsewhere is risky.  

Answer 2

i would think march

Answer 3

As early as possible. May starts to be a busy time for brides, so many many brides will be trying to have their dresses fitted and altered in time for their wedding.

I would go in first around the first part of February to get the main things done. Schedule a follow up appointment in early to mid April just to make sure no last minute alterations are necessary.

Answer 4

It took David's Bridal 10-12 weeks to do my simple alterations.  I was just getting hem and bustle.  I had to go in 3 times.  I also wanted the dress in my possession a month before the wedding b/c I'd heard horror stories about places losing it and a bride having 3 days to go buy another dress.  I went and had it marked, came back a month later and all they had done was take the pens out.  No hemming at all.  So they remarked it.  Then I came back a month later.  They hadn't done the bustle.  3 wks later I came back and it still wasn't right I completely turned bridezilla on them screaming that I couldn't come back a MONTH later b/c MY WEDDING was in 3 wks.  It was the only time in my whole wedding planning process I went bridezilla and apparently that's what you have to do at David's Bridal.

If you want it early April for the shoot, then yeah I agree with everyone else Jan-Feb time frame.  It really depends on where you are getting it done and how much has to be done to the dress.  If you are using someone small (a seamstress not a large chain) she won't need nearly that kind of time.  A month before hand would be fine.

If you are using a large chain, you have to expect failures.  They have a high turn over rate and as such, things often don't get done.  Plus May-July is the busiest time with all the brides trying to get their dress done.  My wedding was June and my first fitting I think was in early March.  I couldn't have waited any longer and I didn't even have a bridal portrait.

Another thing--if you end up doing it in January...be careful about those holiday calories.  You may decide it's better to get the initial fitting in December so that you haven't packed on holiday pounds.  Or do it late Jan so you've had time to lose those extra pounds again.

Answer 5

4-5 months before!

Answer 6

woah! you are way ahead of yourself lady :) I would do the first in Feb and have a follow up in March. Dont stress out about this yet! You have some time!

Answer 7

About a month ahead of when you'll first need the dress unless you forsee some weight issues.

Answer 8

I would look at the middle of February, sometimes major alterations can take more than a month, especially if you're adding straps or other materials.  If your bridal shoot is in April, I would give it a 2 month window to make sure that the dress is altered to your liking in time.  You may go to try it on and there is still a problem.  Photos cost enough that you want it to fit perfectly for your bridal shots.

Answer 9

i would get it done in mid jan. you may need more than one fitting and you want to make sure it fits right. so make one in jan then another in late march.