Do I REALLY need Alterations?

Always EXPECT to need some kind of alterations! Unless your figure is the perfect mannequin in the designer's factory, expect alterations! No matter what size you order, no one is a constant size in all areas of the body. Alterations most commonly needed on any dress (wedding gown or maid dress)are the hem, side seams, and straps. It is VERY rare for any Bride or Bridesmaid to get away without ANY alterations needed. In my career of seeing probably a thousand women only a few (I would say about 4 Brides and 6 bridesmaids within the past 2 1/2 years) have ever not needed a thing done!

Are Dresses Made to My Specific Measurements? No. They are made in standard generic 2,4,6,8... sizes. Alterations with your seamstress is where you will get your new dress tailored to YOUR body's needs.

Should I Expect Alterations To Be Included With The Purchase Price Of My Gown ? Never. Everyone always needs something different. In this dieing art of sewing, seamstresses work very hard for the little money they make. Sometimes people do not realize how many hours go into altering a dress no matter how "simple" or complex. Compare it to getting a hair cut. You would commonly pay about thirty dollars to get a hair cut plus a tip in 45 minutes, but would assume to pay a seamstress much less worth to the hours they worked hard at into putting into your special garment. Please ladies, seamstresses work hard and they deserve to be paid appropriatly.

When Looking For A Seamstress: ask to see examples of their work.

Would Rather Save Money? Beware: If you are putting lower price before quality, you sometimes get what you pay for! It is a pity to see customers attempt to save a small amount of money and get back a botch job dress.

If you choose not to do alterations for the sake of saving money, the photographs that you will take never lie. I have seen ill fitting gowns show their true colors in a photo just to save $30 bucks.

What If I Am Planning To Loose Weight For The Wedding? Heir on the side of caution! Get the larger "just in case" size just in case you DO NOT loose all the weight you were hoping to loose. Depending on the style of the dress, make sure to accommodate the largest part of your body. It is always possible to make a big dress smaller, but sometimes you cannot make a small dress bigger!

What Planet Is The Bridal World Sizing From?
The bridal world is commonly different from the "real" world of clothing. Don't worry if the tag of the dress you order is greater than the jeans you wear. For some strange reason, the bridal Gods on their pearl planet decided to make all us earth women feel fat. EVERY brand has a different size chart and it is important to go by your BODY measurements and do not let the number on the size tag scare you!
-For example, a woman is falling into a size 14 bust, an 8 waist, and 12 hip (She got plenty of boobs, a small waist and her mom's booty) She NEVER wears a size 14 pants in the real world!? What should she do? She should accommodate her bust size since it is the largest part of her body, and take in the other areas with alterations.

My Dress Is More Than One Size Bigger In One Or All Areas Of My Body, Should I Panic?
Nope. A seam is a seam is a seam. No matter how loose a dress is, a professional seamstress can make a big dress smaller. They have to take it in the same manner anyway! It does not matter if they have to take in 1 inch or several inches on a single seam, they still have to go about it in the same way. Don't worry, it's normal.

Bridesmaid Etiquette

The Etiquette of a Bridesmaid:
Pay For Your Own Dress & Accessories
Pay For Your Own Alterations
Expect Needing Alterations
Do Not Complain
Keep Your Negative & Stressful Opinions to Yourself
Support the Bride on Her Decisions
Alleviate Any Stress That May Come Her Way
This is HER Wedding, Not Yours
Have Fun!