How to prepare for a wedding dress fitting

A fitting should feel unhurried

Bridal fittings are among the most personal appointments a dressmaker offers. Your dress may have been months in the choosing, and you deserve to feel relaxed while it is pinned. A little preparation makes the whole process smoother, and helps the alterations be as accurate as possible.

What to bring

The single most helpful thing is to bring everything you will wear with the dress on the day:

• Your wedding shoes, or shoes with exactly the same heel height.
• The bra, corset or shapewear you plan to wear.
• Any petticoat, hoop or underskirt.
• A veil or headpiece if it affects the back of the dress.
• Photographs of the look you are hoping for, if they help.

How many fittings to expect

Most wedding dresses need more than one fitting. The first is for assessing and pinning; later ones check the work and fine-tune. The number depends on the dress and the changes you would like, so please allow plenty of time before the wedding and ring early to discuss dates.

Common bridal alterations

Hems are almost universal, as wedding dresses are usually made long. Bodices are often taken in for a closer, more supportive fit, and straps adjusted. If your dress has a train, a bustle can be added so you can lift it for the evening and dance comfortably. Lace dresses may need motifs lifted and re-sewn by hand rather than simply cut.

Looking after yourself

Eat beforehand, wear easy clothes that come off quickly, and bring someone whose opinion you trust, but perhaps not a crowd. Above all, speak up if something feels uncomfortable; a fitting is the time to say so. Golden Button welcomes brides from Christchurch and across Dorset to the workshop on Bargates.