ALTERED TO PERFECTION
HAVE A WEDDING GOWN THAT NEEDS ALTERED? WHETHER YOUR GOWN IS NEWLY ORDERED, OFF THE RACK, OR A CHERISHED FAMILY HEIRLOOM THAT NEEDS A RESTYLE FOR A MODERN BRIDE, THE SKILLED STITCHERS AT BRIDAL SEAMSTRESSES NI DIRECTORY WILL SEW YOUR GOWN BEAUTIFULLY TO SUIT YOU. WE LOOK AT THE FINER DETAILS INVOLVED IN GETTING YOUR WEDDING DRESS EXPERTLY ALTERED…
When it comes to the perfect look and fit of a gown, nobody knows better how it should appear than a dressmaker. Bridal seamstresses are specialists in making, altering and customising wedding gowns and attire. From cut to stitch, they demonstrate their expertise, extensive knowledge and understanding of bridal fabrics, wedding gown construction and practical application. Whether it’s a simple set of alterations, taking the ‘something old’ and revamping it into a stunning ‘something new’, or creating an exquisitely bespoke gown, bridal seamstresses’ care and experience ensure their brides are beautifully fitted for their wedding day.
WHEN TO BOOK A SEAMSTRESS
Like every profession in the bridal industry, preferred suppliers book up early, so don’t wait until it’s too late to book your bridal seamstress. In fact, you do not need your gown, shoes or even colours chosen – just your wedding date! That all important date determines a seamstress’s availability in helping you to prepare for your special day. When making your initial booking, however, do make sure to include everyone else in the bridal party that will need alterations as well – from the flower girl to the mother of the bride – as there may not be enough space left in the diary and time on the hands of your chosen seamstress at a later stage.
THE PROCESS
Your bridal seamstress will expertly guide you through the dress-fitting process, from consultation and booking in, to the first and final step into your perfectly fitted gown on your wedding day. As independent businesses, each bridal seamstress will work differently regarding booking in, time frames, numbers of fittings required and services offered.
You can expect to secure your offered fitting dates with a booking fee/deposit. As a general guidance, the time frame for your fittings will vary between approximately twelve and six weeks prior to your wedding day. Those time frames are dictated by the seamstress’s availability and what your gown requires. The number of fittings will depend on what work is required to bring your vision of yourself on your wedding day to reality, but you can expect at least two up to a possible five or six weeks between fittings. The more design changes or custom work required will equal a higher number of fittings needed. At the end of this process, your gown will be wedding-day ready, and you can be assured the work will have been completed with care, consideration and expertise.
BUDGETING & COSTS
Budgeting for your wedding expenses is an important aspect of your planning. Costings for bridal alterations, however, is probably the only service you will use that even any bridal seamstress cannot give you upon booking in. Your gown’s design, its construction and what alterations it requires are the factors that must be taken into consideration when pricing, and these three points cannot be properly assessed until your bridal seamstress sees your gown and sees you in it.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Your seamstress may offer additional services to alterations. Custom additions such as capes, veils, sleeves, etc., to complete your vision can be requested.
Gown and dress preparation for the wedding day, i.e. steaming, may also be available upon request, or offered as a complimentary service on completion of alterations.
Some individual seamstresses offer brides a dressing service that ensures a stress-free experience for you and your entourage on the day of your wedding. Availing of assistance from an experienced seamstress on your special day is the grand finale of your bridal preparations – no one knows how your gown is meant to look and be worn better than a dressmaker.
WHERE TO FIND A SEAMSTRESS
While some bridal salons have their own in-house seamstress, many don’t, so make sure to ask when shopping for your dress. If the answer is no, ask them if they have a list of local seamstresses or if they can suggest one. If they don’t, you can checkout Bridal Seamstresses NI Directory on Facebook, which is a directory of some bridal seamstresses located throughout the province. While the directory is extensive, it does not represent all bridal seamstresses in the region.
Bridal Seamstresses NI Directory is a consortium of individual dressmakers who have come together to make putting the finishing touches on a wedding gown that much easier for the bride to be. Not sure where to start in finding a seamstress? Consult Bridal Seamstresses NI with any questions and they will help guide you on your way.
For more information, got to Facebook: Bridal Seamstresses NI Directory.
