Planning your wedding gown alterations can feel like navigating a maze of lace, hems, and fittings, but at Saylor Sewing, we’ve got your back every step of the way! From your first inquiry to the big reveal on your wedding day, this guide will walk you through each stage of the process, ensuring your dress fits like a dream. Whether you’re months ahead or feeling the last-minute crunch, we’ve covered all the bases with tips, timelines, and a little bit of wit to make the journey as smooth as silk (or satin, or tulle—whatever your gown's made of!). Let’s make sure you’re stunning down the aisle, no stress required!
Photo: Amanda Leise
You’ve said "I do" and "Yes" to the dress! Now what?
Congratulations! The love of your life popped the question, and you found the dress—two major milestones down. But now, it’s time to make sure that gown fits you like it was destined for you, not just plucked off a rack. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you glide through the alterations process at Saylor Sewing, with a few chuckles along the way.
9-12 Months Before the Wedding – The Inquiry Form
(aka Paperwork, but Fun)
The very first step in your bridal alterations journey with us is submitting an inquiry form. Do this as soon as you’ve said "yes" to your dress! This form provides all the essential information we need, from photos of your gown to help us assess the time and cost, to your wedding date, so we can plan accordingly. This step is crucial in ensuring we can meet your needs and provide accurate details about the alterations process. Think of it as your gown’s "dating profile"—you send us pics, tell us about all those lovely details, and we start imagining how we’ll bring out the best in your gown. Plus, it’s required, so you can’t skip it, just like the seating chart for your reception.
4-9 Months Before the Wedding – Make a Reservation
(Cue the Urgency Music)
Now it’s time to book that spot! Once we've reviewed your inquiry, answered all your questions, and discussed the details, it's time to make a reservation. We know wedding planning can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle, but trust us, booking early is the way to go. We tend to fill up faster than a hot new brunch spot, especially during those ever-popular wedding months like May, June, September, and October. If you prefer, you can schedule a consultation first to go over your needs, but please note that this does not reserve your place. So, if you know we’re "the one" for your dress, reserve your space ASAP!
2-6 Months Before the Wedding – Optional Consultation
(The Dress Rehearsal Before the Big Show)
If you opt for a consultation, schedule it as soon as your dress arrives. This is a great opportunity for us to evaluate your gown’s construction and alterations, making sure you're prepared with the right undergarments and accessories. The consultation fee will be credited toward your final alteration costs, and it’s designed to give you and us peace of mind. We’ll address all the little details to ensure your first fitting is smooth and stress-free. This is like a pre-game for your gown—getting us acquainted with its quirks and details, making sure your shapewear is doing its job, and answering all those "Is this normal?" questions. And if you skip this step, just be prepared to be extra ready at your first fitting—no shapewear surprises!
8-12 Weeks (2-3 Months) Before the Wedding – First Fitting (Now We’re Talking!)
This is where the magic really begins. Your first fitting is when we start working on the fit of your bodice and straps—this affects the hem, so we start from the top and work our way down. We’ll take your measurements (and offer them to you for free, useful for future shopping!). This fitting is typically quicker, but don’t worry, we take our time to make sure everything is perfect. And yes, we have a few surprises to make this milestone special!
A few tips: arrive fresh and confident, wear minimal makeup (so your gown stays pristine), and bring supportive guests to help, but keep the group small.
Photo: Rebecca Marie Photo
Pro Tips for Fittings:
Come fresh and confident! (Your gown—and we—will thank you.)
Skip the gym and tanning bed right before, unless you want a gown that smells like spin class.
If a glam hair and makeup sesh gives you an extra boost, go for it—but remember, today’s about the gown, not a full red carpet look!
You're welcome to bring supportive guests to help, but keep the group small
4-10 Weeks Before the Wedding – Follow-Up Fittings
(Time to Get Real)
Now we’re getting down to business. These fittings focus on the rest of your gown—hem, bustle, and all the little details that turn your gown into your gown. Your gown may look a bit deconstructed during these sessions, especially if lace or beading is temporarily removed. But don’t worry! We do this to ensure everything is perfect. If something feels uncomfortable (like a poky piece of boning or cups that seem to have their own agenda), tell us. We rely on your feedback for adjustments and we can’t read minds—though we are pretty good at reading dress seams.
2-4 Weeks Before the Wedding – Final Fitting (Bring the Squad)
Here we are—the grand finale of fittings! Bring your most supportive people with you, because this is when we’ll teach them how to zip, button, lace, and bustle like pros. This is a serious job! Your person will need to be nimble, as this requires attention to detail and a little strength—choose wisely! So maybe not Grandma with the bad knees or your cousin who has a habit of misplacing her glasses. Bring your favorite phone, camera, or drone (just kidding) and record the whole process. It’s basically a private, personalized YouTube tutorial just for you!
Photo: (left to right) Mari Carmen Arcos Photography, Priceless Studio, and Everything and Art
Week of the Wedding – Dress Steaming & Pick-Up
(No Wrinkles Allowed)
This is when we hand over the freshly steamed, totally wrinkle-free version of your gown. If you booked our Wedding Day Concierge service, sit back and relax—we’ve got it covered, you can skip this part! Otherwise, you’ll pick up your dress the week of the wedding. We steam your gown and wrap it carefully for transport, so it’s ready to go. You'll want to provide a white King-sized flat sheet for us to wrap your gown in. Make sure it is white unless you want your dress to end up looking like it went camping in a field of blueberries. If you don't have a white king-sized flat sheet or you forget, we do have them for sale in our shop. It’s important to have a safe space to hang your dress once it’s out of the garment bag. Pro tip: if possible, deliver your gown directly to the venue the day before the wedding to avoid extra handling.
Day of the Wedding – Wedding Day Concierge
(aka, We’ve Got Your Back)
For our lucky brides who booked our Wedding Day Concierge, we’ll be there to make sure everything is flawless every step of the way! From delivering and steaming your gown on-site to fixing last-minute mishaps (strap snaps? buttons pop? No problem!), we’re on it. Making sure everything is picture-perfect for your walk down the aisle and your reception. You focus on the big "I do"; we’ll focus on the behind-the-scenes magic.
Post-Wedding – Gown Cleaning & Preservation
(Time Capsule, Anyone?)
After the big day, your dress deserves a little R&R too. Take advantage of our gown cleaning and preservation kits, and enjoy up to $50 off if you purchased it with your alterations package. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your dress yet (understandable!), you’ve got 90 days take advantage of $25 off a gown cleaning or preservation kit.
Oh, and don’t forget to send us your wedding pics—we love seeing our brides in action! You might even end up as one of our featured brides on our "Real Bride WEDnesday" posts.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure your gown is picture-perfect for your big day, and we’ll be with you every stitch of the way!
Photo: Jessie Lee
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