Brides-to-be – The impact of weight fluctuations on bridal alterations and their charges
We support brides in looking fabulous, but weight fluctuations too close to the wedding day can be a significant challenge for bridal alterations.
It is not surprising that, standing in the spotlight on a wedding day, one of the most spectacular days in a lifetime, brides feel under pressure to look their absolute best. Some brides start working out and undergo weight loss to ensure they are in their finest shape months before their wedding day. New weight-loss jabs are tempting. It often stays unnoticed that every person changes shape almost daily, depending on circumstances and lifestyle. Weight fluctuations are challenging for bridal alterations.
In conversation with Eva Beaumont, our senior workroom manager for bridal. She has decades of experience in bridal wear, design, dress making and bridal alterations.
Q. From the perspective of bridal alterations, what is your recommendation to brides who aim for the best shape before their wedding?
A. A well-fitted dress will look and feel amazing on any body shape on your wedding day. You do not need to change your shape for your wedding day, but if you think you would like to, it is best to achieve this before shopping for your wedding dress so that you can order a dress in your closet size to your measurements. If you would like to change your body shape after ordering your dress, it is best to do so before your first fitting.
We typically schedule three fittings for brides. At your first fitting, your dress is fitted to your body shape, and your hem is pinned. At your second fitting, we check that the body of the dress fits well before finalising your hem alterations. Your third fitting is a collection fitting to ensure that everything fits well.
Q. What are the problems that can occur when a bride loses or gains weight very close to her wedding?
A. Depending on the style of your dress and the available fabric seam allowance, it may be possible to take in or let out a dress as needed. However, it can be very stressful for a bride to have to do this close to the wedding. Dramatic weight loss or gain can also affect the length of a dress, which may need to be re-hemmed again. It’s often difficult to attend extra fittings when you are busy with wedding preparations, especially very close to the wedding.
Q. How aware is a bride about the fact that her body measurements change almost daily. How does it affect fitting sessions?
A. Body measurements do not always stay the same; everyone’s measurements change slightly from day to day. It’s best not to worry about how your measurements are going, but to continue eating and exercising as usual. Slight measurement changes do not affect the overall fit of your dress. For example, if a waist measurement changes by one or two centimetres, this will not significantly affect the overall fit and may, of course, fluctuate before your wedding day.
Q. Current trend of weight-loss jabs like Ozempic can cause weight loss of multiple stones in a relatively short period of time. What can be the implications for a bride who uses weight loss jabs? How can extensive weight fluctuations affect bridal alterations?
A. Weight loss jabs can result in a significant reduction in body size, potentially dropping by 2 or 3 sizes or more. It can be challenging to find a dress that fits more than one or two sizes without compromising the original style or shape. Dramatic weight loss after your alteration process has begun will incur additional alteration charges and may affect the overall appearance of your dress.
Q. What is the impact of weight loss or gain on alteration charges?
A. Having a dress taken in or let out due to weight changes will incur alteration charges, which will vary depending on the complexity of your dress. Quite often, when there is dramatic weight loss/gain after the first fitting, the same alteration needs to be repeated, incurring another set of alteration charges for the same alteration. It is also not suitable for the fabric to be repeatedly unpicked and worked on.
Q. What is your ultimate advice to a bride buying a wedding dress regarding her body shape and weight?
A. Try on many dress shapes with an open mind when shopping for a wedding dress. Once you have found a dress that you love, listen to the shop’s recommendations about which size you need to order and be realistic when ordering your wedding dress without putting too much pressure on yourself. Wedding dress sizes often vary from designer to designer and differ from everyday clothes, so it is essential to order the correct size based on your measurements.
Our team supports brides in looking fabulous, but weight loss or gain too close to the wedding day can be a significant challenge for bridal alterations. A well-fitted bridal gown fits like a glove. It is based on individual body measurements transmitted to a dress.
At B&A, we recommend booking your first bridal fitting 2-3 months before your wedding. The timeframe ensures that the dress will fit you well on the day but also allows enough time for the often-complex bridal alterations.
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