Read now, thank us after your first fitting.
You've probably read countless posts about how to choose the perfect wedding dress, but it's less likely you've read about how to move in your wedding dress once you've purchased it! Of course, it's worth noting that, on your wedding day, you won't be moving about with the same ease and gusto you do in gym gear. You'll be travelling at a slower pace and taking much more care. But you shouldn't feel confined, or trapped in your dress. The ideal is to feel free enough to breathe, dance, hug and say cheers to your fabulous day! Which is why fittings, and our wedding dress fitting checklist are so important!
We've put together a simple set of instructions that should help you test-drive your wedding dress during the alterations process. And aid in avoiding any discomfort or possible wardrobe malfunctions on the big day!
How to Move in Your Wedding Dress
To achieve the perfect fit, you'll first need to figure out how mobile you aim to be in your wedding dress. This varies heavily on the type of day you've got planned. Most wedding days require very little strenuous activity beyond dancing and hugging. But if you're planning to host your ceremony in a forest, or want to trek up a cliffside for wedding portraits – you may need a little extra room in your dress.
Before your fitting, have a think about what you'll be doing on the day, particularly in the lead-up to your wedding portraits, as this is when your dress needs to look its best. OK, now you're ready for your fitting!
What to Bring to Your Wedding Dress Fitting
Below we've gone beyond general tips and advice, and actually created a handy checklist to tick off before your wedding dress fitting.
Underwear
Bring a good quality strapless bra and bottoms in a colour that's close to your skin tone. In a perfect world, you would already have the set you plan to wear on the big day. If so, wear the set, as that will help create the perfect wedding day fit.
Shoes
If you've already got your wedding shoes, bring them along. If not, bring something with a similar heel height.
Any accessories you've already purchased
Hair accessories, jewellery, or even a veil.
Make-up remover
We recommend wearing as little make-up as possible to your wedding dress fitting, and be sure to ditch the fake tan too!
A notebook and pen/Mobile Notation App
You'll need somewhere to write down details of further alterations needed, collection dates, and possibly measurements.
The Essential Wedding Dress Fitting Checklist
There are a few moves you should pull during a wedding dress fitting that'll guarantee a great fit. Note that we don't use the phrase 'perfect fit'.
A skin-tight wedding dress looks spectacular, but isn't practical. A loose wedding dress doesn't look great, but is a dream to wear. You're searching for that sweet spot somewhere in between. And moving around in your wedding dress during a fitting will help you find that perfect fit.
But before you start dancing around in the dressing room, make sure your alterations' person is prepared for you to move about. As there may be pins or temporary stitches in place that could damage your dress if moved out of position.
Assuming your alterations person is happy for you to test the fit, here are some actions you make in your wedding dress.
Walk around
Stroll around the room, keeping in mind whether you'll need to walk up steps on the day or climb an incline to reach a certain location.
Note your temperature
If the fabric loses or retains more heat than you imagined, you'll need to take extra precautions against the warm weather.
Slouch
In a perfect world, we'd all keep our shoulders back, chin up and stomach tucked in. But during the average day, and on your wedding day, it's more realistic that you'll slouch. To test the fit, let your perfect posture slip, and see how the dress feels.
Sit down
You'll be sitting for a significant portion of your wedding day, including the ceremony and wedding breakfast. Therefore you must be comfortable when doing so.
Mime hugging someone/Hug someone
There's no need to lock the person doing your alterations in an embrace, but if they're up for it, go ahead! It's also just as good to mimic the gesture a few times, while also pretending to strain up, or down a little. As there will be guests of all sizes present on your big day. (We know someone who tore her dress while hugging guests post-ceremony, so this is an important one to get right!)
Dance
There's no need to break into a full-on breakdance, but if you're expecting to stay in your dress for the whole night, it's a good idea to test things out by jigging about a bit.
Raise your arms
You'll be surprised how often this is required on your wedding day, between waving at onlookers as you travel to the ceremony, and raising the roof on the dance floor.
Mime getting in and out of a car
It helps to practice entering and exiting a vehicle, particularly if you intend to use an unusual form of transport.
Figure out your bathroom plan
You've got to be wearing the dress to figure out how to pee in it, and now's a good time to do it! We can highly recommend the Bridal Buddy, check it out!
Take the dress off
It's important to know in advance how many people, if any, you'll need to help you get dressed and undressed. An experienced bridal shop will give you instructions on how to lace up a wedding dress, and hopefully guide your helper in how to do it. Either video or write down their advice in case it gets forgotten on the day.
Getting your wedding dress fitting just right can make or break the big day experience because if it goes wrong that feeling will certainly stick with you. Trust in your alterations person and believe that they'll ensure your wedding dress fits like a dream!