Do your homework before your first fitting!
Memorial Day has come and gone and it’s finally starting to feel like summer here in New England. I don’t know about you but we’re definitely ready for some sun, sand, sundresses, and al fresco dining! Another fun thing that summer brings? Wedding season! Because the weather is so nice, the majority of weddings in our area happen in the summertime. So, as you can imagine, we’ve been selling tons of wedding dresses to all of those stunning summer brides! Even though their dresses have already been bought, there is still plenty to do to get them wedding ready. Namely? Tailoring! Yes, it’s the process that most brides dread. We all have visions of a botched tailoring job ruining our weddings, but have no fear; in all of our years we’ve literally NEVER heard of that happening. To get through the tailoring process with ease, all you really need to do is prepare. Here are some questions that every bride should ask their tailor before proceeding with any alterations:
We love Best Fit on Newbury Street; definitely give them a call if you’re in need of a tremendous tailor!
1) How many fittings will I need? Once the tailor sees you in your dress, he/she should have a good idea of how much work is required. The average bride will go in for three fittings, so keep that in mind when they answer. Anything much lower (i.e. 1) or higher (i.e. 5 or more) is probably a reason to pause and get a second opinion.
2) Where is my dress kept when it’s not being worked on? Most brides fear an accident happening while the dress is actually being altered, but if the tailor you’re considering doesn’t have a safe place to store it in its “down time” then it can most certainly get damaged then too. Ideally, you’re looking for a storage place out of the sunlight, away from the workroom, and with plenty of room so that your gown isn’t squished.
3) Have you worked with many wedding gowns before? You can pretty easily work this one into casual conversation: “So, are you guys crazy busy this time of year with brides?” Even though you want your tailor to have plenty of time to focus on your gown, the answer you’re looking for is “Yes!” Knowing that other brides trust this tailor is a huge plus!
4) How long will it take to alter my gown? This one’s a no brainer; you obviously need to make sure that the tailor can do the work in time for your big day. Also be wary, though, of anyone who quotes you a really quick lead time. This is not something that you want to be rushed!
5) Will my dress by steamed/pressed when I pick it up? Obviously your dress will get handled quite a bit during the tailoring process, so any reputable tailor will press and/or steam it before handing it off to you. Anyone who doesn’t offer this service is probably someone to reconsider.
6) How much will it cost to tailor my gown? Tailoring prices vary depending on a ton of factors; how much beading the tailor has to work around, how closely the dress fits to begin with, etc. Any good tailor should be able to give you a close sense of what you can expect to pay, though, at your first meeting with them. Keep in mind, though, that prices can change as the tailoring process continues. Also keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Tailoring, like sushi, is not something that you want to go cheap on. Trust us, it’s the best money you can spend!
As always, don’t hesitate to contact Flair if you have any questions before you head into your first fitting!