Wedding Dress Fitting Advice

Photo Credit: Laura May Bridal

I was lucky enough to have my own dress fitting this past weekend, well ahead of when I thought it would be (we have over 6 months til the big day), and it was quite an experience. I went to my hair stylist beforehand to get just the right ‘do ready for my appointment and got to try on my dress for the very first time. Knowing that I was the first person to ever put on that dress before was so special and being able to take it home with me was a dream. It fit almost perfectly, with just a little to be taken in around the chest, and I could finally envisage what I’m going to look like on the big day. I thought I’d share a couple of tips which might help some of you if you’re about to experience this amazing time.

1. Relax

I admit, I was a little nervous when I stepped into the dress shop before my fitting, a few questions wandering around my head and making me a bit anxious. Would it look like I remembered it? Would it fit? Would my bridesmaids like it? Of course I was excited too, but I wish I’d been a bit more relaxed about the whole thing, as I felt like I was a bit tense and maybe that was why my emotions were a bit all over the place until I’d taken a few deep breaths and shed a couple of tears. Enjoy this moment, it’s the only time you’ll get to experience it for yourself, so be happy that you’re there and that you soon get to marry the man of your dreams. I loved my experience in the end, but it just took me a little while to relax a bit and get into the moment.

2. Be Prepared

I went as far as having my hair styled for my dress fitting, but that was just for me to ensure that the type of hairstyle I want on the day suited the style my dress, as well as my headpiece and veil, so you don’t have to be that prepared. This can just be as simple as having the correct underwear on, or taking along your wedding shoes, or wearing the correct petticoat – you want to make sure that during that fitting you’re as close to your wedding day look as possible, so you know exactly what alterations need to be made to the gown to make it completely perfect. It turns out that I only have to have the slightest of alterations to my dress, and a big part of that is due to the height of my shoes and the size of petticoat – if they’d been different then I’d have needed the length changed, so it was great that I got to see the exact look of my dress with all the different pieces coming together.

3. Get Emotional

Don’t worry if you get a little overwhelmed with the emotion of the occasion – I was fine right up until I walked into the room with my mum, sisters and two other bridesmaids…and then I got to the crying! It was the first time – stood in my wedding dress, with my hair done and 5 of the most important people in the world to me stood in front of me – that I realised what a hugely emotional occasion it was. I’m getting married, guys! And I can’t tell you how important that is to me, to be able to celebrate marrying my best friend with all my family and friends around me. It made it all feel very real, and I’m glad that I got emotional because it showed me just how seriously I’m taking this commitment. Let the happy tears flow!

4. Remember It

This is the one chance you’ll get in your life to do this, so take it all in! I hope I remember that feeling of stepping out in my dress for the first time forever, as it felt like such a special and unique moment, and I feel like it’s such an important part of the wedding planning process. There is so much going on the months leading up to the big day, that I often stop and think about how far we’ve come and where we’re heading to over the next few months. My dress shop also allowed photos to be taken, so I’m even able to look back and remind myself of that day and get even more excited for the big day when I get to put my dress on again, this time to marry my guy!

5. Share It

Make sure everyone you want to be there is there. I made sure to pick an appointment date and time when my 4 maids and my mum would be available to come along. It wasn’t the very first time they’d all seen the dress as a couple were there when I first spotted it back in April, but this was the first time it was my dress and all the other elements were just right too. It wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t been able to share it with them all, so make sure that all those important people are with you when you want them. It will still feel special when they see you in your dress on the big day, but this is also a moment just for that small group of you to enjoy together, and I definitely loved every second of it.