You’ve got the gown, but now you need to make sure it fits perfectly. After all, you want to look your best, right?  There is no better trick that stylists have up their sleeves when outfitting celebs for the red carpet than tailoring. It makes sure their clients look their very best. So we sat down with the ultimate expert, Julie Sabatino, aka The Bridal Stylist, to get her take on alterations and everything you need to know.

IN-HOUSE TAILORING PREFERRED

First off, Julie strongly suggests getting your gown from a salon that provides the tailoring.  Salons and their staff know their own product best, and understand how to make the proper adjustments. “Additionally, you have recourse if it’s not done correctly.”  But if you get your gown elsewhere, most likely, the salon will have a go-to alteration specialist they can refer you to, who they have been using for a while.

TIMELINE & NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS

“In general, allow 2 months for alterations. You can allow a bit more time, maybe 10 weeks, should you be using an outside alterations person, but 2 months is a good estimate.”  Julie also advises brides to be at their “wedding weight” at their 1st fitting, because drops in weight definitely effect tailoring.  Many brides tend to lose weight right before the wedding, and this doesn’t help when it comes to ensuring your gown will fit perfectly.

Also, note that “It’s hard to envision what your gown will look like on you until the 2nd fitting. Only then do you start to see how it will really look like on you,” Julie says.  So be patient, and note that it will come together.  “Most people have 3 appointments, occasionally 4, and the final fitting is usually about 10 days before the wedding.”

WHAT TO BRING

Of course, you’ll want to bring the right undergarments and shoes.  But how do you know which ones?  “Talk to your salon or seamstress, whoever is doing your alterations, as they usually know the right type of corset, strapless bra, or Spanx to recommend.” Julie advises. “Touch base with your fitter in advance of your alteration appointment because they tend to have preferred brands or styles.”

If you don’t know exactly which shoes you’ll be wearing by your 1st fitting, “at least commit to the heel height, so hems can be adjusted correctly.  Whatever you do, don’t suddenly change from a high heel to a platform, because that will change everything with alterations,” warns Julie.

For more on what to bring, Julie has a list of wedding fashion fitting essentials that you can find on amazon, here.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T LIKE SOMETHING

Don’t be shy.  You want to make sure you’re not a Bridezilla, but you should speak up if something’s bothering you at a fitting.  You want to feel your best, and look your best, so if something just isn’t sitting well, let the fitter know. And the sooner you bring it up, the better.

For more tips on Everything to Expect at your 1st Fitting, check out Julie’s Podcast, with an episode that breaks it all down here.

About Julie Sabatino

Julie Sabatino has been styling brides since 2004. Her sense of style, knowledge of the market, contacts in the industry and overall kind demeanor and expertise have been pleasing brides all over the world as she helps them express themselves through their fashion and accessories choices.

You know you need to walk down the aisle in a dress of the bride’s choosing, but what else is expected of a bridesmaid?  Here’s some bridesmaid etiquette to help you out, and these tips on how to be the best bridesmaid will surely make the job easier.

PREP YOUR POCKETBOOK

Expect to pay for some things, but not everything (for more on this, we’ll do a full breakdown article of financial obligations another time). In general, expect to pay for your dress, shoes and possibly accessories. Also save for events like the shower and the bachelorette party, as well as the shower and wedding gifts.

DON’T COMPLAIN

Sure, there are expenses and obligations, but whatever you do, don’t complain to the bride.  Vent to your mom, your sister, or keep it to yourself. This is her moment, and let her have it. (Wedding Guys Wisdom: you might be the bride someday so you’ll appreciate it then when she reciprocates the silence).

GET ALONG

It’s really helpful to the bride to get along with the rest of the bridal party.  You might know them well, and you might not, but leading up to the wedding you’ll be seeing them at various events, and it helps if you’re at least cordial with each other.  We know this can get awkward, so we’ve written an article on Fun Activities you can do with you Bridesmaids to help break the ice.

SHOW UP

Believe it or not, it is your obligation to go to as many events as possible.  They are not optional, unless you live far away or have extenuating circumstances.  And be on time!  Straggling in late to the shower is just rude

STEP UP

Come wedding day, you really need to be there for the bride. Whether it’s to listen to last minute jitters or help bustle a train, you were asked to be in the bridal party, and now’s the time to help out when you can.  It’s also a time their might be stressful moments, so being there for the bride is a great way to show support.

LISTEN UP

This might be obvious, but you were chosen as a bridesmaid for a reason. If the bride needs to vent, be there with an open ear.  If you have words of wisdom (or even just a way to make her laugh) great, if not, just being there to listen is more help than you realize.

BE A CHEERLEADER

Lead the way to the dance floor on wedding night. If people are slow to hit the dance floor, here’s your time to shine.  It’s nice to get the party going, and if you and some other maids start dancing, it’ll signal to other guests to join in.  This can be a very helpful gesture to the guests of honor, and set the fun tone for the rest of the reception.

Keep these tips on how to be the best bridesmaid in mind and you’ll have a very grateful bride, who might even be able to reciprocate for you sometime.

Sure you can “get through” the wedding without the maids getting to know each other, but how much fun is that?  You can go to a show or have a spa night, but in order for them to get to know each other, try an interactive activity. Here are 5+ fun activities to do with your bridesmaids.

Take a cooking class

A fun cooking class is a great way to bring a group together, and the Way Cool Cooking School has a Gourmet Girls’ Night Out Class just perfect for a bridal party, which is offered about every six weeks. If you prefer a co-ed class, they have plenty of Adult Classes to choose from, or you can host private gourmet girls night out events where guests can choose the date and time that works best for them, and the host can choose the menu selections.  Make the meal, then enjoy it together, and we’re sure you’ll have memories to share at future wedding events. 

Paint & Play

Located in the St. Anthony Shopping Center, Wine & Canvas has instructor-led, group painting parties where you can imbibe while bringing out your inner artist.  You can book private events, or go to one of many classes held at various breweries or wineries. Trust us, this is fun, and can be one of many fun activities you can do with your bridesmaids.

Create a photo shoot

There are so many cool murals throughout Minneapolis, use them to your advantage with a photoshoot.  Grab the girls (or guys), dress up fun or funky, and take pictures around town.

If you’re into music, head to the iconic First Avenue Stars Wall at 701 N 1st Ave, and you might even spot some local legends, or how about the Bob Dylan Mural by Kobra at 1, S 5th Street?

Artsy-animal lovers will enjoy The Bulldog Mural at 1111 Hennepin Avenue. For more ideas, check out Carrie Colbert’s Minneapolis Mural Guide, which includes murals, maps, tips and more.  Doing a photoshoot, you’ll create keepsakes and learn more about the different areas along the way. 

Bring out your inner child

Escape rooms are taking over the country because they are fun, fast and get your creativity flowing.  The Escape Game has options like Special Ops Escape Room or a Prison Break Escape Room, and many more.  If your crew isn’t into confinement, try a Puzzle Adventure or even Scavenger Hunts, all just by Googling “Minneapolis Tours”. It all depends on the personalities in your group but one of these is bound to be fun for your besties.

Go on Tour

Depending on your group’s interests, you can choose from many of our area’s tours, from food to museums.  If you have more of a foodie group, check out a Food Tour and find out who loves spicy stuff and who is less adventurous.  If you’d rather admire art than eat, consider one appreciating one of the many museums our area has to offer.  You’ll be sure to have plenty of laughs and maybe learn more about the communities that surround us with one of these cultural options.

There are many fun activities you can do with your bridesmaids for them to get to know each other.  If you put in the effort to hang out now, other tasks like wrapping favors together will surely be more fun. Enjoy and you might even make more long-lasting relationships out of it!