Yes, I admit it. I was a two-gown bride. Not a two-gown bride who changed into a second reception dress, but a two-gown bride who changed her mind about her first dress altogether. After months of going over and over the situation in my head, I decided to follow my heart just four months before the wedding, swapping my off-the-rack first gown for the Alfred Angelo beauty I really loved.

Did I lose money? Yes. But was it worth it? Absolutely. Plus, since this was my second gown selection, I was already no stranger to fittings, bustles and fabrics. Here, my top tips for a stress-free fitting – the first of which is to order your gown more than four months ahead of time, so that you don’t end up scrambling the way I did!

Alex Neumann Photography

• Don’t forget your shoes! The height of your shoes will have a big impact on how much of a hem, if any, your gown needs. You definitely won’t want to be caught without them.

• Also, be sure to bring along your wedding day lingerie. Undergarments can make a difference in the look and fit of a gown, so have these items already selected by the time your first fitting rolls around. A good seamstress can often even add bra cups to help with the fit, so don’t forget to ask about that option, if you’re interested.

• If you have a fitness or weight loss goal, try to have met it by the time of your fitting. This will spare you from having to make further dramatic (and expensive) alterations to the gown closer to the wedding date. 

• If you have a certain look in mind for your bustle, or a type of bustle you don’t want, be sure to let your seamstress know, and come prepared with photos when possible. Some bustle designs, including the French style, have multiple ways they can be crafted.

For example, on my old gown, we planned for an elaborate eight-layer French bustle with time-intensive ribbon ties. With my new gown, I went for a much simpler style. Before you agree to a certain design, be sure to take into account the exact look and bustling process, including how much time you’ll have and who will be available at your wedding to do it.

• If you can, snap a few photos. A gown can look different in pictures than it does in person, and this may give you some insight into other alterations you’d like made.

Have you done your gown fitting yet? What’s your best advice for a smooth session?