Brides who book wedding dress alteration services in London get a better fit when they plan the fittings early and bring the right items. NDS Couture has set out its advice for brides ahead of their first appointment.

Tip one: book soon after buying the dress

The business advises brides to book as early as possible once they have the dress. It does not publish fixed turnaround times. How long the work takes depends on several things:

●     The number of alterations needed.

●     How the gown is built.

●     Whether the dress has lace or beadwork.

●     Any large change in size.

●     The number of fittings.

●     The wedding date.

Tip two: bring what you will wear on the day

Brides are asked to bring their wedding shoes, the underwear they plan to wear and any shapewear or petticoat. The shoes set the hem length. The underwear and shapewear change how the dress sits on the body. A fitting without them can give a false picture of the final fit.

Tip three: know what can be changed

The business lists many common changes, including:

●     Taking in or letting out the bodice.

●     Adjusting the bust, waist and hips.

●     Shortening hems and linings.

●     Altering sleeves and straps.

●     Reshaping necklines.

●     Adding modesty panels.

●     Adjusting trains and adding bustles.

●     Repairing buttons, zips and fastenings.

●     Restyling a gown.

Many lace and beaded gowns can be altered, but the business says this depends on an inspection of the dress. Designer gowns can often be resized within limits, which depend on the seams and the inside structure.

Tip four: expect more than one fitting

The business describes five stages. A bride contacts the business with details of the dress, the wedding date and the changes she wants. At the first fitting, the fit is checked and the areas to change are pinned. The work is then reviewed and explained, and a quotation is given. Follow-up fittings allow final refinements. A last fitting takes place in the bride's shoes and underwear.

The number of fittings depends on the dress. Detailed resizing needs more visits than a simple hem.

Tip five: ask for a quote after the dress is examined

No prices are listed on the website. The business gives a quotation once it has examined the gown, so the figure reflects the actual work.

For more information about the services offered by NDS Couture, visit https://www.ndscouture.com/wedding-dress-alterations/

About NDS Couture

NDS Couture offers personal wedding dress alterations in London. Clients work directly with the owner from the first fitting to the final check. The owner has decades of garment-making experience, including production garments, machining, pressing, pattern cutting, grading and couture construction. The business also offers designer dress resizing, custom wedding gown making, evening wear tailoring and prom dress alteration.