Practice Makes Perfect: Bridal Alterations

One of the things I never realized about being a Bride was all the stuff that would actually have to be done leading up to the wedding. That might seem ignorant, but honestly, I've always been such a planner that sometimes the DOING eludes me (it's why MOH Mem and I make a good pair - I'm the planner, she's the do'er). One of these things was having my dress bustled. 

I freaked out about two and a half months out when I realized that I didn't have my dress bustled nor did I have plans/an alteration appointment. I had been pushing it to the bottom of my list. . .truthfully, I thought it was just, like, included with the dress. I know, I know, that's such an airheaded thought, but seriously, I thought that there was some sort of thing just sewed in and we'd just have to attach it post-ceremony. Womp womp wommmmmp. Once I realized that wasn't the case, I still put it in my 'things that can be done later' column. Before I knew it, it was 'later' and it wasn't done. EEEEEEEEEPIES. 

Originally, I had asked BM Tiny Dancer if she'd ask her mom if she'd be willing to do it. She's sewn quite a bit in her life and had made a lot of BM Tiny Dancer's costumes. After seeing the pick-ups and the appliques, though, she wasn't confident and didn't feel comfortable undertaking the project - with which I was totally fine. I'm glad she was honest. I was having mini-panic attacks, though, because I was reaching out to alteration specialists all over the city and they were quoting me an ABSURD amount and the ones that were reasonable had no openings until August. All my fault, I know, but that knowledge meant nothing. I was lamenting this to BM Y, who said she'd see if her mother were willing to take it on; after all, Mama Y had offered to sew BM Y her wedding gown from a pattern. When she said yes, I was SO excited and SO relieved. 

We picked a day in late April just so it would be done and out of the way. With BM Y's school  and work schedule and my recent sporadic, hectic schedule, it worked out well. Well, Hive, this day came and went and I'll just spill the beans instead of keeping you all in suspense: it was successful!

I spent the better part of a day standing as BM Y and Mama Y bustled around me (hehe). That's another thing that never really sunk in for me - how much standing is involved in alterations. I mean, I'm sure it varies and I'm sure that's another obvious statement, but I was literally on my feet for like four hours. I am FAR from complaining (especially because we watched Bride Wars - so fitting! - and also a marathon of House Hunters), just observing and stating. Good thing I have comfy wedding shoes, right? 

As a reminder, here's what my dress looks like in all its glory:

image via David's Bridal Website

image via David's Bridal Website

Here's what the process looked like:

all photos personal (taken by BM Y and/or BM Y's sister, who was also on hand)

my personal seamstresses. Is this what it's like to be famous? ;)

BM Y said, "thank God MOH Mem is good at bows. . . " 

And here is the final result:

No bustle, for comparison's sake :)

I am SO impressed with the skills and patience of the Y ladies. They worked together so well and it came out perfectly. Thankfully, my dress was easier to work with than imagined. . .the appliques provided a way to hide most of the hooks and/or eyes and there were already layers and pick-ups sewn together for the 'layered' look - it really just looks like the bottom disappears.   There were twelve hook-and-eye pieces sewn on total, and we practiced (well, BM Y practiced as I continued to stand) bustling and un-bustling so that there wouldn't be any problems on the big day. 

Overall, this was another bridal success. I am ever grateful to BM Y and her mama, for not only saving me hundreds of dollars and stress, but for having the patience and desire to do this for me. It means the world to me and I am so glad that I am able to keep our wedding a close-knit one, even with a large guest list. 

Any other Bees have in-house (literally!) alterations? Anyone else have bustle issues/stress?