Alterations timelines... when are you going in?

faile556

Good afternoon ladies!
After my mother pressuring me to get an alterations appointment scheduled, I called my preferred shop in town to set up a time.
The first question out of the person on the phones mouth was, "When is your wedding?" After responding April 7th, she asked when I wanted to come in. I deferred advising she was the expert, I was available whenever was needful. She set my appointment for Saturday.

This Saturday, January 19th.

That's 11 weeks and 1 day, before the wedding. Am I going in too early for my first alterations appointment? I was under the impression it was about 8 weeks out , then one or two more closer to the wedding if needed.

Have you ladies gotten your appointments scheduled? Are they farther out or closer to the date?
Thanks!

dandelionsgirl

I was told not to come in until February and I am one week after you.  If you feel uncomfortable call and say you would prefer the beginning of February.  

I have also heard you should go with 8 weeks out for your first fitting.

allychase

Hmmm.. I just had my first fitting last week for April 26th. I guess it doesn't matter for me because my weight hardly ever fluctuates so I just went in because it was so big and I wanted to get started on it. I'm also adding buttons all along the back and bra cups so it's a little more work than just taking in the side seams and bustle. I go back Feb 10th and then will have my final alterations probably 2 weeks before the wedding.

[Deleted User]

Mine are finished.  I had my bridal portrait in December so I need everything done before then.  Mine were minor, though.  Bustle, modesty piece sewn in, hooks and eyes added to reinforce the straps.

BrittRN+

I think most seamstresses have their own timelines they work by. I called mine last week and she said she starts April brides in February. She books up so really fast though, so I have a Monday appointment the first week of February, not exactly ideal.

Spunky414

The tailor I'm using does wedding dresses in 4-6 weeks so I'm going the first weekend in March for an April 13th wedding.

ChiGirl2013

I'm going for my fitting on Jan 23rd for an April 14th wedding.  I have a lot of work that needs to be done, though - shortening, reducing the GINORMOUS bust, and cutting off the train completely. 

My seamstress works from her home, but is infamous in my area. EVERYONE goes to her.  I booked my appointment way back in October, and she was already almost completely booked for April brides.

[Deleted User]

Hey date twin! I'm going in February 2nd. My seamstress didn't want to do January because she wanted to give me time to drop any holilday weight but I do think that a lot of them try to do about 2 months out for the first fitting so that they have time to do the work and then get you in for another fitting (and another if necessary). So while you might want to move back a week or so, I don't think you're ridiculously early.

Christine9866

I am getting married April 6 and my first fitting is February 16. I will have a total of three fittings. They did not want to see me too early, and chose this date My 2nd one I am assuming will be in March and then the week of the wedding when I pick up my dress.

faile556

Thanks everyone for being awesome! I guess the consenus is that it really just depends on the seamstress and the alterations that need to be done. I'll go with what they scheduled for me , for now, and see how it goes!

orangehills

I'm getting married April 6 and my first fitting is Feb. 23. It's through David's Bridal though (pricier I know, but they could do fittings further out.). I imagine I'll probably have 2 fittings...

mabapunta

I'm going to a local seamstress - found via a friend's referral specifically for bridal gown alterations. She also did the alterations for my BM dress for my friend's wedding this past November and they were great! (And cheap - she charges $18/hr no matter what she's working on.)

I've been emailing her back and forth and I think we'll do my first fitting maybe next Monday. Now is her slow time, and there's a fair amount of work to do -- take it in so you can actually see the corset lacing, hemline by several inches and bra cups. Or maybe that's not really a lot. Anyway, my weight doesn't really change either and I know the corset is a little forgiving. We have a lot to do in the next 3 months and I figure it can't hurt to get the ball rolling now that I have my wedding shoes!

tiny speck

I went just yesterday, actually! All I needed doing was the hem though, and since I have my shoes it could be done any time. I'm actually glad to have the dress out of the apartment now though (it was under our bed in a garment bag) cause our apartment is so small there's nowhere to hide it from FI. Anyway, I'll be going back mid-March to check the hem and everything is ok and then I should be done. Wedding's April 3rd.

vk2204

Depending what you are having done, I don't think your appointment is too early. If all you need is the dress to be taken in, I would wait a few weeks because weight can fluctuate easily. If you need more done, like a hem or adding/removing anything I don't think it really matters how early it is taken care of.

jls522

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_april-2013-weddings_alterations-timelines-when-are-you-going-in?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:820178d7-4f43-4671-bcab-c5c2c01eef1eDiscussion:b1bb8193-f670-46ac-958f-ec84ddb16cacPost:09af4913-9194-4add-9f54-52fc36f60823">Re: Alterations timelines... when are you going in?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm going for my fitting on Jan 23rd for an April 14th wedding.  I have a lot of work that needs to be done, though - shortening, reducing the GINORMOUS bust, and cutting off the train completely.  My seamstress works from her home, but is infamous in my area. EVERYONE goes to her.  I booked my appointment way back in October, and she was already almost completely booked for April brides.
Posted by ChiGirl2013[/QUOTE]

Are you talking about Mary Catomy by chance? I'm also working with her and got my appointment back in October. My first fitting is January 26 for my April 27th wedding.