What to Expect During Your Fittings
While the alterations process may feel daunting, complex, or unfamiliar, the Kleinfeld team is here to assure you. We’re committed to creating an experience that’s as seamless, comfortable, and magical as possible – because you deserve it!
Here’s a quick guide on what to expect during the alterations process,
First Fitting
8-12 weeks before your wedding day, Kleinfeld will contact you via email or text to confirm that your gown has arrived and that it’s time to start alterations. At this time, you will be prompted to schedule your first fitting.
What to Expect: At your first fitting, you’ll try on your wedding dress for the first time. Your gown was ordered based on your base measurements (bust, waist, and hips), so it may not fit perfectly yet—that’s completely normal. Your fitter will pin the dress to create a customized fit.
This appointment typically lasts about an hour. You’ll be standing in your gown and shoes during this time, so we recommend arriving well-hydrated and not on an empty stomach.
Before you leave, you’ll schedule your second fitting, which usually takes place 2–3 weeks later.
Pro-Tip from Alterations Director Tina: “Be patient with the process. We find that brides tend to overthink between the first and second fitting. Kleinfeld’s alterations team is sort of like having your ownCinderella’sFairy Godmother. But unfortunately, alterations take a little longer than a point of a magic wand.”
*Remember your shoes, undergarments and/or bra you plan to wear on your wedding day to all appointments!
Second Fitting
2-3 weeks after your first fitting, you’ll come back to Kleinfeld for your second fitting.
What to Expect: The second fitting will also take about a full hour. During this alterations appointment, you’ll start to see the customized fit of your wedding dress! Your gown will have been basted, which means lightly sewn, according to the pinning done during the first fitting. While it will fit better than it did at your first fitting, more pinning may be necessary.
*Remember your shoes, undergarments and/or bra you plan to wear on your wedding day to all appointments!
Third Fitting
2 weeks before your gown pick-up appointment or ship date, you’ll schedule your final fitting.
What to Expect: During the final alterations appointment, this is the last time you’ll try on your wedding dress at Kleinfeld. Your personal fitter will triple check everything and ensure that you’re completely in love with the fit of your gown!
Dress Pick Up & Shipping
Once your dress is complete after your final fitting, your seamstress will schedule your pick-up appointment or ship date.
At this time, your gown will undergo a final quality-control check to ensure all pins are removed as well as every embellishment, appliqué, and thread is perfectly secure and in place. Then, arrangements will be made to press, steam, and professionally pack the gown with tissue paper to ensure it’s wrinkle-free and maintains its shape.
What to Expect:At your gown pick-up appointment, your gown will be properly packaged in a breathable, cloth, opaque Kleinfeld garment bag and will be ready to slip into on your wedding day!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fittings & Alterations
- All wedding gowns need alterations and will require multiple alterations appointments.
- Kleinfeld Signature Alterations are a flat fee.
- Any extra alterations or customizations (such as: adding straps, shortening a train, lining a bodice, adding a modesty panel, etc.) will incur an additional fee.
- Exact fitting timelines may vary depending on the gown and alteration requirements.
- For more insight on what to expect during each fitting, please click here!
- Please bring any bra or undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day to all fittings.
- Please bring the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to your first fitting, so your seamstress can complete your hem.
- If you do not have the exact shoes you will be wearing on your wedding date yet, please bring another pair that is the exact same height and style as the ones you intend to wear.
- If you do not bring shoes to your first fitting, you will either be rescheduled for later in the day if an appointment is open or an additional appointment will be needed.
- Kleinfeld does not sell shoes, so it’s important you search for the perfect pair before your first fitting.
- We will only schedule your first fitting once your gown arrives at Kleinfeld.
- Depending on your specific dress and individual needs, expect about 3 fittings.
- Remember, your gown was ordered according to your base measurements, so it’s likely that your gown will not fit properly when you initially try it on. (that’s normal!)
- Your personal seamstress will pin your gown in all the right places to ensure a customized fit.
- Hemming is the process of shortening your gown to match your height and heel height, so it sits about a quarter inch above the ground.
- A proper hem ensures you can walk comfortably without tripping or needing to lift your skirt.
- While the front of your gown will be hemmed, the train will remain its original length.
- Your wedding day shoes are required during all of your fittings in order to complete your hem. Need more advice? Read here.!
- A bustle is a wedding dress alteration that lifts and secures the train off the ground, keeping it from dragging.
- It’s typically done after the ceremony and photos, so you can move, dance, and enjoy your reception more comfortably.
- Bustles are custom-created during alterations using buttons, loops, ties, or ribbons sewn into the gown by your fitter.
- Beyond function, a bustle changes the look of your dress, transforming it into a more practical, reception-ready silhouette while protecting the fabric
During quality control, your dress is checked to ensure that each bead, crystal, lace appliqué, sequin, etc. is perfectly in place for your wedding day.
- After your final fitting, your gown will be professionally pressed, steamed, and packed with tissue paper, so it’s wrinkle-free and maintains its shape.
- Your gown will be placed inside an opaque, breathable, cloth Kleinfeld garment bag so it’s safe, protected and ready to slip into on your wedding day!