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, so you feel at ease heading into your 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.
Please remember to bring the shoes, undergarments, and/or bra you plan to wear on your wedding day to all of your alterations appointments.
What to Expect: During your first fitting, you’ll try on your wedding dress! Remember, your gown was ordered according to your base measurements (bust, waist, and hip), so it’s likely that your gown will be too big or not fit properly when you initially try it on. (That’s normal!) Your fitter will then pin your dress in all of the right places to ensure a customized fit.
This first alterations appointment will be about an hour. Please keep in mind that you’ll be standing in your dress and shoes for about a full hour while it’s being pinned by your personal fitter. We advise that you are well hydrated and don’t come in on an empty stomach.
At the end of your first fitting, please be prepared to schedule your second fitting which is typically 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 own Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. But unfortunately, alterations take a little longer than a point of a magic wand.”
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.
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!
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!
For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to find their wedding day looks. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the magic of Kleinfeld. Not only does Kleinfeld have 30,000 square feet filled with the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world, it also has the greatest professional staff of over 200 employees who are dedicated to finding and perfecting your bridal look.