The Alteration Process: How Your Wedding Dress Becomes Yours
Let’s be honest: no matter how perfect your wedding dress feels the moment it arrives, it’s not truly yours until it fits like a glove. That’s where alterations come in. At Nyanza, we believe that tailoring a gown to fit your body—your proportions, your preferences, your personality—is one of the most important steps in the entire wedding dress journey. Alterations don’t just fine-tune a gown’s shape; they transform a beautiful dress into your wedding dress.
Whether it’s hemming the length so you glide down the aisle (not trip over it), tightening a strap to prevent a wardrobe malfunction, or making custom changes to better match your vision, the right alterations ensure that your gown fits perfectly—and feels even better. Below, we break down everything you need to know about the process, from how fittings work to the most common alterations and customizations we offer right here in-house.
What to Expect from the Alterations Process
When your dress arrives at Nyanza, the first thing we’ll do is schedule a Gown Arrival appointment. Think of this as a check-in: you’ll try on your gown—brand new, in your ordered size, color, and with any production customizations you requested. At this appointment, we ask that you bring the shoes and undergarments you’re planning to wear on your wedding day. These can significantly impact fit, and having them in place helps us prepare for your first fitting with our seamstress.
Once we’ve evaluated the dress with you and discussed any desired changes, we’ll help schedule your first fitting. Our expert seamstress will assess the fit and offer recommendations while I’ll be there, too, lending my knowledge of the gown’s construction and fabric to guide the process. Our goal is to make sure every detail is thoughtfully considered—and every change is made with confidence.
Most Common Wedding Dress Alterations
Here are the most frequent tweaks and touches that help brides feel secure and stunning in their gowns:
Taking it in: From the bust to the hips to the straps, tailoring the dress for a snug, flattering fit is one of the most common and essential alterations.
Hemming the length: Because designers send dresses long (so you can pick your preferred heel height), hemming is usually a must. A perfectly hemmed dress allows you to move freely and look like you’re floating, not stumbling. We can also hem the train length, if it’s a little too dramatic for the style of wedding you’re having, or if you simply prefer something more manageable.
Adding a bustle: Since most gowns come with a train, adding a bustle lets you enjoy your reception without dragging fabric behind you. You’ll work with our seamstress to choose the style you like best—it’s more personal than you might think!
Customizations to Make It Your Own
Want to add straps for support? Change the neckline shape? Make the skirt more or less voluminous? We can do all of that and more. Some of the most popular customizations include:
Adding sleeves or (detachable) straps
Reshaping the neckline (like changing straight-across to sweetheart)
Modifying the skirt shape for more or less volume
Reinforcing the bodice or adding internal support for comfort and structure
All of these details—big and small—help ensure your dress doesn’t just fit well, but fits you.
Timeline and Fitting Schedule
In general, alterations at Nyanza take about 4 to 8 weeks and typically require three fittings. We recommend starting the process about 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding. At the first fitting, the gown is pinned and adjusted. At the second, you’ll start to see the changes come to life—like walking in a properly hemmed dress! And at the third and final fitting, the gown will be complete. All you’ll need to do is step into it and smile.
Final Thoughts
Alterations might not be the flashiest part of wedding dress shopping, but they’re arguably the most transformative. At Nyanza, we treat this process with care and precision, ensuring your dress fits beautifully and reflects everything that makes you, you. Whether you’re dreaming of adding romantic sleeves, adjusting the neckline, or simply getting the perfect length, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you have questions or are getting ready to start the alteration process, reach out—we’d love to talk through it with you and make sure your dress becomes everything you imagined.
Xoxo,
Ashley