No wedding dress is aisle-ready straight off the hanger. The gown you order is more of a framework than a final piece—it’s through fittings and alterations that it sharpens into the version that feels like it was made for you alone. To help you navigate the process, we asked leading bridal stylists to share what really happens at the first, second, and final fitting, and how to make the most of each one.
Pérle / Pavel Golubnichy, Tatyana Kochnova
Why Dress Fittings Matter
The bride's wedding dress carries weight. It’s tradition, beauty, and story, all at once. But before it earns its place in a million photos, it needs to be tailored, tweaked, and perfected. Through rounds of fittings and careful alterations, your gown begins to mold itself to your body, your posture, and your movement becoming less an object you wear and more an extension of you. “One of the most critical stages in your bridal gown journey is the fitting process," explains Bridal Stylist Tara Maietta. “While the gown itself sets the foundation, the fittings are where the dress truly becomes yours.”
Carlos Bacchi, J.Andreatta / Street and Studio
How Many Fittings Are Required?
Most brides require about three fittings before their ensemble is aisle-ready, though the number can vary depending on the dress’s style and structure. During your sessions, be sure to point out any discomfort, fit issues, or details you’d like adjusted. Even the smallest tweak can make a big difference in how the dress looks and feels. Your dress should work with you — not against you.
Maid Of Socials, Tanaka Daisuke
Consider a Bridal Stylist
If budget allows, having a stylist by your side can transform what might feel like an overwhelming process into something empowering and even fun. “A seasoned stylist brings an understanding of fabric, construction, and proportion that goes far beyond what you see in the mirror,” says Tara Maietta. “They can advocate for your vision, ensuring that alterations are not only technically correct but also aligned with the way you want to look and feel on your wedding day.”
Gabrielle Hurwitz, Maisie-Kate Style
Photography: Norman & Blake, Corbin Gurkin
When to Schedule
Your Dress Fittings
Just like with everything in wedding planning, timing is everything. To give your tailor enough room for alterations (and yourself enough peace of mind) plan to schedule your first fitting appointment about 2 to 3 months before the wedding. This allows plenty of time for adjustments without feeling rushed. The second fitting usually falls around 4 to 6 weeks before the big day, while the final fitting is best scheduled about 1 month to 2 weeks out.
Nate Lusk Photo, Maid Of Socials
Your First Dress Fitting
Your first fitting is where it all begins, the moment you see your gown start to take shape around you. Usually, this appointment is the longest, since your tailor will be assessing the overall fit and noting every area that needs adjusting. Expect pins, clips, and lots of standing still while the dress is carefully marked. “Before the first fitting, I always ask brides to lower their expectations,” says Luxury Bridal Stylist and Tailor Maisie-Kate Keane. “The dress is a work in progress at this point. It has been ordered to your largest measurement, so it will not fit perfectly yet. Alterations will transform it, so you need to trust the process. Make clear notes of everything you want to change so you can check those items at the next fitting. Look at where the neckline is hitting and decide if it feels too high or too low, and whether that can be adjusted. Pay attention to comfort: is any boning digging in, do the sleeves feel too tight or too loose, does the skirt feel too voluminous? This is also the time to decide whether you need cups added for support, a lining added for opacity, or reductions in volume.”
Pavel Golubnichy, J.Andreatta / Street and Studio
The Importance of Communication
Even personal nuances, like your cycle, can play a part. “If your bra size changes with your cycle, let the seamstress know. If you are regular and you already know roughly when your wedding falls, it is worth scheduling fittings for the same point in your cycle so measurements stay consistent,” adds Keane. And importantly, don’t forget to bring your wedding shoes so the seamstress can start assessing the hem properly.
Communication is key at the beginning stages. Your first appointment is very important, so be attentive and open about any discomfort you might have with the dress. “As best as you can, try to communicate to your seamstress any concerns in that first fitting,” encourages Luxury Bridal Stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz. “But also don’t forget that they are an expert and might have some suggestions of their own to get the best fit.” And remember, consistency is everything when it comes to dress appointments. “Always bring the same shoes and undergarments to every fitting,” Tara Maietta reminds.
WED Studio, Chloé / Mireia Deulofeu Barti
Your Second Dress Fitting
By the second fitting, your gown will already feel noticeably closer to the version you’ll wear on your wedding day. This is the stage when the results of alterations really start to show. As Gabrielle Hurwitz explains, “At the second fitting is when you’ll likely see the biggest difference. Most of the work from the first fitting should have been accomplished and you’ll start to see your dress truly as yours.”
Maisie-Kate Keane recommends coming prepared with your notes from the first appointment and reviewing each point carefully. “Sit, walk, and move around the salon to confirm the skirt length. Let the seamstress know whether you will be on grass, carpet, or hard flooring, because that affects where the hem should sit. The bustle is usually marked or pinned at this stage, so make sure you like how it looks and feels. Imagine yourself dancing with the bustle in, and be honest about comfort. If it feels restrictive and dancing is important to you, consider a second look for later in the evening. Assess overall fit as well.”
Tatyana Kochnova, Ilya Migmoon
Your Final Dress Fitting
Your final fitting is the last checkpoint before the gown is officially ready. By this stage, the dress should feel complete with every seam, hem, and adjustment fine-tuned to perfection. "At your final fitting, everything should be pretty close to perfect, but if there’s anything that doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to raise your concerns to your seamstress," reminds Gabrielle Hurwitz.
Maisie-Kate Keane emphasizes the importance of a last check: “Walk around the salon and confirm the length one more time so you are not tripping. The fit should feel settled and secure—nothing too tight. Try on your veil, too. It is often overlooked until the wedding morning, and this appointment is the perfect moment to check the full picture.”
Carlos Bacchi, Tara Maietta
Photography: Alessandra Schmitz Pinho, Samm Blake
Bring Along The
Trusted Plus-One
While your dress fittings are intimate and precious moments that deserve your full focus, it’s wise to bring along a relative, bridesmaid, or trusted friend. Not only will they provide calm and support, but they’ll also learn the behind-the-scenes details of your gown — how to fasten buttons, adjust straps, or manage the bustle. “If your dress has a bustle, ask someone to record a quick video of the seamstress doing it so your dresser or a family member can replicate it on the day without stress,” recommends Maisie-Kate Keane.
