How close to the wedding should you pick up the dress??

Okay, I am 5 weeks (& a couple days) away from the wedding and the woman that has been working on my alterations is finished with the dress and wanted me to come pick and up and pay for it today. I am sooo worried that my weight will fluctuate within the next 5 weeks because of the stress and chaos. I asked her if I could leave it there a few more weeks and come back for a final fitting 2-3 weeks out to make sure everything still fit perfectly and she told me NO! She said the dress is finished and I have to come pick it up. I even offered to pay her now and just leave the dress there and come back for that final fitting (to make me feel better mostly). She still said NO!! So, I just went and picked it up, but now I am freaking out and thinking I started my alterations too early and I am just trying to figure out what the norm is? When should your last fitting be? If I do end up trying it on a couple of weeks out and I need alterations, is that normal that I would have to take the dress back in and ask her to do it again? Or is it customary for the person doing the alterations to hold the dress until the end? And, finally, how many of you did need those last minute alterations?? I think I am just getting so close that I am FREAKING OUT!

I don't think it'll be a problem. I had my dress fitted in November and I'm not too worried.

 

I'm sure it'll be fine, just try it on a couple weeks before to make sure.

You are so right!! That is the absolute truth...I AM stressing out about stressing!! I didn't realize that until I just read it, but it very accurate. I am freaking out over things that haven't even happened yet. Wow....I am turning into a crazy woman. This is just the least of it, too!! HA! You are right, it will be okay....I just have to keep telling myself that every minute or so:)

I agree- don't panic until it's time to panic!!

 

Side note- I haven't had alterations yet. Should I panic? hehe

 

How long did it take for her to alter it? They told me not to come in til the end of Feb but I'm was planning on making an apt sometime begin Feb. It scares me to wait that long.

No, you shouldn't at all. See, I am thinking closer to the wedding the better for accuracy that is. But, I understand being worried about waiting too long. Believe me, I would worry no matter what the situation was or is. As far as the length of time, I would say it took about 5-6 weeks of alterations and that is me coming in once each week. She would do one small thing at a time and then I would come in each week, try on the dress and approve it before moving forward with the next step. But, I had a LOT of alterations...way more than normal. So, you should be fine if you wait until until Feb...that would put you right where you want to be. Listen to me...I can tell you not to worry at all, but can't seem to get myself to believe it!

haha seems fair enough. I always give out advice here, but never follow it for myself. Worrying is just part of the magic of wedding planning.

From what I have been told (which isn't much) I think its "customary" to have your last fitting a week or two before the wedding. Either way, you definitely shouldnt stress because chances are, its going to fit perfectly and you could always have minor alterations if its absolutely necessary... but as far as your seamstress is concerned, she should have been willing to do that for you...

I called the bridal salon in early January t ask when I should have my first fitting ... and she told me to wait and call back the first week in February to schedule the first appointment.

 

I won't need much in the way of alterations ... just taken in from the bust to waist and the bustle added. The length and everythig else is perfect.

 

But I know what you mean about stressing regardless. As we get closer, it seems like I am stressing about ssoo much more than I need to. I can't imagine what it will be like when we are just 2-3 weeks out! lol

i had my first real fitting at the beginning of january and had my 2nd and final today...i'm picking it up on 2/7, and leaving on 2/12. i can't imagine not having a fitting a few weeks before the wedding, but like someone said, try it on with a friend - if there's anything that needs to be done, bring it back and make her fix it.