BEYOND THE 'YES': ESSENTIAL WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS EVERY SINGAPOREAN BRIDE NEEDS TO KNOW

5 Popular Wedding Dress Alterations to Enhance Your Bridal Look in Singapore

Every bride dreams of finding the perfect wedding dress, but sometimes, the online shopping experience can turn into a nightmare. In this article, I will discuss the 5 popular wedding dress alteration in Singapore. One of my former clients learned this the hard way when her eagerly awaited online order arrived – and it was a disaster. The sleeves were too loose, the bust was ill-fitting, and the princess seams were completely off.

Buying a wedding dress online can be tempting, with seemingly endless options and attractive prices. However, it’s important to remember that every bride’s body is unique, and a dress that looks stunning on a model might not translate well in real life. In this case, the bride’s online purchase was simply irredeemable as it was.

Faced with a dress that was far from her dream, the bride reached out to me. After careful assessment, we realized that the only way to salvage the situation was to start from scratch. We deconstructed the original gown, carefully preserving the beautiful lace, and used it to create a brand new dress that fit her like a glove. It was a labour of love, but the result was a stunning gown that perfectly captured the bride’s vision.

Wedding Dress Alteration Requires Expertise

Working with delicate fabrics, intricate designs, and ensuring a perfect fit demands specialized skills and experience.

  • Delicate fabrics: Chiffon, tulle, silk, satin – these beauties require a gentle touch and specialized techniques.
  • Intricate designs: Beading, lace appliqués, and embroidery need careful handling during alterations.
  • The right fit: It’s not just about taking in or letting out seams – it’s about achieving a snug yet comfortable fit that allows the bride to move with ease.

5 Popular Wedding Dress Alterations in Singapore

While my client’s situation was extreme, many brides require alterations to achieve their dream fit. Here are five of the most common alterations we see in Singapore:

1. Shorten the Bridal Dress and Gown Length

Whether you’re adding a touch of drama with a longer train or ensuring you can move freely on the dance floor, adjusting the length is a common alteration. Wedding dresses and evening gowns are typically made to standard lengths, but brides come in all heights. Heels also vary in height. Length adjustments ensure a perfect fit for every bride, regardless of her stature or footwear choice.

Some wedding dresses have intricate details at the hemline, such as lace appliqués or beading. Proper length adjustments ensure these details are visible and not hidden by excess fabric.

Most importantly, a wedding dress that’s too long is a recipe for disaster. Imagine tripping over your gown while walking down the aisle or during your first dance! Length adjustments ensure the bride can move freely and confidently without fear of falling.

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

2. Resize Ill-fitted Wedding Dress or Installing a Corset lace-up back:

Brides often fall between sizes, and a skilled seamstress can take in or let out a gown to ensure a flawless fit.  

A properly fitted bodice provides support and helps the bride maintain good posture. A well-fitted wedding dress creates a polished and elegant look that will be captured in photos and memories for years to come. Resizing ensures the bride looks her best in every shot. This not only enhances her appearance but also prevents discomfort and fatigue throughout the day.

However, wedding dresses are often purchased “off-the-rack” or online. They are made in standard sizes. However, every woman’s body is unique. It required extensive workmanship to resize the multi-layer and embellished garment so that the dress fits the bride’s individual curves and proportions flawlessly, accentuating her best features and creating a flattering silhouette. 

Resizing a wedding dress isn’t a one-way street. It’s about achieving the perfect fit, whether that means making the gown smaller or larger.

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS IS RESIZING
One of the Most Popular Wedding Dress Alterations is Resizing

When the gown is too loose, this is the most common method for resizing a gown that’s too big. A seamstress will carefully take in the seams to create a more fitted silhouette.

ADDING A CORSET BACK TO INCREASE THE SIZE AND ALSO PROVIDE BETTER FITTING.

When the gown is too tight, we will add a Corset Lace-Up Back: This is a fantastic solution for dresses that are slightly too snug in the bodice. A corset back is our in-house technique that provides the most flexibility in sizing, allowing the bride to adjust the fit as needed. It also adds a beautiful and romantic touch to the gown.

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

3. Ehance Gown Silhouette Immediately with our In-house Detachable Petticoat/ Can-can:

Achieve the perfect silhouette and ease of movement with a petticoat or can-can. There are two main types of petticoat. Depending on your wedding dress cut and volume, we can recommend a suitable petticoat for you. We also customise plus-size petticoat as well. 

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

4. Transform your Bridal Gown look by Adding Straps or Sleeves to Existing Wedding Gown:

Ever wished you could tweak your dream wedding dress just a little? Maybe add some sleeves, change the neckline, or create a completely unique look?

Our experienced designers can work with you to bring your vision to life. Here are just a few examples of how we can transform your gown:

  • Add a Touch of Elegance: Want to cover your biceps or add a touch of modesty? We can add delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves to your strapless sweetheart gown, providing both support and coverage.
  • Embrace Timeless Romance: Prefered a classic long-sleeved look? We can design and craft a stunning illusion bodice with matching lace, creating a truly breathtaking and modest gown.

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS 5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

5. Recreating the whole new gown:

In some cases, like my client’s, extensive alterations or design flaws might require a complete recreation of the gown using the existing fabric.

5 COMMON WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

View here for whole process on how I separate each panels, analyse and remake a whole new gown:

Ready to ensure your wedding dress fits well? Check out my past project here: https://www.kgown.com/services/wedding-dress-alteration-and-cleaning/ 

Contact us via WhatsApp 8113 9501 for a free online assessment and let’s discuss how we can help you achieve the perfect fit for your special day.