Taking your wedding dress in or letting it out ensures a flawless fit that moves with you and flatters your figure, whether you need to contour the bodice, adjust the hips, or expand the seams for comfort. At Wedding Dress Alterations London, our specialist bridal seamstresses handle everything from minor size tweaks to major contour adjustments, combining decades of bridal‑specific expertise with meticulous hand‑finishing techniques to deliver a gown that feels custom‑made.

What Is “Taking In” & “Letting Out”?

“Taking in” refers to reducing the width of the dress—most often at the side seams—to snugly follow your body’s curves, while “letting out” adds up to an inch or two in each seam’s allowance to accommodate comfort or small changes in measurements. Even when you order your dress in your usual size, it rarely fits perfectly off the rack, making these alterations critical for the bust, waist, and hips.

Benefits of Professional Size Adjustments

Perfect Silhouette: Precise contouring eliminates gaping or pulling at key points, giving you confidence in every pose and photo.
Comfort All Day: Letting out select seams can prevent pinching or restriction, ensuring you can dance, sit, and mingle without worry.
Preservation of Design: Expert seamstresses re‑align lace, beading, and boning so your gown’s decorative elements remain intact and symmetrical.

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Our Tailored Alteration Process

Initial Assessment & Consultation
We examine your gown’s original seams and allowances, discuss your fit goals, and recommend taking in or letting out as needed.
Precise Measurement & Marking
With you in your undergarments and shoes, we pin and mark alterations at the bust, waist, and hips—ensuring accurate adjustments.
Expert Hand & Machine Work
Seamstresses carefully remove, adjust, and resew seams, using hand‑stitching for delicate areas (lace overlays, appliqués) and machine stitching for strength.
Multiple Fittings
We schedule 2–3 fittings over 6–8 weeks, refining the fit at each session so your dress feels effortless on the big day.

Typical Timeline & Pricing

Timeline: Ideally you should start alterations 3–4 months before your wedding to accommodate 3–4 fittings for simple dresses and up to 5 fittings for complex designs. However we understand this is not always possible, for such cases we do our best to cater for your timescale, it's always worth enquiring.
Cost Factors: Pricing depends on dress complexity, fabric type, and number of seams altered. Book a free consultation today to get a quote returned to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a dress be let out?
Most gowns allow up to 2 inches per side seam; our team examines seam allowances to confirm before work begins.
Will my dress’s embellishments be affected?
We meticulously remove and reapply beads, lace, and boning so all decorative details remain perfectly aligned.
What if I fluctuate in size after starting alterations?
We recommend waiting until your measurements stabilise—typically within 6–8 weeks of the wedding—to avoid repeat adjustments.

Why Choose Wedding Dress Alterations London

Our family‑run atelier combines nearly four decades of bridal‑focused expertise with a personalised client experience; each gown is assigned a dedicated seamstress who oversees your fittings from start to finish. We use only quality threads, matching fabrics, and reinforced stitching to safeguard your dress for both the ceremony and reception.

Ready to Perfect Your Fit?

Contact us to book your complimentary “Taking In or Letting Out” consultation today at Wedding Dress Alterations London and walk down the aisle in a gown tailored uniquely to you.