Dress Alterations Advice - Extra Inches for a Belly Full of Food?

I was thinking this when I went to my first alterations. It was in the evening so my body was likely at its heaviest. The seamstress took in an inch from each side of my waist, it was quite snug. I could still breathe, but was wondering if I should allow for more room. Ceremony will be at 2p so I’m hoping I will have room...


I’m wondering what other brides did too!

Hey Kari!

How do you feel in your dress currently, without the alterations? Does it feel like it’s too big on you, or that it’s too loose on your body (before you have a full belly)?

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It feels a little loose but not like I'm swimming in it. Without alterations on an empty stomach it basically feels like the right street size, but not like it was custom conformed to my exact body. I don't really feel like I could go down a full size, it just doesn't have a precisely tailored to me fit.

However when I tried it on last night with a full stomach after a full meal, I really don't feel like there was any room to spare. It felt like a better fit when I had a full stomach then without. I want to look amazing when I walk down the aisle, but I want to be comfortable too, and I want to be able to enjoy at least some of the food. I'd prefer having my dress a hair big than not being able to fit into it or to risk breaking the zipper trying to get it on (or while dancing), but I'd be walking down the aisle pre-dinner and once I had the dress on it's not like I'd eat so much that I'd break it (or at least, I think that's unlikely, I'd just stop eating when there was no more room for the food to go).

Here's some photos in a previous post: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/alterations-advice-and-timeline-to-account-for-weight-loss/3e53c68a8cf181d4.html

If you like how it fits without being full right now, I'd leave it. Just remember that most brides say they don't even get to eat the meal at their wedding so if it's super loose and you're betting in the fact that you'll eat a big dinner and fill it out, I wouldn't. My dress is crepe and super form fitting so I need to NOT fill mine out. lol

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That's such great advice!

We keep hearing about how our venue has the BEST food (we haven't tried it yet), so I definitely would like to eat some of the food and feel like I have space in my belly to eat, but not feel like I have to stuff myself just to fill out my dress.

Oh and I feel you on the crepe dress. I bought a 2nd dress for my reception that was crepe and LOVED it, but it definitely showed everything. Ultimately I decided I didn't want the hassle of two dresses, so I sold it, but I do love crepe so much. It's just so beautiful!

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I agree with Taylor on this one, if it feels like it fits you without alterations I would leave it. You certainly don't want it to feel too tight on you in the evening after you have eaten dinner.