On your wedding day, you want to feel comfortable as well as look great. This means that your gown is tailored to fit you (not the mannequin the pattern for the dress was originally created for), with no tugs, puckers, or pulls. Bridal gown fittings are an important part of this process. Here is what to expect & what you should do to make the fitting process work well for you!

Before Your First Fitting

• Decide which accessories you want to wear with your dress and buy or order them.
• Buy your undergarments and bridal shoes. You need your wedding-day lingerie and shoes for all your fittings -- a simple bra switch or change in heel height can cause your dress to fit improperly.

Your First Fitting The first fitting usually takes place about six weeks before your wedding day. Bring along one eagle-eyed friend or family member for advice. This fitting is to ensure two main things:

Look in the three-way mirrors to view all angles, and ask for another hand-held mirror if necessary. Speak up if you see anything that you don't like -- or forever hold your peace. The seamstress should be able to tell you why a problem exists, and what can be done to fix it. Though you shouldn't expect miracles, it is your prerogative to have as many fittings as it takes to get the perfect fit.

• The way the material falls
• How the waist feels
• How the chest area fits
• Any funny puckering, bunching or bulging
• The stitching, embroidery, and beading are all in good shape

Your second fitting is to make sure any corrections determined during the first fitting have been made. At this point only minor corrections, if any should be required. When all is said and done, your gown should fit you like a glove. Take a look in the mirror, and join the ranks of gorgeous brides everywhere.