Every bride wants to look and feel amazing on her wedding day. But, finding the perfect wedding dress is only half the battle. Ensuring that the dress fits like a glove is just as important. That’s why knowing how to measure a wedding dress is a crucial skill to have when preparing for your big day.
Don’t leave your dress alterations in the hands of a tailor. Learning to measure your wedding dress like a pro will not only save you time and money, but it will also give you peace of mind that your dress will fit perfectly. In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to measure a wedding dress and provide you with tips and expert advice along the way.
Whether you’re ordering a dress online or buying it in a store, accurate measurements are key. From taking your bust, waist, and hip measurements to handling common measuring challenges, this guide will cover everything you need to know to get the perfect fit. So, grab your measuring tape and get ready to learn how to measure a wedding dress like a pro.
Read on to discover the secrets of measuring a wedding dress like a pro. Don’t risk ruining your perfect wedding day by leaving the fit of your dress in someone else’s hands. Learn the skills you need to make sure your wedding dress fits you like a glove.
Why Measuring Your Wedding Dress is Crucial for Your Big Day
When it comes to your big day, you want everything to be perfect, especially your wedding dress. But what many brides don’t realize is that measuring your dress is just as important as choosing the right design. Getting accurate measurements ensures that your dress fits like a glove and accentuates your figure, making you look and feel confident and beautiful. Not sure how to measure your wedding dress? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
Before we dive into the details of measuring your wedding dress, let’s talk about why it’s crucial to do so. A poorly fitting dress can ruin your wedding day by making you feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, or even causing a wardrobe malfunction. Plus, alterations can be costly and time-consuming, taking away from the joy of preparing for your wedding. By taking the time to measure your dress properly, you’ll avoid these potential problems and ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch.
Benefits of Measuring Your Wedding Dress
- Flawless Fit: Accurate measurements ensure that your dress fits perfectly, flattering your figure and enhancing your beauty.
- Cost Savings: By getting the measurements right the first time, you can avoid costly alterations down the road.
- Peace of Mind: When you know that your dress fits you perfectly, you’ll feel more confident and relaxed on your big day.
How to Measure Your Wedding Dress
Measuring your wedding dress may seem daunting, but it’s easier than you might think. Here are the steps:
- Get Accurate Measurements: Use a tape measure to measure your bust, waist, hips, and length from your waist to the hemline.
- Use the Size Chart: Compare your measurements to the size chart provided by the dress designer to determine your dress size.
- Consider Alterations: If you’re between sizes or have a unique body shape, alterations may be necessary to ensure the perfect fit.
Tips for Measuring Your Wedding Dress
- Ask for Help: Enlist the help of a friend or family member to ensure accurate measurements.
- Measure More Than Once: Measure yourself several times to ensure accuracy.
- Wear Proper Undergarments: Wear the undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day to ensure a proper fit.
Measuring your wedding dress may seem like a small detail, but it can make a huge difference in how you look and feel on your big day. By following these tips, you’ll be able to get accurate measurements and ensure that your dress fits perfectly, allowing you to fully enjoy the magic of your wedding day.
Tools You Will Need to Get Accurate Measurements
Before you start measuring your wedding dress, you need to have the right tools to ensure accuracy. Here are the tools you’ll need:
Tape Measure: The most important tool you will need is a flexible tape measure that can wrap around your body easily. It’s recommended to use a measuring tape that’s at least 60 inches long so you can take measurements from all angles.
Other Essential Tools
- Pencil and Paper: You will need to write down the measurements to keep track of them.
- Full-Length Mirror: A full-length mirror is helpful to see the dress from different angles while measuring.
- Clothespins: Clothespins can be used to hold the tape measure in place while measuring certain parts of the dress.
Optional Tools
While not necessary, these tools can make measuring your wedding dress easier:
- Assistance: Having someone to help hold the tape measure and dress can ensure more accurate measurements.
- Mannequin: If you have access to a mannequin, it can help keep the dress in place while measuring.
Having the right tools is essential to getting accurate measurements. Make sure you have everything you need before you start measuring your wedding dress.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Your Wedding Dress
Measuring your wedding dress may seem daunting, but it’s an essential step to ensure that you look and feel your best on your big day. By following these simple steps, you can get accurate measurements for your wedding dress:
Step 1: Find a flexible measuring tape and a friend to assist you.
Step 2: Take Your Bust Measurement
- Stand up straight with your arms at your sides.
- Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust and ensure it’s parallel to the ground.
- Take note of the measurement in inches or centimeters.
Step 3: Measure Your Waist
- Stand up straight and bend to one side. The crease that forms is your natural waistline.
- Wrap the measuring tape around your natural waistline and take note of the measurement in inches or centimeters.
Step 4: Measure Your Hips
- Stand up straight and wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips.
- Ensure the measuring tape is parallel to the ground and take note of the measurement in inches or centimeters.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have the measurements you need to order your wedding dress with confidence. Remember to take your measurements while wearing the same undergarments and shoes that you plan to wear on your wedding day.
How to Handle Common Wedding Dress Measuring Challenges
Measuring your wedding dress is an essential step in the process of finding your dream gown, but it can come with its fair share of challenges. Below, we’ve outlined some common issues you may encounter when measuring your wedding dress and how to handle them.
Before we dive into specific challenges, it’s essential to remember that accurate measurements are crucial. Don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional tailor or seamstress if you’re unsure about any aspect of the process.
Challenge #1: Uneven Hemline
- Start by measuring the center front of your dress, from the top of the neckline to the bottom of the hemline.
- Next, measure the center back of the dress in the same way.
- Then, measure each side of the dress from the top of the neckline to the bottom of the hemline.
- If the measurements are not equal, take an average of the three measurements to determine the length of the dress.
Challenge #2: Fitted or Mermaid Style Dresses
Measuring a fitted or mermaid-style dress can be tricky, but it’s still important to get accurate measurements to ensure a perfect fit.
Here are some tips to help you get the most accurate measurements:
- Wear the appropriate undergarments, including shapewear, to get the most accurate measurements.
- Measure the fullest part of your bust, the smallest part of your waist, and the fullest part of your hips.
- Measure the length of the dress from the hollow at the base of your neck to the hemline.
Challenge #3: Off-the-Shoulder or Strapless Dresses
Measuring off-the-shoulder or strapless dresses can be challenging since you need to ensure the dress stays in place while measuring accurately.
Here are some tips to help you get the most accurate measurements:
- Make sure the dress is pulled up snugly to your body, especially around the bust area.
- Use a flexible tape measure to measure the length of the dress from the hollow at the base of your neck to the hemline.
- If you’re measuring the bust or waist, make sure the tape measure is snug but not too tight, and measure at the fullest part of the bust and the smallest part of the waist.
Tips to Ensure You Measure Your Dress Correctly
Measuring your wedding dress is a crucial step in the process of finding the perfect fit. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you measure your dress correctly:
Tip #1: Use a Measuring Tape
Using a Measuring Tape
Using a measuring tape is the most accurate way to measure your wedding dress. Make sure to use a flexible measuring tape, as it will provide a more precise measurement. It’s also important to measure in inches, as most wedding dress measurements are done in this unit of measurement.
Measure with a Friend
Having a friend assist you in taking your measurements can ensure that they are more accurate. Your friend can make sure that the measuring tape is level and straight, and can help to hold the tape in place while you take the measurement.
Tip #2: Measure Multiple Times
Measure Multiple Times
It’s always a good idea to measure your dress multiple times to ensure accuracy. Take your time and measure each area of the dress that requires measurement, such as the bust, waist, and hips. Record each measurement to make sure you have the correct size.
Double-Check Your Measurements
Once you have finished measuring, double-check your measurements to ensure they are accurate. If possible, have someone else look over your measurements to make sure you have not made any errors.
Tip #3: Consult a Professional
Consult a Professional
If you are unsure about measuring your wedding dress or have any concerns, it’s always best to consult a professional. They can help you with measuring your dress and ensure that you have the correct size. They can also give you advice on what alterations you may need to make to ensure the dress fits perfectly.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you measure your wedding dress correctly and find the perfect fit for your special day.
What to Do If Your Measurements Don’t Match the Size Chart
Even when you measure yourself accurately, it’s possible that your measurements don’t match the size chart of the wedding dress you want to buy. Here are some tips to help you handle this situation:
First, don’t panic. It’s common for measurements to be slightly different from one person to another. Here are a few steps you can take:
Contact the retailer or designer
If you’ve ordered a dress online and your measurements don’t match the size chart, contact the retailer or designer immediately. They may have a solution, such as offering you a custom-made dress or exchanging it for another size that fits you better. Explain your situation and provide your measurements again, so they can help you find the right dress.
Have the dress altered
If you’ve already received the dress and it doesn’t fit perfectly, consider having it altered by a professional seamstress. They can adjust the dress to fit your body shape and size, making it look like it was made just for you. This may be a more expensive option, but it’s worth it if you want to wear the dress you’ve always dreamed of.
Sell or donate the dress
If you can’t return the dress or have it altered, consider selling or donating it to someone else who may be able to wear it. You can list it on online marketplaces, such as eBay or Poshmark, or donate it to a local charity. This way, you can recoup some of your costs and make someone else happy at the same time.
Remember, your wedding dress should fit you perfectly and make you feel beautiful on your special day. Don’t settle for a dress that doesn’t fit well or make you feel confident. With these tips, you can find the perfect dress for your body shape and size.
Expert Advice: When to Get Your Wedding Dress Professionally Measured
Getting your wedding dress professionally measured can be a crucial step in ensuring a perfect fit on your big day. However, many brides are unsure of when exactly to seek out this service. Here are some expert tips on when to get your wedding dress professionally measured:
Firstly, it’s important to note that it’s always better to err on the side of caution and get measured earlier rather than later. Ideally, you should get measured six to eight months before your wedding day. This will give you ample time to make any necessary alterations and adjustments, as well as ensure that your dress arrives on time.
After major weight changes
- If you’ve recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight, it’s important to get measured again. Even if your dress still fits, there may be alterations that need to be made to ensure a perfect fit.
- A professional tailor can also help you determine if your dress can be altered to accommodate your new size, or if you need to consider other options.
If you purchased a sample or pre-owned dress
If you’ve opted for a sample or pre-owned dress, it’s important to get it professionally measured. These dresses may have been altered in the past, and their sizing may not be accurate. A professional tailor can help you determine what alterations need to be made to ensure a perfect fit.
If you purchased your dress online, it’s also a good idea to get it professionally measured. Online sizing charts can be notoriously inaccurate, and you don’t want to risk your dress not fitting properly on your big day.
If your dress has intricate details or is made of delicate fabric
- If your dress has intricate details, such as beading or lace, it’s important to get it professionally measured. Alterations to these details require a skilled hand, and a professional tailor can ensure that everything is done correctly.
- Similarly, if your dress is made of delicate fabric, such as silk or satin, it’s important to get it professionally measured. These fabrics require special care, and a professional tailor can ensure that your dress is altered in a way that maintains its integrity.
Overall, getting your wedding dress professionally measured can help ensure a perfect fit on your big day. Whether you’ve experienced weight changes or have a dress with intricate details, a professional tailor can help you make any necessary alterations to ensure that you look and feel your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure a wedding dress?
Measuring a wedding dress is a crucial step to ensure the perfect fit on your big day. Start by taking your bust, waist, and hip measurements using a flexible tape measure. Take note of your measurements and compare them to the size chart of the dress you’re interested in. If your measurements don’t match the size chart, consider getting professionally measured by a tailor or dressmaker to ensure a flawless fit.
Can I measure myself for a wedding dress?
Measuring yourself for a wedding dress is possible, but it can be challenging to get accurate measurements. It’s recommended to have someone help you take your measurements to ensure they’re as precise as possible. If you’re unsure, consider getting professionally measured by a tailor or dressmaker to avoid any measurement errors.
When should I measure myself for a wedding dress?
You should measure yourself for a wedding dress when you’re ready to start shopping for dresses. It’s best to measure yourself a few months before your wedding date, so you have time to order and alter your dress if needed. If you’re planning to lose weight before your wedding, it’s recommended to wait until you’ve reached your target weight before taking your measurements.
How do I find my correct size for a wedding dress?
To find your correct size for a wedding dress, start by taking your bust, waist, and hip measurements. Once you have your measurements, compare them to the size chart provided by the designer or retailer of the dress you’re interested in. If your measurements fall between two sizes, it’s recommended to size up rather than down to ensure a comfortable fit.
What if my measurements don’t match the size chart?
If your measurements don’t match the size chart of the wedding dress you’re interested in, don’t panic. Consider getting professionally measured by a tailor or dressmaker to ensure a perfect fit. You can also contact the designer or retailer of the dress to ask for their recommendation on sizing and alterations.
Do I need alterations if I measure myself for a wedding dress?
Even if you measure yourself for a wedding dress, alterations may still be necessary to ensure a flawless fit. It’s recommended to work with a professional tailor or dressmaker who can make the necessary alterations to your dress to ensure it fits perfectly. Alterations may include adjustments to the hemline, neckline, and waistline to achieve a comfortable and flattering fit.