Wedding Countdown: Wedding Dress Alterations

Ordering a wedding dress in the correct size wasn’t an option with a five-week engagement. My daughter’s choices, then, were limited to finding a dress on the rack and then having alterations done as needed.

We shopped at several stores before Kim made her selection. Trouble was, it definitely needed alterations—several sizes’ worth—and the store’s seamstress was fully booked until August 14. She wasn’t working on the day we purchased the dress, so the salesclerk wouldn’t commit to her availability to do Kim’s gown even after that date.

”You’d best find someone else to make the alterations,” she said. “Then you can bring the dress back here for steaming.”

We left the store that morning, wondering how in the world we’d find a qualified seamstress to do the job. Again, I whispered a prayer for God to provide.

Answered prayer within an hour

The groom’s mom and I spent the next hour at a party supply rental store. When we’d finished pricing the items we’d need, we left the store and headed for our cars. At that exact moment, one of my girlfriends drove into the parking lot. She was returning an item she’d rented for an event the day prior.

“Hey, how’s the wedding planning going?” she asked.

“Amazingly well,” I said. “But as of this morning we need to find a seamstress qualified to alter wedding gowns.”

“I know someone,” she said. She immediately gave me a name and phone number. I grabbed my cell, punched in the numbers, and handed her the phone. “Talk to her, please,” I said.

My girlfriend explained our need for quick alterations to the woman on the other end of the phone. Then she asked a few questions on the seamstress’ behalf. “Does the dress have lace?” she asked.

“No lace,” I replied. “What else does she need to know?” I opened my car door to show her the huge pink bag hanging there. My friend climbed into the back seat, unzipped the bag, and proceeded to describe the dress detail by detail to the seamstress. Moments later she said goodbye and handed me the phone. “Done,” she said. “Call her later today to arrange a fitting.”

The seamstress was an angel

That was three weeks ago. Kim and I picked up the altered gown yesterday. Tonight I’ll pick it up from the store where it’s being steamed today. The gal did a masterful job. I told her that I’d recommend her—her name is Joan Naples. Contact me privately for her phone number if you need her expert services.

Want to see Kim wearing her beautiful dress? See my post about about the big day!