Bridal Gown Makeover Adding Some Gems To My Wedding Dress

by Tiffany Shambley
(Newport News VA)

My story is very long. We wanted to do a beach wedding but we decided to get married in Dec. How can I glam my beach wedding dress up a little?

Hi Tiffany,

That's a loaded question. The reason I say that is because a lot depends on the formality and location of your wedding.

For instance, if your wedding is informal and you just want to add a little sparkle to your dress... you can add sequence and clear or iridescent seed pearls or beads to the gown. On your gown I would suggest you highlight the floral print areas with the gems. You can either hand sew them on or glue them using a beading glue that dries soft and crystal clear.

But if you are now having a formal wedding in a formal setting... then adding beading and gems will not makeover the dress enough to be appropriate for that type of wedding. It will still look beachy, but with bling, if you get what I'm saying. If this situation sounds like you I would strongly suggest that you get another wedding gown.

Plus there is another thing you need to think about. When an informal wedding gown is used for a formal wedding, you run the risk of your wedding party and guest out dressing you! Essentially they can upstage you at your own wedding and I imagine that this is not something you want to happen.

So to recap... if the formality of your wedding is informal you can glam up your dress. But if the reason you want to glam up your gown is because you are now switching to a more formal setting... I suggest that you choose another dress since the floral print keeps the gown informal.

Thanks for asking the question.

Desiree
Perfect Wedding Dress Finder

Bridal Alterations And Redesign-Add length, change bodice, add swarovski

by Katie
(London, UK)

I found a dress on dressilyme.com, I knew it wouldn't be 100% same as the picture as they just copy the original photo. I had custom measurements but with petticoat it shortens it, I want the big and poofy look so need the petticoat, how can length be added?

Also, the bodice in original photo has satin bodice, but my dress has a netting layer over the top of satin for some unknown reason, can this be removed easily?

Also I want to add some swarovskis to the dress, maybe even replace the smalls pearls with the swarovski, is this possible?

Hi, Katie,

Thanks for sending in all the pictures. They help me see what you need. You really have a bridal alteration and restyle question.

To lengthen the gown, if you have on the correct shoes, the outer tulle net is at the right length but the satin liner is a little short. You can add to the inner lining but not extend the netting. So the only thing that could be done here is add a strip of fabric around the bottom on the satin layer. But I want to make you aware that because the tulle is thinly layered, the seam would be noticeable.

The bodice net cannot easily be taken off if it is sewn in the seams with the satin. You could risk damage to the under fabric. So most seamstresses wouldn't attempt it.

It's easy to add embellishments to the dress. You can take the pearls off if they are sewn on and not glued on to the gown. But I would just leave the pearls and add the crystals because they are usually paired together on beaded garments.

I would check with a local wedding Dressmaker or Alterations Specialist experienced in bridal to see what they suggest. Also, the cost could be more than what you paid for the wedding dress.

Desiree
Perfect Wedding Dress Finder