EVEN THE MOST perfect dress requires a visit (or four or five) to a seamstress to get it just right. We sat down with Diane Wilson, co-owner and seamstress at P’Dia (314 E. Wisconsin Ave.), to find out everything you need to know.
When’s the right time to go in?
The initial consultation should happen a minimum time of three months [before the wedding]. We prefer four to five months.
What if your dress size might change? Should you wait?
I understand some girls just hold on to the dresses because they’re losing weight – wrong thing to do! Get into a tailor right away. I’ll do what I call holding the dress open, where we just kind of gradually go in when they lose weight throughout the fittings.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
What can brides expect throughout the process?
At the initial consultation, we put the dress on and find out what needs to be done. We also give prices and offer the option to stay with us or go elsewhere. From there, we set up the first official fitting, and that’s when we pin, do shoulders and we see what we can do at the top, the basic stuff. And if there are specialty things like having the bust cut down, we go into a second fitting. Then there’s the hem fitting. The bustles are the last fitting. So, the average dress takes three to five [fittings].
Are there certain styles of dresses that take longer?
Absolutely. The ball gowns with the lace attached, that takes time. The average lacy ball gown has five to eight layers that all have to be cut separately. I think that’s the longest process, unless we’re custom-making things, like adding sleeves that are not there.
What advice do you have for brides about their dresses?
Do your research when it comes to your alterations before you even buy the gown, because that may change what you want. Research the seamstress – their prices, their work. My saying is, this is the most expensive garment you will ever buy. And that day, it has to be perfect, so the quality has to come first.
Beauty Timeline
Local wedding beauty experts at Neroli Salon & Spa and WELL Spa + Salon weigh in on when to make appointments for these pre-wedding beauty services.
Haircut and color
Two months before, and again two weeks before
Facial
One month before, but keep up the glow by using at-home products
Waxing
One week before
Manicure/ Pedicure
Week of the wedding
Spray Tan
Two-three days before
Final Countdown
SCHEDULE A MASSAGE with your fiancé the week of your wedding to spend some quality time together and let the stress of wedding planning melt away. “It gets [couples] out of their head,” says Elizabeth Walsh-Zimmermann, director of WELL Spa + Salon.
