It’s nerve-wracking to realize your wedding dress is too small with only a few months, or even a few weeks, before the big day. But this is a pretty common problem, and there are a few simple ways to make your dress look and feel spectacular. Wo’s Custom Tailoring on the Upper East Side of Manhattan will hand-sew your alterations with precision and care no matter which option you choose, so nothing stops you from looking great on your wedding day.

3 Ways to Fix a Wedding Dress That’s Too Small

1. Let Out the Seams

Letting the seams out of a wedding dress can raise it about one dress size. Most wedding dresses have two seams, one on the left and one on the right, and each seam can be let out a ½ inch. This is the simplest option, so if you think your dress only needs to be a little bit bigger, absolutely try this first. If you have more than two seams, you can make the dress even larger because each of the additional seams can also be let out. But be careful not to stretch the seams to their limits, or else they’ll pop when put under strain.

2. Change the Zipper Into a Lace-Up Corset

Classy and comfortable, a lace-up corset is a great way to make the top of your dress more forgiving. The zipper is removed from the dress and replaced with loops, which are then tied together with lace or ribbon. Finally, because the zipper starts low on the dress, a “modesty panel” is added to cover the entire back to just below the hip. Also, since the length of the ribbon can be adjusted, it’s an ideal solution for anyone whose bodice is a few sizes too small. However, it may take some extra alterations by the zipper replacement to make your dress fit perfectly.

3. Add Gussets

A gusset is an extra piece of fabric that is added to the dress at the seam to make it larger. The difficulty here is finding a piece of fabric that perfectly matches your dress. Even if you use hemmed portions from the bottom of the dress, the pattern may not fit exactly. Instead, tailors opt to add gussets to the zipper area, where they can use different colored fabric to add a natural-looking design to your dress.

Are you in need of wedding dress alterations before your big day? Wo’s Custom Tailoring will transform your dress in time for your occasion. They also specialize in bridesmaid dresses and custom suits, so they will ensure your entire wedding party looks and feels their best. To schedule a fitting, call (212) 988-9889 or visit their website for more details about their many services.