Sep. 30—WILLMAR
— When it comes to the wedding dress, finding the perfect one might only be half the battle. Because once a bride lands on the dress of her dreams, it then needs to fit like one.
That is where alterations come in.
If the dress is purchased at a bridal salon, going through the alterations process is part of the experience. However, more and more brides are choosing to buy their dresses online or from vintage and thrift shops, or taking a family heirloom down the aisle one more time. This usually means having to find a tailor or alterations shop to help out.
"It is all over the chart," said Addy Moua of the kind of dresses she sees at Emporia Suits and Alterations in Willmar. "We have those that are really simple, and those that are all about sequins and floral."
Emporia Suits started out as SewnEdge Alterations in Uptown Willmar, but owners Moua and Sean Yang decided to expand the business to offer suits, shirts and ties for formal occasions. The
new store opened in 2022
in the Plaza One strip mall on First Street South in Willmar.
Wedding dresses, no matter how simple they may look, can be very complex. As such, it can take a delicate and dedicated touch when making alterations.
"You have to be extra careful working on a wedding dress," Moua said. "It's a lot of work."
The first step in any alteration is a phone call.
Like so much in regards to wedding planning, Moua recommends planning months in advance. Brides should call about dress alterations at least three to four months prior to the wedding, and perhaps even closer to six months prior if the wedding is being held in late spring. That is prime prom season as well, and alteration shops can get very busy around then.
"Call us ahead of time to get fitted," Moua said.
Some brides call about an alteration and hope to get a price estimate. Moua is hesitant to give any sort of price without actually having seen the garment. At Emporia, they don't charge by the hour but more by how in-depth the job is. Moua said she feels that is a fairer way to charge for both the business and the bride.
"It is not simple to give a quote over the phone," Moua said.
During the actual fitting, Moua will work with the bride to create the perfect fit. This may mean hemming, or letting the dress in or out. If a dress will require additional embellishments or fabric, Moua will also help the bride choose the right notions, though she usually has the bride purchase those themselves, so Moua knows the choices are what the bride wants.