What measurements do I need for a wedding dress?

Five core measurements: bust, waist, hips, hollow-to-floor, and hollow-to-hem (if custom hem). Some salons add bicep, underbust, neck, and back length for highly fitted styles. Bring all measurements in inches.

When should I take wedding dress measurements?

Take measurements 6-8 months before the wedding for a custom or made-to-order dress, and again 4-6 weeks before for final fitting. Most brides' bodies fluctuate 1-3 inches in the months before the wedding due to stress, exercise, or last-minute weight loss. Schedule fittings accordingly.

Should I size up for wedding dress alterations?

Always size up if between sizes. Wedding dresses are easier to take in than let out — usually 2 inches of seam allowance, vs only 0.5-1 inch of let-out room. Sizing down hopes weight will drop; sizing up gives the tailor real material to work with.

Why do wedding dress sizes run small?

Bridal sizing is roughly 2 sizes smaller than US ready-to-wear. A US size 8 in regular clothes is typically a bridal size 12. This is industry-standard, dating to formal/dressmaking traditions. Always go by the dress's specific chart in inches, not by size number.

What if my measurements span multiple sizes?

Order the size matching your largest measurement. Tailor takes in the smaller dimensions. Example: bust = size 12, waist = size 10, hips = size 14 — order size 14, tailor takes in bust and waist. Buy big, tailor down.

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How to measure May 18, 2026 7 min read

How to Measure for a Wedding Dress

Five measurements: bust, waist, hips, hollow-to-floor, hollow-to-hem. Plus the rule that bridal sizing runs 2 sizes smaller than RTW. Here's the full guide.

The Five Wedding Dress Measurements

Measurement	Where	Why
Bust	Fullest part, parallel to floor	Bodice fit
Waist	Natural waist (narrowest)	Bodice + waist seam
Hips	Fullest seat, parallel to floor	Skirt fit
Hollow-to-floor	Collarbone hollow to floor in heels	Total dress length
Hollow-to-hem (custom)	Hollow to desired hem	For tea-length / shorter cuts

Wear the right shoes

Always measure with the heel height you'll wear at the wedding. Heels add 2-4 inches to hollow-to-floor — wrong shoe = wrong dress length.

The Bridal Sizing Quirk

Bridal sizes run 2 sizes smaller

A US ready-to-wear size 8 is typically a bridal size 12. Always go by the dress's specific chart in inches, not by your usual RTW number.

RTW size	Bridal size	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hips (in)
0	2	32	24	34.5
2	4	33	25	35.5
4	6	34	26	36.5
6	8	35	27	37.5
8	10	36	28	38.5
10	12	37.5	29.5	40
12	14	39	31	41.5
14	16	41	32.5	43.5
16	18	43	34.5	45.5

Timeline for Wedding Dress Fittings

When	Stage
10-12 mo before	Initial selection + first measurements
6-8 mo before	Order placement (custom takes 4-6 months)
3 mo before	Dress arrives; first fitting
6 wk before	Second fitting; major alterations
2-3 wk before	Final fitting; minor adjustments
Day before	Steam + final checks

Common Mistakes

Measuring without bridal undergarments

Wear the bra, shapewear, and heels you'll wear on the day.

Sizing down hoping to lose weight

Bridal can take in 2", but only let out 0.5-1". Buy big, tailor down.

Ordering with one number when sizes mismatch

Order the size matching your LARGEST measurement.

Using RTW size for bridal

Bridal sizes run 2 sizes smaller. Always check the bridal chart in inches.

FAQs

What measurements do I need?

Bust, waist, hips, hollow-to-floor, hollow-to-hem.

What is hollow-to-floor?

Collarbone hollow to floor in your wedding heels.

When to take measurements?

6-8 months before, then again 4-6 weeks before.

Size up for alterations?

Always. Easier to take in than let out.

Why does bridal run small?

Industry standard. ~2 sizes smaller than RTW.

What if measurements span multiple sizes?

Order the largest, tailor down.

Five Numbers, One Right Dress

For underlying body measurements see bust guide, waist guide, hip guide. For bridesmaid + formal sizing see bridesmaid guide and formal dress guide.

Selling bridal on Shopify? Hollow-to-floor matters.

Tailor Size Guide adds bridal-specific measurement matching to every wedding dress listing.

Install the Shopify app Read the docs