Niche verticals Jun 13, 2027 6 min read
Size Guide for Wedding and Bridal Wear
Bridal sizing runs notably small. A bride who wears US 8 in regular fashion likely wears bridal 10-12. Most brides need 1-2 size up + alterations. Order 6+ months ahead.
The Chart
| Garment | Sizing | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding dress (off-the-rack) | Bridal sizing (run small) | 6+ months for fit + alterations |
| Custom wedding dress | Made to measurements | 8-12 months |
| Bridesmaid | Standard sizing | 3-4 months |
| Groom suit | Standard or MTM | 2-3 months |
| Flower girl | Kid sizing | 1-2 months |
| Mother of bride | Standard | 2-3 months |
FAQs
Why do wedding dresses run small?
Historical convention: bridal sizing scaled to vintage proportions. Modern brides expect 1-2 size up. Bridal salons take measurements + order accordingly.
Alterations included?
Almost always needed. Hem, bust, waist take-in. Budget $200-800 for alterations. Premium dresses can hit $500-1500. Plan ahead.
Need this on your store?
Tailor Size Guide ships pre-built size charts for Shopify.