When I first tried on my wedding dress, everything felt perfect—except the sleeves. They hung past my wrists, covering my hands completely. Turns out, this is incredibly common. Most wedding dresses are made with longer sleeves to accommodate different arm lengths, and alterations are just part of the process. The good news? If your sleeves are only slightly too long and you're comfortable with basic sewing, you can handle this yourself.
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather these supplies: sharp fabric scissors, pins, a seam ripper, thread that matches your dress, a sewing needle (or machine if you have one), and measuring tape. If your sleeves have lace or delicate details, add some clear nail polish to prevent fraying.
Measuring the Right Length
Put on your dress with the shoes you'll wear on your wedding day—heel height matters more than you'd think. Stand naturally and have someone mark where you want the sleeve to end. For most brides, that's right at the wrist bone. Mark it with a pin, then add about half an inch for your hem allowance.
The Actual Shortening Process
Turn your dress inside out and carefully unpick the existing hem with your seam ripper. Press the fabric flat if it's wrinkled. Fold up the sleeve to your marked length, pin it in place, and try the dress on again to double-check. Once you're sure, hand-stitch or machine-sew the new hem using small, even stitches. For lace sleeves, I recommend hand-sewing with a slip stitch—it's nearly invisible.
When to Call a Professional Instead
Here's the honest truth: some sleeve alterations are beyond DIY. If your sleeves have intricate beading, multiple layers, or need to be shortened by more than two inches, see a tailor. The same goes for illusion sleeves or anything with appliqués that would need repositioning. A professional alteration typically costs between $40-$100, and it's worth it for peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Shortening simple wedding dress sleeves at home is doable if you take your time and don't rush. Practice on a similar fabric first if you're nervous. And remember—your wedding day is about celebrating, not stressing over perfect hems. If you feel uncertain at any point, there's no shame in handing it over to someone with more experience.