The Fix No One Saw — and Why Preparation Matters

Some of the most important moments on a wedding day are the ones no one ever knows happened.

One of my favorite examples of this involves something small, but incredibly high-stakes in the moment: a bridesmaid’s dress that didn’t fit.

I take a lot of pride in my wedding coordinator kit. Over time, it’s become a carefully curated collection of tools designed for exactly these kinds of moments. Earlier in the season, after struggling to mend a bridesmaid’s dress during portraits, I came home knowing I needed to level up. One of the first things I added was a stitch gun — a small tool that can make a huge difference when time is tight.

While I’m not a professionally trained seamstress, I grew up around sewing. My mother was an avid sewer, and I absorbed more than I realized just by watching and helping over the years. That foundation, combined with the right tools, has proven invaluable.

Immediately following one ceremony, a bridesmaid rushed up to me and said, “Shelby, my seamstress did me dirty. My dress is too tight — I can’t breathe.” The bridal party was about to be called for photos, so we had minutes, not hours.

I pulled her into a private space and assessed the dress quickly. The straps were sewn far too short, and the back clasp was uncomfortably tight. I looked at her and asked, “Are you okay if I cut your dress?” It was a risk — but I had a clear plan.

Using the mini shears from my fanny pack, I carefully snipped the straps that were causing the pressure and reworked them into a halter-style tie that preserved the look of the dress while giving her immediate relief. For the back, where the clasp sat higher than the zipper, I used my stitch gun to secure the straps lower on the dress, creating what looked like a cascading design detail rather than a repair.

The entire adjustment took only a few minutes.

When she stepped out to join the rest of the bridal party, the dress looked intentional, secure, and beautiful. In the photos, you would never know it had been altered on the fly.

The rest of the evening unfolded seamlessly. Later, as she gave her speech, I watched her stand confidently and comfortably beside her best friend — and felt proud knowing that a potential stressor had been completely removed from her day.

The bride and groom never knew there was an issue.

That’s often how the best coordination looks: quick thinking, quiet solutions, and preparation that allows the day to feel effortless for everyone else.