| How Much Do Wedding Dress Alterations Cost? |
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| Typical costs: | - The cost of alterations varies widely, depending on the style of the dress and complexity of the work. The three alterations most likely to be done are hemming, bodice alterations and shortening of sleeves.
- A bodice alteration can cost $30 for a simple dress to $100 or more for a dress with boning or beading that needs to be removed, then reinserted or reapplied.
- A hem might run $80 for a simple dress to $200 or more for a multi-layered dress.
- Sleeve alterations usually run between$40 and $80, depending on how much decoration or beading is on the sleeves.
- Leanna Studios offers a primer on alterations costs. Bridal salons, especially in large cities, tend to charge more than independent seamstresses.
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| What should be included: | - The seamstress will try the dress on the bride to see which alterations are needed. There should be a second fitting, with further alterations if necessary, until the dress fits perfectly.
- Remember to bring the bra, any support garments and the shoes you plan to wear, to your fittings.
- Tip: Make sure to establish a clear timeline with the person doing your alterations, and allow a few extra days so there is time to fix problems. The WeddingChannel.com offers a guide to alterations.
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| Additional costs: | - Bustling the dress, so the bride can lift and secure her train after the ceremony, normally costs extra, from about $20 to $90, depending on the size of the train, and how complicated the bustle. Leanna Studios provides a primer on different types of bustles.
- After alterations, the dress will need to be pressed or steamed. Typically the cost runs from about $40 for a simple dress to $100 for a multi-layered dress with a long train.
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| Discounts: | - Some bridal shops will offer discounts of 10 percent or more for dresses they sell.
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| Shopping for wedding dress alterations: | - Ask the shop where you purchase your dress whether they also do alterations. If so, you might consider using them since they will have a vested interest in making sure you are happy with the dress. If not, ask the bridal shop -- or friends who have recently married -- for recommendations.
- Bridal salons are usually the best place to start looking for alterations services because they have experience with wedding gowns. The Knot.com offers a city-by-city guide to bridal salons. Or, do a search for "alterations" on Local.Yahoo.com.
- total
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Article updated March 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $450.00 |
Wedding Dress Alterations
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| Posted by: Judy R. Stark in Modesto, CA. | Purchased: 2001 |
| Store: David's Bridal | Alterations Made: Private Seamstress |
| I thought I was getting a great price on my dress, that is until I factored in alterations for the hem and bodice. And I wasn't thrilled with the alterations. The standard length on most wedding gowns is 58"-59". That means if you're 5'8 1/2" or shorter, you'll need to either wear a very poofy petticoat which will raise the dress hem by as much as 2", and/or wear high heels. A hem on a beaded skirt will start at $200, so it's less expensive to have the shop do the hollow-to-hem which is done by the manufacturer of the dress. If the bodice has a lot of beading, expect to pay at least $50-$100, if not more, to have it taken in. A bustle is another $50-$100 depending on the style. Bottomline, embrace the reality that unless you're 5'9 and have perfect proportions, expect to shell out another $250-$450 for alterations. |
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| Amount: $481.71 |
I think I was ripped off?
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| Posted by: TL in Lakewood, CA. | Purchased: February, 2007 |
| Store: Alfred Angelo | Alterations Made: Hem & 8 bustles |
I bought my dress from Alfred Angelo for $549 (style 1238 on the website). It's a fitting, strapless chiffon gown with beading on the bust on chapel train. I went to their seamstress who is an independent contractor. I just wanted a hem and the addition of bustles. She gave me a bill of $481.71. Is it just me or is this insanely too much? The breakdown is: $185 for the chiffon hem, $100 for the satin hem (which is underneath the chiffon), and 8 bustles for $160. Including tax comes out to $481.71.
I hear that chiffon is hard to hem, I feel that I was ripped off. I feel like an idiot now for not asking her about it, but she was rushing me because there were other girls waiting in line. Can anyone in the alteration business give me a reasonable price quote for this?
Thank you,
TL |
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| Posted by: lorraine taggart in belfast, Other. | Purchased: 2007 |
| am a dress maker and the prices do seem to much. but would you want your dress in the hands of anyone . |
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| Amount: $700.00 |
alterations
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| Posted by: maritza clark in middletown, NY. | Purchased: July, 2004 |
| Store: davids bridal | Alterations Made: |
| purchased a wedding dress for my daughter and i need some prices on alterations. |
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| Amount: $300.00 |
wedding dress dilemma
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| Posted by: Heather in Minot, ND. | Purchased: November, 2008 |
| I recently bought my wedding dress and everything fit great on it, and now even though i have been watching my weight the dress seems to be a bit snug. does anybody know if it is possible to replace the zipper in the back with a lace up and roughly how much it would cost to do so. thanks! |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
Reply from a seamstress/alterations specialist
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| Posted by: Alexandra in California, MD. | Purchased: 2008 |
I would like to make some comments on the post here. I am an independent seamstress/alterations specialist. I live in Maryland and I live and work at home, you can view my website--www.exquisitegowns.net. I honestly was astonished to see how much other seamstresses charge for the services that were mentioned on the posts (hemming, bustling, take-in, etc...). However, your location unfortunately affects the prices of the alterations. I have done those alterations and saved brides hundreds of dollars, that's because I work at home and I have no space to rent and I don't pay assistants, so the savings are passed on to my brides. If you will look at my website's price list, you will see the difference of the prices. Yes, Chiffon fabric is very hard to hem. If stretches and frays easily. For the Alfred Angelo dress 1238, I saw the design of the gown and it didn't look that complicated at all. I just hemed a similar gown for a client who needed at least 4 inches out of the hem but wanted to keep the length and shape of train (see picture in my portfolio). If you live in California or New York and get alterations done in the bridal salon, expect to pay more as you are dealing with a middle-man. I, however, was surprised when the independent seamstress that was still charged a lot for the hemming and bustling.
For Heather in Minot, ND, it is possible to replace the zipper in the back with lacing and loops. I normally charge around $75+ for that. That type of closure is more versatile as can control how tight or loose you want the dress on you. That's what I'm doing now with a custom-made wedding gown for a bride getting married in February 2009. She advised me in advance that she sometimes gains weight when she's stressed, so giving her a laced-up back closure would give more flexibility. However, that doesn't mean she can just let herself go and gain weight. The dress can only take so much. :-) I hope this helps! |
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| Posted by: Johnnypsgirl in Dallas, TX. | Purchased: May, 2008 |
| Store: Alfred Angelo | Alterations Made: Bustle, Hem, Bodice |
| I went to alfred angelo because I purchased my dress there, thinking they would give me a good deal...not! They charged me 325 for the bustle (I have a pick-up skirt), 215 for the hem(it is one layer) and 120 (to take in the sides). I didn't realize how ridiculous this was until I told my girlfriends the price and they flipped! I'm going to try and get my money back and take it someplace else! |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
from an 8 tp a 2
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| Posted by: angie in springhill, FL. | Purchased: June, 2008 |
| Store: not sure yet | Alterations Made: alot i assume |
| can dress be altered form an 8 to a 2 i love this dress it is an 8 i wear a 2 its a simple satin with a sash |
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| Amount: $410.00 |
Costly Alterations
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| Posted by: a user in Monrovia, CA. | Purchased: April, 2008 |
| Store: Yelena Bridal - Monrovia | Alterations Made: Bustle, Hem, Bodice |
| I am surprised at how much it cost to alter my gown. I should I have asked about costs up-front and sought another opinion. |
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| Posted by: PersonalSeamstress.com in Beverly Hills, CA. | Purchased: 2008 |
Ultimately, and unfortunately, in this business, it is true that in most cases you get what you pay for...most of the time.
While many brides are admittedly on a budget, overcharging by shoddy seamstresses/grab-and-run bridal salons is often the norm.
Consider having an independent seamstress of exceptional abilities review your needs and often you will find you can not only undercut retail prices by at least 40% but you'll receive quality and service the likes of which the full-service salons just can't offer. |
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