Wedding dress alteration costs!!

Claire2831

Wedding dress alterations are so pricey don’t you think? I didn’t half get a shock when I was told by the bridal shop I had purchased my dress from that it would be £150.00 to take the hem up and add a bustle loop.

Any money saving advice? Is it better to take dresses to an independent tailor perhaps? I called a few shops who do general clothes alterations and dry cleaning etc who also said they did bridal alterations and were cheaper but I’m a bit wary of who I can trust with my very precious dress. Do you think its better just to pay the bridal shop so that at least you have peace of mind that the seamstress only specialises in wedding dresses?

It’s one of those things that when you are told the cost you just don’t know if you are getting a good deal, average price or if you are being ripped right off……

All opinions/advice welcome – thank you!

joolesw1972

Sorry, I've not got any experience in this but just wanted to suggest asking friends/family for recommendations for a dressmaker, I'm guessing it will depend on how much work there is? Hopefuly Linda will be along as she has excellent advice on dress making/alterations.

debs2327

i paid exactly that for exactly the same thing but what was worse is my dress is romantica of devon shania one and it has tulle at 1 side which only needed cut not sewn so she only had to sew half of the front of the dress and put a busstle on the back i was amazed ,
my mum used to make wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses when she was alive and she never charged the brides much as she used to say a wedding costs enough and she done it as a hobby more than a business , wish there was more seamstresses like her around today xx no wonder she was always making dresses x

lindaatno9

Alterations are expensive because much of the time unpicking takes longer than the sewing!
However, any independant seamstress should be able to undertake the job.
£150 does sound excessive. What is it you are having done?

frannyann

I am paying £100, but the taking in will be fiddly! Also the cost will cover the insurance the seamstress will have to cover your dress whilst she/he alters it. I thought £100 sounded fair, maybe not then???

Yellowbug

the lady where I bought my dress said it will be £90 but for that she will take it up for me, take it in if needed and she is going to move the under skirt netting type stuff down a bit for me, as at the moment it sticks out a bit on my thigh

I thought for what she is doing and how lovely she is it was a good price

lindaatno9

I know we've covered this before but general prices can be around:

Take in bust darts £20
Take in/let out side seams £30
Shorten hem (gown with train) £30
Shorten hem with overlay £40
Lift skirt from waist £45
Take in back and replace zip £30
Change zip closure to lace-up back £45

If I was asked to add a train loop, and I had a few alterations to do too, I'd more than likely do that for free.

hunnybunny12

Hiya,

Your quote does sound quite expensive. I've just been for my first fitting with an independant seamstress who is doing my alterations. She is charging me between £100 - £120 (Depending on how long it takes to do embroidery) to do the following:

• Take hem and all underskirt/netting up (on a dress with overlay)
• Take in bodice (which has lots & lots of embroidery)
• Put in corset lace up back
• Add a bustle to the back (using ribbons in three places, I think)
• Tidy up any beads/crystals that have come loose

I thought this was quite reasonable at the time and looking at the costs Linda has put down I now feel v.pleased! :T Thanks Linda!

Love Hunny x x x