I've been altering wedding dresses since 1980. As a professional Alterations Specialist, I have a great eye for restyling and a quick mind for problem-solving.
Tip when buying your wedding dress When choosing a wedding dress, please keep in mind most brides will need $300 to $600 of alterations. Be sure to budget for that when choosing your dress.
When to schedule your appointment The rule of thumb is to schedule your first appointment 2 months before your wedding for standard alterations. However, if you are getting married July through October, you'll need to set up this appointment further in advance. During these peak wedding months, my schedule can get booked up to 2 months ahead. Please plan for this. If you know your dress will be arriving in 3 weeks, please don't wait until you've picked it up to make your appointment, as I'm happy to set up appointments months in advance.
What if you receive your dress 6 months before your wedding? As long as you keep a consistent body weight and have the shoes you plan on wearing, we can get your alterations done early. Just one more thing you can check off your big wedding preparations list!
If you're going to need extensive alterations or if you want to do some restyling (like adding an illusion neckline), you'll want to schedule even earlier than 2 months before your wedding date. For true restyling, allow at least 6 months before your wedding date for your first consult.
What to bring to your appointment To ensure a perfect fit, it is necessary to bring the shoes and undergarments you plan on wearing with the dress to every appointment. I will not guess on length with you standing on your toes. It is very appreciated if you have your shoes at the first appointment, especially if your alterations will be simple. But, I do understand that finding the perfect shoe is a sometimes a big task. However, if you do not have your wedding shoes at your second fitting plus any additional fittings, there will be a $50 fee for the additional appointment(s) needed for pinning the hem. At pickup, if you do not have your shoes and we cannot check the accuracy of the altered length, there will be additional charges for re-hemming at a later appointment. If there are any length issues, and you have your shoes, I will gladly do any fixes free of charge. Undergarments If your dress is low cut in the front or back or you don’t want to wear a bra, cups are available and can be sewn into your dress. The cups that I stock are only recommended for up to a C cup and cost $35 to be sewn into the dress. For sheer or tight fitting dresses, nude seamless briefs or thongs work best, like these from Commando. Your fittings are a great time to see if the underwear you have purchased will work with your dress. You can also bring the jewelry or veil you plan on wearing, to get a full image of what you will be looking like on your wedding day.
Who to bring to your appointment Just as in picking out our wedding dress, it is best not to bring too many people to your alteration appointment. Silhouette is an intimate setting, and does not have a lot of extra room for an entourage. It is best to bring at most three people, all of which you trust their judgement. If your gown is getting a bustle, please try to bring a member of your bridal party to the pickup appointment so she can be shown how to use the bustle.
Bridesmaids I also do bridesmaid alterations. Please read above for what to bring to your fitting. Brides, please don’t keep reading... As a bridesmaid, sometime you have to wear a dress that is not your style, color, or material, and you honestly are never going to wear it again (and wish you were not wearing it once). For a lot of alterations, there is the “correct” way of doing things and the “quicker” way. To work within a tighter budget, the “quicker” way still looks professional on the outside, but can save you up to 30% on the alteration fee.
Consultations If you have a dress and you are unsure if the alterations needed are possible, whether they will stick within your budget, or whether you should size up or down, we can set up a consultation. If you have the dress on hold, can return the dress, or its a vintage dress you would like to restyle, I'll gladly meet with you for a free consultation to go over pricing and advise you. I understand that the cost of an alteration might be a determining factor in purchasing. Or, you may still have time to reorder the dress in a better size that will save you money on the Alteration Fee.
If you own the dress and would like to set up a consultation for peace of mind or for a price check, contact me.