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Isabel Donnelly Bridal Alterations Reviews

Isabel Donnelly Bridal Alterations

Isabel Donnelly Bridal Alterations

Ellicott City, MD
4.9 out of 5 rating, 116 Reviews
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Reviews

4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
116 Reviews
99% recommend it
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Awards

116
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner
  • Morgan
    Morgan D. Sent on 10/05/2021
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    My dress is beautiful!

    Isabel is knowledgeable and professional and did a great job with my dress!
  • Maria
    Maria S. Sent on 08/30/2021
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    Amazing work

    Isabel is incredibly skilled and made my wedding dress fit perfectly. She is so kind and really listens to what you want. I will be going to Isabel for all my alterations.
  • Jordyn
    Jordyn W. Sent on 04/27/2021
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    Excellent! Worth every penny!

    Isabel is the sweetest, and she did an amazing job with my dress! I went in thinking that my straps needed to be taken in and that my the waistline may need to be let out due to some stretching buttons (it was a sample dress) and she took one look and knew that all of that was wrong, but that I need the tension lines on the lace top altered to better fit my figure. She fixed half of it while I was standing there and she added a bustle to the dress which was perfect! I was so happy that I found her because by the time I picked the dress up a few weeks later, it fit like a glove.
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  • A
    Alexandra D. Sent on 05/18/2019
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    Beautiful work

    Isabel is super easy to work with, fast, friendly, and does beautiful work, definitely recommend using her for bridal alterations.
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    Hilary S. Sent on 06/13/2019
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    Amazing alterations

    Isabel's work is amazing and she is THE BEST at her trade. My dress was a size 12 ( I am normally a 4) and she was able to alter it to fit PERFECTLY. She has an excellent eye for the lines of fabric and the best way to adjust any dress. In addition to taking 6 inches off of the bodice of my dress, she re-configured the bustle to make the back of the dress look more beautiful and clean. She was also able to shorten my veil to the exact length I wanted. Her work is 100% worth the cost as the results are top notch. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs bridal alterations.
  • Lauren
    Lauren Sent on 06/19/2019
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    Phenomenal, detail-oriented work

    Isabel was recommended to me by Love & Lace Bridal Boutique as one of their go-tos for alterations. She was incredible to work with—easy to talk to and full of thoughful recommendations re: how the smallest tweak could improve fit. I loved my dress off the rack, but it was Isabel's craftsmanship that made it truly feel like MY dress. She also invited my bridesmaid over and took the time to teach her how to bustle. I can't speak highly enough of Isabel and her skills!

    [Photo: Barbara O Photography]
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    Rachel Sent on 12/24/2018
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    A Perfect Fit!

    I'll preface this with the following caveat: Isabel Donnelly is not cheap. If you're looking for an inexpensive tailor, look elsewhere. But Isabel will give you an honest quote upfront — I recommend doing a $35 consultation before starting the tailoring process if you're concerned about the price — and she won't increase the price halfway through the process unless you significantly change what you're looking for. The bottom line: You get what you pay for. Isabel's skills with a dress are absolutely magic.

    I came in with a dress that was more than two sizes too big in some places, and it had a delicate illusion back that made alterations difficult. I was so unhappy with the fit that I was ready to buy a new dress. By the end of the alteration process, my dress looked like it had been custom made for me and I was absolutely in love with it.

    Isabel was a pleasure to work with. She advised me on whether specific changes would be wise, but also listened to all of my concerns, always telling me that ultimately everything was my choice. When all was said and done, I was so glad she had talked me out of certain changes and into others. Above all, she was patient, even when I was indecisive about my shoe choice. My final fitting was a few weeks before my wedding, so Isabel told me that if I got nervous about the dress between then and the wedding, I could come try the dress on again. When I inevitably did, she was nothing but kind and understanding.

    If you can afford the money, you won't regret hiring Isabel.

  • katec
    Kate Sent on 07/25/2019
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    Isabel is the best!

    Isabel not only made my dress look perfect for my big day, but saved me hundreds of dollars on alterations! I purchased my dress from Amanda Ritchey Bridal and Beauty. I went there because they carried one of my favorite brands, Stella York, and it was fairly easy to book an appointment. I found my perfect Stella York dress on the first visit, and was so happy that I have found my dress, I let the store staff convince me that I was between sizes and that it was in my best interest to order a bigger size, "just in case", because "it is always easier to take it in than to let it out". When I woke up the next morning, I realized that was a mistake. Due to the design of the dress with side cutouts and beading all around the bodice, I realized it would be impossible to take in without altering the style of the dress. Also, I was worried about the hem, because the sample dress I tried on in the store was way too long. With appliqué lace all around the hem, the lace would have had to be taken off and sawn back on, which alone would run at about $600-700. With those concerns in mind, I first read the reviews of the Ritchey's seamstress, and they were not great. I found Isabel through Weddingwire and contacted her right away. She responded quickly and asked to send pictures of the dress. She confirmed my concerns and told me exactly what I needed to do: I went to the store, got re-measured, changed my order to the size I was comfortable with (I am glad I did!), and ordered custom length, which cost an additional $150. It also appeared that, in case my dress were to be a little tight, it was much easier to let that particular style out than to take it in. I spoke to the store seamstress when I went back and asked her a few simple questions as to how she would tackle taking that particular style in for me, and she had no good answer. She had no answer at all. When I asked the store seamstress to see how big the seams were on that sample dress I tried, she felt them with her hand without looking at them, and told me they were tiny and the dress could not be let out. When I actually went to look at the seams myself, there was an inch of fabric on either side. The store also did not expect me asking for custom length, as they do not advertise that on purpose. I am so grateful to Isabel that she mentioned that during our phone consultation! So enough about the bad store seamstress.
    When I received my dress, it fit almost perfectly (thanks to Isablel's initial tips). I only needed to shorten the straps and add a bustle. Isabel had to remove the beading from the straps and put it back on after altering them. She did a beautiful job! I also told her I did not want a "poofy" bustle (you see so many of them on pictures), so she did a simple, but elegant american bustle that looked tasteful and natural on our reception pictures and added extra flow to my dress during our first dance. Isabel also sawn the beaded belt that I purchased with the dress onto the waistline of my gown so that we did not forget it and it did not move around on my wedding day. I had two fittings with her, and was able to take my dress home two months before the wedding. During my final fitting, Isabel literally got on her knees and started making some stitches to the back of my dress. At first, I did not understand why those were needed, but when she was done and she had me look in the mirror, I was stunned as to how much difference those few stitches made in accentuating my hourglass figure!
    Isabel definitely knows what she is doing - I would not hesitate sending anyone to her! In fact, one of my good friends is getting married in less than a month. Her store seamstress was unable to figure out the bustle due to the dress being asymmetric. Isabel was able to figure it out in minutes, and also suggested to fix the hem alterations that were poorly done by the store seamstress. My friend loved her and can't wait to pick up her dress!
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    Samantha Sent on 04/12/2024
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    Seamstress Sorcery!!! - great experience

    I had only 6 weeks until my wedding and a hard dress to alter with multiple materials. Not to mention that it was 2 sizes too big for me.
    I was so nervous and Isabel made me feel so comfortable and at ease. She was realistic and honest about what I wanted vs. What was possible. In the end she was able to alter my dress to my new size/shape, turn it into a mermaid style and have it fit me like a glove. All in 2-3 weeks!
    She was very nice and I would definitely recommend her to any bride.
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    Morgan Sent on 04/28/2018
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    She was overall amazing! I am so thankful I found her to work on my wedding dress! She did a fabulous job and was very efficient! I can’t wait to refer people to her. Her place was always clean and I felt more than comfortable to leave my wedding dress there. I will for sure keep in touch with her and see her again!
  • Katie
    Katie Sent on 11/20/2017
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    Isabel is incredible. She was so kind from the moment my mom and I stepped in the door, and you can tell she genuinely cares about her work and how you feel about your dress. I couldn't be happier about how my dress fits, she truly is so amazing and talented, and such a sweet person too! Thank you Isabel :)
  • Sarah
    Sarah Sent on 12/12/2017
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    For the love of everything, get Ms Isabel for your alterations. My dress was perfect for the day. Super comfortable to wear, she put a ton of time into my dress and wouldn’t leave until it was 100% perfect no matter how small the detail. Highly recommend!!!
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    Kaitlin Sent on 06/17/2018
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    Isabel did alterations and the bustle for my lace wedding dress with train. She did the most beautiful job on the dress and was very helpful and accommodating--meeting with me numerous times throughout the process to ensure that the dress was perfect. She also handmade the most beautiful two piece veil to match my wedding dress. I couldn't have picked a more perfect person to entrust with my wedding dress. Thanks Isabel!!!
  • Meghan
    Meghan Sent on 04/20/2017
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    I'm getting married in my mother's dress. My mother was smaller than me, so when I initially tried it on, the zipper only went halfway up. Isabel was so incredibly kind and professional throughout the entire process. She took some fabric from the train and used it to take out the sides so that I could fit into the dress. You can't even tell that any work was done to it, it looks and feels wonderful. If you live in the area and need alterations, you should 100% go to Isabel. She is well worth the money.
  • Joy
    Joy Sent on 07/15/2017
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    Isabel did an amazing job on my dress! She had to take the intricate lace around the bottom of my dress and shorten it almost a foot. You couldn't even tell that she removed that much! She also shortened the straps, put 2 bustles in my dress and bustled my veil.
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    Katherine Sent on 06/02/2017
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    I had Isabel alter my wedding gown for my upcoming wedding next weekend. Isabel was responsive, professional, and very friendly. I appreciated that she squeezed me into her schedule, and was flexible with my appointments. My dress didn't need too much alteration, so I only had to come in twice (for initial fitting/drop-off and final fitting/pick-up). She talked me through what I wanted to do with the dress, and really is a pro at what she does. My dress looked pretty good when I first bought it, but now it fits like a glove and looks amazing on me.

    I definitely recommend!
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    Lisa Sent on 04/03/2017
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    I called Isabel in a panic about two months before my wedding because alterations had basically slipped my mind, and I didn't realize how much actually needed to be done to my dress. Isabel quickly fit me in for a consultation. At the consult, I was wondering why I even bought this dress...I thought it looked terrible on me. By the second fitting, Isabel had fixed all the troubled spots and I was reminded why I fell in love with the dress in the first place!! She is very meticulous and thorough, and took the time to make sure every element of the dress was perfect. She also took the time so show plenty of different options for the dress to make sure we were doing the right thing to the dress (I can't even remember how many different bustle options she pinned for me!). I thought my dress was absolutely perfect. I got so many compliments on the dress, and I know a lot of that credit goes to Isabel's work. She was also one of the nicest vendors I had the pleasure of working with.
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    Meghan Sent on 04/23/2017
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    Isabel was amazing. She is SO GOOD!!! Knowing she was taking charge of the significant alterations to my dress relieved so much stress and anxiety for me. She made my dress perfect. She was also super sweet, quick, understanding and professional!!!
  • Becky
    Becky Sent on 10/22/2016
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    Isabel is a miracle worker! Several months after I purchased my dress, I went to a certain Baltimore bridal salon (which shall remain nameless) and asked for advice on how to deal with a scratchy fabric situation. Not only did they tell me they couldn't / wouldn't help, they suggested I return the dress! Needless to say, I was panicking up until I went to see sweet Isabel. She reassured me that she could solve the issue and she did an absolutely beautiful job. Isabel also added a bustle and hem to my dress; both of which were perfect on my wedding day. I can't thank her enough for how well of a job she did and for saving me from having to buy a new dress just a couple months before our big day!
  • Erica
    Erica Sent on 08/31/2016
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    Isabel was so amazing! She altered my wedding gown. She did a perfect job. She new exactly what was needed. My dress was absolutely stunning. She was easy to work with and has a great eye for how a wedding dress should fit.
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    Rhian Sent on 09/04/2016
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    I took my wedding gown to someone else until the lady got hospitalized and filed for bankruptcy and Ms. Isabel saved me from unwanted stress! She's very good at was she does and I am telling you guys, the way she made my bustle, it is gorgeous. It does not look weird like others have seen. You would think my gown was made like that even with the bustle. Nothing is difficult for this lady. She will make sure your gown fits you well.
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    Tanishia Sent on 07/04/2016
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    Isabel is amazing at what she does. She is very busy and not cheap but worth it. She is so sweet and accommodating and you can tell that she wants you to feel like your dress is perfect and she won't stop until you do. Thank you Isabel!!!
  • Meredith
    Meredith Sent on 09/09/2016
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    Isabel worked magic on my wedding dress. She was just amazing. My dress didn't come with any kind of bustle and there were two separate parts that needed to be bustled, it was amazing. She designed a bustle for it and it worked out so well! She paid so much attention to detail and the finished product was just beautiful, and so comfortable. She's the best!
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    Devin Sent on 07/17/2016
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    Isabel is truly amazing in her work! She was so friendly to work with and quickly understood what I was looking to adjust with my dress. I used her for my wedding dress and a few weeks later for a bridesmaid dress. Her work is beautiful and exceptional; you can trust Isabel to go above and beyond your expectations. I can’t imagine using anyone else!
  • User2592165 Sent on 04/29/2016
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    Isabel is great. I felt so confident in her. She altered two of my dresses, and made them fit perfectly. One involved very detailed silk and lace work. She really made me feel like she cared about me as a person, not just a customer. Honestly one of the kindest people I have been able to work with.
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