Isabel Donnelly Bridal Alterations Reviews
Reviews
4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
117 Reviews
99% recommend it
Awards
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![Morgan]()
Morgan D. Sent on 10/05/2021My dress is beautiful!
Isabel is knowledgeable and professional and did a great job with my dress! -
![Maria]()
Maria S. Sent on 08/30/2021Amazing 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 04/27/2021Excellent! 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. -
Alexandra D. Sent on 05/18/2019
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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![LaShawn]()
Lashawn Sent on 05/14/2024Happy Customer
Words cannot express how appreciative I am of Mrs. Isabel's alteration services. Her kindness, professionalism and expertise showed through her work and attention to detail on my daughter's prom dress. She is so sweet and listens to what you want your final look to be. You will not be disappointed.
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 06/19/2019Phenomenal, 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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![katec]()
Kate Sent on 07/25/2019Isabel 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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Rachel Sent on 12/24/2018
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.
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![Sarah]()
Sarah Sent on 12/12/2017For 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!!! -
![Katie]()
Katie Sent on 11/20/2017Isabel 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 :) -
![Meghan]()
Meghan Sent on 04/20/2017I'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 07/15/2017Isabel 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. -
![Becky]()
Becky Sent on 10/22/2016Isabel 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 08/31/2016Isabel 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. -
![Meredith]()
Meredith Sent on 09/09/2016Isabel 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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