Hi so I went to get my wedding dress altered and I was quoted 850 for a hem, taking it in at the sleeves and waist…and adding a bustle. My dress is pictured below. Does this seem accurate? I’ve heard hemming and the bustle are usually the most costly and my dress does have alot of beading and some layers.
That sounds high to me. My alterations were only $300 and I'm in a HCOL area. Was this at David's Bridal? They are notorious for over-charging on alterations.
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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I’m in the New England area.. I left the dress but I am now wondering if that was a mistake. You think I can get it back?, I just dropped it off today
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August 2021
Michelle ·
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I paid similar last year in NY for a beaded, lace dress with 8? under layers. She also had to move lace appliques and 3D flowers up for the hem. This included steaming of dress + overskirt.
Did they measure you and give you a quote when you first purchased the dress? A hem may start at $150 in some salons.
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June 2022
PermaGrin ·
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I am also in New England - is that from our favorite Fall RIiver dream dress house?
If so YESSSS - that is what I paid for sleeves, taking off a train, taking the dress in - and the seamstresses are amazing due to the reputation they have.
If you trust someone else - shop around for a better price - but I AM SO HAPPY with the work that Alexandria's did for me
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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I didn’t purchase the dress from where I went to get fitted but my bridal salon did say I should expect to pay at least 500-600 for alterations. I just didn’t expect $850
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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I am so happy to hear you were satisfied!! It wasn’t that place but I have heard good reviews about the place I went to! I don’t know if I should go elsewhere…I’ve never used seamstresses really so I don’t have anyone I would say I trust lol
My alterations were a similar price, style of dress, and with similar alterations. I went to a little mom and pop shop for my alterations though. Sometimes the fabric is really difficult to work with, so that is likely part of it. When there’s lace, buttons, and appliqués, it can be hard for them to remove them and adjust placement while keeping the design the same- especially when fitting alterations around the torso are required.
I just altered a very similar dress to yours and it cost me $600 in NY. With bustle and all the alterations you did. I did it at the bridal salon I purchased my dress. $850 is a lot, I thought $600 was a lot. But, I wouldn’t trust getting alterations from anywhere but where i purchased my dress. That would be taking a big chance! They should’ve told you that price when you purchased the dress though.
Prices may vary depending on where you live. I paid $465 for my alterations which included taking it in, hemming, bustle and adding a belt on it
That is alot of money for that for alterations yes these bridal stores for these expensive prices is crazy. Mines is too much also for a little hem $600. And I have corest so the top is fine but I will see if I can get a lower price. Or I will just hold my damn dress
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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Unfortunately my bridal salon does not do alterations in house so I had to go somewhere else. I would of loved to have it taken care of at the same place and rather of paid a flat fee or something
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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I agree! It very expensive! That is a lot for a hem! Does your dress have multiple layers? I heard that contributes to it.
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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Thanks for the feedback. It’s helpful to hear that other brides paid a similar amount!
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September 2022
Zanetah ·
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This makes a lot of sense, thinking of my dress I have buttons and lace and that delicate material on the top and it has beading and designs all over it…so I’m sure that is what’s driving up the price
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It's a mermaid dress so yes its does but I just wanted the bottom last layer. And I also will have a petticoat underneath it so this is why I am hesitant on it now and I will try it on again with my heels that I will wear for the wedding
Wow, as I’m reading the responses I had no idea alterations cost so much for a wedding dress. I’m only cutting off a couple inches off the bottom and I’d hope they wouldn’t charge $800 because that’s more than the actual dress. Now i’m wondering if getting it altered is even worth it.
I get my dress back this week and was quoted $600 for alterations, pretty much the same ones as you. Another place quoted me $1,100, which was almost the amount I paid for the dress itself! It’s nuts! I expected to spend $300-400 but everything is so high right now. I called the dress shop back and told them the quotes I was getting and they refunded me $100 back because they said their preferred seamstresses have seemed to have all bumped up their rates (because they can right now). It was such a shock!