Alterations are expensive!

Agree with the local seamstress suggestion. I was quoted over $500 at my boutique, but I paid $180 for a bustle, hem, taken in in the bust, and a custom veil. She used to work at bridal boutiques.

Definitely take the dress to a local tailor. Taking in sleeves will be a bit involved because, most likely, the sleeves will need to be taken off the dress, taken in and then reattached to the dress.

My alterations cost MORE than my dress, but that's because it was covered in lace applique that had to be painstakingly removed and sewn back on by hand, 5 layers, taken in almost everywhere, entire top of the bodice had to be re-configured...it needed a ton of work. I went to a local seamstress and she did a fantastic job, but yes, I feel your pain.

The bridal shop where I got my dress stated their cost for alterations was a minimum of $500 with a max of $750, I almost choked, I'm only having the length and bustle done as everything else fit me like a glove... I asked the shop where my sister got her dress for a quote, they were going to do the length/bustle and add faux buttons over the zipper on my dress for $300 max. Look around for a reputable seamstress, some of these shops are just crazy!

Yes!!! I went to Davids Bridal..$650 for the dress. $300 in alterations!!! They charge $50 for bustle then like $7 or 8 for each additional button. I ended up with 7 buttons. And I had a little bit taken in on sleeves. Crazy.

Norma - that was pretty much my exact same issue at David's (and for about the same prices you mention here)! It seems like kind of a racket. I looked for a local seamstress, but in a small town, there really were only 1-2 options and I was kind of nervous because there weren't many reviews for either. I figured at least David's would get it done right.

FB99 - This was my first appointment. They just told me over the phone when I scheduled it that it's usually at least $120-$150, but could be more. I wasn't expecting the minimal fixes I was having done to go much past $200, but they went all the way to $300! And that's not including the bustle, which I will do at my final fitting for at least an extra $75!

I agree, go to a local seamstress! A bulk of the cost is gonna come from hemming the dress.

I just had my second to last fitting at Davids. $150 for my bustle. and $340 to take it in, hem, and adjust my sleeves. I was floored at the cost.

My dress was $900 and I had mine taken in including taking in the sleeves as well. It cost about $375. The was way too big so she took in basically every seem and since they charge by seem it's usually an extensive cost to go down the four sizes mine did lol. I planned for $300 so it wasn't too far off

$200-$300 doesn't sound too steep for alterations. I bought my dress for $130 and alterations cost around $250 when all was said and done. She didn't even alter it to perfection. There were a couple of things I had to live with since I wasn't willing to dish out the money, but they were not noticeable to someone who didn't know better.

No, in the grand scheme of things, the alterations weren't that expensive and were pretty reasonable for what I want done. It just wasn't what I had originally budgeted, so I was hoping to warn anyone else in the same boat. Maybe I was naive, but I imagine I'm not the only one. Thank you everyone for the great advice!

Uh-oh, this worries me, because my dress just came in, and I'm worried about alterations now....