Hey guys!! I am about 9 months out from the wedding! I bought my dress used a couple of months ago. I had tried on the dress in store: cost $1200. I looked around online and a bride was selling hers for $600, great condition, no tears or snags AND she was my size!!! She was just 2 inches taller than me but otherwise everything fits perfect. Only draw, the version of the dress I tried on had a slit and the one I bought doesn't! I actually liked the slit, to my surprise as I never even thought about getting a dress with one. So I'm looking to have one added by a seamstress. A few other adjustments: I want to pick up the shoulders (I usually have a problem with things getting to low on my chest, maybe I have a short torso?? LOL) and it actually loosens around my ribs by doing so. I am having the train removed and possibly having a layer removed (outdoor wedding, going ziplining after ceremony after)!
Anyway, the main point of the post: I decided to start looking about for quotes because I've seen on here how pricey it could be. MAN have I got a variety of prices!
Place 1: The girl quoted me for everything except the slit which she said she wasn't comfortable doing. She also mentioned she'd let the dress OUT because it fit very snug on torso. Other seamstresses have since noticed that taking up the straps completely eliminates that problem.
Place 2: I only spoke the lady by phone. She mentioned $85 for just the straps. Last girl said $20 just for that. $95/layer for hem. $20/layer for slit. I have about 4 layers. These were just rough estimates. She charges $25 just to see you, PASS.
Place 3: Recommended by my chiropractor. She was one of those super good Mexican ladies that works out of her home. $400 total.
Place 4: Travelled down to San Antonio, a big city south of the "small," growing town I live in. Lots of retirees and vacationers in New Braunfels. So I was expecting a lower price. Low and behold: less that $100. WHAT?? Another chill Mexican lady who works out her home. She was very chill about the slit while everyone made a bigger deal out of it. Even with removing the layer, we looked through and she said which one would be easiest to just cut out without having to take apart the dress. She said she'd just work on it so it wouldn't fray. I was in shock.
Place 5: Down the street from where I live in New Braunfels. The lady asked me how much I paid for my dress. As she was putting together the quote she mentioned it'd be a little pricey. $1000!! She said the reason she asked me how much my dress was is because some brides end up paying more for their alterations than their dress. WELL THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE ME. (I understand for those who buy their dress for like $250 or so though!)
Anyway, the stark differences seriously blew my mind. For place 4, it took me 1.5 hrs in traffic. About 50 minutes without on the way back. Definitely worth it. I'm a little worried about how low it is but she seems to be pretty popular!You definitely pay for the AREA.
