Alterations

I had a lot of dress issues and when everything was settled and I was ready to go they were really pushy about making an alterations appointment. They basically made it despite my soft objections and handed me an appointment card saying "well you can always cancel but we fill up fast so here." Didn't give me a price either. I am planning to cancel it this weekend as I've read too many DB alterations horror stories. Plus, I hear they overcharge like mad.
However, if you're curious, call your store and ask to be connected to the alterations department. Then you can compare with local places.

I tried calling and asking and she wouldnt give me even a ball park estimate. Im real worry some of them because it took them a month to ship me my dress after losing it

Personally I would find somewhere else. I heard a lot of horror stories as well about DB alterations and they should at least be able to give you a ballpark. That’s ridiculous that they won’t. It could end up being an outrageous amount. So I wouldn’t use them but that’s just me.

Mine was $365 for hemming five layers, bra inserts, added cap sleeves, and a bustle. They did a great job. I’m 4’11” and I have stuff hemmed all the time, a plain dress could be $70-90. So $365 for everything was fine with me. I’ve heard horror stories from local seamstresses as well so you just never know .

View Quoted Comment If i was to go to them and the price was to much could i just say no thanks and leave or am i stuck? And also is it all one lump some or could i split it up?

I don't think they'll give you a price til the fitting. That way they'll know what needs done and charge you accordingly.

Hi!
So I just had a horror story from them
They urged me to size up on my dress so when alterations time came the final price was the same price as my dress, 800 bc they had to take in so much.
I was livid and they ended up returning that size and exchanging it for a size smaller.
I just went yesterday and the dress fits perfectly. They hemmed it and did a bustle, total came out to 353

Hello! I'm a past consultant from David's and I can attest they severely over charge for their services and they are required to be pushy and scare you into thinking that a small business seamstress is not trustworthy. (Which some are though- check references and reviews for local ladies.) The location I worked at did amazing work and the gowns always looks perfect once finished but the price was never worth it.
As for payment if you do go with them, they require full payment up front at the time of the fitting and they won't give you an estimate until they see you in the dress. They will say this is because each dress has different levels of difficulty that make the prices vary.

I took my dress to a wedding dress tailor to be hemmed, but decided I want to try and add cups. I am going to DB for that because it shouldn’t be over $30, but if they try to ask for more I will say I don’t have the budget for more

View Quoted Comment I would tell them you need a quote before you agree to anything while you’re there with your dress and no one can stop you from walking out that door. But if you do agree, yes it’s all due up front. I had put some money aside, idk if that’s possible for you if you have enough time.

I went to my first fitting about 2 weeks ago. I do feel they over charged me (450) but I expected to pay quite a bit before I went in and I didn’t want to worry about a local seamstress ruining my dress. I understand why it can be costly to do alterations on a dress 1)because it’s a WEDDING dress 2) the dress tends to be full of detail, long, and with several layers. My main concern was the hem and bustle but the seamstress I had was AMAZING. I haven’t received my dress yet but I can’t wait to see it!

Bridal salons are way over priced for alterations. The bridal salon I bought my dress from said alterations range from $300 - $600. I took my dress to a local seamstress and only paid $140 for a hem, bustle, and taking the top/sides in.

I had my dress altered st David’s Bridal and they told me before they even did anything to it and made me sign something and pay in advance. They can’t demand cash. Something doesn’t sound right.

I just had my first fitting at DB, and they definitely over charge! I am having the train taken off instead of a bustle. It is $150 for the front hem, $150 for the back hem, and a small panel sewn into the top to cover a bit of cleavage ($35). Total $355 including taxes. Luckily the top fits perfectly. The dress is plain satin, no texture or beading, so hemming should be more simple, but I don't want to shop around for a local seamstress to I paid the price for convenience!

All I did with DB after getting my dress was getting cups sewn in. I didn't think of it with the tailor I went to outside of DB so I just got that done today for $20

I was the maid of honor for my bestfriend's wedding last October. I bought my dress at DB's for about $200. Alterations for my long dress were: hem $50, bodice adjustment $50, built-in bra $25. Had to go there twice to do fittings. The seamstress didn't realize that by adjusting the dress around my chest she also needed to adjust the straps, that would have added another $50 but after speaking to the manager, we settled the issue and they took care of the additional charge. I am now getting married next year and DB's is not even being considered for my gown or for the bridesmaids. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Would like to know if stuck too! Ugh