are alterations really this expensive?

I have heard of outrageous alteration quotes on here before. You could always take it somewhere else for a second opinion/quote. I am going for my first fitting on the 19th and I am so nervous for what the quote will be. Good luck!

The bustle can be very expensive especially if you have more layers, like it looks from your picture. I paid $500 for mine, including a bustle and taking in the dress at the straps and sides.

Most alterations shops charge so much per "point" on the bustle. Mine would have been over $200 at DB, and then I need the straps shortened as well which was another $30 or $35. I am not using them. I have a private seamstress that works from home and is MUCH less expensive.

Mine were $450 to change the back from a button cover zip to a corset, take off some length and do the bustle.

Mines $550 for all lace..soooooo..

Yup, my $200 dress cost almost $300 for the bustle.. But it was so worth it.

Correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't lace the hardest and most expensive?

I hear that a lot on here.

I figured the lace on my dress would cost some money because they will need to cut out and reapply appliques etc... i am just hoping it doesn't cost too much money. BLAHH (mine is allure also and an all lace overlay but i just have the overlay and sheath lining but i have a keyhole back that needs to be adjusted)

Mine will be $360. The seamstress is doing all the fittings at my house, and I will be adding a bustle, taking in the top a bit, added a semi-sweetheart neckline, and removing about 2 - 3 inches from the hem.

I initially had price shock...but then realized that I have a lace dress, that involves a lot of tweaks.

Oh great, the consultant at the bride shop just got my hopes up I think because she kept saying that dresses with beading takes more work and since mine doesn't have any it should be less. I am taking it to get second opinions. Thanks all for your input! I really didn't know what to expect !

Lucy, you're right. Mine has a lace overlay and before the seamstress could do the bustle she had to shorten the dress. It required her to cut off the lace and reapply the appliques after, and then she did the bustle. It is tedious work.

Okay based on the other responses you'd think this is normal. But based on what you're quoting? $300 for a bustle and off the shoulder sleeves? No. That's expensive. I had wide straps added to mine, bustle for multiple layers, a hem, a custom addition to my veil, and a custom addition to a flower girl dress and I paid less than $200.

Thanks everyone! I am going to two other places then I'm going to compare the prices.

Janeen wow!!! send me to that shop!! That's kind of my budget too!

I paid $100 to hem the dress, fix shoulder sleeve and bustle. I did not use a bridal seamstress or bridal store. I went to a local seamstress with great reviews.

I'm paying over $350 for a 3-point bustle, hem, having cups sewn in and a little taken in by the armpits. However, my dress has like 7 layers of fabric that have to be hemmed lol.

My first fitting with the seamstress is tomorrow, hoping for less than this!

I dont have any advice on alterations as mine had none but that dress looks amazing on you!

I paid $350 to have my lace dress hemmed a lot, the bust taken in, a bra sewn in, a 6 point bustle, and sleeves added with her own fabric, so yeah...I would say you're getting ripped off

@FMP I also went to a local seamstress. I'm going to try a bridal seamstress and another local seamstress to see what their estimates are.

@annakay511 I also have a few layers! I think that's the reason mine is probably more than I expected.