are alterations really this expensive?

It does sound a bit too much for just a bustle and sleeves... my bustle was $80 and don't know what would be an adequate price for sleeves. Are you sure they won't be hemming it too?

@Kathryn thank you!!!

@KM a 6 point bustle probably looked amazing! I felt like I was getting ripped off so I'm going to shop around and see what other places say.

@VC yes sorry they are hemming! I forgot to add that!

I think it depends on your region too. Because I know that sounds about what I'm expecting to be quoted, and my dress needs a bustle and a hem. I have a lace dress with 7 layers, and the bottom of the dress has lots of different sizes of lace so they'll have to possibly reapply applique.

I have paid $209 so far for a hem (a few inches), the bustle, and adding straps.

I paid over $1000 to alter my dress that fit me almost perfectly to begin with except for being too long and too big in the middle. But it was a style that was going to be really difficult to work with and there were other extenuating circumstances as well (long story). Basically, the dress has a TON of lace and the hem is a solid band of lace that has to be remove, the dress shortened, and the lace put back on. Plus the waist has to be taken in because I am fairly hourglass and it needs a fairly complex bustle. It depends on what you need and where you are. Honestly, had I know this particular dress was going to cost so much to alter I would have been tempted to pick something else but in the end it really was the perfect dress for me. Plus, I got lucky and the dress I fell in love with was a sample that fit me well so I got it for half price (otherwise it would have been WAAAY out of budget).

First, your dress is GORGEOUS!!! I love it! It looks great on you! Second, I think that's around how much it costs. You can always see if you or someone you know knows a seamstress that can give it for cheaper? FH's groomsman owns a seamstress shop so it will be cheaper (thank God). Def keep looking!

We paid $100 each for our alterations. They involved creating a bustle for each of the dresses, letting out the bodice on mine, hemming NotFroofy's, and creating a blusher veil for me.

Is the alterations place affiliated with the bridal shop? Those tend to be the most expensive places for alterations. I'd check out a few independent seamstresses, and see whether you can get a better price.

I'm paying $500 to have my fully beaded bodies taken in around my chest, my large tulle skirt hemmed and adding a 5 point bustle. My second fitting is on Saturday, but my seamstress works on a flat rate, so even if there is something else that needs to be tweaked it won't cost any more. I was a little shocked about my price, but I know that it is a very labor intensive job, and these ladies have been doing this for 30+ years!

My dress alterations were minor as well. All I needed was the bustle and the shoulder straps adjusted, I was charged $45. Check with local seamstress's who do this out of their home! Make sure you go to one who has worked on wedding dresses before and comes with a good recommendation!

My first fitting is in August, really hoping to keep alterations under $300. I do have a back up in home seamstress option but she's not close by.

Mine might be anywhere from $400 - $750 depending on if I lose the weight! But I also want to add a sash and get rid of the train.

I haven't even gotten my dress in. I am dreading my alteration quote!

So it sounds like there's some hope I might be able to find something less expensive. I have an appointment later today so I'm crossing my fingers it'll work out.

@missbride2be thank you so much!!

I paid $255.00 with the seamstress at the place where I bought the dress. I thought it was high but based on other posts, I'm within the average range. The dress had a train on it which I didn't want, so we cut the train and hemmed the dress.. Darn now I wished I had asked for the extra leftover material, could have made a christening gown or something with it ! hmm I might still call and see if they still have it!

Mine was $900 for a silk bias cut dress. Shortened the torso, hemmed, took in shoulders and waist, put in cups.

I'm having trouble envisioning how they'll add those sleeves, the back dips down fairly low. How will they be attached?

Mine will be 600 for a bustle, taking in the sleeves, and sewing the front dip up a little.

I've forked over 200 for hemming and bustling. They wanted to hem my slip, too, since I'm so short, but I told them no, seeing as these changes are going to wind up costing me more than the dress! However, my dress is very plain with no lace or beading.

My dress is not finished but I was quote between around 200-250 depending on what kind of bustle I want. I am using a seamstress who is recommended by the bridal shop that I got my dress. I would rather pay the extra money for someone who knows what they are doing, than trying to find someone cheaper who may be less experienced at altering wedding dresses and then have to get a second seamstress to fix it down the line, which will be more money and headache. My seamstress is great. I have a trumpet sore of dress that is somewhat too big. She recommended that the side seams be taken out and then resewn to fit my figure exactly, and I am happy she did. A good seamstress will cost you the money, but you want to feel happy and comfortable in your dress on your wedding day.