Cost for minimal alterations?

It depends on how intricate your dress is. Alterations cost so much because a wedding dress is generally covered in a lot of fine detail, and the seamstress has to know how to work with the fabric and how to preserve the detailing. I paid 200 dollars for hemming, but I needed it so I wouldn't step on my dress. And it cost that much because there were four layers of fabric, three of them intricate lace work she had to sew around. If your dress is just satin, it might cost less.

I agree with PP, it depends on the dress, your area, and the skill level of the seamstress.

I only needed a hem as well (for three layers), but the bottom of my dress was simple. The cost was $88.

Hmmmm I can tell you what I got done and how much it was and maybe it will give you an idea...


-They moved the dress up in order to save the scalloped hem which meant realigning lace and redoing lace work. -let out the bust-Let ou the innermost lining-added a 5 point bustle
This was $375 which I didn't find to be terrible considering the lace work they included.

My daughter had a tulle skirt to be hemmed, which is nothing more than taking a scissor to it...there is no sewing. The bulk of the cost of alterations was adjusting the shoulders/sleeves.

Covered in Swarovski crystal beading, crystals had to be removed/sorted by hand for the work on the mesh to be completed. She then re-applied all the crystals by hand to match the design. When finished, it looked perfect.

$600.

I had minimal alterations---my slip needed to be shortened and I needed a bustle. I think I was right around 200$ maybe slightly under.

Agree with others the cost will depend on so many things, but one of the biggest is how much detail there is on the dress that will need to be taken into account to take it in that inch and/or lengthen the straps. If at the waist, it's just plain fabric and there are easily accessible seams, that's probably an easy -- and, hopefully, inexpensive fix. But, if there are multiple layers of fabric, and some include lace, tulle, mesh, etc., and/or if there is a "set-in" waistband that will need to be removed and then resewn, and/or if there is any embellishment (e.g., beads, pearls, crystals, etc.), any or all of those issues are going to make it much more complicated and time consuming to "take the waist in an inch" and will drive the price up. The strap issue will be the exact same thing -- is it a simple or a complicated alteration? The only way to know is to talk with local seamstresses to get an estimate of what they will charge based on the dress. We thought daughter's dress needed minimal alterations: lengthening the straps less than 1/2", tightening the bodice a little, and a bustle...$450+.... Good luck!

Agreed with other PPs in here. Depending on material, intricacy and detailing as well as how much needs to be done, it'll vary. I've seen/heard of a lot of girls getting lucky. My bestfriend only paid about $100 for her alterations. I, however, was not so lucky and paid about $640. My BIGGEST advise is get a quote BEFORE you drop off your dress with someone. I regret not shopping around more no matter how minimal my alterations were.

I am just getting the length fixed, and mine will cost around $160. We were expecting more though from what I’ve heard.

As someone who used to sew, taking it in an inch is not a simple alteration as you may think. And shoulders lengthen is also more work than it sounds. In my opinion $200-300 as you are paying for labor and experience.

$650 for me. Mermaid dress, entirely lace, and I wanted the flare point raised. Plus the usual taking it in, hemming and bustling. I will say though, service has been great, she needed to take it in a second time because I lost weight and has even planned to take it in a third time 9 days before my wedding if I lose more (no extra charge).

I should add that the dress already has bustling, and it doesn’t need hemmed because the length is perfect.