Did I just get ripped off?

I'm blown away by what people are paying for alterations. I've heard more people saying they paid in the $400-$600 range than those who paid less if that makes you feel any better.

I went to a little local shop (I'm in MA), where my boys also got their suits and had a hem, fixed some beads, and had a (very complicated) bustle added for $87 after a 25% discount for getting the boys suits there.

Alterations are expensive, especially when a dress has a lot of details. Alterations can be quite labor intensive so that factors in to the cost.

Also, I don't know how long your train is but you may want to reconsider the bustle. They make the dress much easier to move around in and will keep you and others from stepping on and ripping your dress. You have likely spent a lot on this dress, you don't want it in shreds by the end of the night.

I paid $200 just to get a dress (BM) hemmed at David's. I would imagine once you add more it would be about that! I have to go back to the store and determine what my alterations will cost. That will determine if I buy the dress!

I agree it can be regional, but can also vary greatly between stores and someone doing it independently. I paid $180 for a 3 point bustle, hem for complicated lace, taking the bust in, and a custom but simple veil. I'm in a high cost of living area and was quoted around $400 at a bridal shop, but ended up going to someone who does it part time out of her home.

If I remember correctly, I was quoted $370 for just the hem of my dress at the boutique I purchased it at.

However, I found a wonderful seamstress and she did both my dresses, altered hem on both and took in a lot on my first dress from that boutique b/c I'd lost so much weight and she also steamed them both and I ended up paying $380 for everything. I saved a lot of money doing it this way.

Ugh, I spent so much! I live in Boston and for hem and bustle it was $660

So it sounds like my price is about average. It's sad how much these things cost

About average it seems like. But so crazy!

I did cups, hem, and bustle for $239. I would imagine the "taking in" is the most expensive / time consuming part of your cost.

I have a friend who worked at a bridal salon as a seamstress for 5 years. Whether you hem a little or a lot, a ton of work goes into altering a wedding gown.

But $110 for a bustle (is it 1 point or 3 point?) is a bit much.

With tip I was at $352. I went with a local seamstress who was highly recommended. 5 point bustle, hem, taken in and cups added. I have a lace dress and tulle underneath. So depending on your dress and area, that could be about right.

I did everything you just mentioned for $334 at david's bridal

I went to my second dress fitting yesterday at the bridal salon where my dress was purchased and was charged $75 for 6 bustles. The hem and bra cups at the first fitting were $190.00. I'm in California.

My dress is full lace and beaded. The lady is HIGHLY recommended and has great reviews. And because my wedding is in a month, I don't have time to shop around elsewhere :/

I found my seamstress via a local FB Wedding group/highly recommended. My $150 alterations include a layer of tulle being added to the existing tulle underneath, 5 point bustle, belt being tacked in & adding sleeves. Just had my 2nd fitting & so far, so good!

My BMs went to the same seamstress to have their dress hemmed....$40 for both layers.

I'd have to start questioning anything over $300...

For my bust to be taken in and the top on my dress being taken down an inch it cost me $90 and I get my dress back 11 days before my Wedding! I was shocked it wasn't more!!

My mom knew a lady who has been a seamstress for over 30 or 40 years, who is retired now and does alterations for weddings on the side, and she only charged is $25 to get my dress taken in a little at the top and bustled. I didn't need a hem because my heels and underskirt puffed it up enough so that it was the right length. My mom got her dress taken out a bit and hemmed by the same lady, and was charged $50. We were both satisified with the work she did. I would look around to see if there are other people who could do your alterations.

That bustling seems ridiculous. Mine was $10/bustle point...

I was quoted $475.... I personally wasn't happy with the quote but altering an outfit is difficult, let alone altering a wedding dress. So many parts to a wedding dress!

My alterations were $750 for hem, dress taken in and a bustle (12 buttons) as well as a second bustle under all the layers of tulle. I got mine done in NY through the bridal salon I purchased the gown in, so probably on the pricier side.