Dress Alterations: Average Cost/Time Frame

The place I purchased my dress from said 4-5 weeks. I think it's cutting it a little close so I'm going to make my appointment for about 8 weeks from the wedding.

Your dress is gorgeous! That sounds like a great deal to me for alterations, mine were just over $400 and I had about the same amount done as you're describing. I would try to start your alterations ASAP, just in case more needs to be done than anticipated. I started mine about 10 weeks out from the wedding, had a second fitting about 4.5 weeks out, and had one-two more between then and the wedding itself.

I work at Davids bridal and we always tell our brides to have their first fitting 1.5-2 months before the wedding

I'm getting married the same day as you. My first fitting was two weeks ago, and my second and final fitting is in three weeks.

My first alterations appointment was was in October, I then had a November one, 2 December ones and a final the week of my wedding to pick up my dress. My dress needed quite a bit of work though. I would set an appointment asap.

That cost seems pretty reasonable. I think you should have your appointment ASAP

I had mine done at davids and first time around it was $250. Taken in and hemming. Second fitting was $150 for bustle and adding my belt. Included were any additional fitting that needed to be done.

I see a lot of you ladies got your alterations done at David's Bridal. Did you have to purchase your wedding dress from David's Bridal in order for them to do alterations there? I purchased my dress from a private store.

I think the rule of thumb is to begin 3 months out - but I guess it also depends on how much you are altering. My seamstress was amazing and quick - I got three fittings done in about 3 1/2 weeks but I only had to add cups, take in the bodice and get a bustle. The cost of my alterations totaled $216. If I lose any weight b/w now and 3 weeks beforehand I'll probably take it in one last time.

I had purchased my dress from there which made it easy and convenient, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you made a phone call to ask. The alterations people at my store were/are incredible. But I know a few stores where brides have run into bad luck with service issues. Read some views on yelp. It'll help steer you in the right direction! Also, make sure you have your shoes!!! I still haven't found the shoes yet, so I wore a different heel and I can't find my dream shoe in the heel size I did my fittings with.

1st off- LOVE your dress. 2nd-I think it depends where you are having alterations done. The seamstress my dress boutique works with typically likes to have a dress 3-5 months for various fittings. However-- She only had mine for 4 weeks (2 fittings within that) because my dress arrived so close to the wedding and I needed it altered ahead of time for bridal portraits. $375 is not unreasonable at all for that amount of work-- mine was about 400 for a hem (my skirt has a ton of thin silk-so this cost the most because it was very time consuming) and adding a bustle.

1. LOVE your dress!

2. Im getting mine done at a little tiny mom and pop alterations place for about 200 total (im outside of Atlanta) and im literally remaking the entire dress (got straps cut off, new neckline, corset added to replace the broken zipper, boning, hemming, etc.) but that's because it is a small place. Search around and get recommendations - my coordinator actually recommended this one to me otherwise I would have paid a lot more.

3. My alterations lady told me it doesn't matter when you start, just have the last one about 2-3 weeks out to ensure your body doesn't change much

Also keep in mind April/May is wedding season so alterations places may be busy - best to start getting quotes now

Mine took four appointments. I did it within a month visiting my seamstress' house in the evenings. It was $250 total

I found a local seamstress and she is charging $200 for hem, bustle, shortening straps + adding cups on a lace gown with lots of layers.

My 1st fitting was yesterday, my 2nd appt will be 3/31 and pick up is 4/28.

Our date is just before yours! I had my 1st fitting last week. My dress is a similar silhouette too. For hemming, cups, bustle, and correcting some bunching on the back my seamstress is charging $390. Since I live in the tristate area this was a deal. Others were quoting me $500 and up. Your dress doesn't look like it'll need a ton of adjustments (and it's gorgeous!), but I'd suggest going to get fitted ASAP. Better to do it now if you have the time than worry about it later.

Alfred Angelo quoted me $500+. Went to a bridal salon and it's going to be $180 for everything. Had my first fitting Feb 20th. Next fitting is March 25th.

Thank you all for the compliments! And for your advice! I'm thinking the $375 quote's not so bad after all. I was a little jarred when I first saw the number, but it's looking a little more reasonable. Also, I will DEFINITELY be scheduling my alterations ASAP! Thank you everybody!

My wedding is a few weeks before yours and I started my fittings at the beginning of February. Mine ended up being $550 and I needed most of the same things you did.

You are within a good time-frame. I had my first fitting a week ago for my April 15th wedding, and have the second scheduled for March 12th.

Cost-wise, I am actually getting the exact same alterations on my dress (hem, bustle, cups, waist taken in on a full lace dress) and it is costing me $275.

I'm getting married 6 days after you and my private party seamstress is only doing one fitting April 18th. But I don't need much done it's the bustle and bust.