Dress Alterations

I’ve found that in-house alterations are nearly always more expensive. However, these seamstresses are also very experienced at altering wedding dresses since that’s pretty much all they work with- so I guess there’s a trade off. I was lucky enough to find an independent seamstress that works strictly on wedding attire. She does amaaaazing work, and is charging me literally half the price that was quoted to me by the boutique I got my dress from. I’d say to look and ask around to see if there are any independent seamstresses in your area that specialize in altering wedding dresses, and see what they quote you.

I used a local seamstress who specializes in formal gowns/wedding dresses. Try looking for Facebook groups of wedding resale/planning in your local area, a lot of times people will ask or recommend local seamstresses or shops!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SEAMSTRESS!! (LOL) As a professional, independent seamstress, I encourage you to shop around. Check references or ask for a portfolio book. (I have both) Trust you gut instincts, if the price is super low tread with caution. But basically, yes, your independent seamstress will be a lower price than the boutiques. (we know what they charge and adjust our prices accordingly )

I used a local seamstress, but only because my boutique was over an hour away. I think I paid around $400 or $500.

I used my local seamstress. So, yes they do charge less, but also it depends on what they need to do as well. A friend of mine recommended her, but I also did my own research by looking her up on Yelp and she had a lot of good and positive reviews. It helped that a lot of girls also posted pictures so I got to see her work. I paid $280 for my alterations.

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I did the same thing, I also feel comfortable knowing I've used my seamstress before, she's extremely talented and used to work for a bridal store before going off on her own, and her prices are better and she's faster than the in house seamstress.

I used the alterations dept where I bought my dress even though they were expensive. My feeling was that they were experts on these dresses and it would be worth the extra cost. I didn't have a seamstress that I knew and could trust. However, the alterations dept absolutely ruined my dress....a week before my wedding!!! The saving grace was that because it was where I bought my dress they did everything possible to rectify the situation and I had an equally beautiful wedding dress in time for my wedding. If something goes wrong with a seamstress I don't know what recourse there is.

I used the alterations lady recommended by the boutique - they don't have an in-house person. She did my sister's dress and did a really good job so I felt confident going to her. I haven't been given a price yet but am expecting it to be expensive because I'm having a lot done.

This totally depends on the situation.

In my area, in house alterations at the local bridal shop were more expensive than using a reputable local seamstress and they also required a longer timeline for alterations. However I think its really important to be confident in the person doing the work, and paying a little more is well worth it for a guaranteed result.

The perks of using the in house seamstress at a shop is that they are in a better position to get replacement fabric, matching buttons, etc that match your exact dress, if needed. Also the boutique itself may guarantee their work; if they totally screw up your dress they can order you a new one. However I feel like a seamstress tied to a bridal shop may not have to build their reputation around their work exclusively whereas a business whose sole service is alterations (and not alterations plus gown sales plus rentals plus accessories) really needs to excel at providing excellent alterations.

I would personally choose the seamstress you want to work with, regardless of their affiliation with a shop. Pick someone you find it easy to communicate with, who clearly understands your vision and can explain the limitations of your garment, fabric, etc, and whose work you like (see examples of pieces they have altered). If you have an existing relationship with a seamstress who is used to working on bridal gowns (not just someone who tailors your trousers), feel free to use them. Don't feel you have to use the in house tailoring service!

I used a local seamstress. I paid about $400 and the work she had to do on my dress was fairly complex. Was a lot cheaper than David's Bridal, where I got my dress, and she did AMAZING.

I'm using the best bridal and dress seamstress in our area, who just also happens to be my future sister-in-law's mother-in-law lol. She's done other dresses for me before and she's also the top person that my bridal boutique recommends. I have no clue how much she charges for alterations, other than needing a $100 deposit to begin, but knowing she's literally the best I could go to is worth the cost in my opinion.

In house seamstresses will always cost more! I recommend going to a professional seamstress, unless your alterations are small. I lucky have been using the same seamstress since I was 14, but maybe call around first and get some estimates!

I went through a local seamstress that was highly recommended. I paid around 600 but the shop I bought my dress from was over 1000

View Quoted Comment My mother of the groom dress. Was damaged by the postal service. It has hand sewn lace covering the bodice. She tried to stuff in A mail box in a package so large. She stuffed in our and the one above it. We had to go to the post office. To get someone to open the one above our. The dress is very fragile. The lace top in one place. It want like a domino. It’s too late to get this dress. It took months. What can I Do ?