How much for your alterations?

I just came back from alterations today and my pride was $403. I literally almost cried. I didn't know alterations would be so much and it hurt because I paid more for my dress than I originally wanted. If I had known I would have stuck to my budget on the dress. One of my bridesmaids is really petite. Her bridesmaid dress was $199 and her alterations came up to $225. More than what the dress cost. I felt bad for her too.

I got mine done at Davids and paid 221. For bustle and hem

Going in for my appt next week...I was quoted $25 for bra cups, $10 per point on American bustle, $15 for French bustle and will have either 3 or 5 points. I need a tiny bit taken in on the chest also so I am thinking it should be under $200 out the door.

I am in the SF Bay Area and my dress was $1500. The lady I am doing alterations with owns a wedding dress shop and I chose her because I trusted her work.

$400 and all I had done was a one point bustle, waist taken in and buttons added down back.

My dress was $1000 from David's bridal. I found a seamstress who works out of her house for 30 years to hem a lot off the bottom and take in stomach and top for $249.

I'm at $500! Ugh I feel the pain. My alterations included bustle, hem, taken in at sides, bra put in

I just had my first dress fitting yesterday and mine was $215.... very happy!

@Futurefiji where did you have yours done? I am from sf bay area too.

Mine was $100 but that was just bustle and shoulder straps. I didn't need any other alterations fortunately

The first dress I got was off the rack. It ended up needing to be reconstructed...$650. I was pretty upset. Another place quoted $500+. This was a simple dress not even a bustle. I ended up exchanging it with another dress. This one needs minor alterations, still no bustle needed. This time $340. Much better price. I would check a couple places for alterations quotes. They seem to vary. Unfortunately, alterations can be pricey.

Whatever you do DO NOT SKIP THE BUSTLE!! As a bride I know we all want to cut costs but I also worked at A bridal boutique for a few years and I know the "speech" about how important a bustle and alterations are.. now I am an event manager at a wedding venue and I am there at the reception with these brides ... and let me tell you there is nothing worse then watching the train of a dress get trampled and ripped and disgusting dirty.. it's hard to dance and enjoy yourself

Also keep in mind one point bustles almost always will break halfway through a reception and a bad bustle will show up in EVERY. SINGLE. PICTURE.

Also make sure whoever is going to bustle your dress gets to DO IT once or twice with the seamstress there..

I can't tell you how many mohs or mobs don't know what there doing Day of cause they watched the seamstress do it once and thought that was good enough (which can also make for a bad looking bustle) I even recommend recording the seamstress doing it to reference later on

Food for thought! Good luck!

My alterations with everything cost me $230

Thanks firstoneat56!! I also live on LI and need somewhere to take my dress.

Wow that is a lot of money. I don't know how much mine will cost, but very seldom are alterations included. So, I'd ask for recommendations of local seamstresses and get quotes. Ask of fb, ask your friends.

$400...adding in cups, hem and bustle, she also has to move seams around since my dress was too large...my dress is full lace and satin

I have prepaid for the deluxe alterations package, which is about $650-$675 or something. The salon actually told me they could refer me to local places that would be much cheaper but it's a mom and daughter owned salon and I feel so good and valued as a customer every time I've called or visited that I'm paying the higher cost to support them and show how much that means to me.

I was right on target with my budget. Had my first alteration appointment today and mine will be $500 total.

- Hemmed

- French bustle added

- Sides taken a bit

Oh and 100% agree with other PPs, DO NOT SKIP THE BUSTLE

PLEASE do not skip the bustle. Just went to a friends wedding and it was horrible watching her carry the train around all night.

I got my dress on sell for 450, It was a little small so it had to be taking out in the back and that was pretty much all I had done ans it was 120, so altogether 570...but I guess it just depends on what all you are having done

Taken in (in the breast area), hem, taking out the frames that are in the dress, and bustle.. estimate is $200. So reading all of your prices are blowing my mind right now.. I'll be at my 3rd fitting this upcoming Friday and so far, her work is absolutely amazing and it shows!