Local seamstress vs. bridal shop? Tough choice.

Depends on what you would need. I got my dress at DB but they signed a contract with a designer not to alter the design of the dress. Since I wanted change the shape of the dress, I went with another seamstress specialize in bridal.

If I only hem, bustle and take in, DB would have been much cheaper.

The seamstress you are thinking do bridal so they must have done $2K dresses. I saw $10 K dress while I was in her shop.

I'm taking mine to a different seamstress since she'll do my alterations for less. From what I've heard, seamstresses outside of bridal stores charge less than the bridal store.

I had to take mine outside the bridal salon because they don't do in house alterations. My seamstress came highly recommended and she is doing a fabulous job. But it does freak me out that she works out of her home which is kind of a hot mess and my dress is being stored there! But I did ask about insurance coverage if my dress somehow was ruined by a fire, flood, etc while at her house.

I'm getting mine done where I purchased it, but I just have to say your gown is STUNNING!

Where did you buy your dress? Personally I would feel more comfortable giving my dress to a highly recommended seamstresses who is is being directly judged by her work then having a big bridal store do it and you have no idea who is actually altering your dress or if they personally have bad reviews.

Yes most stores give you a guarantee, but I have seen enough brides on here get their dress messed up by a big bridal store seamstresses and then have barely any time to order a new dress.

I was able to find a smaller boutique wedding dress shop to do my alterations. I bought my dress two hours away from my house and no way did I want to nor did I have the time to be driving that far for the three alterations appointments I had before my dress was perfect. They also kept it for me until the day before and steamed too. If you decide to go to a regular tailor I would ask about ANY prior experience and for pictures. You may find some are unwilling to work on the dress as it's typically complicated to alter. Good luck!

I went through the shop even though they were super expensive because if they screwed up, they'd be on the hook to get me a new dress. If I went to an outside person, I didn't feel that reassurance.

I went to an outside seamstress. They are known for doing wedding gowns and I had taken a bridesmaid gown to them before. They did a fantastic job for a great price!

I went to an outside seamstress because the shop I bought from did not to alterations. I feel you on the price of the gown and not wanting just anyone to touch it. I wasn't about to take a $3k gown to a rando tailor on the corner that also could hem some jeans, lol! I found a bridal only seamstress. Her prices were OUTRAGEOUS. Outrageous as in we paid close to half of what my dress cost for alterations...and they weren't anything crazy like remaking a custom dress or adding anything that wasn't already there. She was a "specialty" so we had to pay for that I guess. So, an outside seamstress may not always save you money. This is definitely a time where you need to go for quality above the cost. If I had the choice though to let the bridal salon do the alterations (and they got good reviews) I would have left it with them so they would be responsible for anything that may have gone wrong.

My bridal shop doesn't even do alterations. They have a alterations shop they highly recommend and I went with them!

As long as the seamstress / alterations place has great reviews and specializes in wedding gowns, then I'd be really comfortable using them! They might even be cheaper than a bridal shop

Your dress is ridiculously pretty. My bridal shop doesn't do alterations, but they have seamstresses that they highly recommended. The lady doing my alterations works out of her home, but she's a sweet grandma-type who made me feel super comfortable. Out of house has worked out well for me!

Awesome insight. Love you ladies! I feel much better. Seamstress it is & I feel good about it. It's going to be a great day!