Thoughts on alterations?

Given your situation, I think I'd tell them you are so excited to see your dress that you'd like to come try it on tomorrow even though the seamstress won't be available. That will give you an opportunity to get an idea of how extensive your alterations will be before the salon alterations person is standing right there next to. Once you have an idea of what will be needed (have someone take LOTS of photos), you can better weigh your decision about alterations alternatives. You can also ask the shop if they have a price list for standard alterations that you can see. Based on the info you gather tomorrow, you can then call around and see what your reasonable options are. Then you can decide if it's worth the peace of mind that might come from sticking with the salon or going elsewhere. Good luck!

Personally, I'd definitely choose a bustle over a wrist strap, unless the skirt of your dress is super simple/lightweight and the train isn't very long.

You're under no obligation to use the store's alterations department. Don't feel awkward, lots of people take their dresses elsewhere. As for the bustle - I definitely recommend getting one. Keep in mind you'll be eating, hugging, dancing, drinking, and doing all sorts of things that will get cumbersome if you're hauling your train around on your wrist. You're on the right track with the shoes. My daughter luckily didn't need to have her dress hemmed. Her dress had many layers and most places charge by the layer. There's unfortunately no way to know how much yours will cost until you see what exactly needs to be done. Fortunately you have plenty of time. Best of luck!

Thank you so much! I took your advice. I called the dress shop, and they told me the next alteration appointment they could get me in for that worked with my schedule is the 22nd, and that the dress would take a max of 3 weeks - so plenty of time. They also said I could just come pick the dress up tomorrow and try it on and they will be able to give me a full quote on anything that needs to be done. She said she always recommends budgeting $300 for alterations but that was on the high side. I told her I probably wouldn't need a hem and she agreed, and said that the main things will probably be the straps ($45) and the bustle ($35). Which is way cheaper than I thought so if that's all that needs to be done, I will go with them for simplicity alone. She didn't give me a quote for what it would cost if the dress needed to be taken in or out, but I will get that info tomorrow so if that's the case I will look elsewhere and compare some prices. THANK YOU!

That is true, I was definitely leaning towards bustle just because it would be more convenient. My dress definitely has a train and not a ton of layers, but it's long. And yes, my shoes will definitely be the cheaper/easier adjustment I think if they don't work. Lol. Fingers crossed I get as lucky as your daughter and don't need a hem. Thank you!

I LOVED the shop I got my dress from but when it came time to book alterations they completely ghosted me. I found another place in the city that had great reviews but said they weren't cheap. When I went in, I just needed the straps taken up and a bustle. Once they steam my dress out, the length should be fine (the tool and whatnot will puff the longer outter skirt out away from my feet). If I remember correctly, the straps were $30 each, the bustle was $90, steaming was $20 and if I end up needing it hemmed it'll be another $300. I think smaller boutiques typically do pretty good work, but I would definitely find some place else if you got it at David's or something similar.

I got it from a local boutique! She quoted me $45 for the straps (I assume both, I didn't even think about that being per strap). and then $35 for the bustle (which I'm sure could probably vary a little depending on the type of bustle). I don't think I will need a hem and it's possible that it will need to be taken in/let out, but I don't know any of that till I see it tomorrow, so if it's just the straps and the bustle, I'm definitely going to let them do it!