Wedding Dress Alterations?!?!?!

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I dont need much done (taking in the top, and hem like 3 layers) and I'm paying $275 (pressing the dress is also included).

My friend who bought a sample dress that was about a size or too too large, had straps added, had a 5 point bustle put in, and had her train shortened paid around $350.

We are both in Delaware and used different people for alterations. $890 seems really high to me?

I am having a lady in Cypress this week chance the whole bottom of my dress. She is only charging me $200.. You can give her a call. Tell her I sent you. Candy Kay Couture

832-350-0120... She also makes Dresses... Good luck.. I live on this side of Houston too but havent had any luck..Some one in Humble Quoted me $400 for the same Job.

Holy cow!!! I hope mine doesn't cost that much... I have pretty much been basing my budget off of my sister's (she had about the same total that we have avail) but she got her alteration free because of a store promotion when you bought that brand of gown...

That seems a little high to me but I haven't paid for my alterations yet. I used the bridal salon I got my dress from. I'll die if they try to charge me that much! I had mine hemmed, bustled, and had cups put in.

I would recommend getting a second and third opinion. In my opinion you might as well purchase a new dress for that price.

I agree with travis's girl.. are all those alterations even necessary? i'd look around for a different seamstress or a different dress

When I bought the dress (in March 2009) I knew the wedding was several years away, and they said I would fit into a size zero, but when they showed me how tight it was going to be I decided to get a size two instead. Also I'm wearing flats to the wedding - so the dress is about 3 inches too long. And I'm not exactly "endowed" in the northern region of my figure so the bust darts are a must!!

Thanks Terasa - I'll definitely give her a call!!

Is your dress silk?

Yes - organza silk...

My alterations cost about 600 bucks all together... And that was with adding stuff to the dress and taking it in a bit and having her make my veil from my mom's veil.

The thought of all of this is making me sick to my stomach!! I can't bear to pay that price, but I know the lady is well respected and really good at what she does!

Yeah, im a seamstress... silk is a total pain, but it looks so much nicer in person and in photos.

I think the hem price is pretty right on.... because you have to sew each layer individually... she is way high on the darts. I charge 10-15$ per dart. same for the bustle. I charge 20$ per point. i hate zippers, but i think thats high- i've never had a zipper cost me more than 20$ and to sew one in... i'm sure it is already cut for that... do you have a lace up back currently?

Honestly, for what you are doing to the dress it should be closer to $500 for alterations

Thanks Jenn, the zipper in the back is perfectly fine, I'm not sure why she is charging me for the zipper except that she might have to take in material and move the zipper?

I get that the hem can be a total pain - I sew a bit my self but not usually with silk. The only reason I can see that she may charge more for the darts is because of the flower details that cover the entire bodice. From what I can tell she pinned two darts in at the bust, and maybe 4 in the back.

HI CHRISTINA !!!!!!! Welcome back!!!!!!

sorry, got nothing for prices, but wanted to say "hi"

and p.s. BEAUTIFUL Dress!!!!!!

I'm having it taken in quite a bit, at a well-respected, somewhat-pricier seamstress, with a simple bustle and no hem...$380 total. I thought mine was crazy!

Mine is $130 flat for a hem, a little taking in on the bust area, touching up a loop on the corset, and custom bustle (she said, maybe 7 points). I'm in a small town though and this lady is out of her house. Though she's also well respected and does really good work.

Alterations are a major expense all over. I didnt do all the alterations my dress needed because of it. Good luck.

I had my first fitting today, and we are adding a touch of padding to the bust to fill out the pleats a bit, taking both sides of the top half in an inch & a half, and adding a five point bustle. I'm out in Newport Beach, CA and the lady is only charging me $550. We are doing SIGNIFICANT work to the entire top of the dress, I thought it would cost a lot more.

I would probably get a second opinion before you shell out that kind of money! A second opinion can't hurt anything

GOOD LUCK!!

I had to have a lot done to my dress. I am only 5'1 so the dress what at least 7in to long. She hemmed it, bustled, taken in the waist, taken in the bust, made a new ribbon for the corset, and she cleaned it all for $230