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Just Said Yes May 2022

What happens at the first dress fitting?

Chelsea, on March 31, 2022 at 9:47 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 1 6

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I have my first wedding dress fitting/alteration appointment tomorrow and after reading some online reviews of the tailor I'm nervous! This tailor was recommended by the salon where I got my dress, so I hope I can trust her work. But it sounds like her prices are on the high side. I was told by the salon to bring $200-300 to my first fitting, as that's the usual amount for a deposit. What if I go in there tomorrow and she quotes me some outrageous cost? Do I have the option of taking my dress and leaving? If I do, and shop around at other tailors, I'll need to bring my dress to a fitting with each one to get a quote and see if it's more affordable. How do people handle this whole process?
Another thing I'm really nervous about based on reviews is that this tailor does not allow brides to try on their dresses at their final pickup (the day before the wedding), because the dresses have already been steamed. Some brides later find huge flaws in their dresses and have rush around to get it fixed! Shouldn't it be a given that you'd try on your dress before taking it home??

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Bird, on April 2, 2022 at 2:08 AM

Master July 2019
Hannah · on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 PM
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Yes, you can choose to take your business elsewhere. Also, I would absolutely try the dress on prior to taking it home to make sure no final alterations need to be made. If you're seeing all these negative reviews, I would just find a different seamstress elsewhere.
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Expert April 2022
Samantha · on March 31, 2022 at 11:01 PM
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Highly recommend shopping around! I called several seamstresses (my bridal salon recommend six in the area), after looking at online reviews, and asked (1) if they charged a flat price or per alteration and (2) if they could provide estimates/quotes on what I thought I might need (minor alterations at the high neckline, taking in the sides, multiple point bustle). All but one was able to provide quotes or a price range over the phone, and, as prices were pretty comparable (at the recommended seamstresses), I booked an appointment that best accommodated my schedule.
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Expert April 2022
Samantha · on March 31, 2022 at 11:05 PM
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And I’d be very nervous to wait to pick up my dress the day before, although I know several brides that did. They all tried on their dresses though. My final fitting was 4 weeks out (last week), and I tried on my dress at that appointment.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on April 1, 2022 at 11:30 AM
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Hi Chelsea! Here's a great article that goes through what you can expect at your alteration appointments:
12 Tips for Wedding Dress Alterations You Should Know About
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Master September 2019
Sarah · on April 1, 2022 at 11:35 AM
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You can absolutely leave with your dress if her quote is too much. I would shop around and get quotes from a few different seamstresses. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't use this tailor. If multiple reviews mention that they couldn't try on the dress at the final fitting, that would be a huge red flag for me.
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Super June 2021
Bird · on April 2, 2022 at 2:08 AM
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Went to the “best seamstress” in my area and I had an awful vibe. She said in order to make the chest fit she would have to cut and sew on the breast (when there wasn’t a seam there to begin with) I thought this was extremely odd. I ended up giving her a deposit and then leaving my dress with her. Then I was getting nervous about a specific alteration decision so I called her and she called me a bridezilla and made me cry. So I decided to pick up the dress and go else where. She gave me my deposit back. One other thing that I thought was weird is that she doesn’t actually do the sewing. She just tells her workers what to do.

The next women I went to did all alterations herself and I felt much calmer with her. She also suggested taking in the chest by making seams in the BACK of the dress. (Obviously made so much more sense)
Moral of the story. Yes I think you can shop around for a seamstress hahah
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