In the tailoring world, there are those who can alter well. And those who specialize in the intricacies of wedding gowns and other formal wear. Layers, yes. And the particular fabrics, how structure works, etc. You want someone who knows bridal, does it all the time.
@toledo, that alteration fee seems high to me, too. However, we live in the south and prices here are often less. The cost of bridal gown alterations here less than two years ago was only about $300 which included shortening a multi-layer dress as well as adjusting the neckline. The seamstress measured the gown with the help of the store manager, and when it came back a bit too long the store paid to have it corrected. The seamstress did a lovely job with the neckline and bustle, and the hem was perfect on the second try.
@toledo, that seems a little high for alterations but I would still stick with the bridal salon. My D’s alterations will be a little higher than that because she is having her train shortened. She thought she wanted a long train but it felt overpowering once the dress came in and was just too much dress for her.
@tx5athome, I agree with everyone else that the friend is being ridiculous. She doesn’t get control over an entire store!
Thanks for the feedback. I didn’t know if I was missing something.
@mom60 I think that she would rather DD not shop there at all. Her exact words were “I just didn’t think you would shop there knowing I haven’t picked my dress yet. I thought it was just code… Just never thought in a million years that taking my friend with me to the only dress boutique I like/been following for months would turn into something like this” .
To clarify, the shop only carries one designer, currently there are 44 different dresses and their new collection will arrive next week (right before DD’s appointment).
Hoping your daughter finds the perfect dress at THAT shop…and buys it!
I won’t write what I think about her “friend”…because it would probably get removed. Let’s just say…she is being rude and selfish. She doesn’t own the rights to shop at this store…or to tell others not to.
D1’s dress alteration was included in the dress price. I didn’t realize it was additional. My own dress alteration was 200.
D bought her dress at a bridal shop that does not do alterations. She took the dress to a tailor in our area who is very highly rated on social media. He was fabulous, and the alterations were less than what we have heard others paid in bridal salons for their alterations. She had a simple dress, so no layers, but he did have to let out the side seams around her hips, take in the top/straps a bit, and some other stuff. It was PERFECT.
And my MOB dress was two sizes too big…and had to have the torso completely altered. This was done at Lord and Taylor alterations…for…drumroll…$24.
DDs wedding dress fit her off the rack…and needed just to be hemmed. It was $100.
I just spent the last hour picking burrs out of the bottom layers of the dress. Looks like the dress bustled in 8 spots. My D’s dress needed a lot of alterations as my D is on the shorter side and the dress had a top layer that had to be shortened proportion to my D’s height. It looks like they altered that portion in a way that it can be easily let down if someone taller wears the dress. They also shortened the train and added a built in bra.This was not a dress that a typical alterations person could have handled. The dress was expensive and over my budget. My D paid the difference. She is thinking of trying to sell it. It’s a popular designer and a new style so hopefully she can sell it.
My DIL had her dress altered at a non wedding dress alterations person and had quite a few issues. She also added a beaded belt and removable straps that she will try to sell. I’m going to take the dress to be cleaned. I can’t imagine that will be cheap.
My dress just needed hemming and I paid $60 at a independent tailor. He is okay for simple things but I wouldn’t trust him with a wedding dress. @thumper1 that’s great Lord and Taylor was so reasonable. We only have a small Nordstrom and they won’t do anything but hem and anything but one layer is costly.
FDIL’s dress is being handmade – she bought a taffetta and chiffon skirt/train from a dressmaker’s, and she and the seamstress picked out textile from the city garment district. Total will be less than $1200 with lots of personal touches and a perfect fit. (MOB was going to pay for it, but has since reneged for no perceptible reason so the bride/groom did it instead) She was fortunate to know someone who creates wedding dresses as a sidejob, only one or two a season. Dress is beautiful.
That MOB sounds like a real piece of work!
A college friend had a seamstress make her dress. It is still one of my favorites ever, possibly because it had a pink sash under lace across the bodice, and I love pink. It cost much less than a dress from the store.
@toledo. I live in the Midwest and that alternation fee doesn’t seem unreasonable depending on what needed to be done. My friend (who alters wedding dresses as a “hobby” for pay) did D’s dress and it basically had to be remade. She took in 3 inches in the back waist, resetting all the lace and beading, had to take the skirt off at the waist and raise 6 inches, add a new zipper, then alter the skirt seams to fit the waist, plus sewed D’s strapless bra into the bodice, and added the bustle with waist hooks. She had 60+ hours into it and charged me $400. I gave her more—it was a LOT of work, but she did an incredible job.
Niece negotiated alterations as part of price. I’m sure not free but also no surprises.
When we got a room block it was slightly cheaper room rate but free parking, river front rooms and upgraded suite for bride and groom (which was very nice). We had to guarantee number of rooms but could change that number up until a certain date.
Zola registry has a spot where people can give cash gifts but they take a percentage. So actually better to write a check directly to the newly weds.
Pretty sure they take a percentage of anything given for the “experience “ gifts also.
Personally I think it’s better to create registry at other stores.
Ugh! D just got the wedding invitations from Shutterfly…unaddressed. She entered all the names and address, but apparently there was a little box that she forgot to check next to each contact. Be careful with those invitations.
Thanks for the heads up. So sorry you’re going through this.
@toledo go and buy some clear labels at Staples. Type the names and addresses on the clear labels in a font you like…maybe one that matches the invites. Peel off and put on the envelopes.
We did this…and you couldn’t even see that there were labels because they were clear. The plus was…we printed a second copy of the address labels which DD and SIL used for their thank you notes. It took me about an hour to type the names and addresses for 125 invitations.
Mom 60 congratulations on a lovely wedding despite all the glitches!
Interesting, I see many brides sell their dresses. No longer a heirloom I guess.
That bride is out of her mind. People don’t call dibs on bridal salons.
My nieces alterations are 1300. I am not sure what is being done.I am thinking my D’s will be expensive as, her dress needs to be hemmed with the skirt pulled up at the waist. but hopefully not.
With weddings the hidden costs seem endless. I think my other D will be getting married in a year.