Post # 1

Member
249 posts
Helper bee
Okay, so I go in for my alterations the first week of February and I was wondering how much did you end up spending on yours? And what type of alterations did you have done? I ask this because, for my dress, I wanted to change my neckline to a sweetheart neck, add a bustle, and it needs to be taken in at the waist/some taken off at the bottom as I am short!
Post # 3

Member
733 posts
Busy bee
Haven’t done mine yet but I hope not much! It would just be sizing if anything
Post # 4

Member
3315 posts
Sugar bee
@Saloria83: Ours were about $100 each. Mine was taken out in the bodice. NotFroofy’s was hemmed. Both had bustles added.
However, we had ours done by an independent seamstress who had stellar reviews (and did a perfect job on our dresses). Bridal shop alterations tend to be much more expensive.
Post # 5

Member
668 posts
Busy bee
My dress was purchased from a small boutique and the owner is a seamstress so she will alter it herself, $100 flat fee no matter what needs to be done to it.
I have heard that bigger stores (David’s and Alfred’s) charge around $500. That to me is ridiculous. You are already spending how much on the dress that’s a huge amount to add on!
Post # 6

Member
249 posts
Helper bee
@2dBride: Really? I thought that if you bought the dress at the shop the alterations would be a bit cheaper than going outside the shop. Hmm . . . I might need to price check a few places before I go in for my alterations.
Post # 7

Member
249 posts
Helper bee
@RiverBride13: OMG 500???? I am getting mine at DB but if it will cost that much I would rather look elsewhere. I wish I knew more about this type of thing! I am so scared of going outside the bridal shops because of what might happen if they mess up.
Post # 8

Member
2552 posts
Sugar bee
Oooooh I’m commenting to see what other bees have to say! I have a davids bridal dress but will be taking it elsewhere for alterations. I have $400 budgeted for alterations and am realllly hoping it doesnt come out to that much. I will need to have about 3 inches taken off the bottom (hemmed) and then a bustle for my massive train. Its already a little big on me and I’m planning on losing 15 more pounds so it will need to be taken in too. Ack!!!!!!
Post # 9

Member
2552 posts
Sugar bee
@Saloria83: Ack me too!! Idk what I would do if they messed up my dress either and it worries me!!. I have a davids bridal dress too and will take it elsewhere for alterations becasue my friend had just simple stuff done and they charged her $300. I need much more done (hem, bustle, taken in, etc.)!!!
Post # 10

Member
3315 posts
Sugar bee
@Saloria83: DB is kind of famous for keeping their prices down on the dresses, but making it up with expensive alterations. Definitely check around for independent seamstresses in your area. I’m not sure where you are, but I know excellent seamstresses in both the DC and Boston areas who are a lot less than DB for alterations.
Post # 11

Member
249 posts
Helper bee
@2dBride: Yeah, after reading some posts about $300 dollars for simple alterations I am definitely looking elsewhere. I am in San Antonio so I will have to look around this area. Good thing I asked now because I have a month until my alterations so I better get on it quick!
Post # 12

Member
8682 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
$475 but they include everything (bustle, making it shorter, adding in cups)
Post # 13

Member
2253 posts
Buzzing bee
From what I remember it was about $500 but it was a lot of alterations. The seamstress hemmed it up 4 inches, took in 2 inches on either side (yay wedding diet), added cups, altered the bodice to make the sweetheart neckline more pronounced, added in an internal strap to help with support, and the priciest part was the French bustle bc there was so many layers to the dress.
Post # 14

Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
Mine was about 270ish…. I don’t remember exactly. But when she gave me the price I almost S*#t myself! I only had a bustle added and the length taken up because it was to long. I thought that was rediculous! It took me more by surprise because I had her alter a bridesmaid dress for me a year earlier and it was like 30.00. But she did exactly what I wanted and she did a good job and on time. So I guess she just added extra for the stress free experience.
Post # 15

Member
249 posts
Helper bee
@Olive12: Did you have yours done at a popular bridal shop like DB or Alfred Angelo? Or did you go to a seamstress outside the shops?
Post # 16

Member
2253 posts
Buzzing bee
@Saloria83: I got my alterations at a private seamstress whose shop only alters wedding dresses. Though I loved the results of my dress, I definitely recommend you shop around if you can. One of my co-workers, who married a few months after me, had a seamstress who does work from her home. She had about the same amount of alterations as I did, came out great, and was about half the cost of what I paid.