What is a bridal alterations specialist?

A bridal alterations specialist is a seamstress who specializes in the detail, construction, and delicacy of wedding gowns. Bridal gown construction is made up of multiple layers, special fabrics, and lots of hand detailed work that requires much more care and knowledge to alter, compared to everyday wear and other formal wear. A bridal alterations specialist can completely take apart a wedding gown and put it back together in a way that looks untouched and perfectly contoured. Some say it’s like “magic,” but it’s skilled craftsmanship and delicate trade work.

Why do bridal alterations cost what they cost?

Bridal alterations (done right) are a uniquely, skilled trade. Bridal gowns require specific knowledge, experience, and practice, to know exactly where and how to make an alteration contour to a bride’s unique body and curvature, without leaving a trace of evidence. These alterations are are not a copy and paste style, but a very detailed, per-bride process. It takes many hours, much attention to detail, hand sewing, and precision.

Why would bridal alterations cost nearly as much, or as much, as the wedding gown itself?

Take into consideration the amount of alterations that the gown needs, as well as the amount of detail on the dress. A pre-ordered wedding gown will arrive at copy and paste bust, waist, and hip measurement. It is not common for a bride to fit the transition between those base measurements perfectly. In oder to preform an alteration, a fitting must take place first. Then the dress must be properly taken apart (including removing any hand beading or lace in the sewing path). The pattern pieces must be re-formed to uniquely shape the brides specific curvatures as well as the distance between her bust, waist, hips, and overall height. Once the contouring has been done, the dress is properly put back together and finished by replacing any lace, beading, draping, or other details that were moved in the beginning. Once the full work has been done, another appointment is necessary to check the overall fit of the gown. A bridal manufacturers process for making a gown to fit standard measurements is different than the above process.

Also take into consideration where your gown was made. Most gowns are not made in America and reflect their country of origin’s lower labor, material, and design costs. If your alterations are taking place within the United States, you will be paying US trade labor prices. Depending on the amount of alterations you need and the detail of your gown, your alterations may be almost, at the same cost, or more expensive than the price you paid for your gown (specifically if you purchased your gown on sale, off the rack, or at any other discounted rate).

Do you give exact quotes?

I do not give exact quotes, but I do give price ranges. This allows me the flexibility that I need in order to get the perfect fit for your unique body.

More details, if you’re curious: I have worked on many gowns, different silhouettes, material textures, and detail combinations. Even though I may have two different brides with the exact same dress, their alterations are custom and unique to them. This means the amount of detail, support or structure modifications, additions or customizations, and shaping on each dress will require unique time and focus points.

Why do you only allow brides to bring one female guest to their fittings?

(I do not allow men in my studio, so if a bride brings someone along, it needs to be only one female guest.)

As much as a party or a multiple guests sounds fun and exciting, it can be distracting for me. My number one priority is fitting the bride and being able to give her the attention to detail that she needs. To do that, I need to be able to fully focus on the to the bride, her body language, the gown, and the gowns function. I also need the bride’s primary attention so that I can walk her through the process smoothly, without missing important details. Too many voices in the room can be too distracting for both of us. Please trust my process and be respectful my studio policies. They exist so that I can truly do my best to give you a wonderful experience.

(For my brides who are curious about how someone will learn your bustle if no one is able to attend your final fitting with you: We will video your bustling process at our final fitting. Send that video to the girlies so they have personalized tutorial on how your bustle is put together. 98% of all my bustles can be done by a sober lady within 4-5 minutes.)

How is a lace edge gown hemmed?

The lace is first removed from the hemline of your gown. Once I have shortened your hemline to the perfect height, I then add the lace back onto the hemline.

Can the illusion tulle of my gown and the bust cup color be changed to better fit my skin tone?

Yes, 100%. I have different bust cup and illusion tulle shades in my studio. At our first fitting, we can choose which shade looks best with your skin tone.