How much are alterations??

OMFG!!! I just got back - I had my 1st fitting today (my wedding is in 1 month). I bought my dress from Priscilla of Boston so I went there for the alterations - holy shit - it was obsene ---- are you ready for this?

 

I need:

 

the dress shortened (it is a bubble hem)

the bust darted (sweatheart neckline)

the waist taken in

a 3 point bustle

the zipper let out 1/2"

 

POB wanted to charge me $800!!!!!!!! yes, you are reading right

 

Um, hell no! I called a friend and got a recommendation for a seamstress at a local tailor shop that specializes in wedding gowns - she is going to do everything for $300.

 

Seriously, i almost had a heart attack - WTF!?!

OMG? That is insane!!! $800.00? So glad you got a 2nd opinion on it and got the price cut more than in half!!!

Oh gosh You gals are scaring me...my dress arrived this week and I hope to spend no more than $100 in alterations. I guess it's one of those expenses I didn't really "plan" for....

Ok, I've had a drink so I'm chalking this up to the fact that my eyes are a little foggy & deceiving me. I know you didn't say $800?
Thank goodness for recommendations!

I brought my dress to a small local bridal shop and they are charging me between $200-250 to have my the top part taken in about 1/2 inch, have it hemmed, have it bustled, and get cups put in. I wouldn't have a problem shelling out the money except the lady at the shop told me they are charging me more because I didn't purchase my dress from them. That fact to wouldn't have bothered me but they are charging me DOUBLE the norm which just irritates me. If I didn't need to have my dress in a month I would have told her off. The actual seamstress is this sweet spanish lady who doesn't speak but a few words of english. She has been great but everytime I see the owner of the shop I get this irritating feeling. My mother told me I should have hired the seamstress outside of the shop. Oh well live and learn. Shop around early is my advise.

Now I'm even more ill at ease thinking about this. I'm trying to lose as much weight/inches as possible before the wedding and my dress is a little snug now but fits...

 

Got it at David's Bridal and I know it's going to need hemmed unless I decide on high heels (which I hadn't planned on, but may due to the hem. And if my weight loss is successful, maybe a little more.

 

I want to pay no more than an additional $200. Has anyone had alterations done at David's?

No, but that's where I got my dress. They told me that ANY alteration starts at $75.00. I am going to do a little homework and check out some mom and pop shops around my area, and compare them to David's bridal. I am in the EXACT same boat you are too. I am trying to tone and loose atleast 15 lbs before the wedding. I've already lost 5, and am very motivated so I'm counting on being 15 lbs smaller than I am now. My dress won't need to be hemmed, just taken in around the armpits and waiste possibly. I'll let you know what I come up with, but I can almost guarantee that David's bridal is going to be a bit more expensive, BUT since they only alter wedding gowns, they may have more experience?

I bought my dress at Davids ($349) and had alterations done for $85. This was to take the dress in on the sides ($50) and for the bustle ($35). I think you should be ok to stay under $200.

The shop where I got my dress gave me info and it said that alterations average $225. I hate to spend that, but my dress has a tiny row of crystal beading on the hemline, so if it has to be hemmed I dont want to take a chance of it being messed up!

Any other brides willing to share what they paid for their dress alterations?

 

I need to get the top of my dress taken in and bustle added, and wanted to get an idea of costs, particularly in the Chicago area.