How much should alterations cost!?!?

[shannon]

I felt like I got punched in the stomach after leaving my dress shop last Thursday, after my first fitting. I have 2 dresses (long story--but one is a sheath-a jim hjelms -very simple -that I'm wearing at the AHR and at the private dinner we are having the night after the wedding with guests. The actual wedding dress is more "bridal" watters dress), and my total alterations were 575! I paid $1200 for the Watters and I paid $2900 for the Hjelms.... Which was completely over my budget- and now this. They want $345 for the Watters (alterations include cups, a hem, a bustle, and it being brought in a little at the waist); the Hjelms dress was $230 for cups and a hem. Am I being robbed!??! Is this something I wasn't expecting or it this completely outrageous?!?!

[boscobel]

I don't think YOU are being robbed, but in general I think brides are. I went to a lady that works at the salon where I bought my dress, but I went to her home to get a cheaper price and it was still $300. All she did was hem the bottom and take in the straps/cups. The dress fit me pretty great so I didn't need much done. Imagine if I went to her IN the shop??

[JulieG]

Can you post pictures of the dresses? Are they all lace or something? This sounds like an awful lot of money to me. Can you go somewhere else, not a bridal salon, and ask for a quote. I paid $225 for my alterations, but my dress was all lace and I had it hemmed, cups put in, a halter strap made, and it was taken in 3 times because I was losing weight. So, it sounds like they are totally over charging you.

[lucy106]

That seems very high! As JulieG said maybe is it because your dresses are very detailed? If that is not the case I would definitely look elsewhere. I think mine are about $175 or so.

[Maura]

i'm paying about $100 for alterations. my original quote was $87 to have it hemmed, to adjust the fit at the bust and one other thing im forgetting. but then i asked that she also alter the back of the halter to make it more of a V than straight like it is.

 

i think my alterations are cheap pricewise, and the quality is fantastic - i have seen a lot of her work.

 

i think though that what youre being charged does sound a little high, but is about right on par for what people seem to be charging these days... also, you didnt mention what material your dress was made of, and this can make a huuuuuge difference

[Copita]

Omgosh I wish I could help you but I have NO clue. I hear it's pretty darn expensive, though. I jsut got my dress back and the back is really big/loose so I have to have it taken in! Am scared.

[melglnh2o]

Wow that does seem like a lot. I paid $220 for mine and I had the top taken in and a bustle done. I feel like I was totally ripped off and I don't even like the bustle. I am having a lady I know redo it.

 

Do you think they charge more for more expensive gowns figuring that if a bride has enough money to spend on a more expensive gown then she has more money to spend on alterations? That is how my crazy mind works. I didn't even wear my e-ring went I met with a bunch of vendors because I thought they would charge me more after seeing it. Crazy I know

[ochoriobride]

Mine should cost around 200$ only for hem the bottom but my dress have alot of details at the bottom.

I think alterations are overprice in general

[boscobel]

Melissa, it's funny that you said that, cuz I said the same thing to my sister when we left the seamstress' house. I had left the tags on the dress (no idea why) that was still marked for the original price of almost $4k, so I told my sister I bet that is why she is robbing me.

 

I forgot she is doing a bustle on my dress as well. But really, the dress is so important and she really knew what she was doing, so I just sucked it up.

[LeXiee]

Quite honestly... it sounds super expensive... especially considering you spent a lot there... you would think they would give you some sort of deal to do the alterations... or heck.. do it for free!!