How Much Are Your Alterations Costing You?

[pddcmc]

Ladies! I absolutely LOVE my wedding gown. It is all lace (I have yet to see any other gown with anything close to it), and is mermaid style. When I ordered it, I was between two sizes...so I went with the bigger size just to eliminate the stress of "what if it doesn't fit?!" Well, I've been shopping around for alteration quotes... my goodness! $500+! Am I just being cheap? That seems like a lot to me! But, I suppose it's because it is a very intricate lace...? Has anyone else ran in to this kind of expense with their gown?

[nattiegams325]

Mine was about $410. I've seen anywhere from $200-$500.

[pddcmc]

Ok, so mine is about average. I just didn't think it would cost quite that much. 

Don't even get me started on veils...why are they so darn expensive? I found a GORGEOUS veil...for $350-something...and the belt that I love is $465... I just don't know if I can get myself to spend that much... 

[kcole123]

My alterations so far cost $220 and that's just to get the sides taken in, boob cups sewn in, and just to fix the sweetheart neckline so it isn't sticking out. The seamstress said if i lose anymore weight by the next fitting they will have to charge me the $220 all over again, which is a farce. But she said before when they didn't charge many brides would lose weight and the seamstress would have t do the work all over again so therefore they had to start charging. She said basically if you lose 10 pounds between now and the next fitting, that's one dress size, then they would charge me another $220. Plus this doesn't include the hem or getting the belt sewn on. She said they do that the next fitting but she said the hem is going to be more expensive because of the lace and beading on the bottom. She said they basically have to take the lace and beading off the bottom, hem it, and then put the lace and beading back on so it's more work and therefore will charge more money. Right now I am thinking I will be looking at close to $600 by the time it's done.

 

I ended up getting the seamstress's to do it at the place I bought my dress. Because I am not from here and don't know anybody that would do it or even recommendations of anyone. So I just stuck with getting it altered at the place I bought it.

 

Money racket I tell ya.

[pddcmc]

@@kcole123 - Thanks for the input!

 

We ended up moving from MO to CO in December, so I am starting from scratch with bridal shops (as far as which ones I like). But, I've found two that I like to possibly do my alterations. I know I need to make a decision soon... we'll be in Mexico in less than 3 months!

 

I need to figure out what to wear under my dress... I want to wear Spanx for my lower belly (I cannot seem to flatten this area out, no matter what I do!)..but am afraid of being too hot... does anyone have any suggestions?

[kcole123]

hahaha @@pddcmc. I had a thread asking this exact question. I wanted to wear soemthing that would hold in my stomach but I didn't want something too heavy. I ended up going with getting boob cups sewn into my dress so that problem is solved but with the belly I am still wondering what to do here. Urgh. I don't want to be dying of heat more than what I have to be.

[MrsCtoB]

I guess I did luck out in this area... I purchased my dress during a promotion for free alterations. Anything that is required to get the dress to fit me correctly (hem, bustline, etc.) is included and I have not had to pay. The bustle is considered optional so I did pay for that. I believe it was $125 for that because of style of the bottom of my dress and I was very particular about how I wanted it bustled I guess lol (the seamstress told me no bride has ever cared about the bustle as much as I do, which I find hard to believe) 

[Mrsktobe]

Mine were 480 - had cups sewn in, a lot of boning and material taken out as I had lost weight, had it hemmed and shorten, had a bustle sewn in etc etc etc.

[AllieH]

yep, wedding dress alterations are pricey! I think mine were $400ish or more too. Hem, bustle, cups, and taking in the top. most brides (myself included) don't factor in the alterations when budgeting for the dress. if the budget is $2,000, find a dress that costs $1500 or less, and plan on the rest going for alterations. 

[TinkerSofi]

I guess I did luck out in this area... I purchased my dress during a promotion for free alterations. Anything that is required to get the dress to fit me correctly (hem, bustline, etc.) is included and I have not had to pay. The bustle is considered optional so I did pay for that. I believe it was $125 for that because of style of the bottom of my dress and I was very particular about how I wanted it bustled I guess lol (the seamstress told me no bride has ever cared about the bustle as much as I do, which I find hard to believe) 

lucky you! I try not to think about how much mine will cost hahah. I also don't believe that people don't care about the bustle, I've seen ugly bustles and it can ruin the dress completely. I guess if they don't care they should!