Dress Alterations- Average Cost?

There are several factors that play into the cost, how difficult is the aleteration, type of gown, material of gown, etc. Example I have a Maggie Sottero gown with lots of ruffles at bottom making the hem extremely difficult so the hem alone is costing me $180, bussle $48 and tucks to take in $85...so my $1300 gown just became a $1600 gown. But if gown is a simple style may not be as costly!!! Good luck!

Yikes lady! I will be calling around soon! Looks like I need to budget for the alterations as well!

My $1200 dress cost $250. There were lots of layers and they had to take it in all over. The bustle was very reasonable since she just added one loop that attaches to the buttons on the back.

Great question. I had asked David's for an alternations list and they said they couldn't give me one since alternations can differ depending on the dress. I understand this, but a price range would be nice for a hem, taking in, adding buttons, etc.

Mine cost about 180 & i took it to DB it only needed 2 things done to it the hem & adding buttons on the back of the dress

Mine was free it was included in the purchase of the dress, from my bridal salon

Just a bustle for me was about $180.

Mines 500.... and im really debating taking it elsewhere.

I had a lot of hemming, taking it in, bringing down the top of the dress, and a bustle, and it came to 200.

8 inches of very extensive hemming, adding the bustle, and taking in the bodice = $300 for my $1150 dress.

That's at an independent seamstress. Shop around. Not only is she way cheaper than the big bridal shops, she's genius and her schedule is totally flexible. My bridal shop would have wanted to alter my dress 8 weeks in advance b/c they get so busy. She's making time to do my bodice alterations 10 days before the wedding b/c she knows my body has been changing a lot. To me, that's priceless.

The bridal salon I got my dress from said it should be about $300 for everything. I am like 5'2 so I will def need it hemmed and they might have to take it in on the top. But the bustle and the belt are actually whats going to cost the most. Each bustle point is like $10 so well see how many bustle I will need. And the belt came witht he dress but I want to get it sewn into the dress and thats and extra $50. So I guess $300 isnt all that bad. Good Luck@!

I used to work for AA they tell people to typically budget for alterations 1/3 of what the dress cost.

Yikes guys!! If you had a choice between a custom dress made by a seamstress for 700-800 or a pre-owned never used wedding dress with alterations for $600 what would you go with? Seems like I should just get it made.. I just don't know if the seamstress will be able to completely duplicate the dress I have seen..

Depends on the seamstress....

I think you're going to run up the cost with the boning and taking in. Those things alter the structure of the dress more than just adding buttons or flowers. When you alter the structure of a dress, it seems more expensive than just getting a hem or bustle. At least that's what I would think.....

LOL Kris.. couldn't the dress I like be $200?! Is it just me !? I guess I just can't find a reason to spend so much money on a dress for a day. And I know I can have it shortened for later use and alter it.. bust still.. $700-$800 for a day? Why are things sooo expensive?!

I know this post is over a year old but in case anyone is googling this kind of question (like I was) here is my info: I bought a size 8 gown on clearance for $299. I am a size "0" so a lot needed to be taken in as well as the hem (I'm 5'2"). It is a lace gown with beading and it cost me $450 in alterations.

I'm hearing that my alterations will be between $400 and $450. That is waaaaaay more than I'm looking to spend so I guess I have to shop around.

I have attached the pic of my dress. It doesn't have a train, so I want the hem to be taken out, or to cut into the dress and add a train. Another option to solve this would be if there was a way to just add on some chiffon or tulle fabric to a pretty beaded attachment piece onto the back...? just to help with the fullness of it from behind.

Lastly, I am obsessed with deep cut low backs and this dress has that, however I want it just to be a couple inches lower.

The dress is very simple and satin. Does anyone have a ballpark guess of what price figure I would be looking at? any advice?

Thanks!

As a Designer/Seamstress, I can offer some advice on alteration costs as well as comparing wedding gown purchase price plus alteration cost to having a gown custom made.

Paying for alterations on a purchased wedding gown are usually more costly when done by the on-site seamstress at the store you purchase your gown from. You will likely save some money by taking it to your local seamstress. Ask around, you will find someone who comes highly recommended. My clients find me completely by word-of-mouth, I never have to advertise because of my reputation. But don't expect the cost to be ridiculously lower. It is still a lot of work to alter wedding gowns. When you need the bust taken in "just a little", it doesn't make any difference. Taking a dress in "a little" or "a lot" requires the same amount of work either way. You have to take the dress apart quite a bit just to be able to get in there & take it in "just a little". There are usually many layers in wedding gowns...each layer has to be taken in separately, so it's like altering 3 or 4 gowns really! There is the outer fabric, the underlining (this provides the structure), the lining, and then many times there is an overlay of lace or organza or mesh or chiffon. When the outer layer has the addition of beads, sequins or pearls, they have to be carefully removed. The threads where they are removed from need to be tied off so they don't continue to unravel, or more beads will fall off. Then once the alteration is complete, all the beads & sequins have to be hand sewn back on! Most of the time, the boning also has to be cut down during an alteration. You can't just cut it, you have to remove stitches & seams pretty far back just to cut boning down even just 1/2".

When it comes to hems, again you are dealing with many layers. It would be like hemming 3 or 4 gowns! Many gowns have horsehair braid in the hem to give it body... that is one of the hardest hems to deal with. If the gown has a scalloped border hem, that too is an extremely difficult challenge!

When it comes to the bustle, think about how much time you will be spending in the dress while it is bustled up! The average bride will only spend a short time during her ceremony wearing the gown with her train elegantly trailing behind her. She will spend the majority of her time with it bustled up during the reception. The bustle needs to be durable enough to withstand sitting on it and dancing for a few hours in it and even possibly people accidentally stepping on her hemline. You do not want the bustle to break! Then you're scrambling for a safety pin...

All of these typical alterations (taking in the bodice, hemming & bustling) can cost an average of $300, give or take (sometimes $250, sometimes $400) through your local seamstress. It costs more to alter a wedding gown than a regular dress because it is so difficult wrestling with such huge dresses & it's hard putting such a huge dress into the sewing machine. Think about the manufacturing process... the gown is constructed in pieces, it's much more manageable. Wrestling with a huge gown that is all done is so difficult. Also, it sometimes feels like you are performing surgery when it comes to these intricate designs. The average home sewer would not even know where to begin, so don't ask Grandma to fix it for you. This is why you are paying good money to a knowledgable & experienced seamstress.

With that in mind, the cost of having a gown custom made for you by a local designer can be the way to go for many brides. The total cost can actually be less, especially if your "dream gown" is a $10,000 designer gown! Have it made instead... you will have the options to incorporate all your design details into your gown instead of wishing "the bodice on this dress was on the skirt of that dress". The fittings along the way will also guarantee that your gown will fit you perfectly & you are not adding in any alteration fees. Just make sure the designer has a good selection of photos of past work to look through & comes highly recommended!

Good Luck!

I second Heather. Everything she is describing is absolutely correct. While sewing and alteration may seem like a simple thing to the average person, it is not. So when shopping around for a "reasonable" price, remember that the word "reasonable" is relative and any smart seamstress is going to know her worth.