Dress Alterations- Average Cost?

I spent $800 but I bought my dress off the rack and knew I would have to get major alterations in order to make it fit. I have to get it taken in several sizes, and they have to completely reconstruct the chest area. My dress is also incredibly detailed, so that factors into it as well.

Alteration costs can vary greatly, especially depending on the level of alterations you want!

Experts say to set at least $500 aside for gown alterations.

What Every Bride Needs to Know About Wedding Dress Fittings

My dress is costing $800 to alter. It has some beading on dress missing that will need to be, it needs a bustle, needs to be taken in around chest area, corset and boning, and lastly will be hemmed. Does this price sound right?

My dress is sheath, silk layer then a lace applique over with beading. I almost threw up when I heard that my alterations would be $400. My $1,400 dress is now $1,800. And I bought the right size. To me and I bet to a lot of you a sheath dress is simple but according to them having the two layers is basically two times a normal alteration. I'm seriously wondering if I should cancel my alteration and have it done by somebody else locally. My dress is 2 hours away. And I'm very nervous about the result of the fitting appointment. My second fitting is in a month and a half and wedding is in 2 and 1/2 months. ???? Ugh.

My alterations are costing me $350. The seamstress told me it normally is $500, but she is giving me a discount. My dress has 8 layers!! She said it takes so much time to hem a dress that has that many layers. She is working on the hem and a bustle, and fixing the lining around the bust to fit my bust size.

I just paid $300 for my alterations

I'm needing the same information. I need a partial hem in the front of my sheath lace gown and the sides taken in. I bought it from David's Bridal and I've been told they are insanely priced.

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What did you have done?

I guess I can't complain considering my dress was on sale for $195.00. I just hate spending so much, but I know I would be more upset had I spent like the one bride that responded who paid $1400.00 now an additional $400.00 for alterations. At least we know we love our dresses!!

The cups opened up, the back lowered and the bustle

View Quoted Comment Absolutely agree on you note about wedding dress alterations! As a seamstress and independent tailor, I believe you’ve hit the mark with your post. Thank you for explaining the intricacies of a wedding dress along with the beauty of having a gown that fits well.

-Local Bridal Seamstress, Raleigh NC

I only paid for $130 for mine, just needed the shoulders taken in a bit and hemming

Mine costed $450. I got mine done at the bridal shop where I bought my dress and they had a flat rate regardless of what I needed done. But I got it hemmed, taken in a lot, add cups, 3 bustles, and a mesh neckline removed

Mine was $350.

Mine for hemming and adding a bustle was $160.00 total.

Haha. shoot me. I am at $1200 on my second fitting, for a $5k dress. I get that being plus sized means more but COME ON. I have emailed the designer to ask for a reimbursement. $1200+ is ridiculous just to make it look how it should.

My alterations are about 345 dollars seems reasonable for the amount of work I need done to the dress.

I bought Hayley Paige "West" gown used online and it ending up being about two sizes too big. Got quoted for $350 to bring in the bust, waist, hips, take up the length, add cups, and place bustle. I feel like that's fair because I honestly thought it was going to cost a minimum of $500 (at which point I would have tried to resell the dress online). The dress has a few layers, mermaid style, and lots of sequins.

Try to go to a seamstress that is low key and does not initially advertise for bridal. My seamstress is north of Boston (north shore - all shops usually very expensive). She has done a couple of dresses for me before. I decided to go straight to this seamstress instead of going to the ones the bridal shop recommended (they tend to up charge big time).

She is doing my hem, taking in the dress a smidge (yay)! adding a bit of lace to the bust, adding a bustle and fixing the hem for $120! ---I also want to add that I went to her two weeks before my wedding for my first wedding. I so do not recommend this for anyone - but hey I was loosing weight She literally took my gown like nbd, beyond amazing.

She also did an amazing job on my sister's dress (she wanted a bit more coverage for her arms). She made a custom detachable flutter sleeve that is beyond gorgeous.

Try asking around to family and friends to see who they use - you might be surprised!

I bought my kenneth winston couture dress for $2300, it comes with 2x free alterations