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Beginner February 2020

Very Expensive Alterations. . . ???

REN, on November 16, 2019 at 11:06 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 7

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Just looking for opinions, and maybe some reassurance (even though there is really nothing I can do about it now).

I went in to get my wedding dress alterations today and the total came out to over $800. The shop is reputable and my friend went to this shop to get alterations for a new dress last minute when a different seamstress ruined her original dress.

Most of the pricing seemed fair; what made the price so high was really just the hem: $450.

I am wearing the Love Note gown from BHLDN, which I purchased at a heavily discounted price, so there is a pretty intricate lace pattern that the tailor seemed adamant about maintaining. From my limited sewing experience, and what they charged me, it will take some time and a lot of work to complete while keeping the integrity of the lace.

I realize the good answer is to not have it hemmed and wear heels, but my husband and I are the same height without shoes and my family likes to crack jokes (*eye roll*).

For context, I live in the San Diego area and they quoted about 3-4 weeks to finish the alterations. Based on what I've read for the area, prices seem about the same around town for the recommended tailors, minus the hem (which I should have, but didn't, show to other tailors).

Does this seem like I got duped?

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7 Comments

Latest activity by Meghan, on November 17, 2019 at 2:06 PM

Legend March 2017
Pirate & 60s Bride · on November 16, 2019 at 11:57 PM
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I don’t think that’s outrageous. The bridal shop I worked at quoted $650-$850 as a base price for average alterations, nothing tricky. Sounds like your lace & design is more intricate.
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Super November 2020
Ashley · on November 17, 2019 at 12:01 AM
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I also work at a bridal shop, but my dress was quoted at $400 total. I have to have the waist taken in, a hem, and some additional boning in the cups.
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Super September 2020
Amber · on November 17, 2019 at 12:27 AM
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I was told alterations can be pricey. I haven't got my quote yet for my alterations but I know I'll need a hem and a bustle.

I would check around or see if the bridal store have any recommendations for another business that offers alterations th
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VIP May 2015
KiwiDerbyBride · on November 17, 2019 at 6:41 AM
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I have a costumier friend who made her daughter’s wedding dress. The hem took her a full working week to do, due to the intricacies. That’s a full 40 hours of work on just the hem. The hem on your dress does look very intricate so I don’t think that’s an unreasonable price.
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Devoted February 2020
Jessica · on November 17, 2019 at 9:43 AM
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Alterations are pricey. I am paying about $680 in Dallas. My dress was only $750. That's hard for me to admit since I initially purchased a $200 dress and then returned it.

I too have a lace hem. She will have to remove the lace from the dress, hem it and the reapply the lace, amongst other alterations. I trust her over say Davids Bridal because she has tons of reviews and she was very thorough in her assessment of what needs to happen. I think it is BS that a dress needs that much work to fit properly to be honest. She told me from her experience she's not the cheapest and she's not the most expensive. She also jokingly said she should start a business where she goes with the bride on the front end to give them a rough estimate on alterations before they purchase the dress because she has seen budget brides needing much more in alterations than the dress itself.
I called another shop and she said she starts at $500.
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Beginner February 2020
REN · on November 17, 2019 at 10:03 AM
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Thanks for your comments ladies!! I had a weird feeling about it, but I'm definitely feeling much better now!! I knew it was going to be pricey, but I think I just needed some reassurance. Thanks again!! Good luck with everything!
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Devoted April 2020
Meghan · on November 17, 2019 at 2:06 PM
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My dress designer makes dresses with a shortened length but it was an additional $300 to do so. It was still going to be too long so I didn’t go this route. But based on the designer price to ship it shortened, I’m expecting it to not be cheap!
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