Wedding Dress Alterations Cost Explained for Budgeting
Now that you have paid for your dream wedding gown, you must budget for your wedding dress alterations cost. Wedding dress alterations costs are a significant part of a bride’s budget. The alterations process can cause lots of stress because of the expenses to make the wedding gown fit you like a glove. Today, I will be addressing questions and curiosities about the wedding dress alterations cost and secrets about what to ask for when visiting your seamstress.
Wedding dress designers produce their wedding gowns in different sizes based on a size chart specific to the bridal industry. The size chart allows a brand to mass produce their gowns in a series of measurements. Bridal gown sizes are vastly different than regular clothing that you would purchase from a brick-and-mortar store. Very few brides will fit into their wedding gown perfectly and will not need any alterations, if not minimal alterations. This is so rare, so if this is you, consider yourself lucky! Almost every gown needs some type of alteration or customization so it fits how you want it to.
Keep in Mind: Every dress, bride, and seamstress are different. Certain fabrics and beading are harder to work with and take much longer than some other fabrics to work with. If your dress has multiple layers or beading, expect the price to be higher. These items are more intricate and require more time for the seamstress to take apart or work with. The more layers the gown has, the longer it will take to alter, and the higher the price will be.
The Most Common Wedding Gown Alterations
Hemming, adding a bustle, taking in the sides, shortening straps, and adding bust cups are the most common alterations that brides receive on their gowns.
Wedding Dress Alterations Costs
Bridal boutiques alterations process will usually be higher as some bridal shops charge a flat fee for alterations. Beware of this, because you do not want to be paying the same $500 that another bride is paying for minimal alterations. Ask to be charged for only the work you need altered on your gown.
Here is a breakdown of a range of the average wedding dress alteration costs. This will vary based store, seamstress, and time of year.
Hemming: $100-$200
Getting the skirt shortened. More layers, beading, and lace means a higher price
Taking Sides In/Out: $30-$100
It is easier to take a dress in than it is to let the dress out. Some bridal stores might order you a size bigger in this case. Lace and beading on the gown will make the price increase as your seamstress will need to take it apart and carefully sew it back afterwards.
Adding Bra Cups: $20-$40
Brides rarely think about this, but adding extra bra cups will make all the difference.
The Bustle: $40-$200
A gown with long or wide trains will require multiple bustle points across the back of the gown to lift the train off the floor. The number of layers and weight fabric will result in a higher price. Look at my bustle blog post to determine what bustle you would like for your gown. If you are looking to see which bustle is easiest, check out Kleinfeld on bustling a wedding gown skirt.
Some other wedding gown alteration costs:
- Adjusting straps $20-$40
- Taking in sides of skirt/bodice $20-$30
- Adding or shortening straps $40-$200
- Addition of belt/sash $20-$30
- Adding sleeves $200-$400
- Adjusting length of sleeves $40-$80 per sleeve
- Altering back of dress over $300
- Adding/changing zipper $over 100
- Any bead work (depends on seamstress) – around $30 per hour
- Steaming $25-$50
In the end, wedding gown alterations can be expensive. Sometimes they can almost equal the price of the gown bought in the bridal shop. Expect to budget side anywhere from $50-$1000 depending on the layers, beading, and complexity of the alterations needed to your gown. Ask the seamstress to charge you what you only need. Be upfront with your budget so you know exactly know much to budget to pay the seamstress for her work.