How long does it take to alter a wedding dress?
Ideally, I usually like to start approx 10-12 weeks before your wedding date, I leave it till then because many things can change, weight might fluctuate or shoe style/heel height might change. However, you can choose to have your dress altered when it's most convenient to you. Brides who are considering losing lots of weight, can choose to have their dress altered even closer to the big day, as long as I know and I can get fittings booked in the diary to accommodate this.
I can usually accommodate all brides, however I do operate on a first come first served basis and I take bookings according to your wedding date. If I am full on your wedding date I will offer to get your dress ready for the week before or two weeks before, depending on my bookings.
I can usually accommodate all brides, however I do operate on a first come first served basis and I take bookings according to your wedding date. If I am full on your wedding date I will offer to get your dress ready for the week before or two weeks before, depending on my bookings.
What do I need to have ready for my fitting?
To get the most out of your first fitting, the following items are essential. .......
- Any underwear to try. Final decisions about bodice underwear probably need to be made at the first fitting, bras and corsets can drastically change the shape and position of the bust in the dress. I would probably not want to go ahead with bodice alterations until the bride was happy with their choice. On close fitting dresses, some brides will bring a selection of pant styles to try. Nude is always the best colour for undergarments
- Petticoat and hoops. This one can be a minefield .... Please let me know if you need any advice or help. Hooping will lift the hem of the dress, so I probably wouldn't cut the hem until the bride had decided to hoop or not to hoop.
- Shoes. Obviously needed for your hem length.
HoW many fittings do I need?
Usually most brides have 3 fittings, occasionally I may need more depending on the amount of work required, but I guide you through the process. In the quiet times I can be flexible working round brides diaries, however in the busy season I am usually back to back with fittings and don't have much leeway with last minute changes. I book out an hour for each fitting, which leaves us with plenty of time.
3 fittings are included in the alteration prices, further fittings may be charged for.
3 fittings are included in the alteration prices, further fittings may be charged for.
Do you alter bridesmaid dresses?
Bridal gowns will always take priority, and it really does depend on my much workload. I don't do groups (2+) of bridesmaids, however, if I am altering your bridal gown and you have a bridesmaid dress that needs some work I am happy to do that for you.
Where do fittings take place?
I have a studio/fitting room at my home in Nantwich. I offer appointments on weekdays between 9am and 5pm and the occasional Saturday morning. In peak season, I politely ask that children are left at home please as there are usually pins, needles and scissors in the fitting room.
When is it best to book in?
Most weddings take place between April and October, with the majority being July and August. As a consequence I am usually booked up quite quickly for the busy season. As soon as you decide I am the seamstress for you, please book a first fitting, you are then in my diary and I have committed to completing your alterations.
I do operate on a first come first served basis and I take bookings according to your wedding date. If I am full on your wedding date I may be able to get your dress ready for the week before or two weeks before, depending on my bookings. It's never too early to book in with me, I get full very quickly, so encourage brides to book in with me as soon as they have ordered the dress. Please Note, you will not be booked in with me until your have an email confirmation of the time and date of your first fitting
Please check the BOOK IN page for updates regarding availability.
I do operate on a first come first served basis and I take bookings according to your wedding date. If I am full on your wedding date I may be able to get your dress ready for the week before or two weeks before, depending on my bookings. It's never too early to book in with me, I get full very quickly, so encourage brides to book in with me as soon as they have ordered the dress. Please Note, you will not be booked in with me until your have an email confirmation of the time and date of your first fitting
Please check the BOOK IN page for updates regarding availability.
Can you explain to me about costs
Everything surrounding weddings is expensive and alterations on your gown may be something you haven't budgeted for. However I will try to break the costs down for you...
1. This is has been my profession for the last 23 years I started working in the bridal industry in 2002 having bought a business that made bespoke bridal gowns, I consider myself to have a good degree of expertise in altering gowns and part of what you pay for is the knowledge and expertise gained a over 23 year period.
2. Each fitting I set aside an hour, I see the brides a minimum of 3 times, so 3 hours of fittings which I include in the price of the alterations.
4. Bridal alterations can take a number of hours to complete. For example, a lace hem can take 2 - 4 hours to unpick and 6-8 hours to attach back again, that's without the other layers being measured cut and sewn. I set aside a whole day for a dress with a lace hem, just to finish the all the layers and sew everything back on for the final fitting. Replacing beading or lace motifs can take up 6 hours after the alterations have been sewn.
Dresses with lace or bead work will be more expensive due to the hours spent hand sewing the dresses at the end
1. This is has been my profession for the last 23 years I started working in the bridal industry in 2002 having bought a business that made bespoke bridal gowns, I consider myself to have a good degree of expertise in altering gowns and part of what you pay for is the knowledge and expertise gained a over 23 year period.
2. Each fitting I set aside an hour, I see the brides a minimum of 3 times, so 3 hours of fittings which I include in the price of the alterations.
4. Bridal alterations can take a number of hours to complete. For example, a lace hem can take 2 - 4 hours to unpick and 6-8 hours to attach back again, that's without the other layers being measured cut and sewn. I set aside a whole day for a dress with a lace hem, just to finish the all the layers and sew everything back on for the final fitting. Replacing beading or lace motifs can take up 6 hours after the alterations have been sewn.
Dresses with lace or bead work will be more expensive due to the hours spent hand sewing the dresses at the end
How and when do i have to pay?
I will quote a price at your first fitting, I will need £100 to begin the work on your dress. The balance is payable at your last fitting when the work is complete and you are happy. I prefer cash, card or bank transfers, but I can take a card payment if necessary. I don't release dresses until the work is paid for. I also ask brides to sign a dress release form confirming they are happy with the work completed. (It is of the upmost importance to me that you are happy with whatever work I do for you towards your big day. My business is built up on my good reputation so please speak up if you feel anything is not quite as it should be, I will happily change or alter for you)
Can you put something on my train to shorten it for the evening?
Yes! There a few different options for this and will depend on the length, width and fabric of your train.
Can you add sleeves and straps to my dress?
More often than not yes it is possible to add some sort of sleeve or strap. or change an existing one. Please email with a picture and I can discuss. [email protected].
Please be aware that this kind of addition can require a lot of work and be expensive. I am happy to estimate a price, I also offer a free half hour consultation if you want to discuss you ideas in person, please use the contact page to get in touch
Please be aware that this kind of addition can require a lot of work and be expensive. I am happy to estimate a price, I also offer a free half hour consultation if you want to discuss you ideas in person, please use the contact page to get in touch
My dress has a lace hem, can the length be altered?
Yes, There are lots of dresses with lace hems at the moment. The usual way to alter a lace hem is to remove the edging, alter the dress and all the layers and hand sew the lace edging back on. Taking the edging off and sewing back on is time consuming, so please allow plenty of time to complete this. Costs for this can start at approx £140 to do this type of edging because of the hand sewing required.
When is the best time to book in for my alterations
Most established bridal seamstresses can get booked up very quickly. Therefore, it's better to make contact and get booked in a few months prior to you actually needing the alteration service. I am often taking bookings up to a year in advance. So the sooner the better!
POSTPONEMENT and cancellation
At the moment, I don't take a deposit to book your space with me and I don't really want to go down that route. However, please, lovely brides if your wedding is postponed or cancelled, or you simply don't need my services anymore please drop me an email or text. I am self employed and every bride not turning up for her appointment can have a massive effect on me. I am strict on the number of brides I take in a month, as I want to do a good job for you all, and I can easily fill the vacant space as long as I know. x