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Wedding Gown Process and Details
You bring the gown; we’ll handle the fit with trusted guidance, a clear process, and a focus on your ideal look.
The Process
Book Your First Fitting Here
1. Schedule Your Appointment
We recommend starting alterations 3–5 months before your wedding, with your first fitting about 14 weeks out. Most gowns need 3–4 fittings, and final pickup is typically one week before the wedding. There’s no need to book before your dress arrives, as we usually have same or next-day availability, and we’re open evenings and weekends to fit your schedule.
If your wedding is sooner than 14 weeks away, expedited options are available, and we’ll walk you through every step. You can see our expedited timeline options here.
You're welcome to contact us or book a consultation appointment if you’d like to talk through the process before your first fitting.
2. Your First Fitting (14 Weeks Out)
To make the most of your first visit, please bring:
- Your wedding gown
- The undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day
- Wedding shoes if you have them (not required until your second fitting)
We kindly ask that you bring only one guest to keep the experience focused on your vision. You’re welcome to bring your veil, jewelry, or other accessories, though we’ll save trying these until the end so we have plenty of time to review your alterations.
At this appointment, you’ll meet with your fitter, who will carefully assess your gown and begin bodice alterations. Together, you’ll discuss hem and bustle options, review a detailed quote, and create a personalized alteration plan. This first step is designed to give you clarity and confidence, with your fitter guiding you every step of the way.
3. Hem Fitting (5-8 Weeks Out)
We finalize the bodice and set your gown’s length. Bring your exact wedding shoes so we can perfect the hemline.
4. Bustle Fitting (2-4 Weeks Out)
With your shoes on, we design and pin your bustle, making sure it fits your gown’s style and your preferences.
5. Final Try On/Pickup (1-2 Weeks Out)
Your gown will be ready to take home, freshly steamed and beautifully fitted. We’ll show you how to do the bustle, record a quick tutorial if you’d like, and answer any final questions.
6. Cleaning (Optional)
For secondhand or sample gowns, we offer professional dry cleaning through our trusted partner facility. Your dress will be carefully pressed, placed on a form, and packaged to minimize wrinkling.
Average Alteration Cost by Style
PLEASE NOTE: Every wedding gown is different, and the final cost of alterations can vary depending on a number of factors including the way the dress is constructed, the type of fabric, and the scope of work involved. Dresses with intricate hand work like lace, beading, appliqué, or delicate layers often require more time and advanced skill, which can increase the cost.
Ultimately, how much or how little is done to your gown is entirely up to you. Some brides prefer a full tailoring experience with structural changes and detailed refinements, while others may opt for just a few key adjustments. During your first fitting, we’ll walk through everything together and provide a detailed quote so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.
**The prices listed are general averages intended to help you plan. Every gown is unique, and your specific alteration needs may fall below or above these ranges. We are unable to guarantee that your dress will align with the average costs shown.
*If you’re considering purchasing a sample gown that falls significantly outside your usual size range, please expect higher alteration costs, as substantial adjustments may be needed to achieve a consistent and proper fit throughout the entirety of the dress.
Wedding Gown Alterations Timeline
Our bridal alterations process is designed to take place over approximately 14 weeks with 3–4 fittings. Your first fitting should be booked no later than 14 weeks before the wedding. However, we can, and frequently do, work with brides on shorter timelines.
If your timeline is shorter, we can still accommodate your gown through an expedited process. In these cases, a fee is applied based on how much time remains before your event. This fee reflects the additional staffing and schedule adjustments required to complete your alterations on a tighter timeline.
You’ll find a breakdown of expedited fees by timeline below to help guide your planning.
- ▶︎Expedited Timeline Chart
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Time Until Wedding (or Departure) Date Expedited Timeline Fee Under 14 Weeks +25% Under 11 Weeks +50% Under 8 Weeks +75% Under 5 Weeks +100% Under 3 Weeks +200%
Wedding Gown alteration pricing
Wedding gowns are often designed with intricate details, delicate fabrics, and complex construction that can require more time and specialized skill to alter than everyday garments. Because of this, pricing can vary depending on the style, structure, and specific needs of your dress. That said, we always reference the pricing guide below as our starting point, and we’re committed to transparent pricing—no surprises. At your first fitting, we’ll walk through everything together and provide a clear breakdown of the alterations recommended and the exact cost.
- ▶︎Bodice/Hips
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Sides lined - $215
Sides lined blend past waist seam - $290
Center back lined - $185
Zipper on seam - add on charge - $115
Button and Loop Closure on seam - add on charge - $205
Add bust darts - w/ lining - $215
Princess seams - w/ lining - $265
Add cups - no lining - $75
Add cups - under lining - $110
Boning (per piece) - $35+
- ▶︎Sleeves/Straps
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Shorten straps - spaghetti - $110
Straps - $185
Straps - illusion top - $245
Shorten Halter Collar - $190
Shorten sleeve - no lining - rolled hem (per sleeve) - $70
Shorten sleeve - w/lining - rolled hem (per sleeve) - $110
Shorten sleeve - enclosed (per sleeve) - $215
Taper sleeve w/ lining (per sleeve) - $115
Taper sleeve - unlined with finished seams (per sleeve) - $145
Taper sleeve - unlined with raw edge (per sleeve) - $85
- ▶︎Hem
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Hem up to 120” circumference (per layer):
Cut - $170
Serged - $190
1/4” finished - $190
Blind - $245
Lettuce Edge Hem - $245
Enclosed - $285
Horse hair - $380
Lace - $525
Beaded Lace - $1045
Hem over 120” circumference (per layer):
Cut - $250
Serged - $265
1/4” finished - $265
Blind - $380
Lettuce Edge Hem - $380
Enclosed - $500
Horse hair - $665
Lace - $920
Beaded Lace - $1,660
Hem over 240” circumference (per layer):
Cut - $335
Serged - $370
1/4” finished - $370
Blind - $530
Lettuce Edge Hem - $530
Enclosed - $665
Horse hair - $995
Lace - $1,365
Beaded Lace - $2,385
- ▶︎Advanced Alterations
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Reshape neckline - $300
Reshape low back - $400
Move/Take in illusion panel (per panel) - $150
Make and Install Panels (set of 2) - $470
Shoulders - w/ sleeve - w/ lining - $600
Reshape armholes - w/ lining - $300
Shorten Bodice – Lined - $530
Shorten Bodice – Gathered waistband – Lined - $470
Shorten Bodice – Multiple Tulle Layers - $995
Shorten Bodice – Corset Structure and Finishings - $1190
(bias cut, corset structure and finishings, embellishments, beading, and applique will be spot priced based on size of work area and complexity)
- ▶︎Bustle
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Bustle (first 3 points) - $135
Bustle (additional point) - $21
Wrist Loop - $85
- ▶︎Add ons
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Attach Pre-Made Straps (set of 2) - $150
Make Premade Straps Removable (set of 2) - $135
Make and Attach Straps (set of 2) - $290
Attach Pre-Made Sleeves (set of 2) - $510
Make Pre-Made Sleeves Removable (set of 2) - $400
Make Sleeves Removable - $530
Make Straps Removable - $245
Make and Attach Off The Shoulder Sleeves - $455
Make Bow – Under 6” – No Ties - $65
Make Bow – 6-12” – No Ties - $100
Make Bow – 12”+ – No Ties - $165
Make Bow – Under 6” – With Ties - $125
Make Bow – 6-12” – With Ties - $190
Make Bow – 12”+ – With Ties - $325
Add Slit – off seam - $415
Add Slit – off seam – additional layer – not enclosed - $185
Add Slit – off seam – additional layer – enclosed - $250
Add Slit – on seam - $185
Add slit – on seam – additional layer – not enclosed - $125
Add slit – on seam – additional layer – enclosed - $145
Move Belt - $150
Move Pockets - $150
Move Godet (per layer) - $90
Add hook/snap/tack - $15
Add bridal button - $12
Shorten Veil from Crown - $110
- ▶︎Dry Cleaning/Preservation
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Dry Cleaning - Simple Gown - $395
Dry Cleaning - Complex Gown - $495
Dry Cleaning - Veil - $75
Preservation - $135