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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 beginning your alterations 3–5 months before your wedding, with your first fitting ideally scheduled about 14 weeks out. Most dresses require approximately 3–4 fittings to achieve the ideal fit, with your final pickup typically scheduled about one week before the wedding. This timeline ensures we have ample time for careful adjustments and a stress-free experience.
If your wedding is sooner, don’t worry, expedited timelines are available, and we’ll walk you through your options. You can see our expedited timeline options here.
If you’re still deciding, or would like to talk through what to expect first, you’re welcome to contact us or book a consultation appointment before proceeding with your first fitting.
2. Your First Fitting
To make the most of your first visit, here’s what to bring:
- Your wedding gown!
- Undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day.
- Wedding shoes if you have them. You don't need them until your second fitting so no need to rush out and buy a pair.
- We ask that you bring only one guest to keep your fitting focused and intimate. Too many opinions can sometimes overshadow what you truly want, and we want your experience to center on your vision, not others’ preferences.
- Not required, but you are welcome to bring your veil, jewelry and any accessories. We will ask you to wait to try everything on at the end of your fitting so that we can make sure we have plenty of time to talk through the nuances of your alterations.
At this appointment, you’ll meet with one of our expert bridal fitters who will carefully examine your gown from top to bottom. Together, you’ll discuss the changes you envision, as well as what is realistically possible based on the construction and fabric of your dress. We’ll begin the bodice alterations at this time and talk through your preferences for the hem, bustle styles, and any other adjustments you’d like to consider.
We’ll explain each step of the alterations process, tailoring a custom bridal plan that fits both your gown and your timeline. You’ll receive a transparent, detailed quote for all recommended alterations—so you know exactly what to expect with no surprises. This appointment is designed to give you clarity and confidence to move forward, with your fitter guiding you every step of the way.
3. Hem Fitting
Your next fitting will typically take place approximately 5–8 weeks before the wedding and will focus on the hem. At this stage, we’ll confirm that the bodice fit is complete before moving on to the length of the gown. You must bring the exact shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to this appointment, as we’ll use them to determine and set the proper hemline.
4. Bustle Fitting
Your third fitting, typically scheduled 2-4 weeks before the wedding, is when we design and pin your bustle. Please bring your wedding shoes, as we’ll check the hem length to ensure everything is sitting perfectly. During this appointment, we’ll carefully place and secure your bustle points based on your gown’s style and your preferences.
5. Final Try On/Pickup
At your final pickup appointment, your gown will be ready to take home, beautifully fitted and prepared for your big day. This is also when we’ll walk you through how to do the bustle, so we encourage you to bring someone with you who will be helping you get dressed. We're happy to record a video tutorial using your phone so your day-of team has a clear step-by-step reference. This final visit is a great moment to ask any last-minute questions and leave feeling fully prepared and confident.
6. Steaming and Cleaning
If you'd like your gown professionally refreshed before the big day, we offer optional dry cleaning and steaming services at an additional cost. While brand new dresses typically do not require dry cleaning, secondhand or sample gowns may benefit from it. Cleaning and steaming is handled through our trusted third-party facility, where your gown will be carefully pressed, placed on a form, and packaged to minimize wrinkling. You can view the full pricing for these services here.
Average Alteration Costs 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.**
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 alterations prices
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
- ▶︎Steaming/Dry Cleaning
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Steaming - Simple Gown - $215
Steaming - Complex Gown - $315
Steaming - Veil - $75
Dry Cleaning - Simple Gown - $395
Dry Cleaning - Complex Gown - $495
Dry Cleaning - Veil - $75
(Steaming is included in the price of dry cleaning)