STUDIO JOURNAL

As an award-winning bridal atelier, we unravel the cost of wedding dress alterations for you.

Why does my wedding dress need to be altered to fit?

Finding your perfect wedding dress is such a wonderful moment! Buying your wedding dress is often the start of all the exciting events leading up to your big day. However, we understand it can also be quite overwhelming too.

Unless you have a bespoke wedding dress (i.e., completely custom-made), wedding dresses need to be altered to fit you correctly. This is because dresses are mostly made to one size (for example, a dress size 12), using measurements based on specific hip, waist, and bust measurements. Your bridal shop will be able to explain this in detail to you.

But when it comes to fitting you perfectly, there is much more to consider. To achieve the perfect fit, our bridal seamstresses will shape your dress to you. This includes considering your height and where your waist sits.

How are wedding dress alteration costs calculated?

At THE MODISTE, we base our wedding dress alteration costs on what specifically needs to be done to your dress. We take into account how complex your wedding dress is, rather than having a set alteration cost per dress. So, if you just need your wedding dress hem length shortened, your cost estimate will be a lot cheaper than a bride who needs more complex changes.

We will pin your dress at your first wedding dress fitting appointment and will give you a cost estimate for alterations. This is a free quotation and there is no obligation for you to use our services at this point. If you decide to go ahead, we start working on your wedding dress.

What if I change weight in the lead-up to my wedding?

First things first, you do not need to change your weight at all. Your partner loves you for you. However, we do want to give our advice on this because we are asked it so often.

It won’t change our cost estimate if you do change weight before your wedding. This is because we do not completely finish off the seams on your wedding dress until your final fitting. This appointment typically happens around three weeks before your wedding day.

This means that all the material for your wedding dress will still be in the inside, because we have not cut anything yet. As a result, we can still alter the fit without any additional cost to you.

What will affect my wedding dress alterations cost?

Alterations that were not originally discussed and costed at the beginning will change your cost estimate.

The cost of your wedding dress alterations will change if you need, or want, any additional changes such as adding sleeves, or buttons down the back of your dress.

At your final wedding dress fitting, we will advise you that we will now ‘finish your dress off.’ At this point, we need you to try to stay the same size! This is around three weeks before your wedding, so we give as much time as possible for any changes that may happen. For example, we are very experienced in helping pregnant brides-to-be with their wedding dresses.