How Much Do Wedding Dress Alterations Cost?
Alas! You have found the perfect wedding dress. However, it is either too small or too big. This is not a problem, since wedding dresses can be altered. How much do wedding dress alterations cost? This varies from seamstress to seamstress. Most wedding dresses need adjustments, especially when you want your dress to fit your proportions perfectly.
How much do wedding dress alterations cost? Alterations can either be cheap or expensive, depending on the wedding dress and how much you want to be altered. However, a bride spends an average of 75 to 250 dollars on alterations. You can call around and look for a cheaper deal if you are on a tight budget. Here are some things you need to know about wedding dress alterations.
Rules of Thumb
- If you are planning to wear your mother's dress on your wedding day, then a full-blown alteration will sound like a good idea. However, if you are planning to purchase a new dress, get an accurate size. If you purchase a tight dress, it can be challenging to make it bigger. Plus, it might not look as beautiful afterward.
- Never buy a wedding dress that is more than size larger than your actual size. Dresses, in general, are proportionally cut all over the whole dress. The shoulders, bodice, and neckline will all be over-sized. If only the right seams are taken in, for example, the wedding gown may not fit right. It can be extremely uncomfortable to wear too. Stay close to your correct size when getting your dress altered to get the best fit.
Piece-by-piece: How much do wedding dress alterations cost?
How much do wedding dress alterations cost piece-by-piece? Here is a breakdown of what each part of the dress will cost when altered.
The Cups ($20-$30)
Cups are essential for wedding dresses but usually forgotten. The cost will vary in its alteration, but you will most likely pay $20-$30.
The Hem ($120-$200)
The most altered part of a wedding gown is the bottom part. The hem is a complicated part of a dress if you look closely. The horsehair or the horse braid is a plastic webbing in a dress. Altering this is a bit pricier than other parts. The price goes higher if you have laces or beads at the bottom part of your wedding dress. Expect it to go up even more if you have more trinkets in that area.
The Bustle ($55-$95)
A bustle is only needed if you have a train. Seamstresses usually make the most profit when they add bustles to wedding gowns. They can put as much as 35 bustles to raise the price. These bustle points can be difficult to decipher; hence, the price increase. However, it would help if you were vigilant since some seamstresses tend to push the numbers and overprice the alterations.
The Sides ($50-$100)
Most of the time, the sides of the wedding dress are too big for the bride. This is because the bridal boutique often provides a size allowance so that the gown will surely fit the bride. Like the other parts of the wedding dress, beadings and laces will increase the alteration cost. There may also be additional charges for the hips, the bust area, and along the other seams.
How much do wedding dress alterations cost? It depends on the part you want to get altered. If you are planning to modify the whole wedding dress, then expect more expenses.
Why do I need to alter my dress?
If you bought your wedding dress in a local boutique shop or a mainstream designer, know that they produce these dresses based on the size chart. A size chart includes a series of measurements so that the dresses can be mass-produced. These are usually mass-produced in a factory to sell to bridal stores.
Each boutique or designer has their own size chart. They have their own measurements for the hips, bust, and waist. Women's sizes cannot always be consistent with these size charts, and that's why dress alterations exist.
Conclusion
How much do wedding dress alterations cost? As mentioned, there is no fixed price. The sure-fire way to cut back on the expenses is to choose a wedding dress that best fits you. However, if the dress of your dreams has some parts that need some mending, then it would not hurt to spend a few bucks for it. It is for your most special day, after all. You may also opt to alter your own dress, but that is only advisable if you have experience as a seamstress. Find out more about wedding dresses.
