Wedding Dress Alterations FAQ’s

Wedding Dress Alterations: Commonly Asked Questions

Your wedding day is one of the most significant and memorable days of your life, and your wedding dress should reflect that. It’s not just about finding something beautiful – it’s about finding a gown that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and uniquely you. Whether you buy a dress off the rack or wait for your order, customising or altering your wedding dress can ensure it’s perfect in every way. Whether you’re adding a personal touch or making alterations to achieve a flawless fit, alterations are key to getting your dream gown.

Who will do the alterations on my wedding dress?

At our bridal boutique in Essex we have a dedicated in-house seamstress, plus we work closely with a number of other highly recommended industry seamstresses. Our brides have the option of having their fittings in our boutique or, if more convenient, attending their fitting more locally to them. All alterations and customisations should only be carried out by a recommended bridal seamstress, preferably recommended by the shop where you purchase your dress.

Are alterations additional to the cost of my wedding dress?

Yes. It is important that the cost of alterations is NOT included in the price of your dress. Firstly, it means you are not paying more than you need in alterations. If a shop includes £400 in the price of a dress for alterations, and you only need £150 of work done, then you are overpaying. Secondly, it means you are not limited in what you want to have done to your dress. You can talk through all of the changes that need to be made and agree a price in advance with the seamstress.

How much do alterations cost?

Any reputable bridal seamstress will charge according to the amount of time it will take them. Plus any materials they may have to purchase. This can depend upon the complexity of the dress or the amount of work that is involved. But you should receive an approximate quote after the first fitting. We usually advise that you allow an average of £200 – £350 for alterations, although it could be significantly less. Or more, depending on what you would like to do to your dress.

When should I have my alterations done?

We recommend having your first fitting at least 3 months before your wedding. If this is not possible, most seamstresses will be able to complete alterations in 2 months. In the event of very tight turnaround times, we will always do our best to accommodate. We certainly do not recommend losing (or gaining) significant amounts of weight after you have had your alterations completed.

Does the bridal shop make money from my alterations?

Some shops DO charge a commission or a fitting fee. However, The White Wedding House does NOT make any money from alterations. Each customer pays our seamstress directly and we do not take any commission from this. Our aim is to keep the cost as low as possible for our customers, as well as providing this service to all of our brides as part of our end to end customer service. Ensuring that every bride is taken care of at the highest level, from start to finish.

When do I get my dress back?

Your dress will be kept by your bridal seamstress whilst the alterations are being carried out. You may have anything from 1 to 4 fittings, depending on work to be done. Usually alterations can be done over 2 or 3 fittings. Your dress will be collected upon completion of payment to the seamstress and it should be wedding ready! Pressed and ready to go!

Our top tip is to invest in a hand held steamer just to give every outfit a little freshen up before the big day!

To book your appointment at our Essex Bridal Boutique call 01277 280575