the Cost of Alterations and Mending

In 3 appointments: first was the fitting. You must wear all that you are going to wear with the dress- bra, slip, heels because it all affects how the dress fits and needs to be altered. She had me put on all my garments and she did the measurements. Takes over an hour. Second appointment: the fitting- All garments tried on for size to make certain of proper fit and comfort. She took in 2 sizes and up 3 inches, sewed in the strapless bar and bustled the train. Third appointment was a week before the wedding (she stored the gown at her location) to make sure the fit was still perfect and a "refresher course" on how-to bustle the train.

I did much research on the best alteration service in the area for wedding gowns and this name kept popping up so I knew I was getting good service. She did a very through job and offered above and beyond services such as storage of the gown (although for an extra fee) that no other service offered. On the down side- she was really over booked. I had to schedule my appointments weeks, even over a month in advance. Furthermore- each appointment she would be running behind in schedule and I would wait up to a half an hour or more.

The pricing was not explained so I was a bit taken back when I received the initial bill of $625 for the alterations- not including storage or steaming.

First, ask for pricing guidelines and an estimate. It may be cheaper to get another dress or special order the same one in your size. Next, ask availability. If the service is the best in the area, chances are she's over-worked and over-booked and going to put a bigger strain on your wedding plans. But be sure you are completely satisfied with the how the gown looks when completed because if you don't mention it up front she may charge you for another service. Therefore, be sure to wear all essentials at the fitting to ensure a proper fit because it may not fit right later.