Frequently Asked Questions

What bridal gown alterations do you offer?

We offer all alterations required to achieve expert tailoring and customizations. This Includes all level of hemming, bustling, and tailoring. We are happy to work with you to do far more than that! Our goal at The Town Seamstress is to help you feel the absolute best you can in your formalwaer and we’d be ecstatic to work with you to tailor and customize. We are bustle masters capable of bustling the most difficult trains. We also excel in design and are capable of creating custom sleeves.

What aspects of my gown should I have altered?

We are happy to give suggestions and cost estimates via email or text by sending us photos or your gown or you in your gown. Each project is unique. Typically when you purchase a new or unaltered gown hemming, bustling, tailoring, strap adjument, and bra cup addition are commonly needed alterations.

How long before my wedding should I come in for alterations?

If your gown is only in need or minor changes, such as a hem, bustle, strap alteration, or small fitting adjustment, we recommend that you come in 10-12 weeks before your wedding date. This time-frame gives us plenty of flexibility to work with sourcing materials and still allows minimal change to the body before the event.

On the other hand, if your gown needs major alterations in size or you are looking to have extensive custom work done, we recommend coming in at least 3-5 months before your wedding date. That way we will be sure we have enough time to complete your project.

On a final note, if you expect your body to change in a way that would affect the fit of the gown, or if you are having extensive custom work done that will require updates, we will likely need to make several fittings throughout the process so we can be sure we’re making the gown exactly to your specifications. If not, you will likely only need one fitting.

How much will my alterations cost?

Unfortunately, this is a question that really can’t be answered on a FAQ page. In order to really know the cost of your alterations, you’ll need to get in contact with us, either in person, over the phone, or through email, so we can give you an estimate. Even then, to know the exact amount alterations will cost, you will need to make an appointment for a proper fitting. 

The average wedding gown alterations run somewhere between $600 and $1,000 for alterations, but again, there is really no way to know for sure how much you will need to spend without reaching out.

Who should I bring with me to my alterations appointment?

Ideally, when you’re having your first fitting we recommend bringing no more than three guests.

For second fittings, you can bring a guest, but it’s not entirely necessary. Generally, a second fitting is more like a check-up to make sure everything is on track.

For your pick up appointment, we recommend again bringing no more than three guests. It is best to have these guests be someone who will be helping you get ready on your wedding day, as we will be able to instruct them on how best to get you in and out of your gown as well as how to properly put up and take down your bustle. This can certainly be done alone, but it is often easier to get the hang of a bustle with another person there. We do record our tailoring bustling your gown for instruction use on your big day.

What should I bring with me to my alterations appointment?

Your alterations appointment is a little bit like a low-stakes spiritual dress rehearsal. In keeping with that idea, we recommend bringing the undergarments (shape wear, corset, etc) and shoes you plan on wearing on your wedding day to make sure that everything is fit to precisely how it will be the day of. We offer many sizes of bra cups. We recommend that you have cups sewn into your gown as opposed to wearing a bra.

If you do not yet have your shoes for your wedding, we recommend bringing in a pair that has a similar fit and heel so we can make sure your dress is the correct length. If you have not yet picked out your shoes, we would highly recommend you try to do so before coming in for your appointment.

Lastly, payment for your alterations is made upfront, so we ask you to bring a credit card, check, or cash with you for your first appointment.

What is an alterations appointment like?

Your first fitting is about getting to know you and your gown. We’ll spend time talking about how you feel about your gown and address any upfront concerns. After talking, we’ll have you get into your gown and then we will work top to bottom as we talk about your needs and desires and begin pinning areas for adjustment. At the bottom, as we measure and pin the hem, we recommend taking a moment to look at yourself in the mirror and consider all the details of your gown, so we can make any final adjustments you may desire. We pin a bustle so you can feel and decide on the final look of that alteration.

After all of that, we will help you get out of your gown and work on setting up your next appointments. 

For your second fitting, the process should usually be a lot quicker. The purpose of the second fitting is to make sure everything is going the way you desire. Sometimes the gown will not be fully completed at your second fitting, and this is to allow us to check in with you. This helps prevent us from having to potentially undo work we’ve already completed. 

If, during your time away from your gown, you have decided you would like drastic changes made to any part of it, the second fitting can also serve as a time to nail down what those changes are. 

Lastly is the simplest of all, your pickup appointment. Your pickup appointment is the time to try on the gown and be positive everything fits well. It’s also the time to learn how to best get in and out of your gown, how to do your bustle if you have one, and any other tips on features your gown may have. Once you’ve confirmed the fit, your gown is ready to be taken home. This appointment is typically 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding date.