Although I have sewn since I was a little girl, I altered my first wedding gown for a bride who was not friend or family about ten years ago. Since then, I have altered hundreds of wedding gowns for local brides here in San Francisco.
Bridal alterations sans redesign work can usually be completed in three fittings provided the bride is prepared with her undergarments and shoes and does not have a desire to lose over five pounds before the wedding.
It is really true that without the undergarments I cannot fit the bodice and without the shoes I cannot fit the hem and bustle.
When a bride comes for her first fitting she can expect to learn what needs to be done to the dress for a perfect fit, and exactly what that will cost. This figure will not change unless work is added to or taken away from the list of work. At this time, a deposit of 50% of the total must be provided, with the balance becoming due upon completion.
At the final fitting, I may suggest that we schedule an "emergency fitting" about two to three weeks before the wedding date. The day before the appointment the bride tries on the gown and if last minute alterations are necessary then they can be provided for. This way, a bride needn’t worry about losing or gaining a bit of weight at the last minute. Usually there is no charge for the work done on an emergency fitting, but sometimes, it is necessary.
I also offer quick turnaround appointments which is when we do all the work (maybe three fittings) in one or two weeks. This type of schedule is generally reserved for brides who are losing over 30 pounds before the wedding date, brides whose gown will not arrive until just before the wedding date, brides who are expecting to have an expanding waistline before the wedding date, and brides who live out of the area and won’t be returning until just before the wedding. Quick turnaround appointments must be scheduled several months in advance.
Bridal alterations very seldom exceed $500.00 and usually fall in the $325-$450 range.
Brides are welcome to have their maids, friends and mothers with them at fittings. (Men can sit in the waiting room down the hall until the bride is in her gown, and are then welcome in the studio.) Cameras are fine. Trying on jewelry and veils is fine too, provided that the appointment doesn’t exceed the 45 minute length. I do ask that babies be kept in strollers, car seats or held in arms…I love to see them but my studio is not baby proof.
I prefer to see any bride sooner rather than later. If weight loss is not an issue, then even six months before the wedding date is fine for me. I like to start work at the very least, six weeks before the wedding. Be sure to schedule well in advance though, as I do book up pretty quickly.
Examples of bridal alterations are: Miranda, Hilary, Julie and Lorien.
I have worked on gowns by the following designers:
Alvina Valenta, Amsale/Amsale for Kleinfeld, Amy Kuschel, Amy Michelson, Angel Sanchez, Ann Barge, Bonaparte, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Elizabeth Fillmore, Jenny Packam, Jim Hjelm, Judd Waddell, Justin Alexander Couture, Kenneth Pool, Kristie Kelly for Disney, Lazaro, Marisa, Melissa Sweet, Mikaella, Monique Lhuillier, Maggie Sottero, Oscar de la Renta, Paloma Blanca, Peter Langner, Priscilla of Boston, Pronovias, Rivini, Reem Acra, Richard Glasgow, Ristarose, Romona Kaveza, Saison Blanche Boutique/Couture, Ulla Maija, Vera Wang.