Bridal Alteration Costs
Why should you set aside a budget for alteration costs when you plan your wedding? Almost every bridal outfit needs some bridal alterations to fit it perfectly, unless you had your wedding gown made bespoke. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality bridal alteration services for the fit of your outfit and its finish, which is why renowned bridal designers recommend us.
Bridal alteration charges can vary depending on the dress style, fabric type, how the dress fits you, potential style changes, and the timeframe, and can range from £250 to £1300.
Why is it challenging to provide an immediate quote for your bridal alterations charges?
Each bridal style and finish requires different alterations and restyling. We cost each bridal dress and its alterations individually. We examine your dress, its construction, and how it fits you to estimate the necessary alterations. At the end of the appointment, we estimate charges based on the time spent on alterations and fitting.
Bridal charges
The hourly rate for bridal alterations is £90. Charges are based on real-tailoring-time and are due before you collect your dress. A 50% deposit payment is payable after your first fitting.
Bridal fitting £90/hour
Bridal alterations £90/hour
Express charges 6weeks 15%, 4 weeks 20%, 2 weeks 25%
Indicative estimates for regular bridal alterations
- £90 – to shorten ONE skirt layer of your dress, side-to-side, note it is for ONE dress layer only. Charges can vary depending on the dress style, fabric type and finish.
- £135 – to shorten a dress layer, supported by crinoline to add volume to your skirt. Why? Because the crinoline band needs to be unpicked and reapplied by hand
- £60 – to shorten slim straps
- £135 – £180 to take in the waist from the armhole to the waist, depending on the dress style and fabric; charges may vary, e.g. for corseted and boned corsets
Fitting charges
Because we offer a professional bridal alteration service, we charge a fitting fee of £90/hr for each appointment, except your collection appointment, which is free. Appointments take between 45mins – 1.5hrs, depending on the dress style.
Express service
We recommend booking your first bridal fitting 2 to 3 months before your wedding. If you need your bridal wear altered more quickly, we offer an express service with a turnaround time of less than 6 weeks. The express service will affect your bridal alteration charges.
Let us know your budget
Bridal alterations can be costly depending on the dress style and the complexity of the adjustments. They do not necessarily align with the purchase price of a bridal outfit but relate to the time it takes to fit your dress well. Remember, quality comes with a price. We aim to maintain your bridal gown’s integrity and original finishes while offering solutions that might save costs.
What keeps alteration costs low?
Choosing a dress that works with your body shape
Buying a dress you like rather than buying one you want to change and restyle.
Purchase a dress closest to your dress size, if necessary, slightly bigger than too small.
What results in high bridal alterations costs?
Dresses with many full skirt layers; each layer needs to be pinned and shortened
Complex fabrics – laces and embellishments – fabrics need to be hand-finished
Extensive style changes – restyling neck and backlines
Corseted dress styles – to alter boned corsets takes time
Sample dresses – significantly too big or too small – dresses almost need re-tailoring.
To find out more about your alteration charges, please email us and send us some photographs.
We look forward to hearing from you. Your B&A Team
Find out more about our team here.