I'm going to start shopping for a wedding dress soon and I'm wondering ...?

Question

If I buy a dress from a store...how much should I expect to spend to get it altered (I'm a little shorter than most people)? My budget is $1500 for the dress and alterations and I need to know how much I can spend on the dress itself so I have enough left for alterations.

Answer 1

I am 5'1" it cost me (i even ordered the dress in petite) about $200.00 to have it altered, but there was four layers to my dress and they charged by the hour, and they did a bustle

Answer 2

$1500 is a huge budget for a wedding dress and really not necessary. I suppose you could browse and have less limitations with that much money. Don't be surprised though you'll probably wind up finding a dress that's more in the $800 range and alterations are about $200. When you buy a dress that's $1500 you're just buying the name.

Answer 3

Check with the store you purchase it from. They may include minor alterations or any alterations in with the price of the dress. If not, they should have a chart or be able to give you a list of different alterations available and the costs for them. You should also check with your local dry cleaners that offer alterations. They may charge less for the alterations and throw in the cleaning/pressing of the dress!

Answer 4

I got my dress for around $800. Soooo expensive for me, but I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't look at prices, only at what I liked. The alterations will cost AT THE MOST $100. I got it at a fancy, small, private, old, well-known shop in town. Could have got it a little cheaper at a different (new) place in the next town, but I went with the tried and true, despite the price.

$1500 should be more than enough....plus, if you're that short (not to sound rude...wow, it does. Sorry) you should be able to order it in a shorter (not necessarily petite size) length.

Answer 5

I bought my dress at David's Bridal, it was brand new for the season and it was $500. I had alterations for the train only and it was $127. It gets spendy. You can also go to a regular seamstress to get alterations, but the bridal places usually like to do them. If you are just a little shorter, you may luck out and be okay with your length, maybe a bit higher heal. For $1500 you should be able to get Cinderella.

Answer 6

I bought my wedding dress at JCPenny warehouse. It was a beautiful dress with a 6 foot train and lace and the whole 9 yards! It cost me $300.00. It then cost me $125.00 to have it altered because I am shorter then most also! I had been looking in the local stores and I couldnt find something as extravagent as I was looking for , for under $1500.00! Someone told me to try the Outlet Warehouse and I was amazed. I ended up with one of the most beautiful dresses for 1/4 the cost! Congrates!

Answer 7

When you go to different shops, ask about their alteration price. One of the shops I went to said $30 an hour for the work, and another said $20. It just depends. A lot of dresses that have extensive beadwork come in specific lengths. Its called hallow to hem or hem to hallow. I forget! But, that way the dress comes exactly the length that you need and it won't require any further alterations.

Answer 8

If you think the only altering needed will be in the length then I recommend $150 for alterations. If you believe it may need altering elsewhere like the waist or bust or even the bustle then leave $350 for alterations. Best of luck in your search.

Answer 9

It should be less that $500.00. You can get a great dress for $1000.00, especially if you shop the sales. I think mine was $600 (marked down), and alterations were like $150-$200.

Answer 10

Go to davids bridal and save about $1200 of that $1500