I’m so happy I stumbled upon you again. I watched this segment over a year ago but forgot to save it. I get married in 4 months and opted to get a second hand dress. Now all I need is some alterations to fit me perfectly. Thank you for the invaluable tips. I didn’t realize alterations can be this expensive. I am shocked still lol.
Hi there! I stumbled across your video and I thought you sharing your experience was so fantastic and helpful! I’d love to explain why the cost of alterations is disproportionate to the cost of the gown itself. The vast majority of gowns are made overseas in large assembly line factories. So you are paying for significantly cheaper labor. If you were to purchase a gown made 100% in the US you would likely be paying about 5-15k. But if you bought that exact same gown from an overseas manufacturer you’d be paying more like 1-5k. So what you’re paying for is the US labor costs. The $1000 you spent on alterations likely equates to 20-30 hours of US labor, plus all the business overhead. I hope that helps explain the sticker shock ❤
Thank you, I have to explain this so much to people. I do find it ironic that people will gladly pay a plumber or electrician but want us seamstresses to work for $2 an hour. This is a skill that takes many years to hone and if you want to look good you need someone with skill! I am in alterations myself. I try to charge fairly for both me and my clients but what she describes here is a LOT of labor and to do it right you need to take time.
Thanks for a great video - I do bridal alterations and I will say you paid way-way too much. Unfortunately, bridal shops have a big part of their operating budget reliant on alterations and they escalate the pricing. For simple hems, check out the seamstress at your dry cleaners, if they can't help, ask them if they know of any independent bridal seamstresses, there are lots of us out here! They do a great job at a fraction of the price.
Great tips you looked nice. and this should be what newbies ask. Keeping the fabric is great. one gf ripped her dress dancing and thank goodness she carried it in the car and I had a needle and thread in case. white thread and needle in case your heels catch and rip the dress and or worse .most dresses can start at 3,000 considered a low price so all together the alterations and the dress you got what you want. My niece spent 5,000 plus fees. Most bridal salons sell under garments a body shape wear without bulk.
Great video. Its good to expect you will have to make decisions. My poor daughter had an awful experience, so I'm just looking for what we should have expected. I hope to get to the "perfect" feeling you got! Our lady was rushed and has now damaged the dress. Don't allow yourself to be rushed. Take someone with you who has some experience and knows how to think about dress construction preferably. I would have thought the seamstress would be that expert, but she was not supportive, but irritable and rushed. We asked her to keep the lace applique she cut through, and she didn't keep it. ugh. Do we want to go back to her, or here three weeks out go somewhere else? Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, btw!!
That’s not true. My dress is by a prominent designer and was custom measured to me, and I also paid for style customizations. Once the dress came in they said alterations would be over $1k minimum just to hem the dress.
I've been digging through TH-cam for exactly this video. This is the most comprehensive alterations explanation I've found. Thank you.
Thank you for watching, glad I could help 🤍
I’m so happy I stumbled upon you again. I watched this segment over a year ago but forgot to save it. I get married in 4 months and opted to get a second hand dress. Now all I need is some alterations to fit me perfectly. Thank you for the invaluable tips. I didn’t realize alterations can be this expensive. I am shocked still lol.
You’re welcome! Congratulations! 🤍
Hi there! I stumbled across your video and I thought you sharing your experience was so fantastic and helpful! I’d love to explain why the cost of alterations is disproportionate to the cost of the gown itself.
The vast majority of gowns are made overseas in large assembly line factories. So you are paying for significantly cheaper labor. If you were to purchase a gown made 100% in the US you would likely be paying about 5-15k. But if you bought that exact same gown from an overseas manufacturer you’d be paying more like 1-5k.
So what you’re paying for is the US labor costs. The $1000 you spent on alterations likely equates to 20-30 hours of US labor, plus all the business overhead. I hope that helps explain the sticker shock ❤
Thank you, I have to explain this so much to people. I do find it ironic that people will gladly pay a plumber or electrician but want us seamstresses to work for $2 an hour. This is a skill that takes many years to hone and if you want to look good you need someone with skill! I am in alterations myself. I try to charge fairly for both me and my clients but what she describes here is a LOT of labor and to do it right you need to take time.
Great explanation of what to expect. FYI, the loop under the train is only for hanging it on the hanger, not a wrist strap.
Thanks for a great video - I do bridal alterations and I will say you paid way-way too much. Unfortunately, bridal shops have a big part of their operating budget reliant on alterations and they escalate the pricing. For simple hems, check out the seamstress at your dry cleaners, if they can't help, ask them if they know of any independent bridal seamstresses, there are lots of us out here! They do a great job at a fraction of the price.
Great tips you looked nice. and this should be what newbies ask. Keeping the fabric is great. one gf ripped her dress dancing and thank goodness she carried it in the car and I had a needle and thread in case. white thread and needle in case your heels catch and rip the dress and or worse .most dresses can start at 3,000 considered a low price so all together the alterations and the dress you got what you want. My niece spent 5,000 plus fees. Most bridal salons sell under garments a body shape wear without bulk.
Thank you that was so imformative. Your dress was beautiful! Blessings from New Zealand : )
You’re welcome! And thank you so much! 🤍
Great video. Its good to expect you will have to make decisions. My poor daughter had an awful experience, so I'm just looking for what we should have expected. I hope to get to the "perfect" feeling you got! Our lady was rushed and has now damaged the dress. Don't allow yourself to be rushed. Take someone with you who has some experience and knows how to think about dress construction preferably. I would have thought the seamstress would be that expert, but she was not supportive, but irritable and rushed. We asked her to keep the lace applique she cut through, and she didn't keep it. ugh. Do we want to go back to her, or here three weeks out go somewhere else? Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, btw!!
This was soo helpful thank you!
You’re welcome! 💗
Thank this helps a lot
You’re welcome 😊
Love this video! I hope my alterations don’t cost that much aha.
Thank you for watching! 😊
I love that dress on you! Wow!
Thank you! 🙏🏾
No charge with couture gowns Custom made for you....
That’s not true. My dress is by a prominent designer and was custom measured to me, and I also paid for style customizations. Once the dress came in they said alterations would be over $1k minimum just to hem the dress.