Cost of alterations?

Mine were surprisingly cheap (something like $125 total on a $1800 dress). I was told to expect closer to $400, which would have been true if mine had to be taken in or let out. It depends on what materials your dress will be made out of. If there are a lot of layer or lace, expect more.

$260. Hem (8 layers), adjusting straps, and adding additional fabric to neckline to cover cleavage (most wedding dresses are made for a B cup and I wear DD). I didn't need it taken in/let out-- saved a little because my dress already had a corset back and is easier to fit to exact proportions.

ETA: Dress was $1250 before tax.

Somewhere around $400. Hem, bustle, and a massive project of letting it out/adding panels on the side and filling the panels in with the matching lace. I also bought my bra/corset contraption from my seamstress for $80. Sometimes prices on things can vary by location, so as a point of reference, the seamstress I went to was in DE, so I also had no tax.

I think mine were $310 for a hem on multiple layers, bustle, cups, and taking the bodice in. It was more than I was expecting, but not terrible from what I've heard. I'm in the DC area.

$550 - hem, adding cups and taking in the bodice.

My estimate was $412, for cups, taking in the bodice, hemming, and adding a bustle. I go tonight for my last fitting, so we'll see what it ends up being!

ETA - dress was $1400.

$240 - Hem (9 layers of tulle, I think), add 7-point bustle, add cups, take in armpits the tiniest bit.

But I think mine were SUPER cheap. I budgeted for $600, because my oldest sister got a $400 dress from David's Bridal a while ago and her alterations were $600. I was purposefully keeping alterations in mind while dress shopping. Nothing with a detail on the skirt edge that would make a hem more complicated, get a corset dress so I didn't have to get it sized exactly to me, etc.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like $300-$500 is the average, which is what I had assumed. Yikes!!

My alterations cost me $525 at David's bridal.

$220..added cups, changed the neckline to sweetheart, hemmed the 3 layers of tulle, 7 point bustle and added my belt. I found the sweetest lady and she was retired and did this for "fun". Many brides in the DFW area recommended her. I thought I got lucky!

Almost $1300...and evidently that was even with a "special" 20% off hemming. yeah, my mom and I almost passed out at that one....I knew she was pricey from reviews and I was mentally prepared for maybe $7-800. I have a ball gown with a bodice that is fully and intricately beaded...needed a hem, bustle and a decent amount of work done to the bodice to make it fit me right...I'm not the most proportioned person. It was alot, but I trusted her. They completely deconstructed the bodice to make all the adjustments. The boutique where I purchased my dress does not do alterations so I had to find an independent seamstress. The only ones they recommended were your basic alterations shops and I didn't feel comfortable taking my dress somewhere that didn't specialize in bridal...so, that's what you get when you go with a specialist. Insane.

I didn't need any alterations on my dress, but I did ask her to do cosmetic things. I asked her to replace the zipper with buttons. I couldn't decide between 2 sashes so she is combining them into 1 sash and tacking it into the dress so it doesn't move. She is switching my something blue (my married name) into my dress and she is going to press it.

Also, I hate my arms and I think some people should not wear a strapless dress (myself being one of them) #sorrynotsorry so she is taking a piece of fabric and making it into a jacket that matches my dress for me. All for $175.

Edited for spelling because I need more coffee.

I went to an independent seamstress, and needed it taken in in the bust and waist, hemmed (4 layers), and a single point bustle, and she hemmed my veil. It was only $120 or something like that. My bodice was lace.

I hear horror stories about DB and how expensive it is, and how bad they are. My seamstress I feel is constantly fixing DB's mistakes (I go to her a lot for other stuff )

I should have went to an independent woman, dammit. I just worry about people messing up and being like "oh well, can't do anything." I'd rather have it in hand with the bridal salon. I know, it's stupid reason, but it makes sense to me.

Anyways, mine was 605. She is hemming it, taking in the bust and waist, adding cups, and putting in a 11 point bustle (yeah, my train is really hard to manage and has only one way that makes sense to bustle it).

I paid $105 for alterations. She did the hem and took the dress in around the bust.

255- Hem, cups and transferring from zipper to corset.

I paid $350. I had to have a lot taken in. I also cut off the train. My dress had a lot of layers and beading so I was expecting it to cost more but happy it didn't.

I got quoted $125 for cups sewn in, a two point bustle, and tightening around the bust in general. I don't need to hem my dress as long as I can find heals that are 2 1/2-3 1/2 inches in height. I'm 5'7" and the sample gown I purchased was made for 5'9".

I bought my dress in a size 10, and I'm about a 4 (it was off the rack). Alterations were $370, and I had it taken in, the chest was restructured, boning put in, bustle, and snap in straps were made for the ceremony

It's going to vary on what the style of dress is, how much has to be done, where you take it, etc. the least amount I've seen in my Alts dept was 50, the most was a little over 600