Alter It!

Usually only salons that personally employ their seamstress have fixed, taxed and arranged prices to pay the alteration and employment fees of the seamstress.
It is always suggested that you look at a few outside seamstresses when looking for cost savings that may be significant, though they may be hard to find, it is always worth looking.

You are planning your wedding and have everything laid out, right down to the dresses you want to try on and where you will go to do so. The biggest thing we find though is that brides always forget an important detail in their planning. The seamstress. Not all salons have a seamstress and many don’t even have a place to suggest. Unfortunately, this responsibility may fall on your shoulders. When looking for your dress, also look for a seamstress. Ask your local dry cleaner, salon or friends and family. Especially if you are planning a destination wedding, you need to find a seamstress. Many salons will tell you that once your dress is in, it may need alterations. You need to give a seamstress 4-6 weeks before the wedding to get alterations done so you can do your final fitting. A good and quick seamstress can complete a job in two weeks. Make sure you get a seamstress that is well experienced or holds a certificate that shows they are a Master seamstress. Many European seamstresses have credentials they can show you.

Another good trick for getting your dress in with enough time to alter properly (bare minimum is 2-3 weeks), tell the salon you need the dress three weeks before your actual wedding date to ensure it ships sooner and gives you some breathing space. If you are leaving the country, tell them the wedding date is 4 weeks before it actually is and make sure you are shopping 6-8 months before your wedding. Shipping dates are specific to timeline and are set by wear dates and order dates. Some distributors take a couple of weeks off in the summer, meaning they don’t ship anything on these dates. Be prepared to alter and order your dress earlier rather than later, and maybe tell your salon that you need it two to three weeks before the you actually need it, to reduce any stress you may have over shipping times and alterations.

The biggest thing with seamstresses is you need to be prepared to pay a fair chunk of money for certain alterations. Some seamstresses will not even put their hands on a dress until you have paid at least $250 deposit for any work. You will be asked to put down a deposit of at least half, and the tailor/seamstress has the right to withhold your dress or items until they have been paid. Many salons that recommend a seamstress or outside party to do the alterations receive no money from the alterations or referral. So many of the prices you are asked to pay have no fees added by the salon or retailer.

Be sure to ask salons if the price of alterations is separate. Some higher end stores include basic seamstressing in the cost of the dress. Alterations such as small take ins of the bust or bodice, some hemming and bustling. It’s always better to ask than assume and a salon will tell you the cost if they don’t include the cost of getting alterations.