FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions that I get. If you don't see the question/answer you are looking for, please feel free to email me and ask.

How early should I request an appointment?

I recommend reaching out AT LEAST 4 months before your wedding date to book your 1st alterations appointment. Your 1st fitting should take place 8-10 weeks before your wedding date. Keep in mind I am a one-woman operation, so it never hurts to reach out even earlier to ensure you get an appointment, especially if your wedding is during peak wedding season. You do not have to wait for your dress to arrive in order to book with me, so plan ahead and reach out for an appointment any time.

My dress is arriving very close to my wedding ... can you do rush alterations?

Rush alterations cannot always be accommodated, especially if it is during a busy time of year. It depends on the number of current clients I have scheduled, so please reach out and I can let you know on a case-by-case basis if I am able to help you. Rush alterations are charged an additional rush fee based on how close we are to your wedding date.

How much do alterations cost?

Pricing is not flat rate, and depends on your specific dress and the type of alterations that are required. I've seen alterations as low as $200, and as high as $1600+. On AVERAGE, “standard” bridal alterations can cost between $600 - $900. “Standard” alterations refer to hems, bustles, shortening straps, and taking in a dress in one area only. If you are requesting more custom alterations (such as matching accessories, adding slits, adding lining, and other dress design changes), or your dress must be resized in multiple areas, or by 2 or more dress sizes, pricing is typically higher. Many of my brides choose to invest in more custom alterations in order to achieve a dress that feels truly tailor-made. If you are concerned about pricing, or if you are on a tight budget, you are welcome to reach out to request a complimentary email/phone consultation where I provide a rough estimate. For exact pricing quotes, in-person consultations are available at $50 for a 30 min appointment. This fee is to cover time the spent working with you to give you a more accurate quote. If you move forward with alterations with me, the $50 will be put towards your total alterations cost.

Where do you hold fittings?

I hold fittings out of my home in Wilmington, CA, typically between 9:00am-5:00pm, on Mondays and Thursdays. Fittings are by appointment only.

What should I bring to my fittings?

Most importantly, you must bring your wedding shoes to your fittings. I cannot pin your hem and bustle without your shoes. You should also bring your wedding undergarments, since all of these things (Spanx, hosiery, bras, tape, etc.) will affect the fit of your dress.

Can I bring my wedding party to my fittings?

I ask that you limit your guest count at all fittings to 2 people max. My fitting space is not large, and because fittings are held in my home, I need to limit the guest count. I also find that bringing too many people to the fittings can be detrimental to the process. My goal is to focus on you and your needs, and having a large group can be an unnecessary distraction.

Can you make accessories from my hem scraps?

Typically, your hem scraps are too small and oddly shaped to be useful in making accessories. I always recommend you plan ahead and ask the bridal shop to order extra matching fabric/lace when you order the dress to ensure you have plenty of fabric, and it is a perfect match. If you are unable to do this, I can help source materials to match as best as possible.

What if I have 2 dresses? Can you alter both?

Yes, I am happy to alter multiple dress as long as both dresses are wedding dresses (I will not alter non wedding dresses, but am happy to refer you to someone who will). You must also have received prior approval to bring multiple dresses to your appointment. So when you fill out the request form, please mention you have a 2nd dress so I can block out the appropriate amount of time in my schedule. If you show up to your fitting unexpectedly with a 2nd dress, chances are I won't be able to work on it.

I live out out of state, but bought my dress locally...can I still work with you?

Yes! I'm happy to work with out of town/state brides. But please keep in mind, you'll need to have the ability to travel to see me for fittings about 2-3 times before your wedding. If you have an inflexible work schedule, or if you think it's too expensive to come out to see me that many times, I would recommend finding a seamstress more local to where you live.