How much would a wedding dress alteration cost?
my wedding dress is a little small for my figure… It is expensive to get an alteration?
As a seamstress, I can tell you that the prices of alterations vary greatly, depending on the construction of the dress and where it needs to be taken out. Usually there is a generous amount of fabric in the inseam on each side of the zipper. Together with that inseam and perhaps letting out the side seams and any princess seaming would give the garment some extra room to accommodate your figure.
If the dress is lined or interlined, has boning, or embellishments such as sequins or beading, then you can expect to pay more as the alteration will be more detailed and time consuming. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25 up to $150. to change the size of a dress.
So, how do you find a qualified seamstress? Go to or call a local fabric store (not a quilt or knit shop) and ask the cutting counter employees for a seamstress reference who can handel your alteration. Then call her and ask her for references. Try to avoid a dry cleaners seamstress. Not because they are not good seamstresses, but they are most likely not qualified to work on special occasion fabrics. Ask your friends if they know a seamstress, too. If you cannot find one locally, you may have to go to the next town or the nearest city.
Remember seamstresses are not magicians. We cannot plant your dress in the back yard and make it grow!!! We are good, but not that good!!! ha ha.
How to Buy a Wedding Dress that Will Fit. How to Measure for your dress