You've picked out the perfect dress for your wedding, but that special gown still needs a some work to transform it into the perfectly-fitted dress you'll feel beautiful in on your wedding day. Maybe you even want to make a few stylistic changes to turn it into your real idea of the perfect dress. Or maybe it fits great off the rack, but you'd still like to add a bustle or a sash. Whatever your wedding gown needs, the Village Seamstress is here to help! 

Why choose the Village Seamstress over the bridal store?

Flexible scheduling: Most bridal stores offer fittings on select days at select times, requiring you to reschedule your life in order to see the seamstress. I book appointments 6 days a week and you can choose between daytime and evening, whatever suits you best. Schedule your appointment months ahead of time, or find a time next week that works for you!

Reasonable pricing: Weddings are expensive, and your dream dress might set you back a couple grand. Don't add a thousand dollars worth of alterations to your budget! My lack of overhead allows me to offer top quality gown alterations for a price that won't make you choke on your wedding cake!

Quick turn-around times: Sometimes the dress comes in only a few weeks before your wedding. Don't panic! If you're working on a tight timeline, I'll work with you. Let me know your timing needs and we'll make sure everything gets done before the big day.* 

Careful, detailed work: You want convenience, flexibility and a better price, but you don't want your dress butchered in the process! I have experience in lace, beading, chiffon, silk, satin and tulle across a wide variety of styles and designers. I love details and work hard to make every part of your dress look just right until you are happy with it. 

Guidelines for bridal fittings

Hemming, bustles and style changes can all be done as far in advance as you want, but I recommend starting fitting adjustments no more than 6-8 weeks before the wedding, as most brides lose weight in the last few months (even if you're not trying!). The average bride needs about 3 fittings, and the last should be only 1-2 weeks before the wedding.

If you have your shoes already, please bring them to your first fitting for proper hem adjustments. If you don't have them yet, we can always adjust the length later, but it will likely require an extra fitting.

I also advise you to bring the undergarments (bra, corset, etc.) that you plan to wear with your dress. Undergarment support will alter the fit of the gown. If you need extra support with minimum visibility, I can add bra padding and/or attach a corset structure to the inside of the gown.

You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you to any and all fittings. For the final fitting, it is ideal for you to bring a bridesmaid or another person who can help you with your dress at the wedding so that I can demonstrate how to do up the gown (especially if you have a corset) and how to properly fix the bustle.

Pricing

All wedding gowns are different and can vary quite widely in pricing for the same type of alteration due to detailing and variety in construction. I will need to see your gown in person to give you an accurate quote, although I can give general ranges for many adjustments from a photo first (ideally of you wearing the gown). The following are starting prices only, for a few of the most common adjustments:

Hemming: starts at $100 for crepe dresses (and similar fabrics) without crinolines, $150 for ballgown-styles, $250 for scalloped lace hems

Fitting through bodice: starts at $60

Bustles: $50-100

Attach bra inserts: $25 (including cost of padding)

Strap adjustments: $20

*Do be aware that a rush charge applies to gowns brought in for a first fitting less than 2 weeks before the wedding date.