Dress Alterations: Changing bubble hem & adding pick ups

Bridgeebabee

I'm wondering if anyone has made alterations like this to their wedding dress, how it turned out, and what the cost was.  I ordered mine (Allure 8619) a few weeks ago with a custom sweetheart neckline (the neckline of 8386).  It won't be in until January or February, but I have decided that something is missing from the dress I ordered: extra pick-ups and a less "bubbly" hem.If you look at 8619, the back bubble hem is a lot more subtle than the front.  I like that, and want the same on the front.I also want a little more volume on the skirt and I think that having the seamstress add a few more pick-ups would do the trick.Is this going to run me dry as far as the cost?  I am clueless, but have an inkling I'm going to have to fork out hundreds of dollars for these changes...

oliviosis

I live in San Antonio where most people would say services are rather cheap. However, I just had my $1,000 dress altered to change it to a sweetheart neckline, from A-line to mermaid, built in crinoline removed, some boning removed, hemmed and had the bustle put in and we are paying almost $900!!! I would say, search your local area for a wedding dress alterations specialist and meet with them to get a quote. Just fyi..our quote was $600 at the beginning. I was originally quoted about $300 by the bridal shop (who I did not have do my alterations) to just have them do the hem, take the dress in and the bustle. All said and done, I would do it again. She made it the perfect dress for me and for my body shape. Pics in my knot bio (those are not the final dress though). Perhaps that cost is not right for many but I was seriously considering becoming a 2 dress bride and didn't think it was likely that I'd get anything near what I paid for it.

cqbride

A good seamstress can do it, but changing that hem is complicated because of the drape of the dress. As far as volume goes,  that's most easily done with under-structure. You can't add pick-ups without changing the length and hang of the dress because the extra fabric just isn't there. Adding pick-ups to the back will shorten the train by a significant amount.

Bridgeebabee

I don't want to add any pick-ups to the back of the dress - that's the part I LOVE!  Just the front... and not a lot, just a few here and there.  Also, I'm shorter (5'4") so I think adding pick-ups might be fine considering I ordered in a size 10 (not really sure what standard lengths are).  I definitely have to look into a good crinoline and other undergarments once the dress comes in and I go for my first fitting.  That's probably going to make a big difference.  Thanks for the feedback!Oliviosis - WOW!  Good luck with that.  I'm curious to see before and after pictures once it's finished!!