Attire & Accessories Forum

DB Alterations

Does anyone know about how much DavidBridal will charge me for getting my DB dress hemmed, taken in an inch or 2, and a bustle added?
This is my dress (DB website picture). It has ruching on the bodice and appliques on the back and front of the bodice and a little on the back of the skirt. It also zips up.
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Re: DB Alterations

  • edited January 2013
    mine is going to cost 100 for the hem and 150 to be taken in a few inches but my dress looks more complicated then yours. Have you picked up the dress yet? I havent scheduled a fitting yet but I met we a seamstress when I picked up the dress. TYou could try calling and asking. I can't remember what the quoted for the bustle  
  • edited January 2013
    In general, it is very expensive to alter the dress. Is it possible to change the back style to lace-up instead of zip-up? In that case, the bodice and waist parts are adjustable.
  • I paid 175 for a hem, bustle, and modesty pads to cover my chest. The price will vary by area.
  • I'm not sure about the hem but I know when it comes to the bustle it ranges on the dress & style of bustle you go with. The initial bustle price includes three button/hooks I believe. After that I think I paid $10 per additional button/hook. Which added up quickly because I went with a ballroom bustle (dress tucked under) but it was the one that showed off the details on the back of my dress the best so I thought it was worth it.

  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    edited January 2013
    Honestly, I wouldn't use DB for alterations.  I have heard many horror stories and they also tend to over charge for alterations.  What I would do would be to find a local seamstress in your area and ask them how much it would be for alterations.  Local seamstresses tend to be less expensive and do a much higher quality of work then DB.

    An example of a horror story.  My sister bought her dress from DB.  It was a simple a-line dress with satin underlay and an ivory overlay.  She needed it hemmed, bustled and taken in just a smidge.  When she returned to try it on the satin was hemmed to the appropriate lenght but the lace was not changed.  She asked why.  They said that if they hemmed the lace it would ruin the finishing.  My sister said, well I need it shortened to be able to walk without tripping over the fabric.  They said that if she insisted that they would hem it but that it would cost her extra and that it would ruin the final look of the lace.  Needless to say my sister took her dress to another seamstress who was able to take up the lace just fine without ruining the finished look.

  • It will vary by area but I paid $345 to have a corset added, cups put in, to have it hemmed, the bodice taken in, and my veil bustled. It was a two tier dress with four layers, lace, appliques...honestly, that price was quite reasonable for having that much work done. A comparable highly recommended seamstress was going to cost me about $500 and the work done was great. Alterations departments vary from location to location so it's worth doing your homework on the one near you but mine actually had favorable reviews and I really appreciated that DB stands by its work (if something goes wrong with your dress, you have some insurance but if you take it elsewhere, that security goes out the window.) My dress was discontinued and I didn't have money to buy another one so not risking my money was a big concern. If you do go to an outside seamstress, make sure they have experience with bridal work. Altering a wedding gown is very different from typical tailoring!
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  • DB alternations vary on every little detail. My alterations were $350 to hem and bustle THAT'S IT. they didn't even have to take it in at all.
  • Hem, slight take in, and bustle $320
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