Wedding Dress Alterations
This is the list of Seamstresses we recommend, however, The Bridal Finery is not responsible for the services provided by the Seamstress you choose. While we believe in the work of all of those included on the list, they are solely responsible for their services, and your agreement for alterations is between you and the one you choose.
Should you have any issues regarding the services provided by the Seamstress you have chosen, The Bridal Finery encourages you to address them with the Seamstress directly.
Sarah’s Alterations - For The Bridal Finery clients only - hosted inside The Bridal Finery. Click here to book
The Seamstress - Nancy - 1143 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 - (407) 740-7544
Thread & Needle - Norby - 1025 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 - (407) 622-4411
Mirta’s Alterations - Sarasota, FL 941-228-9115
Seamstress HollyAnn - Holly - 154 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 - (386) 256-7175
The Tailor - Daniel - 3803 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 3221 - (904) 642-7780
Sarah’s Alterations
Appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays between 12-6pm. Price range $850 - $1,200 + .
During your bridal appointment, you received an estimate for alterations based on the work that will need to be done. It is only an estimate and subject to change based on what the seamstress recommends. Recommendations are not required, simply suggestions.
Weekend appointments are limited availability, occur an additional one-time fee of $150, and are first come first serve. 3-Day rushes are an additional $100 and are first come first serve. If you are doing a rush on a weekend, it is $250 additional.
*Options for Out of Town Brides:
We can assist you with finding a seamstress in your city
You can travel in for three alteration fittings starting two months out
You can travel in for two trips and have all of your alterations completed. $150 - $250 extra. This should start a month before the wedding with the final fitting 2 weeks before the wedding.
You can travel in for one trip and have all of your alterations completed in 3-4 days. $250 extra. This should start 1-3 weeks before the wedding and must be reserved 3 months in advance.
What you will need bring for your fittings:
Panty Options:
Spanx - Purchase online here. They provide the most control and stop at your natural waist
Skims - Purchase online here. They provide medium control and work well with low back dresses.
Thong - This is trial and error. Bring options. Our favorite are the Commando thongs.
Shoes - Visit our Shoe Guide Here
Bras - We recommend boob tape, boob stickies, sewn-in cups, nippies, or bustiers we sell in-store. Your stylist will provide you with advice on what items are best for support and coverage.
*Click Here to see more of our Wedding Day Favorite Things
Wedding Dress Fittings
Every wedding dress will need alterations.
Expect 4-5 alteration fittings. 30-60 minutes each.
The dress is finished the week of the wedding.
1st Fitting
You will try on your dress with your undergarments and shoes for each fitting. A Bridal Stylist at TBF will be here to help communicate any custom changes you mentioned previously. Sarah will pin the bodice and seat seams.
Once you are out of the dress, Sarah will schedule the other fittings with you. She will provide you with a quote for the alterations work. The payment is due at the second fitting.
2nd fitting
Sarah will show you how the bodice and seat seams fit, and see if there are any other adjustments. Please communicate if you would like the bodice any tighter and she will tailor it in more for you. The next step is the hem.
Make sure to look forward when she hems. If you look down, the hem could be on the short side. She will consult with you regarding bustle options.
3rd fitting
The last fitting is a final check of the bodice and the hem. If the bodice is loose, but it fit perfectly during the 2nd fitting, then the body measurements changed. This is very common! Sarah may charge extra to re-fit the bodice. We recommend once you start your first fitting to not change your diet or workout plan.
If the bodice and hem are exactly how you would like them, Sarah will show you how to bustle the dress. We will use your phone to take a video of how to bustle your dress. We recommend assigning one person to do the bustle on the day of the wedding. Typically this is a bridesmaid duty.
They can practice the night before with the dress on the hanger. Keep in mind bustles take 5-15 minutes to pin-up. This may need to be included in your planner’s timeline.
4th Fitting
Approximately half of our clients’ dresses require a 4th fitting. For custom changes a 5th fitting may be needed as well. This may because of the intricate details, custom changes or weight change. If Sarah didn’t show you the bustle on the 3rd fitting, she will show you it to you on the 4th fitting. It is typical for the 4th and 5th fitting to be 3-15 days before the wedding. She wants you to to try on the dress right before the wedding to make sure it fits perfectly.
Recommendation - Bring a bridesmaid or relative with you to the last fitting to learn how to dress you and pin the bustle up. Also, we recommend taking a video of how to bustle.
Day of Wedding Steaming
Before your last fitting, Sarah will steam the dress. When the dress is placed in the protective garment bag, it will wrinkle. There is nothing a seamstress can do to prevent the dress from wrinkling while in the garment bag. We highly recommend hiring a steaming company to steam the wedding dress on location on the day of the wedding. We recommend contacting Meaghan with Mia Catali Steaming Services at least two months before the wedding. She can be reached at miacatalibrand@gmail.com .
Wedding Cleaning & Preservation
We highly recommend registering for Cleaning and Preservation before your wedding. If you have not already signed up for this, you may sign up here. Will the dress get dirty? 100%. Will your future daughter wear your dress? Not likely. Will your granddaughter want to try it on and potentially use the fabric to make a bridal clutch, family heirloom piece, a veil, a christening gown, or a rehearsal dinner dress? Absolutely. The best time to clean and preserve your dress is 1-2 weeks after your wedding. This helps with lifting stains and avoiding mold growth. Sign up now and we will remind you after the wedding to take care of this important final step.
Wedding dresses are one of the few keepsake options from a wedding day. We recommend cleaning and preserving your gown. The package includes the cleaning and preserving of the dress and two additional items. We recommend including the veil, skirt, tie, or invitation. The dress is cleaned and then treated. We have partnered with the most respected gown cleaning specialist to provide a high quality service. The cleaning specialist will provide a 100 year guarantee. If there is any yellowing in a 100 year time, they will guarantee a free cleaning treatment. We recommend cleaning and preserving your dress immediately after your wedding. Please reach out to a stylist if you have any questions.
*With each gown preservation purchase, we make a donation to VOW for Girls
Photo by Kristen Weaver Photography
Owners Roberta and Tali share more about wedding dress alterations and custom changes.