Make Your Wedding Gown Tailor-Fitted or Custom-Made to YOU!
Bridal Alterations & Custom-Made
Read on for more information about our services, process, and timeline.
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Bridal Alterations
COST ESTIMATES & SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS
A Note About Costs
Costs for bridal alterations vary from dress to dress since styles are different in design, amount of embellishment, and types of fabric used. Minimal gowns with simple construction and no decoration will most likely have low alteration costs. Whereas, gowns with difficult construction which require time and thoughtful consideration of sewing techniques, use of delicate fabrics and trims - tulle, netting, organza, chiffon, silk, lace, beadwork, and applique, involve careful handling. The descriptions below are actual alterations I have completed to give a better idea about different services. Certain alteration services require more hours, a delicate hand, and attention. All these factors are considered in the alteration costs which can range from ($300 - $1000+).
BASIC BRIDAL ALTERATIONS ($300 - $500). Simple bridal gown with easy construction and no embellishments needs minimal alterations such as Strap Adjustments, Side Seam Tailoring ,Hemming, Bustle.
MODERATE BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($550 - $700). Bridal Gown with some decoration, beading and lacework, as well as some structural designs. Moderate gown alterations may involve switching bra cups, bodice tailoring with layers, more layers to hem, stitching design features such as tucks, pleats in place, adding extra hooks and eyes, a wrist loop attached to the dress hem for narrow width hems and shorter trains, and re-applying decoration such as applique and beadwork.
FULL BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($750 - $950). This gown alteration may involve customizations such as changing the bodice neckline, intricate bodice lace and beadwork, and add ons such as sleeves and panels in the torso area for more width in the waist-hip area. Customizations and add ons sometimes involve repurposing fabric from hemming the dress to allow material for sleeves and panels for extra body coverage. These services require lots of thought on best usage of small amounts of fabric, best design and fitting techniques. Sometimes, requesting for fabrics and materials of the very same dress style from the bridal shops and bridal designers where the dress was purchased may be a solution to complete these services on the dress to maintain a cohesive look.
COMPLEX BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($1000 +). This challenging gown alteration may include shortening a horsehair braid hem along with the underlayers, adjusting a corset bodice with boning and layers, careful handling to remove and re-apply lace and applique by hand at beginning and end of dress alterations, removing the center back zipper opening to take in and shortening the waist area to adjust for client’s petite proportions, and a one point overbustle.
Client Testimonial
“When I met you, I knew I could trust you.
You listened to everything… You’re very helpful and easy to talk to.
The dress was gorgeous and it fits perfectly! I feel beautiful and confident.
Thank you for making me beautiful on my wedding day!”
– Oniel, Bride
Wedding in Lake Tahoe, California
To begin, please fill out our inquiry form.
Bridal Alterations Details
Process – How it Works
1 Hour Initial Consultation (Optional)
An info, meet & greet where client becomes acquainted with Mary O Maker to decide if a good fit for fittings and dress alterations. Questions about Bridal dress styles, shapewear, client accommodations, procedures, payment, timelines service offerings
Cost: $50 (due before appointment)
Book Your Fittings
At this stage, you will pay your $100 non-refundable deposit, and sign the Client Services Agreement to lock in your spot. Once you’ve signed and paid, you will receive a link to schedule your first fitting!
First Fitting
3-6 Months before Wedding Date
Focus on fitting Bodice, top part of dress - adjust straps, fit bust, waist, hips. Shorten/lengthen torso. More structural support needed in bodice like boning in seams, corset, waist stay? Does the neckline need to be modified for a better fit?
Cost: 50% of 1st fitting cost
Second Fitting
6 Weeks before Wedding Date
Completed bodice alterations to check fit & make any adjustments. Focus on Hemming, Skirt Shape, and Bustle Options for Train. Customization considerations - adding a bow, sleeve, detachable overskirt
Cost: Remaining balance of 1st fitting and 50% of 2nd fitting cost
Third Fitting/Final Fitting
3-4 Weeks before Wedding Date
Most of the dress alterations are completed. Hem alterations are done to check for correct length. A bustle style is considered for the skirt train. Overlooked alterations are addressed and fixed by the scheduled pick up date of the altered bridal gown.
If more appointments are needed beyond the 3 complementary, one-hour sessions for the client to achieve a good fit for their bridal alterations, each additional fitting will be $50.
Cost: Remaining balance of 2nd fitting & Additional Charges
Pick Up!
1-2 Weeks before Wedding Date
Bridal Gown is steamed and ready for pick up, Trying on the dress is discouraged to avoid more wrinkling and handling after steaming. Extra steaming costs range from $40 - $100 dependent upon the simplicity or complexity of the bridal dress as well as the fabric types and layers included,
At Pick Up, client brings the bridal attendant who will be shown by Mary O Maker how to bustle the train.
Finally, the client inspects dress & signs a Gown Release Form before taking dress home.
Cost: Any additional charges and remaining balance due
TIMELINE
The normal length of time for the alterations process is 3 - 6 months.
The average time to complete alterations between fittings is 2 weeks.
A $100 Rush Fee is applied to alteration costs for Bridal bookings less than the 10 - 12 week/ 3-6 month time period from the actual wedding date.
FITTINGS
Three, One-Hour Fittings are complementary. If more fittings are needed to perfect the gown’s fit, an additional cost of $50 per fitting applies.
There is 48 Hour cancellation policy – please contact Mary O Maker 2 days before your scheduled appointment if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Payment Methods: Alteration services can be paid by Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Check through a payment link.
REQUIRED AT ALL FITTINGS: Shapewear, Bra Alternatives, Correct Shoe Heel Height
If a client is unsure of shapewear type(s) compatible with dress style, a recommended list of shapewear and bra alternative brands & types are available upon request.
Fill out the Client Inquiry form to arrange your first appointment!
Custom-Made Bridal
with Mary O Maker
Make Your Dream Dress a Reality!
Brides who are interested in Custom Made are advised to book a year from their actual wedding date for a pleasant bespoke experience that allows enough fittings and time to complete the Dream Dress, Custom Made Bridal Gowns in a variety of silhouettes- Sheath, Mermaid, Fit & Flare start at $1000.
Custom Veils in different lengths - waist/elbow, fingertip, Floor, Chapel, Cathedral - range from $30 - $400 due to the amount of fabric and decoration applied to the veil. Sleeve Lengths and Style vary from $60 - $130. Train Lengths and Styles - Cathedral, Royal- vary from $150 - $250.
Begin the Custom Process
Inquiry + Consultation
To learn more about Custom Made Bridal, the process, timeline, and costs, an interested bride is encouraged to fill out the client inquiry form. Mary O Maker will then offer a $50, one hour consultation to continue the conversation!
At the consultation, the bride can present any inspiration photos or sketches, or fabrics of her ideal wedding gown. If the bride is comfortable with custom made after the consultation, she can move forward by paying a non-refundable $100 deposit (that goes toward the cost of custom made services) through the payment link and complete and sign a client service agreement before any work starts.
FIRST APPOINTMENT.
If the Bride did not have a consultation prior to the first appointment, Mary O Maker will discuss with the Bride about the ideal Wedding Gown.
Inspiration Visuals such as sketches and pictures are very helpful in communicating the bride’s wishes of how she wants to look and feel on her wedding day.
Mary O Maker will present the base bridal silhouettes - Sheath, Mermaid, Fit & Flare, Ballgown to help the bride select which style would flatter her figure. Fabrics, Trims, Laces, Beadwork, Applique, and other embellishments are discussed if the bride chooses this add-on or customization.
Mary O Maker can source fabric and other related bridal materials to ensure a stress free custom made experience for the bride.
If the client would like to provide their own fabrics, trims, and other materials for Mary O Maker to create their custom-made bridal design, she is also open to this option.
SECOND APPOINTMENT.
The bridal gown design is finalized through a design proposal that is presented, reviewed, and signed by the Bride.
After confirming and signing the proposal, the bride pays 50% of the custom made cost through the payment link. After payment, Mary O Maker can take the bride’s body measurements to create a mock up or sample bridal gown.
From the 2nd appointment until the final fitting of the custom-made, bridal process, the bride is REQUIRED to wear the ACTUAL foundation garments and correct shoe heel height that will be worn with the custom-made bridal gown on the actual event date for a precise fit. If the client is unsure about the correct shapewear and shoe heel height to wear with their custom-made dress, Mary O Maker can make suggestions upon request. Creating the sample gown takes about 4 weeks.
THIRD APPOINTMENT.
The Bride will try on the mock up gown with her foundation garments and shoes to see how it fits.
If major adjustments are to be made, another sample gown will be made to ensure a proper fit. If minor adjustments, the bride can move forward with any decoration design - lace, beadwork, applique - applied to the garment. The client will review, advise, and confirm with Mary O Maker on final decoration design before sourcing and ordering embellishments.
Time for sourcing, shipping, and delivery of embellishments are considered in the client’s custom-made timeline.
LATER IN THE PROCESS
Once Mary O Maker has all the fabric and related materials to complete a Bride’s gown, she can start constructing the gown with occasional bridal fittings, usually up to 3, to ensure a good fit, the desired silhouette and correct placement of decoration on the bride.
FINAL FITTING & PICKUP
When the bride is satisfied with the fit and outcome of the custom made gown, she pays the remaining balance of the cost and any additional charges through the payment link. She is advised to inspect the gown and sign a gown release form through the document signing link before she takes it home.