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
Bridal alterations costs vary from dress to dress since styles differ in design, construction, amount of embellishment, and types of fabric and other materials used. Minimal gowns with simple construction and no decoration will most likely have low alteration costs. Gowns with complex construction require time and thoughtful consideration of sewing techniques, careful handling of delicate fabrics and trims - tulle, netting, organza, chiffon, silk, lace, beadwork, and applique. The descriptions below are actual alterations I have completed to give a better idea of different services with their cost estimates. Certain alteration services require more hours, a delicate hand, and special attention. Considering these factors, alteration costs can range from ($300 - $1000+).
BASIC BRIDAL ALTERATIONS ($300 - $500). Bridal gown with easy construction and no embellishments needs minimal alterations.
Cost Estimates in Actual Alterations
Simple Bustle
Strap Adjustments
Side Seam Tailoring
Hemming
MODERATE BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($550 - $700). Bridal Gown with some decoration, beading and lacework, as well as some structural designs.
Changing bra cups to complement dress bodice style and fit client’s bust
Bodice tailoring with layers
Modifying & stitching in place design features such as tucks, pleats
Multiple hem layers to shorten
Wrist loop attached to the dress hem with small train length,
Adding extra hooks & thread loops in on back dress lace to stay in place
FULL BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($750 - $950). This gown alteration involves customizations. Customizations and add-ons sometimes involve repurposing leftover fabric from dress hemming to allow material for sleeves and panels for extra body coverage. These services require strategic use of small amounts of fabric, the best design and fitting techniques. Sometimes, contacting the bridal shops where the client purchased the gown to request extra fabrics, materials, beading, and trim used in the dress style may be a solution to complete customizations and add-ons on the dress to maintain a cohesive look. Otherwise, the materials need to be sourced from fabric stores, online sites. The challenge is finding the color and fabric type closest to the bride’s dress to adhere as close to the original bridal look and color scheme.
Adding or Modifying
Sleeve Style & Length
Changing neckline style
Corselette Replacement
Corset Back with Ties
COMPLEX BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS ($1000 +). This challenging gown alteration may include shortening a horsehair braid skirt hem and underlayers, 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.
First Fitting
Second Fitting
Final
Adjusting bodice interior with boning and layers. Careful handling, removal, and retouching lace and applique by hand before and after dress alterations,
One Point
Over Bustle
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.
What a Bride Can Expect Through the Alterations Journey
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, service offerings with costs, payment schedule, and alterations timeline can be addressed.
Cost: $50 (due before appointment)
Book Your Fittings
Completing the client contact form on the website, a $100 non-refundable deposit, and a signed Client Services Agreement are required to secure a spot for bridal alterations fittings with Mary O Maker. A scheduling link is sent to the client via email or text to book the first fitting!
First Fitting (3-6 Months before Wedding Date)
Bodice fitting is the focus, 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 measured and marked to the correct length. A bustle style is considered for the skirt train. Overlooked alterations are noted and fixed by the scheduled bridal gown pick-up date.
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 cost $50.
Cost: Remaining balance of 2nd fitting & Additional Charges
Bridal Gown Final Pick Up!
1-2 Weeks before the Wedding Date, the Bridal Gown is steamed and ready for pick up, Trying on the dress is discouraged to avoid wrinkling and handling after steaming. Extra steaming costs range from $40 - $100, depending upon the simplicity or complexity of the bridal dress as well as the fabric types and layers included.
At Pick Up, the client brings the bridal attendant who will be shown by Mary O Maker the proper order of dressing the bride due to customizations or complex alterations and train bustling .
Finally, the client inspects the dress and signs a Gown Release Form before taking dress home.
Cost: Any additional charges and remaining balance due
TIMELINE
Best time period to book bridal alterations. 3 - 6 months before the actual wedding date to ensure a reservation with a bridal alterations specialist, schedule all fittings, and enough time for processing alterations.
Average Turnaround for Processing Alterations. 3 weeks between fittings .
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.
MORE ABOUT FITTINGS
Three, Complementary, One-Hour Fittings are included.. After 3 fittings, each additional fitting upon the client’s request costs $50.
48 Hour cancellation policy – Please contact Mary O Maker 2 days before the scheduled appointment to cancel or reschedule.
REQUIRED AT ALL FITTINGS: Wearing the correct Shapewear, Bra Alternatives, Shoe Heel Height that will be worn at the actual Wedding Day. Consistently wearing the foundation garments and shoes affect alterations and the client’s desired body shape, fit, and overall Bridal look.
Mary O Maker can suggest shapewear types and brands upon client’s request if unsure of the shapewear type(s) compatible with dress style.
PAYMENT METHODS: Services can be paid by Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Check through a payment link.
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.