ALTERATIONS

BY THE TAILORESS

Alterations & your seamstress service

Alterations are an integral part of the full Bridal experience that we offer to our brides here at the boutique. Peace of mind that our recommended seamstress is experienced with our designer dresses, safe storage of your dress until your first fitting & scheduled appointments according to your wedding date.

Because we are all different shapes, sizes, and heights, when your dress arrives with us, it is unlikely that it will fit you perfectly. This is where the skill and expertise of a great seamstress comes in. A dress really becomes your own when it is altered to fit you perfectly, in the right length, moulded and altered to fit your body beautifully.

When you choose your dress with Shade Bridal Boutique you will have access to our dedicated alterations studio right next door to the boutique - being able to guide you through your full journey to being aisle ready is really important to us. The alterations studio is a calm and safe space for brides to be listened to and supported throughout their alterations stage.

TRUST THE PROCESS

Altering wedding dresses is an art form and takes time. Your fittings will start 10-12 weeks before your wedding date and usually you can expect three fitting appointments. Your second would be at your half way point approx 5 weeks before and your final fitting is usually 2 weeks before your wedding day.

The cost of your alterations will vary depending on how much work is needed, depending on the level of detail on your dress and what is required to achieve the perfect fit. A full quote will be provided after your first fitting.

At your final fitting your dress will have been steamed and prepped ready for the day, you will also have the option to leave it with us until the week of the wedding too.

We sincerely mean it when we say we are here for you.

MEET YOUR SEAMSTRESS

Our brilliantly skilled recommended seamstress, Claire “The Tailoress” (on the right in the photo) has been making and altering wedding dresses since 2013.

Her passion and dedication to our brides is second to none. She’s a perfectionist with a heart of gold, who won’t rest until she is 100% happy with the finished gown, ensuring the perfect fit every time for every bride.

Claire lovingly spends the required time, fitting and sewing your wedding dress. With meticulous attention to detail of every stitch, bead, button and seam to make sure everything is perfect and just as it should be. A lot of the work is hand finished and once completed you wont even be able to tell it has been altered.

ALTERATIONS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Fittings will start 10-12 weeks before your wedding date, with your final fitting usually 2 weeks before your wedding day.

  • Usually 3 fittings would be sufficient for standard alterations. If there are custom elements, that may require additional visits.

  • All of your fitting appointments will be held in our Alterations Studio which is right next to the boutique. Parking is in the usual parking bays behind the boutique.

  • Fittings appointments are usually 40mins to an hour. This allows Claire the required time to ensure that you are happy with how your dress is looking and feeling throughout the process.

  • Our Brides budget between £400-£600. A national average on basic alterations is around £450.

    This can only be determined once Claire has seen you in your dress at your fitting. Which will depend on the style of your dress and how much will need altering. A comprehensive quote will be provided after this appointment.

    Please ask Emma for more information during your Bridal Consultation.

  • We try to be as flexible as possible within the time frame of when your dress will need to be completed.

    Fitting appointments are held on week days.

    In the height of the Bridal season, when we are fully booked it may be necessary for you to book a morning or afternoon off work to ensure we see you when required.

  • Guests at your fitting are limited to 2 people. Fitting appointments are crucial to achieve the look you want for your wedding day. We hope you understand, please respect this request.

  • You will need to bring along:

    • The shoes that you will be wearing on your wedding day. Your shoes are crucial to determine the length of your dress.

    • The underwear that you plan on wearing under your dress. Underwear should be seamless and nude, the closest colour to your skin tone.

  • Unfortunately, Claire is unable to take on any additional work from outside the boutique.

  • If you would like to look at accessories please arrange for an accessories appointment at the boutique with Emma. Fittings are appointments focused on the fit of your dress.