Wedding Dress Alterations
Cheers to Your Engagement! We’d love to make your day perfect.
Our expert seamstresses specialize in wedding dress alterations, from delicate lace work to complex structural changes. Whether you need a simple hem, custom boning, or a complete bodice reconstruction, we tailor every detail to your vision. Express services are available upon request.
Wedding Dress Alterations
Bridal-only studio · every gown fitted by Rachel personally
Hemming
| Hem — 1 layer | $240 |
| Hem — each additional lining | +$130 |
| Hem — 2 layers (outer + lining) | ~$370 |
| Hem — 5 layers | ~$600 |
| Hem — 8 layers (lace edge + horsehair braid) | ~$900 |
We replicate the original manufactured hem finish — horsehair, blind hem, lettuce edge — so no one can see it's been changed.
Bustles
| Simple Lift — one point, train lifted clear of the floor | from $119 |
| Elegant Bustle — multi-point, train folded into the skirt | from $330 |
| Sweep the Floor Bustle — longer trains, softly draped | from $440 |
| The Ballroom Bustle — any train short or even cathedral trains, fully engineered to look like the train never existed | from $480 |
Bustle points are marked on you, in your shoes, at your fitting — then demonstrated to whoever is doing it up on the day along with pictures and videos for the more complex.
Sleeves & straps
| Sleeve hem, or taken in narrower | from $48 |
| Sleeve inset into an existing strap | from $108 |
| Drape sleeves, made for you | from $180 |
| Puff sleeves — unlined / lined | from $240 / $300 |
| Fitted illusion or lace sleeves | from $380 |
| Appliquéd sleeves, lace matched to your gown | from $540 |
| Replacing existing sleeves | from $280 |
| Straps — narrow / medium | $144 / $251 |
| Cups sewn in, so you don't need a bra | $108 |
Adding sleeves to a strapless gown carries a surcharge — the bodice has to be re-engineered to carry them.
Structural & couture
| Sides in — 2 layers | $240 base |
| Sides in — with boning, appliqué or beading | $620 |
| Back in — regular / with buttons | $403 / $562 |
| Corset back conversion | $420 |
| Zip in — plain / with buttons | $420 / $564 |
| Custom bodice (couture top-half, made for you) | from $1,200 |
Lace motifs pattern-matched across every take-in; re-beaded over cut lines so seams disappear.
What else is possible
Almost anything you can picture. Brides regularly ask us for booty scoops and waist stays to hold a heavy skirt where it should sit · gussets and godets to add room or movement · leg splits added, raised or lowered · pockets · neckline and backline reshaping · bust apex adjustment · darts for a closer fit through the body · boning added or removed · lining built into a sheer front or back · buttons down a half or full back · belts tacked on, beaded, or made from your own fabric · and beads, lace and appliqué replaced or moved.
If it isn't on this list, ask. Structural reconstruction, intricate lacework and heirloom restoration are the work this studio was built for.
Finishing touches
| Gown clean during your alterations | $350 |
| Veil — made, recombed, mended or shortened | from $45 |
| Clean & Preserve after the day | from $620 |
| Heirloom Preservation boxing upgrade | $250 |
Prices shown are starting points — every gown is different, and layers, beading and lace all change the work involved. Your final price is confirmed at your first fitting before anything is cut, and locked in once you book. No surprises.
The Investment in Your Gown
Every bride and every gown is different. And so is every quote.
Rachel's studio specialises in complex bridal work: structural reconstruction, intricate lacework, heirloom restoration, and gowns that need more than a standard alteration. If your dress has a story, or needs serious craftsmanship to become what you imagined, you're in the right place.
From your intake form through every fitting to the final steam, your dress is in expert hands. We'll talk through your gown, your taste, and how you want to feel on your day — and guide you with a steady hand to make sure your dress is picture perfect.
Bring your shoes. And your vision. We'll take care of the rest.
Wedding Dress Timeline
This timeline serves as a general guide. Your experience may vary depending on your specific needs, but we are committed to ensuring everything is completed to your satisfaction. Thank you!
12+ Weeks Before The Big Day
Book your initial Wedding Dress appointment! Yay!
8 - 12 Weeks Before The Big Day
Bring your dress in for your first fitting!
3 - 6 Weeks Before The Big Day
Come in for an Interim Fitting!
(If required)
1 - 2 Weeks Before
The Big Day
Come in for your final fitting and pick-up!
6 Weeks After The Big Day
Send us your professional photos and post a review!
Planning ahead?
If you're booking more than 12 weeks out, check out our pre-booking details here.
Optional Add-Ons
We understand that sometimes you may need a little extra care for your wedding attire or other garments. We offer a variety of additional services to ensure your dress or suit looks its best.
Veils
With your choice of colour, length and style, we have something for every bride!
Wedding Dress Clean
Ensure your dress is pristine after the big day with our professional cleaning service.
Professional Steamer Hire
For the bride who wants everything just right! Your gown deserves a flawless finish.
Hire the same professional-grade steamer trusted by bridal seamstresses worldwide, designed to safely refresh couture fabrics, delicate beadwork, and intricate gowns with fast, consistent steam.
Day Of Service
Your own personal seamstress for your special day. To steam the dresses, assist you into your, teach the bustle, help the boys with ties and be on hand for any quick mending or tacking.
Bridesmaid Alterations
Ensure your entire party is looking pristine for your big day.
Express services may be available – please enquire.
A Showcase of Our Tailoring & Bridal Services
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![Side-by-side comparison of a woman in a bridal gown before and after some alterations. In the before image, she looks serious with her hands behind her back. In the after image, she is smiling with her arms relaxed at her sides. The wedding dress is white, strapless, fitted at the top, and has a full, gathered skirt at the bottom. The background consists of a plain curtain and a wooden floor.]()
Alterations: ~ Hem ~ Top ~ Skirt ~ Butt pad~
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![Side-by-side comparison of a bride in a white wedding dress before and after fitting; the "before" dress is a strapless gown, and the "after" dress has thin spaghetti straps and a train. The bride is smiling in both photos, standing in front of a plain curtain.]()
Alterations: ~ Hem ~ Bodice ~ 7 Pt Peekaboo Bustle ~ Steam ~
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![Side-by-side photos of a woman trying on a white wedding dress. The 'before' photo shows her standing with her hand behind her head, and the 'after' photo shows her with her hands behind her back, with a high slit in the dress.]()
Alterations: ~ Create Split ~ Straps In ~ Bustle ~ Cups ~ Waist Stay ~ Hem
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![Comparison of a wedding dress before and after alteration, showing the dress on a hanger with the caption 'Bride: Lisa Virgin.']()
Wedding Dress Clean
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![Side-by-side comparison of a woman before and after trying on a royal blue evening gown. The dress features lace detailing on the top and a satin skirt with a slit. The woman stands in a fitting room with a white curtain in the background, smiling in the after photo.]()
Alterations: Straps ~ Cups ~ Hem ~ Bustle ~ Pocket Square ~ Body Tape
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![Side-by-side before and after photos of a woman in a green satin dress with a slit, showing makeup and hair improvements.]()
Alterations: ~ Cups ~Sides ~ Steam ~
What to Expect at your first fitting
Here’s everything you need to know before your appointment…
Real Bride: Donika Gower
Photography: Chris Jack
Read Through Some Extra Things
Feel free to peruse our menu on this website for lots of extra information from about us, to prices, to options to book, to bustle options.
Stay tuned because we will be adding more very soon!
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