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.

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Wedding Dress Alterations

Bridal-only studio · every gown fitted by Rachel personally

Most brides invest $1,500–$3,100 in alterations, across 2–5 fittings.

Hemming

Hem — Sheath Style	~$450-650
Hem — A Line Style	~$850
Hem — Ballgown Style	~$1100
Hem — Giant Ballgown with Lace Edging and Complicated Layers	~$1500

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 $140
Elegant Bustle — multi-point, train folded into the skirt	from $390
Sweep the Floor Bustle — longer trains, softly draped	from $530
The Ballroom Bustle — any train short or even cathedral trains, fully engineered to look like the train never existed	from $580

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

Custom Made Sleeves	from $280 - $800
Straps In — narrow / medium	$180 / $350
Cups sewn in, so you don't need a bra	$150

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	from $550 base
Sides in — with boning, appliqué or beading	from $750
Back in — regular / with buttons	$550 / $650
Corset back conversion	from $400
Custom bodice (couture top-half, made for you)	from $1,400

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

Sampe Gown clean during your alterations	$190
Veil — custom made / recombed, mended or shortened	from $150 / $50
Clean & Preserve your gown after the day	from $620

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.

Kind Words From Our Clients

Kate Johnston

I highly recommend Rachel’s custom sewing service. I brought in my Nana’s 1966 wedding dress along with a few sketches and ideas, and Rachel went above and beyond to bring everything to life. Every session was filled with professionalism, attention to detail and genuine care for not only me, but also the heirloom I entrusted to her. I couldn’t be more grateful! And now I have the most incredible wedding dress for my special day. Thanks Rach!

@hannahredman_images
Anna Beadle

Fantastic experience from start to finish; each step of the process was seamless and well-communicated. I had my wedding dress altered, and the small changes made the dress incredible. So happy with the whole experience!

Photography: @weddingswithryal
Shay Bichel

Oh my god! Sensational! My wedding dress was completed on time and it needed a lot of work. But every bit of it was exquisite! So reasonably priced for the incredible work they do. Thank you Rachel! And all your staff. Xox

Photography: @megan_henry_photography_
Teegan Hudson

Rachel and her team did an absolutely fabulous job on my wedding dress. Rachel made it fit perfectly in all the right places with minimal fitting appointments! 100% the place to go if you want the most perfectly fitting wedding dress 🤩

Photography: @emmacrossruralphotography

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.

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Wedding Dress Timeline

This timeline serves as a general guide.
If your wedding is more the 12 weeks away, prebook here: customsewing.au/bwd

If you need your dress in a tighter timeline, we have limited spots availble with a rush fee. Message or call us to check.

Your experience may vary depending on your specific needs, but we like to give you a rough guide on what to expect for those who love to soak up all the information.

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!

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A woman smiling at a desk with a laptop. Behind her is a dress form with a measuring tape and a dressmaker's sketch. A large plant is in the background.

Planning ahead?

If you're booking more than 12 weeks out, check out our pre-booking details here.

Feeling Behind?

We reserve a number of rush spots so that even if you find yourself suddenly in need of alterations, we can (usually) fit you in subject to fees.

Simply BOOK IN and the current lead times and fees will be on the booking page.

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!

Photography: Chelsea J Photography

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Comparison of a white wedding dress before and after alterations, with the before image on the left showing a wrinkled dress with a long train, and the after image on the right showing a smooth, fitted dress on a hanger.

Wedding Dress Clean

Ensure your dress is pristine after the big day with our professional cleaning service.

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A person's hand is holding a black vacuum cleaner hose over a white bed cover. The bed is covered with a white sheet and is in a room with a large mirror reflecting part of the room and a person wearing black.

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.

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A bride in a white lace wedding dress standing in front of a large mirror with her bridesmaids helping her get ready.

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.

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