How it works:
Any dress can be altered to make the fit more suitable for your specific body. Standard dress sizes don’t account for individual body shape or styling desires. Custom alterations and steaming are the sneakiest way to look effortlessly fabulous in a formal gown. Most gowns don’t need major reconstruction; simply altering the straps and bringing the hemline to the floor make you look perfect in professional photos!
After reading over my Bio and Business Policies you’ll text me photos and event details!
If I have availability for your event weekend- I will forward you a link to my appointment calendar where you can choose a first fitting date within the outlined parameters.
I need to see photos of you in the gown before I’ll agree to a consultation and take a booking fee!
Typically we will have two fittings for formal gowns
First Fitting:
Once in my studio, you’ll change into your gown and pop on your event shoes. I will quickly mark fit changes with pins or chalk as we chat. I’ll get to know your personality/style to customize your gown fit. I do take video notes with certain gowns to ensure I alter each area we determine needs my attention. Finally we’ll discuss your timeline, whether you’d like me to press/steam and next fitting dates. You’ll leave the dress with me!
Second Fit/Pickup:
Generally, your next fitting will be to pick up the completed gown! I aim to accomplish the desired changes in one fitting. If there is a complex amount of detailed work we will add a second fitting before pickup.
Pricing:
I have a 100$ MINIMUM and I do not press/steam gowns before pickup
I can press/steam for an additional fee. (I can't find reliable help and the amount of time it takes to steam has cost me too much time/$ in the past)
During March-Oct I need 6-8 weeks notice!!!
-Text me a pic to see if I can squeeze you in.
You’ll need your shoes for ALL of our fittings (same for brides/all jobs!).
I aim to keep prom/bridesmaid/MOB/etc dress alterations in the 100-250$ range.
Formal Gown PRICING:
Standard hems (1-3layer): $100
Complex Hem- Lace/intricate/ballgown hems: $140-250
Bustle: 25-75$
Sides in simple- 25-50$
Sides in - Lace/intricate/beaded- $50-150
Straps up simple- $15-40
Straps up- Lace/intricate/multi strap/beaded straps: $50-90
Waist tighten simple/lace-beaded- $25-35/$40-100
Princess reductions/bust seam alteration: $25-125
Bust Cups- $20-50
…Many more alteration types. See below for a dictionary of alteration terms! Ask for pricing details!
Pressing/Steaming Cost:
pressing/steaming for mob/prom/bridesmaid etc: $25-75
Rush Fees:
under 6 weeks: $25-100
*Please understand some lace and beaded gowns take hours of intricate work, Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses are, for example, generally complicated to alter. (I don't know why designers do this to us!?) depending on the nightmare of materials I may work at my hourly rate of 75$/hr
FAQs
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Don’t forget to bring the dress itself! Next, your event shoes- their height determines the perfect hem length and even impacts your posture. Also- undergarments. Your choice of bra, underwear, and shapewear can alter how your body fits your dress.
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For formal gowns like prom/bridesmaid/MOB we will generally only need one initial fitting for pinning and then a pickup fitting. If the gown needs major work, we will schedule a second fit. (This may have an additional cost)
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This is totally your choice! Do remember that though they may look nice when you bring them in the garment bag from the boutique- I have to put them through a lot of turning inside out and sitting on my sewing tables. Horsehair hems ( the stiff piece of material along the bottom of the dress) definitely need a press to flow properly!!
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I plan my work load based on due dates for bridal gowns. Bridal gowns require hours of work and multiple fittings, in order to stay on track with my inflexible deadlines, I have to limit the additional jobs I take on!