Wedding Dress Alterations Surrey
Bryony's vintage wedding dress was taken in on the bodice, bust waist and top of skirt to match with wedding dress alterations Surrey. The straps were adjusted and relined for a lighter look. The back neckline was lowered and buttons added. I also made her custom veil.
The Dress Alchemist
- Wedding Dress Alterations
Alterations for size or styling to shop bought or vintage wedding dresses are important to make a dress look like it belongs to you and to give you confidence on your big day. Very few people are a standard dress size so most dresses need adjustment to the bodice, hem length and straps. Changes to the style; adding straps, changing the neckline or adding lace appliqué can transform an off the peg dress into something uniquely special.
I take on a limited number of alterations per month.
I am now taking bookings for the 2026 season. Booking early for the popular summer sewing slots is encouraged.
See FAQ below for an in depth look at how your alterations will be accomplished and guide prices, or download the same information as a PDF leaflet for wedding dress alterations Surrey.
I have worked in bridal alterations for more than 22 years and there is very little I cannot manage. If you are unsure your dress can be altered the way you would like I can offer advice at a free fitting consultation.
For price guide, scroll down.
Wedding dress alterations surrey
FAQ
How long do wedding dress alterations take?
I usually accomplish most alteration jobs in 1-2 days sewing, however I normally space your fittings 1-2 weeks apart to allow me to fit your sewing around other work and commitments.
I recommend alteration work is started 3-6 weeks before your wedding day to allow for any weight change. Most good seamstresses will get very busy, especially in the summer months so pre-booking your sewing slot in advance is essential.
Check my availability for sewing slots suitable to your wedding date by submitting an enquiry here.
How many fittings will I need?
Two is usual, one to pin the changes and another to check everything is perfect before you take the dress away. Occasionally a third fitting date is scheduled, if a further tweak is needed. My suggested timeframe of starting 3-6 weeks before your wedding allows plenty of time for fittings.
Taking apart your dress to alter it is often taking things right back to basics, even for what seems a minor change.
This bodice was taken off the dress completely to be re-boned, the neckline changed and slimmed at the sides.
Booking In
I take a limited number of alteration bookings per month and am usually fully booked 3-4 months in advance, possibly even sooner for busy summer months. Please enquire in good time to avoid disappointment for your wedding dress alterations Surrey.
A booking-in fee of £80 secures a sewing slot for you in my schedule. This is deductible from your final bill. Weekday fittings are free, evening and weekend appointments are charged at £40 each.
You are welcome to bring your dress in for an early assessment and firm quote, before booking-in. Or you can book your ideal sewing slot without visiting and I will see the dress for the first time at the fitting appointment. I have altered more than a thousand dresses in my time so unless your alterations are very out of the ordinary an early assessment would be for your peace of mind rather than my benefit.
Chelsea's dress had a lace-up back conversion to accommodate early pregnancy alongside more usual alterations.
"Felicity just got me straight away. The minute she saw the dress I had chosen and started chatting to me about my interests, I knew I'd made the right choice to ask her to make the alterations. She really understood the aesthetic that I wanted and catered to needs. Felicity was so helpful and understanding, especially after discovering that I was pregnant and needing to make further alterations to the back of the dress (which in the end I much preferred!) I received so many compliments on the day, and I was so grateful to Felicity for ensuring that I would feel confident and comfortable. THANK YOU!"
-Chelsea Eves
How much do wedding dress alterations cost?
A typical wedding dress alteration cost is £300-£600
I charge £80/h for sewing work. Costs will differ from dress to dress depending on how each dress is constructed. Fuller skirts, multiple layers, lace edges, beading detail or delicate fabrics are all elements likely to increase the cost of your alterations. Very occasionally work might take longer than a seamstress expected at the outset. My breadth of experience at cost estimation means I very rarely have to charge more than my original quote.
Can you give me a quote by email?
No. I only give firm quotes in person. But if you send me pictures of your dress I can let you know if there is anything about your dress style that might take us outside the usual costs outlined below.
I can give a firm cost estimate at a pre-fitting consultation or at your first official fitting as best suits you.
A consultation appointment is free on a weekday for your wedding dress alterations Surrey.
"Everything you did was absolutely perfect & I can't thank you enough! The day went perfectly & thanks to the alterations you did it made me feel super comfortable in the dress, especially having everyone's eyes on you all day"
- Lisa Duffy
Price Guide
All prices are a guide only.
Costs are as individual as each brides’ requirements.
Common Size Alterations:
Take in dress at sides
Bust only £80-£160
Bust and Waist £90-£180
Bust, waist and hip £100-£240
(may include multiple layers of skirt)
Hem length
Front only, tapered into train from sides
Prices from: £80 hemmed layers
£40 cut edge layers (tulle and net)
£160+ lace edge layers
Double the cost for hems all round, taking up the train as well
Bustles
Usually free with other alterations
for simple “button and loop”, over or under bustles.
From £20 if no other work required
or for more complicated bustle arrangements
Other alterations such as reducing bodice cup size, narrowing or shortening sleeves, removing trains etc can be quoted for at a consultation.
Common Style alterations:
Create straps from £80-£220 depending on style and materials required
Create sleeves from £300 + materials
Change back fastening to:
Lace up with eyelets from £120
Lace up with loops and flat lacing from £150
Buttons and loops from £150
Add buttons next to zip from £90
Other style alterations such as adding lace applique or beaded detail, changing the neckline front or back, adding a sash or beaded belt or narrowing a skirt shape can be quoted for at a consultation.
I am
"the dress alchemist"
I have altered more than 2000 wedding dresses during my sewing life and there is very little I cannot manage. If you are unsure whether your dress can be altered the way you would like I am happy to offer advice and help at a consultation appointment.
Alteration ConsultaTions
At an alteration consult I can check the changes you want are possible and give a quote. I cannot give more than a ball-park price guide by email.
For alterations a pre-consult is optional. Many brides needing just straight forward sizing alterations opt to book in without the extra visit. If the changes you need are more than 2 dress sizes down, increasing the size or more complicated style changes, a consultation is advisable.
I take on a limited number of bridal alterations per month. I am now taking bookings for the 2026 season. Booking early for the popular summer sewing slots is encouraged.
Please note I have a £250 minimum charge for bridal alterations. Most sets of wedding dress alterations cost something £300-£600 but if you actually only need one change (like the straps lifted or a bustle button) it might be cheaper to find a less specialist seamstress who can help for a lower charge.
Ready to book?
book in for wedding dress alterations surrey
"Felicity did some alterations to my wedding dress !! She was so professional and very understanding. She did an amazing Job and couldn't be happier with the outcome of my dress .Lovely person who makes you feel so comfortable !! Definitely would recommend !!! Felicity also altered my bridesmaids dresses including readjusting a dress for my pregnant sister at the time, a wonderful job done !! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING !!"
-Nseko Salalha
Thank you again for the dress, it was so comfortable on the day thanks to your work!
-Emily Budd
I look forward to hearing from you to book your wedding dress alterations Surrey.
Vintage elegance with modern tastes 💜
This Bridgerton-inspired wedding dress is now for sale 🥳 I`m currently clearing space in my shop in Dorking, so I have extra room to create even more unique, unusual and quirky wedding dresses.
You can find the outfit on my Etsy (link in bio), where you can purchase either the whole set (dress, bolero, dip dye overskirt), or just the base dress. The stays (corset) and petticoat shift I made specifically to go with this dress are also up there - having the shapewear that would have been used during the period really adds to creating an authentic silhouette.
Tag someone who would look perfect in this outfit!
I love a Mother of the Bride who radiates style ✨️
For her daughter`s wedding day, Tracey wanted something special. So I designed this bespoke three piece ensemble in a stunning electric blue satin and sequin beaded tulle. She wanted the whole set to look both formal and relaxed, with the materials we chose elevating the simple shapes of the design.
And she found a hat that matched our shade of blue perfectly!
Some of my favourite features include:
🔹the key-hole back with a covered button
🔹the wide-legged trousers that look like a skirt
🔹the asymmetrical cut away front of the jacket
Making something completely one-of-a-kind for a MOTB on such a special day is always a joy. If you would like something unique, flattering and in exactly the style you want, drop me a DM!
“I cannot stop thinking of you. From the mornings you ease, to the evenings you quiet, to the dreams you inhabit, my thoughts of you never end.”
Who doesn`t want to run away from the world for a while? To take their lover by the hand and find a moment of quiet; to dance, to read, to hold each other.
The romance between Daphne and Simon in Bridgerton was so electric. Even though they had a wedding in the series, I wanted to re-imagine the wedding dress Daphne would have worn, adding a bit more personality and colour into a classic Regency silhouette.
I wanted to keep the brilliant combination of old and new design elements the show does so well. So, along with the empire line waist, square neckline and boned stays (corset), I used modern fabrics like tulle, beaded lace and shantung. And, of course, the pink and lilac dip dye skirt.
Could you see this dress on the next season of Bridgerton?
If the attraction you feel to this dress is as strong as Simon`s attraction to Daphne, then it`s currently on sale in my shop (link in bio). There`s only one, so grasp it whilst you still can, before it finds another lover!
VENUE | @commissionershouseweddings
CONCEPT & STATIONERY | @ribbonsnwren
PLANNER & STYLIST | @lilyjonesevents
PHOTOGRAPHER | @katehennesseyphotography
VIDEOGRAPHER | @lukebatchelorproductions
MODELS | @monamiepics & @kaiimodelling
FLORIST | @cocobloom2019
HAIR & MAKE UP | @sjbhairandmakeup
DRESS | @felicitywestmacott
SUIT | @couchmanbespoke
CAKE & COOKIE FAVOURS | @allshapescake
LACE BOOTS | @houseofelliotlaceboots
VEIL | @tulleandflo
HAIRPIECES | @vintageadornments
JEWELLERY | @varoshebespokejewellery
CROCKERY & GLASSWARE | @atouchofvintageuk
LINEN | @northfieldslinen
MUSICIAN | @welshiewithaharp
MUSICIAN’S DRESS | @matchimony
SHOOT ASSISTANT | @_shanhunt_
A reminder that you have about 3 weeks left to enter the @wed4pal raffle!
I`m offering one @wed4pal raffle winner either:
a. A bridal dip dye package
OR
b. A custom dip dye overskirt.
With tickets for only £45!
This is just one way in which my business continues to take a stand against genocide, apartheid and injustice. 100% of ticket sales (minus mandatory transaction fees) will go towards addressing the genocide in Palestine, with 50% going to Pal Humanity (an organisation providing medical aid, education and lifesaving supplies in Northern Gaza) and 50% going to Gazan couple, Sama and Khalil, and their families to help them sustain and rebuild their lives.
You can now buy tickets for this raffle prize until the fundraiser ends on 14th February 2026. Buy your tickets today - perhaps as a gift to a pal who is getting married - and find out on Valentine’s Day if you’ve won.
The full terms and conditions and buy your tickets by following the link to the fundraiser in @wed4pal bio or head straight to http://www.amostcuriousweddingfair.co.uk
There are over 50 raffles running as part of the fundraiser with incredible prizes ranging from cakes and ceremonies, to photography, videography, art, flowers and wedding wear. There are also some awesome suppliers you can book directly, who will donate a portion of their fees or sales to the fundraiser. You can check them out on the @wed4pal Instagram page.
Good luck!
Illustration: @karin_akesson_design
"Absolutely beautiful. It fulfilled my vision perfectly and made me feel like me on my wedding day. I got tons of compliments, including from all the venue staff and random passersby!"
Funny story with Samantha. Originally they wanted just three colours; pink, orange and yellow. I sent them a photo of their sample, which happened to have another sample for another bride next to it. They preferred the other sample so much, they changed their mind and opted for this beautiful full rainbow instead.
I am so in love with how their wedding photos came out. The photographer perfectly captured how hypnotically the tulle moves, and the beautiful relationship it has with the layers of colour.
Samantha`s bridal look is the perfect example of how dip dye overskirt an elevate a wedding dress. It was already a lovely gown, but with this gorgeous blend of colours, it`s now a piece that no one can take their eyes off of.
Photography - @arm.weddingphoto
#colourfulweddingdress #altwedding #colourfulwedding #dipdyeweddingdress #alternativewedding #alternativeweddingdress #altbride #alternativebride
"The dress was a hit!! Thank you so much for making my day perfect!"
Beautiful words from a beautiful bride.
Madison wanted something extra special for her wedding day, so I designed, made and dip-dyed this stunning gown for her.
I`m so grateful to Madison, since she doesn`t live in the UK, we couldn`t do fittings. So she had to really trust me with this. I`m so glad she did 🥰
I love the bouquet, with the sunflowers and roses to match the some of the colours of the gradient.
Photography Credits on this Page
bryony in front of wood panels: Georgina piper
chelsea in floral print dress: matilde barker
beach wedding couple: siobhan byrne
Nuria with draped neckline: Emmanuel Okedele
emily with the flowing train: sussexkentphotography
nseko and bridesmaids: Emmanuel Okedele