Wedding Dress Alterations Surrey
Bryony's vintage wedding dress was taken in on the bodice, bust waist and top of skirt to match. 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, or download the same information as a PDF leaflet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Ready to book?
"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
2026 is going to be the most whimsical year yet ✨
To be clear, this isn`t me. But I did make the dress, and I did insist on the lovely Lauren twirling in it for me. She`s a brilliant twirler, I think we can all agree 💃🏻
(This 16th century costume dress is now available sale just get in touch for details 🤫)
The cusp between the old year and the new year is always a time for reflection. For me, at least. Looking back at the things achieved, and looking forward to what else might be in store.
One of my favourite projects this year was costuming again at the Archway Theatre. The play was Nell Gwynn, which is set during the Restoration period. Some plays allow for some artistic license when it comes to historically costuming, but for this one, my aim was to be as period (and class) accurate as possible.
My original training was in costume design for theatre, and even though it isn`t a huge part of what I do now (although I often use the same skills when creating a wedding look), I do love it when I get to stretch those muscles. A gift from the past, still making itself useful to me now.
Much of my time was spent coordinating outfits, with the use of incredible costume store of my good friend, Elizabeth Callow. Due to most garments being varying degrees of old and worn, I spent many hours altering and mending too. In total I had about thirty costumes to put together. But I also found the time to make a few pieces, including Nell`s pink raw silk gown.
I had a lovely time working with all those sumptuous, brocaded fabrics 😍 which costume is speaking to you the loudest?
Photos by @rubysienauk
Just replace fashion house with bespoke bridal boutique, and you get the idea.
(I also hate being filmed like this, but my social media elf, Elle, told me it was a good idea 😅)
These were all labours of love, with a lot of climbing up precariously placed ladders and sweeping up glitter and leaves. But so fun to do!
Which one is your favourite bridal shop window display?
1. Red for Valentine`s day
2. Purple and gold fantasy
3. Rainbows for Pride
4. Black and white for Halloween
5. Sparkles for winter
Now to start planning for 2026...
I managed to complete my window display dress just in time!
This is the 2nd time I`ve made a wedding dress specifically for my window, and I`m not going to go so far as to say it will be a yearly tradition (that`s too much pressure!) but I do enjoy it!
For this one, I wanted to use up bits and pieces I`ve had hanging around for far too long. As a creative person, I think hoarding comes with the territory, so I`ve had boxes of scrap fabric gathering in boxes. And this dress used so much of them up, which was very satisfying.
For this look I made a boned bodice and covered it in white feathers. Then I added layers and layers of tulle, sequins and lace for the skirt, creating this beautiful asymmetric waterfall effect.
A dress fit for an ice queen ❄️
The past five years have been exciting, scary, busy, joyful, difficult, creative! And I`m grateful for every single day.
From 2020 to now, I opened my bridal shop, I won a Muddy Stilettoes award and a Wedding Industry award. I made a lot of dresses, used up a lot of cans of spray paint and danced around my shop more often that you`d think 💃🏻
What springs to your mind when you think of the past five years?
Shop opening footage - @kasias_irisvisuals
TWIA footage - @mattrockprophoto
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