Wedding Dress Alterations Surrey
Charmaine Mossman wears a Charlie Brier two piece with fringed skirt. I under took alterations to the waistband size, skirt length and straps on the top.
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 fully booked until the end of May with some spaces still available after that for late summer weddings.
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 simply 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 alterations per month.
I am now taking bookings for 2025. I am now fully booked on alteration slots to the end of May with some spaces after that for late summer weddings still available.
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.
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.
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
The Inspiration vs. The Wedding Dress
The first image is what Barbara brought to her design consultation as a basis for her Edwardian lace wedding dress. And the next images are how it turned out.
Being an older bride doesn`t mean you have to conform to anyone’s idea of how a ‘mature lady’ should dress and I love that Barbara lived her dream! It`s also very exciting to me when a bride wants a historically-inspired look, and the Edwardian period is one of my favourites.
I made this dress using duchess satin and beaded Guipure lace, and trimmed it with gathered lace flounces and groups of pink flowers. The dress is actually made in three pieces, with the base dress, an over-bodice with long sleeves and a high collar, and a removable presentation train.
If you`ve got a specific vision for your dress, be in it period-specific, or something completely original, I`d love to hear about it. Drop me a DM and let`s chat!
For this elegant, forest green wedding dress, I spent a lot of hours working on the pièce de résistance; the beaded collar. Sometimes doing things over and over again can be strangely peaceful, and sometimes it can be utterly mind-numbing. And sometimes it`s a bit of column A and a bit of column B! 😂
The rest of the dress was kept classic and simple, so that this design element would really shine (literally)! I used an array of styles and shapes of beads in peacock colours - blood red, deep garnet, teal, vibrant purple and sparkling gold. I then played around with design ideas, taking inspiration from the art deco era, incorporating a lot of symmetry and geometry. Once I was happy with the layout, I transferred the design onto the fabric and began many many many hours of hand-beading.
It`s always a relief when I`m finally finished with a project like this, to be able to step back and see the finished dress and think "ah, that was completely worth it." 😌
If you want to see what this dress looked like on the day of the wedding, have a look at my previous post 🌿
#weddingdress #bridetobe #weddinginspiration #2025bride #2026bride
Isn`t this English country wedding so pretty? The sun shining, drinking bubbly on the lawn, surrounded by friends and family.
When talking to Janet about her wedding dress ideas, I was so excited she chose to go for this gorgeous, emerald colour for her wedding dress. Non-traditional colours don`t have to mean a non-traditional look.
Janet looks so elegant and regal in this simple, floor length wedding dress.
The layers of silk and chiffon meant this dress floated when she walked, and pooled around her in gorgeous puddles of green satin when sitting. Just stunning.
If you want to see more photos from this wedding, I recently blogged about it: https://felicitywestmacott.co.uk/forest-green-beaded-wedding-dress
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for creating my silky Kimono outfit with the lovely obi to complement it.
You were so accommodating and helpful with all my fluffy requests and did everything to interpret my muddled ideas to create something so very special.
I had so many sincere complements from complete strangers asking me questions about where I got my outfit from and how much they loved it. I felt so comfortable too.
I can’t thank you enough. You truly work magic with your immense skills & talents!"
I love working with mother of the brides (or grooms). Especially those with such a well defined sense of style. Working on a wedding dress can sometimes have some limitations, but with a MOTB outfit, it can really be anything you want it to be!
For this MOTB, I created a soft and flowing three piece set in vibrant blue, as well as an obi-inspired belt in a contrasting fabric.
I offer mother of the bride or groom ensembles created from design to completion to suit your figure and style, from dresses to jackets, as well as two-piece and three-piece ensembles.
Have a look at my website for more examples (link in the bio).
When Iram saw the custom Asian fusion wedding trousers and top that I had made for a bridal shoot, she decided she had to have them for her own London wedding – and I don’t blame her! This outfit looks perfect on her. It`s the ideal look for a chic, modern, summer wedding.
The ‘Evie’ separates comprise of a beautiful wedding top and trouser set with beaded waistband for a bride who is not afraid to make a statement. And Iram was definitely not afraid! She exudes chilled, modern bride energy in this cool and comfortable combo.
If you love this custom Asian fusion wedding trousers, you can find the Evie bridal separates on my Etsy 💜
Photography @saidigitaluk
“I fell in love with Felicity’s design from the moment I saw it online, and seeing it come to life was even better! She helped me customise the outfit with small changes which made it even more special. Felicity made sure the fit was perfect before she let me take the outfit home and I’m so thankful for her attention to detail.
I was so comfortable on the day, and loved every minute of wearing my wedding outfit. It went beautifully with the indo-western, city wedding vibe I was looking for. No other outfit would have met the brief so well, and Felicity was always responsive to any questions or requests I had throughout the whole process.”
After her wedding, Iram messaged me to say she plans to dye her bridal separates so that they can be worn again and again. I love the idea that this bridal outfit will have a life beyond the wedding day 🥰
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Photographer: @saidigitaluk
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#realbride #weddingseparates #bridalseparates #bridetobe #bride #modernbride #bridal #bespokeweddingdress #weddingstyle #indowesternwedding #indowestern #indowesternbride
