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 fully booked until the end of September with spaces still available for weddings later in the year and beyond.
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 fully booked until the end of September with spaces for weddings later in the year 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.
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.
I love autumn 🍂🍁
And this custom dip dye wedding skirt feels perfect for the changing of the seasons. All those beautiful colours of falling leaves, from bright yellow, through to deep burgundy.
As always, nature provides such a perfect source of inspiration 🍁
If you`re looking to capture the colours you love on your wedding day, my custom dip dye skirts are such a lovely touch. You can choose up to five shades, and there are a whole bunch of customisation options. Just check out my shop (link in bio).
For this elegant, forest green wedding dress, I spent a lot of hours working on the main focus of the dress; 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 this design element would really shine (literally)! I used a whole range of beads in peacock colours - blood red, deep garnet, teal, vibrant purple and sparkling gold. I played with design ideas, taking inspiration from the art deco era, using a lot of symmetry and geometry.
It`s always a relief when I`m finally finished with a project like this, to be able to step back and see the result 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 #greenweddingdress #bespokeweddingdress #weddinginspiration #2027bride 2026bride
This is one of my favourite bridal creations 💚
When talking to Janet about her bespoke wedding dress ideas, I was so excited when she told me she wanted a gown in gorgeous, emerald green 🌳🦚
I love working with colour, and 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 the dress floated when she walked, and pooled around her in gorgeous puddles of forest green satin when she sat. And the simple shape meant we could put all our attention into the feature neckline with a beautiful, glittering, hand-beaded collar.
If you want to see more photos from this wedding, I have a blog about it (link in bio) 💚
Photography - @andrew.brannan.photo
"Felicity worked her magic on my pre-loved Vinted wedding dress and transformed it into something completely bespoke and truly beautiful. Her vision and creativity were incredible, and she immediately saw the potential in the dress and knew exactly how to make it feel like me.
I felt both incredibly comfortable and glamorous on my wedding day, which was exactly what I had hoped for. Felicity was such a pleasure to work with throughout the whole process, making everything feel exciting and enjoyable.
Her shop is absolutely lovely, and her creativity is genuinely inspiring. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!"
Thank you, Lisa 💜 it was my pleasure to make your wedding dress feel like it was made jut for you.
Looking to alter your wedding dress? Whether it`s a size adjustment, or a change in style, I would be happy to help. Drop me a DM and let`s chat 🤗
Photography - Captive Photography
Honouring your own heritage, whilst welcoming in the culture of your beloved. That`s the key to a cultural fusion bridal look.
Vidushi wanted a wedding dress that felt like both halves of her story - her Indian roots, and the culture of the country she calls home.
Reimagining and weaving together a western-style ivory wedding dress with three highly embellished sari sets, Vidushi walked down the aisle looking beautiful and completely one-of-a-kind.
Her wedding look features an A-line silhouette, a richly embellished corseted bodice, and a striking red veil - a bold final note of colour against the ivory.
Love this fusion of cultures? See more of my one-of-a-kind bridal designs, from the delicate to the bold - link in bio.
Photography: @whiteframestorytellers_
Wedding Coordinator: @alexandras_dream_weddings
Venue: @estrella_villa__
Makeup: @zantemakeup
Hair: @bliss.salon_spa
I have always loved working on cultural fusion wedding dresses, and I have been very lucky that many brides trust me with this process.
For Vidushi`s bespoke wedding dress, we worked to combine her Indian heritage with her husband`s Polish culture. She sourced the base dress and three beautiful red saris, and we began the process of discovering the kind of fusion she was looking for.
The final result is the perfect blend of east and west ❤️
Wedding photography by @whiteframestorytellers_
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