Felicity Westmacott brand logo dipdye
instagram icon
facebook icon
pinterest icon
instagram icon
facebook icon
pinterest icon
Felicity Westmacott Logo Bespoke Bridal

Wedding Dress Alterations Surrey

wedding dress alterations surrey and sussex

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 May with spaces still available for late summer weddings 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.

View or Download pdf

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.

 

alterations to a neckline surrey specailist

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 May with spaces for weddings later in the summer still available.

 

book a 30min
alteration consult
book in without
pre-consult

 

 

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

book a 30min
alteration consult
book in without
pre-consult

"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

london wedding dress alterations for fun loving brides
wedding dress alterations specialist london

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.

 

follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

Story time!

Remember the Swan Lake themed wedding photoshoot I featured a few days` ago?

When the day came for the shoot, we were blessed with one of the sunniest days of the year so far (and this was March), but the ground was still very wet. We really wanted to get some photos amongst the trees for that real fairy tale feeling, but our beautiful bride, @alicia.modelling_x⁠ didn`t want to risk ruining the outfit.

And that`s when I stepped in!

You may think that a seamstress is only on set to help with the dress. But I`m here to do anything that might be useful to the shoot, and if that means carrying Alicia across the boggy ground, then that`s what I`ll do! 😂
(I was quite pleased that all my work on strength with @mybodyrocksstudio is paying off!)

If you want a seamstress who will not only make the perfect bespoke wedding dress for you, but will also go the extra mile for you, I think you know who to call 😉

(shout to @hair_by_tel ⁠for capturing this moment)

36 9
Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18081580742215298
Story time! Remember the Swan Lake themed wedding photoshoot I featured a few days' ago? When the day came for the shoot, we were blessed with one of the sunniest days of the year so far (and this was March), but the ground was still very wet. We really wanted to get some photos amongst the trees for that real fairy tale feeling, but our beautiful bride, @alicia.modelling_x⁠ didn't want to risk ruining the outfit. And that's when I stepped in! You may think that a seamstress is only on set to help with the dress. But I'm here to do anything that might be useful to the shoot, and if that means carrying Alicia across the boggy ground, then that's what I'll do! 😂 (I was quite pleased that all my work on strength with @mybodyrocksstudio is paying off!) If you want a seamstress who will not only make the perfect bespoke wedding dress for you, but will also go the extra mile for you, I think you know who to call 😉 (shout to @hair_by_tel ⁠for capturing this moment)

Today is my birthday, so I wanted to share something I`ve been grateful for almost every year of my life.

I started ballet lessons when I was four, moving on to the Lewiston School of Dance until 18 (I even won the Pointe Work cup with them once). My grandmother had been a professional dancer and my mum also took ballet lessons (and still does, at over 70!), so there has always been a lot of ballet in my family.

When I went to uni, I stopped dancing, then came back to it in the form of adult ballet lessons with my mum, and then got pregnant. After that I found aerial hoop, which replaced dancing as my active hobby. However, my ballet training has really helped my progress in hoop, and I`m very grateful for the skills I continue to draw upon for both hoop and acting.

What`s a hobby you`re grateful to have started, no matter what stage in life?

(and shout out to @hair_by_tel ⁠for capturing this video of me playing around during a recent bridal photoshoot)

#ballet #passion #dancing

74 14
Open post by felicitywestmacott with ID 18099639950062540
Today is my birthday, so I wanted to share something I've been grateful for almost every year of my life. I started ballet lessons when I was four, moving on to the Lewiston School of Dance until 18 (I even won the Pointe Work cup with them once). My grandmother had been a professional dancer and my mum also took ballet lessons (and still does, at over 70!), so there has always been a lot of ballet in my family. When I went to uni, I stopped dancing, then came back to it in the form of adult ballet lessons with my mum, and then got pregnant. After that I found aerial hoop, which replaced dancing as my active hobby. However, my ballet training has really helped my progress in hoop, and I'm very grateful for the skills I continue to draw upon for both hoop and acting. What's a hobby you're grateful to have started, no matter what stage in life? (and shout out to @hair_by_tel ⁠for capturing this video of me playing around during a recent bridal photoshoot) #ballet #passion #dancing
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in

 

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