Alterations

Buying a ready-to-wear dress is a great option for brides with smaller budgets and last minute shoppers. However, it is rare to find a perfectly fitting wedding dress purchased off-the-rack. Standard clothing sizes are just a guide. With careful, considered alterations by an experienced dressmaker your ready-to-wear dress will fit perfectly.

My advice to those buying ready-to-wear, is to anticipate the necessary alterations, find out the approximate cost for those alterations and allow for this in your budget.

It is recommended that you bring your dress for alterations at least a month before your wedding, but if your dress features intricate details, lace and beading more time may be needed.

COSTS

My specialised alteration service charges a standard fee which covers all basic adjustments: side and back seam adjustment, resetting zips and closures, and hemming. I will also check embroidery and beading.

For alterations that require fine detailed handwork; these are dresses containing lace, beading and embroidery, an additional fee over and above the standard fee will be charged. This additional fee will be discussed at the consultation.

The basic fee charged on all alterations is R 1 600.