How much does it cost to have a wedding dress altered?
It is the cost most brides forget when they set their budget. The dress is bought, and then it turns out it needs taking up, taking in at the sides and new straps. Almost every wedding dress needs alterations, in Denmark and everywhere else. That is not because the dresses are bad. It is because bust, waist and hips rarely fit the same size.
How much does it cost?
The national average for altering a wedding dress is around 1,735 DKK, and most brides end up paying between 1,500 and 5,000 DKK. A hem alone usually costs around 800 DKK in Copenhagen. In the US, brides budget several hundred dollars, and in the UK it is not unusual to pay 300-500 pounds for a dress with a lot of lace.
The price depends mostly on the fabric. A plain satin dress is quick to take up. A dress with lace at the hem, several layers of tulle or beading along the edge takes many hours, because the tailor has to move the lace instead of just cutting it.
We have our own tailor in house, and alterations start at 250 DKK. You get the price once the tailor has seen the dress on you with your shoes on, so there are no surprises. Read more about our tailor.
What can be changed?
More than most people think. The dress can be taken in at the sides and the back, taken up at the hem, have the straps shortened or new sleeves sewn on. Cups can be sewn in for more support, a bustle can be added so you can dance, and in some cases a zip can be turned into a corset back.
The hard part is making a dress bigger. That is only possible if there is seam allowance, meaning extra fabric inside the seams. That is why we always say: if you are between two sizes, take the bigger one.
How long does it take?
Allow two to three weeks. A simple hem is quicker, while a lace dress that needs taking in in several places takes longer. The first fitting should be six to eight weeks before the wedding. That leaves time for two fittings without rushing, and your body won't have changed too much before the day arrives.
If you are short on time, say so when you buy the dress. We have had many brides who bought their dress just a few weeks before and still made it.
Bring your shoes
This is the most important advice of all. The length is measured from your shoulder to the floor in exactly the shoes you will be wearing. If you stand in a five-centimetre heel at the fitting and an eight-centimetre one on the day, the dress will drag. Also bring the underwear you will wear, and any shapewear. If you have a veil or an overskirt, bring that too, so the tailor can see everything together.
Your own seamstress or ours?
The dress is yours once you have bought it, and you decide who sews it. Just ask your seamstress whether she has worked on wedding dresses before. Lace, beading and a built-in corset are a different thing from a trouser hem.
You will find more answers about tailoring and alterations in our FAQ on sewing and alterations. We are a Danish shop with a tailor in house, and you can book a fitting here.