Sewing and alterations of wedding dresses by our tailor

What a tailor can change, what it costs and when it should be in the plan.

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Do you handle alterations to the wedding dress yourselves, or do I need to find a seamstress?

Yes, we handle alterations to the wedding dress ourselves, because we have our own in-house tailor, and the dress is never sent away to a stranger. Almost every wedding dress needs altering, because bust, waist and hips rarely fit the same size. Alterations with us start at 250 kr. Bring your shoes when you come, so the length can be measured correctly the first time. Read more about our tailor.

What does a seamstress typically charge to alter a wedding dress?

Altering a wedding dress costs around 1,735 kr. on average in Denmark, and most brides end up paying between 1,500 and 5,000 kr., depending on how much work is needed. A hem alone typically costs 800 kr. in Copenhagen. We have our own tailor, and alterations with us start at 250 kr. Bring your shoes to the fitting, and you will get the price for your dress straight away. See what can be done by our tailor in Hvidovre.

How long does a tailor take to alter a wedding dress?

A tailor typically takes two to three weeks to alter a wedding dress, and that is the time you should allow in your plan. A simple hem is quicker, while a lace dress that needs taking in in several places takes longer. If your wedding is coming up soon, say so when you buy the dress, and we will see what can be done in time. Read when you should start in our answers about planning.

How many weeks before the wedding should I have the first alteration of my wedding dress?

The first alteration should be six to eight weeks before the wedding, as that leaves time for two fittings without anything being rushed. If it is earlier, you risk your body having changed before the day comes. If you buy the wedding dress from us a few weeks before the wedding, we can often still make it. Book a time with the seamstress the same day you buy the dress. Read about the process with the seamstress in the showroom.

How many alteration appointments should I expect for my wedding dress?

Two alterations is normal: one where you are measured and pinned, and one where you try on the result. If a lot of work is needed, for example a lace dress that has to be taken in in several places, there may be a third. If you turn up with the right shoes and the right underwear each time, the number stays down. We agree the dates once the wedding dress has been bought. Get an overview of the costs in our answers on price and budget.

What should I bring when I go for my wedding dress alteration?

Bring the shoes you will wear on the day, the underwear you will use and any shapewear. The length of the wedding dress is measured from your shoulder to the floor in exactly those shoes, so a different pair ruins the measurement. If you have a veil or an overskirt, bring that too, so the seamstress can see the whole look. You do not need anything else. If you still need shoes, read our answers on bridal shoes.

Do I need to have bought my bridal shoes before the wedding dress is hemmed?

Yes, your bridal shoes must be bought before the dress is hemmed, and that is the most important thing of all. The length of the dress is measured from the shoulder to the floor in the shoes you are standing in, so a five-centimetre heel instead of an eight-centimetre one means the dress drags. Buy the shoes first, or buy them from us the same day. If you change shoes later, the length must be measured again. Find the finishing touches in our bridal accessories.

Can I use my own seamstress to alter the wedding dress?

Yes, the dress is yours once you have bought it, and you decide who sews it. Ask your seamstress whether she has worked on wedding dresses before, because lace, beads and a built-in corset are a different kind of work from a trouser hem. If you would rather have it done in-house, our tailor is right here, and alterations start at 250 kr. Read more about the tailor at our shop.

How do I find a seamstress with experience of wedding dresses?

Ask the seamstress whether she has worked on wedding dresses before, ask to see photos of her work, and find out what she charges for a hem and for taking in before you hand over the dress. A seamstress who usually sews curtains is not the right person for beadwork. If you bought the dress from us, our own tailor works in-house in Hvidovre. Read more about what our own tailor can do.

Can a wedding dress alteration be done as a rush job if the wedding is close?

Yes, often, because the seamstress works in-house and not in a queue somewhere else. Get a real answer before you count on it, not just a hope. A simple hem on the wedding dress can often be done quickly, while a lace dress that has to be taken in in several places needs more time whatever happens. Send us the date of the wedding via the contact page, and we will tell you honestly what can be done in time.

Can the wedding dress be shortened, and what does a hem cost?

Yes, hemming is the most common alteration of all. If the wedding dress is plain at the bottom, it is straightforward, and a hem from a tailor in Copenhagen typically costs around 800 kr. If the dress has lace or a border at the edge, it has to be removed and sewn back on higher up, which costs more. Bring your shoes, so we measure correctly. Alterations by our tailor start at 250 kr.

How many sizes can a wedding dress be taken in?

A wedding dress can usually be taken in two to three sizes, depending on where the seams are and how many layers there are. If the dress has a built-in corset, every layer has to be taken in, and the price goes up. A dress with a lace-up back can often cover the whole difference without a new seam. Come in wearing the dress, and the tailor will tell you what is possible on yours. Find your size in our size guide.

How much can a wedding dress be let out if it is too small?

A wedding dress can be let out less than most people hope: typically a couple of centimetres of seam allowance, so less than one size, and if the fabric is cut close, there is nothing. That is why you should always choose the larger of two sizes. If the dress cannot be let out, a lace-up back or a panel in the back can often solve it with a neat result. Come in, and we will look at the dress. Read more in our answers about size and fit.

Can a lace wedding dress be altered without ruining the lace pattern?

Yes, a lace dress can be altered without ruining the pattern, but it requires the seamstress to work within the pattern and not simply cut through it. The lace is loosened, the seam is moved and the motif is laid back so it meets again. That is why a lace dress costs more to alter than a simple satin wedding dress. Our seamstress shows you on the dress where the seam will go before she starts. Read more about the work of our seamstress.

Can a beaded wedding dress be taken in?

Yes, a beaded wedding dress can be taken in, but the beads have to be removed where the seam will go and sewn back on afterwards, otherwise the needle breaks and the pattern ends up crooked. It is time-consuming handwork, which is why it costs more than on a plain dress. Ask for the price before the work starts, so you know the amount. Our tailor does it in-house. Read more in our answers about quality.

Can the zip in my wedding dress be changed to a lace-up back?

Yes, and it is one of the most useful changes there is. The zip is taken out, loops or eyelets are sewn in, and a panel is placed behind the lacing so the skin does not show through. Afterwards the wedding dress can be adjusted a couple of sizes either way. Ask about it if you are pregnant or have a long time until the wedding. See more options with our seamstress.

Can straps be added to a strapless wedding dress?

Yes, straps can be sewn onto a strapless wedding dress, and it is a small job that makes a big difference. The straps can be made from the same fabric, in lace or in tulle, and they can be made detachable, so you get two looks. They also take weight off the bust on a heavy dress. Bring a picture of the straps you have in mind, and we will find a fabric that matches. See everything about tailoring and alterations.

Can the neckline on my wedding dress be changed?

Yes, the neckline can be changed within certain limits. It can be made deeper or narrower, and lace or tulle can be added if you want it higher. The difficult part is raising it in a patterned fabric, because then matching lace has to be found. Show the seamstress with your hand where you want the edge of the wedding gown, and she will tell you whether it can be done neatly. Find inspiration in our answers on style and silhouette.

Can you have pockets sewn into the wedding dress?

Yes, pockets can be sewn into a wedding dress if it has side seams and enough fabric in the skirt, which most A-line and princess dresses do. In a close-fitting crepe mermaid the pockets become visible, so we do not recommend it there. Pockets are one of the changes brides are happiest with, because phone and lipstick can come along. Ask the tailor when she sees the dress. Find A-line and princess dresses among all our dresses.

What does it cost to have a bustle sewn on a wedding dress?

The price of a bustle depends on how heavy the train is and how many points need to be sewn. It is at the lower end of alterations, and with us alterations start at DKK 250. You get the final price once the seamstress has seen the wedding dress on you and knows how high the train needs to go. Ask to have it sewn at the same time as the hem, and you save a trip. Read more about prices with our seamstress.

Which type of bustle should I choose for my wedding dress?

Choose an American bustle if the dress has clear details you want to show off, and a French one if the fabric is soft satin. An American bustle lifts the train up on the outside, while a French one gathers it from the inside so it falls like a soft pouf. If the train is very long, more points are needed. Try both types on your own wedding dress, and the choice will be easy. Ask our seamstress what suits your particular dress.

Can bra cups be sewn into the wedding dress so I can go without a bra?

Yes, sewn-in cups are one of the most common changes. The cups are sewn into the bodice, so you can go without a bra, even in a dress with an open back. If the wedding dress has cups that sit wrongly, they can be moved or removed. Try the dress on without a bra when the seamstress looks at it, so she can see where the support needs to be. See what else the seamstress can change on your dress.

Can a long wedding dress be made into a short party dress after the wedding?

Yes, a long wedding dress can be turned into a short party dress, and many brides do it rather than leave the dress hanging. A plain dress is easy to shorten, while one with lace or a border at the edge needs the edging sewn back on. If you want to wear the dress again, tell the tailor from the start, so she can plan for it when she hems it. Get more ideas in our answers about life after the wedding.

Can my mother's or grandmother's old wedding dress be remade for me?

Often yes, and it is some of the most beautiful work a tailor can do. What decides it is the condition of the fabric: old silk can be weak at the seams, and yellowed fabric rarely becomes white again. Bring the dress in, and we will look at it together before you decide anything. Sometimes the best solution is a new dress with the lace from the old one. Read about cleaning older dresses in our answers about wedding dress cleaning.

How do I plan wedding dress alterations when I am pregnant?

Put the last fitting as close to the wedding as possible, ideally within the final week or two, because the bump changes quickly towards the end. Choose a wedding dress with a lace-up back or a cut with room over the bump, so there is something to adjust. Tell us your due date when you buy the dress, and we will plan the dates around it. See our range of wedding dresses for pregnant brides.

When should the final wedding dress fitting with the seamstress be before the wedding?

The final fitting with the seamstress should be one to two weeks before the wedding. That still leaves time to fix a detail if something is tight, and you will not be standing in the wedding gown for the first time the evening before. Bring the right shoes and the right underwear, otherwise the measurements will not fit. If you are pregnant, we put it as close to the day as possible. Agree the date via the contact page once the dress has been bought.

How long before the wedding should I collect my wedding dress?

Collect the wedding dress about a week before the wedding. That way you have it at home in good time, can hang it out and check that everything is as it should be, without it hanging at home so long that something can go wrong. Hang it high, away from sun and damp, and keep the cover on. Do not fold it into a bag. Read more about the final weeks in our answers about planning.

What do I do if the alterations to my wedding dress do not fit properly?

Say so straight away, while you are standing in the wedding dress, and point to the spot. A seam that pulls or a length that is a centimetre too long is something we fix. That is why there are two fittings, and why you should ideally come one to two weeks before the day. Do not go home and hope it will ease, because the fabric will not give. Read more about the process with our seamstress.

Can you make a wedding dress completely from scratch to my own design?

No, we do not make wedding dresses from scratch, because we are an outlet. Instead, our tailor can change a lot on a dress that already exists: add sleeves, change the neckline, remove the train or turn the back into lacing. Bring your picture, and we will find the closest model and see what it needs. It is both quicker and cheaper than sewing from nothing. Also use the guide Find din kjole to search.

Can you make a copy of a wedding dress I have seen online?

No, we do not copy other people's designs, and the websites offering it cheaply rarely deliver what is in the picture. Send us the picture instead, and we will look for that model or a similar one among our more than 1,000 wedding dresses. We buy from designer stock, so there is often something closer than you think. Also see our wedding dresses from well-known designers.

Can I have details changed on the wedding dress when I order it from you?

No, we do not order dresses in, so changes are made afterwards on the wedding dress you have in your hands. That is actually an advantage, because you see the result on yourself instead of choosing from a description. Sleeves, straps, neckline, length and back can all be changed by our tailor. Ask during the fitting what is possible. If you are missing sleeves, see our wedding dresses with long sleeves.