Somewhere between mermaids and ballgowns, boleros and lapels, it hits you — sure you can alter your wedding suit or gown, but where…? Can they do that at the boutique? Do you have to find someone on your own? What do they call those people anyway?

A wedding is often people’s first interaction with a professional seamstress, tailor, or alterations specialist. (That’s what we call those people 😉) So, the questions and confusion are to be expected.

But worry not! In this post we’ll be listing your wedding attire alterations options and what differentiates them, so you have a place to start.

It should be noted that there is no right or wrong choice here. Neither of your alterations options will be inherently better than another. It comes down to preference and what circumstances might be most convenient for you.

“Don’t worry, you can always alter it!”

While that’s true, not all alterations are created equal, and some will certainly set you back further than others.

Unfortunately, many brides and engaged couples fall in the trap of buying a dress that is too big, or doesn’t have the sleeves you want, etc. in exchange for a smaller price tag and the idea of making those changes at the seamstress’s. However, they’re not aware that the cost of alterations might erase those savings entirely, or even end up costing more.

In this post, we’re breaking down what dress features and chances can result in more expensive alterations. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be well-equipped to spot a possibly costly alteration while shopping for your wedding dress, so you can stay in budget.

It’s pretty well communicated in the wedding space that you need to plan a healthy amount of time to take care of your wedding dress alterations, typically 3-4 months. But why does it take so long and why are some dresses done faster than others?

In this post, we’ll explore the different factors that contribute to the length of time you’ll need for alterations and when you should start the process

Turns out buying your wedding attire is the most complicated clothing purchase you've had to date!

Well, as a tailor and alterations shop, we have gathered a lot of experience helping couples in Cedar Rapids be aisle-ready over our 30+ years. So today we’re going to start with the first question you might be faced with when planning your wedding attire – how much time do you need to put together your wedding wardrobe? Finding, ordering, and altering.