Alteration FAQ:
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We are located in the heart of North Park San Diego. Some of our hippest neighbors include Pigment, Verbatim Books, Salvage Salon and Love Song Coffee. We are nestled right in-between Visual Art Supply and Mabel’s Gone Fishing on 30th street.
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3 to 5 fittings is typical. Sometimes more if we're doing something custom or your dress fits very poorly to begin with.
If we are able to mark your hem at your first fitting we can usually narrow it down to 3 fittings. However, we request that you schedule 4 fittings upfront to ensure we reserve enough time for you on our busy schedule.
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We request that you schedule 4 fittings upfront. Ideally starting 5-7 months out from your wedding and at the latest 3 months out from your wedding. We do have a RUSH option for special circumstances and dresses needed in less than 8 weeks ($300 fee applies). Schedule 4 fittings as shown below each spaced about two weeks apart.
Example:
First Fitting: Friday March 24th
Follow Up Fitting: Friday April 7th
Follow Up Fitting: Friday April 21st
Final Fitting: Friday May 12th
Wedding Date: Saturday June 24th
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Don’t DILLYDALLY my darling! We generally are booked 2-3 months out during our busy spring and summer months.
You can reserve your spot on our busy schedule up to a year out. In the ideal world we’d love to start your fittings 5-7 months out from your wedding. 3 months out from your wedding is the latest we will allow without a RUSH.
As soon as your bridal boutique has given you an estimated delivery date or you have your dress in hand, we recommend reserving your spot on our online schedule.
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Ideally 5-7 months out from your wedding however we understand not all of you gals have that kinda time.
To avoid a $300 Rush Fee, schedule your first fitting at least three months out from your wedding.
If your body doesn’t fluctuate and you aren’t on a weight loss journey, there is no advantage to pushing your fittings out closer to your wedding. We recommend getting your alterations checked off your bridal to do list as the months leading up to your wedding will inevitably be very busy.
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Yes! Dresses needed in 8 weeks or less are subject to a $300 rush fee.
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In this special circumstance you will need to schedule your future fittings through our RUSH Alteration category as we will want to push your fittings out as close to your wedding as possible.
Schedule your RUSH First Fitting 2 months out from your wedding. Then schedule two RUSH Follow Up Fittings and one RUSH Final Fitting thereafter all spaced 1-2 weeks apart. (Ideally schedule your Final Fitting at least one week before your wedding or departure date.)
The date of your first fitting will be your new goal. Ideally, you will arrive to us at your desired size (but don’t stress if you’re still in the process of losing).
*$300 Rush Fee Applies
Example:
RUSH First Fitting: Friday May 5th
RUSH Follow Up Fitting: Friday May 19th
RUSH Follow Up Fitting: Friday June 2nd
RUSH Final Fitting: Friday June 16th
Wedding Date: Saturday June 24th
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In this case you will need to schedule through our RUSH Alteration category so we can push your first fitting as close to your wedding date as possible.
Schedule your RUSH First Fitting 1.5 months out from your wedding. Then schedule two RUSH Follow Up Fittings and one RUSH Final Fitting thereafter all spaced 1-2 weeks apart. (Ideally schedule your RUSH Final Fitting at least one week before your wedding or departure date.)
Ideally, you will arrive to us at your desired size (but don’t stress if you’re still in the process of losing).
*$300 Rush Fee Applies
Example:
First Fitting: Monday May 22nd
Follow Up Fitting: Tuesday May 30th
Follow Up Fitting: Tuesday June 6th
Final Fitting: Friday June 16th
Wedding Date: Saturday June 24th
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Yay, CONGRATS!!
Rest assured we have been through this countless times with our brides. We will work together to come up with a plan that makes you feel the most comfortable and beautiful on your wedding day.
Special circumstances almost ALWAYS point to our RUSH option for dresses needed in 8 weeks or less. We’ll want to push your fittings back as close to your wedding as possible.
We highly suggest scheduling NOW, since we have a limited number of RUSH dresses we can take on.
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Generally our brides spend between $800-$1400 on alterations. It can be more when something custom is desired.
PRICING BREAKDOWN:
We will give you a quote at the end of your first fitting once we have a plan for your dress. The quote will be a price range that we commit to stay within. The range we give may be more or less depending upon how challenging or time consuming we predict your dress to be. A typical total may look like any of the following:
$500-$700, spanning a $200 range
$800-$1100, spanning a $300 range
$1200-$1600, spanning a $400 range
$1500-$2000, spanning a $500 range
We are vigilant about tracking time spent on fittings and sewing. Once your dress is complete, we tally all of our labor to calculate where your total falls on the initial range we committed to at your first fitting.
A 50% deposit is required at your first fitting to begin work on your dress and the remaining balance is due at your final fitting when you take the dress home.
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Here's a breakdown of our common prices:
- Sewing cups into the Bodice $125-$155
- Adjusting the Straps $125-$175
- Adding lining to the bodice $250-$450
- Hemming the length of the gown $350-$550
- Taking the dress in or out on sides: $250-$450
- Taking in the sides of the bodice $250-$350
- Taking in the hips $200-$350
- Taking in the booty area $150-$250
- Adding a bustle to the train $175-$650
- Train wristlet or Finger loop: $75
- Rush Fee $300 (8 weeks or less)
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Yes. Schedule your Consultation here. We can give you a quote once we’ve seen you in your dress and mapped out what you’d like us to do.
*$75 Consultation Fee
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First Fitting: 1-1.5 hours (on the shorter side if we mark your hem at the second fitting.)
Follow Up Fitting: 45 minutes - 1.5 hours (on the longer side if we mark your hem at this fitting.)
Follow Up Fitting: 45 minutes
Final Fitting: 30 minutes
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Yes, absolutely!
You’ll be able to try on our samples or we can customize a veil for you.
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Yes of course! Schedule your Veil or Accessory Appointment now.
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Our simple veils range from $200 to $350.
Our more complex veils with lace and embelishments range from $400 to $1000+
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Yes of course. Schedule your Alteration Fittings for 2 Dresses here!
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Yes indeed!
All the final changes will have been discussed and approved at the prior fitting. Ideally at your Final Fitting no additional changes will occur. Just a quick try on, bag her up and pay your remaining balance on your invoice.
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Unfortunately no. A quick turnaround is always our mission as we don't have space to store dresses for long durations.
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We need our brides to arrive to their first fitting with their gown and BROKEN IN shoes in hand.
We recommend taking your shoes for a test drive prior to your first fitting as we have had countless brides decide to switch shoes after we have marked their hem. (HINT: When push comes to shove, comfort beats out style for most.)
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Our goal is to get you in and out the door within a 2 month timeframe. We typically need 4 fittings all spaced about 2 weeks apart.
A quick turnaround is always our mission as we don't have space to store dresses for long durations.
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Wonderful! You are a rare unicorn. Schedule your alterations as outlined prior. You most likely won’t need all 4 fittings but it’s nice to have them on the books just in case.
Note: If you only need VERY MINIOR adjustments, like straps fixed or cups added… We may waive the RUSH fee for you. TBD at your first fitting.
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Yes of course. Feel free to reschedule your appointments here:
Reschedule Alterations - 2 Dresses
*Note: availability will be VERY limited spring-summer.
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Cold or Covid... we don't want it! We are a tight-knit crew that rely on our health to keep churning out dresses. If you feel even the slightest bit off, would you mind rescheduling or wearing a mask?
THANK YOU <3 LYSM
Reschedule Alterations - 2 Dresses
*Note: availability will be VERY limited spring-summer.