Alterations

Part of being sure you look fabulous in your wedding gown, bridesmaid dress, mother’s dress, or other special occasion garment is being sure that it fits you just right.  Our team of alterations specialists and seamstresses* has years of experience fitting bridal and special occasion garments.   When you call or email for your appointment, we’ll ask you some questions to be sure we match you with the seamstress just right for you and your project.

You can usually expect to have two to three fittings for your wedding gown.  Ideally, your first fitting is 10-12 weeks before the wedding. During this appointment, your seamstress will decide with you what needs to be done and what type of bustle (if any) works and looks best.  The seamstress will pin your gown and it will stay with us after the first fitting.  About two to four weeks before your wedding will be your second and final fitting(s).  You’ll try the gown on to be sure everything is just right and we’ll spend some time teaching your attendant how to do the bustle on the gown properly.  If all is well, you’ll either take your gown with you after this appointment or leave it with us for cleaning and/or pressing.

Here are a few tips to be sure your fittings go smoothly and that you are delighted with the fit and look of your gown or dress:

1.  Arrive on time. Our studio is small with only one fitting room, so when our clients help us stay on schedule by arriving on time or a touch early, we are best able to accommodate everyone’s expectations.  We are currently asking that you only bring one guest over 12 with you (see our Studio Protocol).

2. If you have any budget or lifestyle concerns (examples: wearing an insulin pump, being pregnant, or nursing a baby), please let your seamstress know right away, at the beginning of your fitting appointment.  Then she can best accommodate your needs and be sure any concerns are addressed.

3. Our seamstress may ask you some personal questions; Are you planning to gain or lose weight? Are you on your period? Have you started any new medications? These questions and any comments made about body shape, size, or symmetry are in no way meant to be intrusive or negative. They are necessary so that we can be sure your gown is fitting your body as it should and you look fabulous in your gown.

4. Communication is key!  Reiterating the last two tips, if you ever have a concern, a desire, or something you are not sure about, your seamstress wants to know.  Please do not be afraid to ask a question or voice a concern.

5. Shoes. It seems like a little thing, but having the shoes you plan to wear with the dress is very important to a successful fitting.

6. Bra & other foundational garments.  Like shoes, these are very important to how the dress or gown fits you.  It is very important that if you plan to wear a bra, you have the bra that works with your gown at your first appointment. If you do not have the correct bra at your first fitting, we do have a selection of corset bras as well as sew-in cups available in the studio for purchase.  (It’s important to know that sew-in bra cups add shape, but not much support, so we recommend them only for A,B, and some C cup sizes.). Bras and cups are non-returnable, so please be sure you are ready to make a decision at your first fitting and know that your gown will be altered to fit best with that bra.

7. Rush options.  We understand that engagements, gown shopping, and even gown shipping does not always fit into an ideal time frame. However, we do reserve the right to charge a $50 rush fee on wedding gowns with less than a month from the first fitting to the wear date.

8. Cancellations.  If you decide not to have us proceed with the project after your first fitting, we reserve the right to charge a $50 cancelled work fee.

9. Please additionally review our Studio Protocol which we will be following for the foreseeable future.

We know that you also want to know about cost.  Our average bride spends $250-$400 on alterations.  Most brides will need a hem, bustle, and strap or bodice adjustment; on an average gown, this comes to about $350.  Gowns with lots of layers, very full skirts, or lots of beading can be significantly more costly for alterations.  If your gown already fits you great, you may just need a bit of “tweaking” for much less. We will give you a quote at your first fitting.   Bridesmaids and mothers can expect an average of $100 to $150 for a hem and some bodice work. 

*Please note that our seamstresses are independent contractors and pricing may vary between them based on experience and personal preference.  Great Lakes WGS is proud to offer their services, but they are not employees of our company.  All scheduling and payment will be handled through Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists.  Just like your hairdresser, your seamstress does appreciate personal tips, but they are not required.  Cash tips of $15-$25 for bridal gowns and $5-$10 for other dresses is customary.

Cleaning & Preservation Services

Your wedding was the most amazing event! You danced the night away! Your day was perfect with you and your partner as the center of attention…but now, your gorgeous gown needs some attention!

Cleaning your wedding gown as soon as possible after your wedding is imperative. Your wedding gown is a big investment and it deserves the best care possible.

Preservation Package

After a thorough cleaning, gowns are carefully layered with acid-free tissue, wrapped in muslin, and carefully folded into a beautiful box for storage. We include a pair of cotton gloves for you to use if you want to take your gown out and share it with children or friends. We believe that your gown should be enjoyed, not vacuum-packed where you cannot enjoy it. If you want to unpack your gown, use the gloves included and lay it on a clean sheet. Then, you may pack it away again in the box in the same way we did for you. If the gown is worn, it should be re-cleaned before being stored again.

Our cleaning and preservation process includes:

♥ hand cleaning with our special process to remove visible stains

♥ thorough cleaning in a solvent bath

♥ unique anti-sugar stain treatment (featured in Modern Bride and Bride’s Magazine)

♥ environmentally-pure, museum quality, lasting protection of acid-free tissue, and an acid-free, museum quality archival wedding chest,

You receive a written lifetime guarantee against latent sugar stains or yellowing of bridal or family gowns. 

Aisle Ready Package

You found a great deal on a sample or once-worn gown, but it needs a bit of TLC before it is ready for the trip down the aisle. Our Aisle Ready Package includes cleaning, pressing, and minor repairs, such as tightening loose hooks, buttons, or securing lace.

Vintage Gown Restoration & Restyling

The wedding gown of your dreams might be a family heirloom that has yellowed or a fabulous vintage find that needs some love! We specialize in restoring antique or vintage bridal gowns to their true color without damage to delicate fabrics or dyes. We can remove stains and discoloration that ordinary dry cleaners cannot.

In addition to restoring your gown to it original color and removing stains, we can also give your vintage gown an updated look by restyling and making alterations. We can help you create a modern flare by adding or removing sleeves and straps and utilizing lace or fabrics from vintage gowns and adding them to your new gown.

Questions?

1.  How long does it take to restore and restyle a vintage or family gown?

Of course, this depends on the amount of work that a gown needs. Cleaning and whitening can take anywhere from 1-3 months. If you love the gown the way it is and you just need minor alterations, plan on a total of 2-4 months to prepare your gown. However, if you need major alterations or wish to completely restyle the gown, 6-9 months is often needed.

2.  How much does it cost to restore a vintage gown?

Again, the answer here depends on many factors.  If your family gown was a high-quality design (think Priscilla of Boston!) that was properly stored, the cleaning and restoration costs will be much lower than a gown that has been hanging in Grandma’s closet in a plastic bag for 40 years. Satin gowns usually are easier to clean, while lace gowns will be the most costly and may require significant repair to the fabric. In general, cleaning and restoration of a vintage gown is $200-$500. Alterations to a vintage gown are usually $300 – $1000. This wide range is due to the wide range of possibilities and ideas that brides may have!

3.  I have a gown that I would like to have restored and restyled.  What do I do?

Call us! (616-399-2793) and have a complimentary chat with Tami. During this phone conversation, she will ask several questions that will give her a good idea of whether your vintage gown can be used and what some of the challenges may be.  If you decide that this process is for you, we will schedule a consultation. The cost for this consultation is $100 and the work will begin at this meeting if you are ready to proceed. (Often this is when we cut the sleeves off, trim the neckline, or begin cutting and pinning!)  The entire $100 for the consultation will apply to the final cost as a deposit if you decide to have us do your project. Cleaning and color restoration will begin shortly after this and then the restyling and alterations are next.