Bead Bridal

are wedding dress alterations at davids bridal more expensive than going to a tailor some where else?

well i ordered my dress online from davids bridal size 4 was the smallest they had i needed a size 2 but there was none available so i called davids bridal today and she said for a bustle its around $20 and for the hemming it will be around $30 plus $75 or more to take it in? is that a lot of money to get a wedding dress tailored? or is that around the average price? it is a lace beaded dress i didn't pay that much for the dress so paying more than 150 for tailoring sounds ridiculous. lol any advice i would really appreciate! also i live c=in riverside california so if anyone lives around here and knows of a good tailor leave me a mesage

I have worked at DB. I think you may have been misquoted on the prices.

I worked in a lower-priced db store, so I know some of the prices we charged. The prices vary from store to store, I'm told. They are supposed to be competitive with what professionals working independently are charging in that geographic area. ( Not the lowest or highest.)

Bustles at our store started at $35 for traditional, and $50 for an under-bustle, or French bustle. Hemming a wedding dress in theory starts at $75, but most are $120.

Taking in the sides starts at $50, I think, and goes up according to how many layers there are and whether any lace or beading have to be taken off and replaced.

It is not a lot of money to have a wedding dress tailored. The "company policy" is to return the dress to the standards of original construction, and that takes more time and costs more than taking some of the shortcuts. You may not care about that. The location near you may not have great staff. Our store has laid off/ fired more people than they kept on because women who said they could sew, couldn't.

You may find a talented amateur or someone working out of her home who will do the task for less. Be cautious. A person who charges you $10 an hour isn't taking that much to the bank after her expenses, so compensating you for an error with money may not happen. The store who sold you the dress (DB or anyone else who sells dresses, for that matter) will usually back up their work - if the dress is damaged in their care, they will be more likely to repair/replace it.

About twice a year, a bride will come in and purchase a wedding dress and pay the rush fee to have it altered, because "the lady down the street who sews" ruined the dress. You may not want to go with the lowest bidder.

A beaded, lace dress will have to have the beads removed from the sides, the lace motif picked off, the underlayers sewn, the lining sewn, the lace re-applied and beading redone.

If there is lace at the hem, the lace is taken off, (this is really labor intensive) the dress shortened, and the lace reapplied, along with the beading. The lining needs to be shortened, and the crinoline, too, if there is one. Are there shortcuts one could take to do it cheaper? Yup...but I wouldn't do it as a professional. But in the years I worked for DB and others, I have seen brides come in with very sketchy alterations that they were happy with, because they were happy with the price.

Much happiness in your marriage!

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The Bridal Gown And The Shape Of Things To Come

Weddings are the stuff of young girls' fairy tale dreams. They see themselves in a flowing bridal gown of gossamer and lace. The details are sketchy, but they are always visions of loveliness, in perfect silhouettes, and they dream of the days to come.

The Perfect Shape for the Perfect Wedding

Brides-to-be won't settle for less, especially when it comes to the wedding gown. Depending on the couple's budget, the bridal gown may be the fourth largest expense following the reception, wedding cake, and honeymoon. Apart from the budget, brides start working on their dream gown by figuring out the perfect dress to flatter their figures.

The bridal gown should reflect the wedding theme; it could be a beaded outfit in silk and lace befitting a formal or traditional wedding, or a tea-length modest dress for a simple exchange of "I dos" before the parson.

But whatever the wedding theme, it is best to do some research on the perfect fitting wedding gown or dress to match your figure and the wedding. There are several dress shapes to hide the flaws and flatter the figure. The following silhouettes are:

* The sheath is form fitting and highlights every curve and accent of your figure.
* The princess cut is an A-line cut preferred to show off a slim bodice and falls in soft folds in a full skirt.
* The empire cut is form-fitting at the top and starts to fall under the bust line. This is the perfect cut for the bride who is expecting the stork early.
* The low-waist gown is perfect for the fairy tale gown with fitting long sleeves.

With the shapes of the bridal gown decided, it would be easy to decide the length of the dress - cathedral length with a train for traditional weddings, floor length to be embellished with beads for a formal feel, or tea length for outdoor weddings.

The sleeves should also be considered carefully - strapless, off-the-shoulder, long-sleeves, or cap sleeves. Whatever the sleeve type selected, the embellishments and the cut add to the formal or informal appeal of the wedding gown.

Body Types and Dress Silhouettes

If you're deciding on a wedding gown, determine your body type before getting a bridal gown off the rack or having one customized for you. The female figure spans the following:

* Hour glass figure - would do well with gowns that show off the waist. The ball gown and or a corseted dress present the figure in the best light.
* Full waist - the drop waist and attractive neckline can draw attention away from the waistline.
* Pear-shape - A-line cut will disguise wide hips.

Tall women will do well in ball gowns, A-line, and empire cuts, while the petite ladies should pick out light fabrics and simple cuts without much distraction so as not to overwhelm their stature.

Accessories and Hairstyles

It is a rule that when a dress is simple, accessorize. Jewelry, tiaras, gloves, and shoes should be selected with care to complement the dress; the hairstyle, too, should complete the perfect picture.

For your hairstyle and make-up, a professional's advice should be sought before the wedding. Make it clear that you'd like to look as natural as you can with or without artificial lights for those perfect shots on video and digital camera. Indeed, your bridal gown happily dictates the shape of things to come.

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