Alterations
Every gown needs alterations. Yours gets them in this building.
Budget around $500. Here is exactly what that buys you, so the number feels fair rather than arbitrary.
Every gown — yes, every one — needs alterations. A dress off the rack is a dress that fits somebody. Alterations are what make it fit you.
Ours happen here, in our own building, by our own seamstresses. Eleanor has been doing this for over a decade, eight and a half of those years with us. Sarah works alongside her. Nothing gets shipped to a third party and nothing comes back a stranger.
Budget around $500. That covers roughly three fittings and up to 30 hours of hands-on work. It is a real number for a real amount of labour, and we would rather you heard it now than at your first fitting.
What usually gets done
The hem
Set to the shoes you are actually wearing. Bring them to the fitting — this is the one that goes wrong most often when people guess.
The bustle
So you can dance. We will show whoever is helping you how to do it, more than once, because they will forget.
The fit through the body
Taken in, let out, restructured. This is where most of the 30 hours goes.
Undergarments
What you wear underneath changes the fit. We will talk about it at the first fitting, not the last.
Customisations
Sleeves added, a neckline reworked, straps built. Many gowns can take it. These carry an additional cost beyond the usual alterations budget.
Wedding week
Final press and steam, and you leave with it ready to wear.
One honest note about timing
We recommend starting your dress search 10 to 14 months out, mostly to leave room for this part. If you are on a shorter timeline, say so at your first appointment — we have done it in less, but we would rather plan for it than discover it.
Alterations questions
Read all the questionsYes. We have in-house seamstresses — Eleanor and Sarah — who work magic. Alterations are priced separately from the gown; budget around $500, which covers roughly three fittings and up to 30 hours of hands-on work. More about alterations.
We recommend starting 10 to 14 months out, which gives you room for alterations. But because we sell off the rack, a tighter timeline is not a problem — if you find your dress here, you can take it home the same day.
Yes. Weddings and events are a real investment and we would rather make it manageable.
- Gowns: 50% deposit at purchase. The balance can be split into manageable payments, due 60 days after your deposit.
- Rentals and event services: 50% deposit holds your date, final payment 30 days before the event.
- Affirm is available on select event services.
Iowa state sales tax of 7% applies.
Tell us what you’re dreaming about.
Come as you are, tell us what you’re picturing, and we’ll figure out how to make it happen — together. We call back within 24 hours.