Unless you’re wearing a gown that was made bespoke to your measurements for your big day, it’s pretty much a necessity that you will need wedding dress alterations. With all eyes on you at your wedding, it’s likely you don’t want your gown to be ill-fitting. And while the dress you purchase will likely be close to your size, there’s still plenty that will need to be done to make it a perfect fit.

“Most gowns people purchase are ‘made to order,’” explains Melissa Oddo, owner of deMelis Atelier LLC. “This means that a size is chosen from a designer’s size chart based on the measurements of the client- these are typically bust, waist, and hips. Because of this, a dress will typically be ordered based on the biggest measurement and this means nearly every nearlywed will need some type of alterations.”

Ahead, we created a guide to wedding dress alterations with insights from expert seamstresses to help you understand the process from cost to timeline.

How Much Do Wedding Dress Alterations Cost?

When budgeting for the cost of your wedding dress, don’t forget to add in the additional bill that will come with alterations. On average, professionals say the total can come between $650 and $1200. “Alterations run such a spectrum and are based on things like a professional’s time in the business, the time the project takes, the market value for their service, the type of approach they might take to solve the puzzle, their overhead, and added services they may offer,” notes Oddo. Whether or not you should tip on top of your alteration fees depends on the atelier. Some even have policies not to accept gratuity. “Most seamstresses don’t expect a tip, although gratuity is always appreciated,” says Oddo. “In our studio, we pool tips and divide them amongst our whole team. I think this can be different if a business is a single-owner setup but when people have a team of sewing professionals, gratuity is a little more commonplace as many hands have probably helped get the work done.”

How Long Do Wedding Dress Alterations Take?

On average, the wedding dress alterations process can take about two to three months. “Every seamstress is different and will have a timeline that feels good to them,” shares Oddo. “Find someone you trust, and then actually put your trust in their process.”

How Long Before a Wedding Should the Dress Be Altered?

“Most commonly, alterations specialists will begin the process anywhere from six to 10 weeks before the wedding or travel date,” says Oddo. This gives you enough time for all your fittings and a little leeway in case additional ones need to take place. However, you shouldn’t wait until that 10 week mark to book your alterations. “I think people need to be more aware than ever of the fact that seamstresses and skilled sewing professionals are becoming more rare. The good folks are getting booked out quicker and often take reservation lists well in advance of that six- to 10-week window,” notes Oddo. “Every year for the last three years our atelier has had the reservation list for the entire year filled up before May. Myself and many of my colleagues are already holding spots for the next year and the numbers just keep coming.”

She adds, “I recommend brides reach out to seamstresses to find out about their unique process as soon as they have chosen their dress. It’s better to contact businesses early, than to wind up out of luck and scrambling at the last minute.”

How Many Bridal Dress Fittings Are Typical

If you’re getting a dress altered, you have to ensure there’s time in your schedule to make fittings, where a seamstress will check in on the progress of your adjustments and make further edits to ensure the best fit. “We recommend our brides attend three fittings,” share Courtney Poole and Niamh Ginn of Alts Alteration Specialists. “During the first fitting, our fitter will discuss the types of alterations that are needed to achieve the bride’s desired fit and provide a quote for alterations. We will then pin the dress so that the bride can envision what the end result will look like.”

“Our tailors will baste the alterations discussed during the first fitting, but will not cut any fabric, which will allow our client to see a preview of the end result. These alterations are not permanent and can be adjusted as needed. During the second fitting, the tailor will typically review bustle options for the dress. At the final fitting, we will ensure that everything is to the bride’s liking and make any final adjustments, if needed.”

Common Wedding Dress Alteration Needs

So what alterations will your dress likely need? “Some of the most common bridal alterations we perform are taking in the gown to better contour the body, along with shortening the hem to suit the bride’s height,” say Poole and Ginn. “Every body is unique, and our expert tailors specialize in customizing each gown to ensure it fits the individual’s vision flawlessly.”