Wedding dress alterations

A warm welcome to the discerning bride looking for wedding dress alterations by an experienced, luxury wedding dress seamstress. Have your pre-loved, heirloom or ex-sample designer bridal gown altered to fit beautifully, in Surrey, close to Hampshire, Sussex, London & UK.

BOOK HERE or call 01428 681727

wedding dress designer alterations showing a wedding dress being pinned ready for alterations

How I can help you

I specialize in re-styling, fitting and adjusting all kinds of pre-loved, ex-sample or heirloom wedding dresses.  I am recommended by many luxury bridal boutiques in the Surrey, Hampshire and London area.

Read on to find out more about having your dress altered, or to book a consultation to explore ideas for WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR OLD WEDDING DRESS - the subject of my book Relovable (BUY HERE). I specialise purely in making and restyling wedding dresses, but I can recommend some brilliant resources if you'd like to have your old dress repurposed into something that isn't a wedding dress - maybe to have it dyed or restyled. CONTACT ME to book an upcycling design consultation, which are fun to have on your own or with a friend, so we can assess the potential of your dress(es) and I can steer you towards the resources you need for transformation. 

Do get in touch as soon as possible if you need your wedding dress altering- I tend to get a bit booked up, and am delighted to have over a hundred 5 star Google Reviews. I really hope yours will be next?!  I can customize your pre-loved bridal gown,  and also create the perfect  strap, split, overlayer or sleeve to enhance it. Many brides bring me an heirloom dress from their family and we work together to customise, remodel, refit...whatever is necessary to make it into the perfect gown for their wedding day.

Your fitting and adjustments will be carried out by me personally at my studio in Wildacre, near Guildford in Surrey, which is wheelchair-friendly and easily accessible with plenty of parking.

An experienced dressmaker

“..With over 20 years experience as a bridal gown designer and seamstress, I come from a family of dressmakers so was really taught to sew by my mother. I went on to train in Couture Bridal wear at the London College of Fashion, and now run my business and atelier from the comfort and seclusion of leafy Surrey, where some of my brides will come for their fittings…”

wedding dress designer Caroline Arthur pinning wedding dress alteration in bridal boutique

How to book your wedding dress fitting

For wedding dress alteration appointments, please CONTACT ME  as soon as possible to chat about your requirements. My lead times can vary from 4 to 8 months for wedding dress alterations.

It is important to ensure your weight is as stable as possible before your appointment, and that you have the shoes and bra (if you’re intending to wear one). Usually a bride will come to see me around 8 – 10 weeks before the wedding, so I can ensure the fit and finishing is perfect, and the dress ready to collect a month before the big day. 

“…I work by private appointment only, and specialise in altering, restyling and customising pre-loved, heirloom and ex-sample wedding dresses…

Fittings and prices

Fittings for wedding dress alterations take around 45 minutes, and are absolutely free. You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member with you. I recommend choosing just one person to come and support you, so you can feel as relaxed and calm as possible, and enjoy your fitting.

Prices for bridal gown alterations vary depending on the fabric and design of the wedding dress, as well as the work required. Usually a wedding dress alteration (for example shortening the bridal gown hem or taking in a bodice) will cost from £245. Before meeting for your fitting, I can give you an estimate by email for how much the bridal alteration is likely to be based on a photograph of the gown, so just EMAIL ME the details and I'll give you a quote. Most dress alterations cost around £450 - £650, and this may vary should there be a large amount of embellishment involved, or a fabric such as chiffon, which requires careful handling.

If you are unsure what alterations are needed, or if you would like to review your dress with me to decide whether or not to book with me, you can BOOK a no-obligation 45 minute consultation appointment for £45, for us to have a look at the dress together and assess what is needed.

Inspired to upcycle your old wedding dress? CONTACT ME to find out more about my upcycling old wedding dress design consultations. Bring your old wedding dress along and we can assess it's potential. This design session as 1.5 hours long and costs £150. It's  fun on your own or with a friend. Please note this does not include actual upcycling, it is a consulation appointment and you'll leave with heaps of inspiration and all the resources you need to bring your dress back into your life.

Please CONTACT ME as soon as possible to chat about your requirements. 01428 681727 

  • Real bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Kerrie

    “...thank you so much for everything you did for me and my incredible dress. I felt so amazing in it! ..”

  • eal bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Mel

    “... thank you so much for altering my wedding dress! You gave me such confidence for the day. You were a joy to work with....”

  • eal bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Julia

    “I absolutely loved my dress! Caroline and Louise brought to life the vision I had of my dream dress. It was so nice to be able to tweak and change it to make it completely my own!”

  • eal bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Tasmin

    “Caroline was very careful and clearly very skilled. I was so happy and I'd highly recommend her.”

  • eal bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Fiona

    “...Caroline did the most wonderful job altering my wedding dress and veil...”

  • eal bride wearing her wedding dress on her wedding day after having it altered by Caroline Arthur

    Hollie

    “...Caroline was so friendly and calm. I would recommend her to anyone, She altered my wedding dress for me perfectly...”