Help! NY/NJ area brides: Where to get wedding dress alterations

[disneyberry]

Well, I'm a procrastinator so I only just bought my wedding dress yesterday. It's a gorgeous Sophia Tolli dress that cost $1200 *gulp* so... I really really want to find a seamstress/tailor that will do an attentive and careful job at alterations.

I have nooo idea where to find a good place for the alterations.

At first I wanted to just have them done at the shop I got the dress at (RK Bridal), but I've since read a ton of terrible reviews about the alterations department. Plus they charge $350 to do alterations which sounds really expensive!

I remember seeing a lot of NY/NJ area brides posting here, so if you have any comments about tailors that were either really great, or tailors that I should avoid, please post!

My dress should come into the shop around the end of August. (BTW how the heck do all you girls stand the wait?! It's like you just chose the dress of your dreams, and then plunk down a ton of money, and don't get to see or put on that dress again for months! Argh.)

Thanks in advance for your help, everyone!

 

[Stucas]

There is a place in Aberdeen, NJ called Lydia's (perhaps Lydia's magic touch) and she does great work and we pretty inexpensive. She's not doing my wedding dress (i'm doing it at Davids as an insurance policy), but has done other gowns for us and they have turned out great. The owner is super nice and has a great attention for details. If you want her info send me a PM and I'd be happy to give it to you.


-Lauren

 

[HurriKahneRachael]

Where in NJ do you live?

 

[lurkyloo]

Another thing you can try is searching the Knot message boards in your area - this is how I found a seamstress in Los Angeles. I did a search on the LA board for "alterations" and "bustle" and found threads where people asked for recommendations.

 

[disneyberry]

I'm in Hudson County, so I tend to just go into the city to do all of my shopping, but if there's a great tailor elsewhere in NJ I'm totally willing to drive out there to get my dress done.

Aberdeen's not too far from me, so I'll send you a PM Lauren. Thanks!

As for The Knot.... oh man does that site scare me! LOL I'd trust you all here at the DISboards much more for recommendations. I wouldn't be surprised if employees of dress shops or whatever register for The Knot's msg boards and post shilling posts. So I'm afraid to trust whatever is said there for the most part.

 

[lurkyloo]

Oooh... I never thought of that. I guess I got lucky - the girl I found was an actual wedding-planning Knottie who was also a seamstress.

Plus, you never wanna mention that you like Disney on the Knot!

 

[disneyberry]

Plus, you never wanna mention that you like Disney on the Knot!

Hahahaha!

 

[disneyberry]

Hope it's okay if I bump this. It kinda got lost in the sea of Moved PJs.

 

[Lynn5700]

The lady I used did an amazing job with my alterations..she is in Berlin though in SJ so I'm not sure how far of a ride it would be for you.

Ladonna Alterations is who I used,

 

[emmabean44]

I just had the same thing happen to me. Don't panic! I live in CA but the site I went to is nationwide so I'm sure you can find something in your area. Try http://www.gatheringguide.com/ec/bridal_shops_dresses.html
and see if you can't find someone who will do the alteration theh way you like.

Best of luck!
Emmabean