Ava's Bridal Couture

Bride Magazine Tip #2 in this link below shows the average in 2017 as $500 – $700.

There is NOT a “minimum” price at Ava’s Bridal.  Labor is priced by time.

Not every bride spends $500 – $700, but these ranges have been a common average depending on the level of detail needed.

Link for Reference:
1. https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-alterations-tips

The bridal experience at Ava’s doesn’t end after you purchase your wedding dress.  The experience carries through our in-house alterations department leading up to wedding day.   A team atmosphere is what sets Ava’s Bridal Alterations Department apart from other locally owned bridal salons.

Ava’s Brides Receive:
1.  Reduced Rate Alterations (in comparison to rates for dresses purchased elsewhere)
2.  Online Customer Support (even if alterations are purchased elsewhere, you are an Ava’s Bride with questions!)
3.  Priority Scheduling
4.  Direct Access to Sue (chat with Sue via website + text feature)
5.  LIFETIME Access to the Program
6.  Time Savings with fewer fittings + organized process.
*Brides purchasing online | other bridal retailer are welcomed to contact us for alterations at Ava’s!

Popular Alteration Requests Include:

A:  Standard Bridal Alterations
B:  Priority + Rush Delivery Bridal Alterations
C:  Undergarment Consultation
D:  Technical Fit (Hem, Bustle, Straps, Sizing, and Sculpting the Dress to Enhance the Body Frame)
E:  Custom Changes (Add Sleeves, Lower Back Line, Front Neckline Changes, Add/Remove Lace or other Materials, Redesign,
Add/Remove Beading, and Sentimental Heirloom Incorporation)
F:   Steaming + Travel Consultation
G:  Preservation + Heirloom
H:  Bridal Alteration Education (Online + One to One Coaching)
I:   Wedding Dresses Purchased Online + Other Bridal Retailers Welcomed (*Call or go online to schedule.  Call:  817-732-4457)
J:   Mothers | Bridesmaid | Prom Alteration Services

Absolutely, yes!

Other perks as an Ava’s Bride in Alterations:
1.  Reduced Rate Alterations (in comparison to rates for dresses purchased elsewhere)
2.  Online Customer Support (even if alterations are purchased elsewhere, you are an Ava’s Bride with questions!)
3.  Priority Scheduling
4.  Direct Access to Sue (chat with Sue via website + text feature)
5.  LIFETIME Access to the Program
6.  Time Savings with fewer fittings + organized process.
*Brides purchasing online | other bridal retailer are welcomed to contact us for alterations at Ava’s!

During your 1st fitting, discuss the following with your Alterations Manager:

1.   How to have as few fittings as necessary to save time away from work
2.  How to avoid stress & overspending based on factors that apply to your dress
3.  How to factor weight loss goals (if applicable) into your alteration plan

For Standard Bridal Alterations, expect 3 fittings:
1.  First Fitting (Pay, Pin,  Purchase + Plan during your 1st fitting with your alterations manager one to one)
2.  Second Fitting (If the fit is complete, take it home same day)
3.  Third Fitting (If an adjustment is needed during the 2nd fitting, a 3rd fitting will be necessary to get the sculpted fit.)
4.  Fourth Fitting (If 4 or more fittings are needed during “Standard Bridal Alterations”, chat with Sue using our website chat feature.  Was payment delay an issue?  Were shoes forgotten at a fitting?  Did we change a decision in the process?  Are we communicating openly face to face with our alterations manager?   Are we nervous to speak up with our alterations manager in fear of offending or negatively impacting the process?  Did we add “Custom Changes” which are very different from Standard Bridal Alterations?  All of these questions can dictate the success of a streamlined, organized process saving time away from work.)

For Custom Changes in Alterations, expect 3-5 fittings:  (Based on the Custom Changes Requested)
1.   First Fitting (Pay, Pin,  Purchase + Plan during your 1st fitting with your alterations manager one to one)
2.  Second Fitting (Try test pattern cut sized to fit + place lace materials if necessary)
3.  Third Fitting (Join pattern pieces together after checking technical fit)
4.  Fourth (If an adjustment is needed during the 3rd fitting, a 4th or 5th fitting will be necessary to get the sculpted fit.)
5.  Fifth Fitting (If an adjustment is needed during the 4th fitting, a 5th fitting will be necessary to get the sculpted fit.)

(If 5 or more fittings are needed during “Custom Changes in Alterations”, chat with Sue using our website chat feature.  Was payment delay an issue?  Were shoes forgotten at a fitting?  Did we change a decision in the process?  Are we communicating openly face to face with our alterations manager?   Are we nervous to speak up with our alterations manager in fear of offending or negatively impacting the process?  Did we add “Custom Changes” which are very different from Standard Bridal Alterations?  All of these questions can dictate the success of a streamlined, organized process saving time.)

Week Day Fittings:
If standing still for the seamstress to pin and consult one to one with the bride, the fitting is less than an hour.  The conversation, fun and distractions tend to extend the times longer.
If you are on your lunch hour, do not hesitate to convey this to your Alterations Manager face to face before she begins.
For the best times to schedule for non-peak traffic in store, we suggest week days before 3pm.

Saturday Fittings:
We book every hour, however, there may be overlap with your Alteration Manager helping more than one bride at a time during your alloted time due to the nature of Saturday traffic vs Weekday traffic.
If you would like to move your future appointments to a slower time of the week, we suggest week day before 3pm.

Standard Alterations:
Typically, we expect 4-5 weeks between first and second fitting as well as 2-3 weeks between second and third fitting.  Ask your Alterations Manager in person while in your wedding dress to be sure this time frame applies to your dress needs.
 
Custom Changes:
Typically, we expect 4-5 weeks between first and second fitting as well as 4-5 weeks between second and third fitting.  Allow 2-3 weeks between third and fourth fittings.  Ask your Alterations Manager in person while in your wedding dress to be sure this time frame applies to your dress needs.

Alteration Checklist:
1.  Wedding Day Shoes (to check the hemline through the process and ensure accuracy, shoes should not be changed or forgotten from one fitting to the next)
2.  Undergarments (if undergarments will be discussed with your alterations manager during the 1st fitting, popular bridal undergarment products are available for purchase at Ava’s Bridal to help brides sizes 32A to 44DD time savings and cost saving from overspending on items not needed to achieve a sculpted fit.
3.  Payment for bridal alterations in full.
4.  Payment for wedding dress balance to be paid in full (if not paid in full at time of purchase)
5.   A positive attitude (Alterations can be stressful, but we are highly skilled and trained to create a positive experience for brides who have a positive mindset.)
6.  Shop for accessories (Popular bridal veil, jewelry and headpiece products are available for purchase at Ava’s Bridal to help brides with time savings and cost saving from overspending on items not needed to achieve a ideal fit.
7.  The Right Alterations Squad (Keep in mind you will be standing still in your wedding dress + shoes for up to an hour while your alterations manager consults one to one while pinning.  If you wish to create a dress reveal to family or friends during your alterations appointment, please call 817-732-4457 to discuss if a dress reveal can be scheduled same day or a different day with your important guests.)

There are two types of brides:
1).  Hope to go braless on wedding day and every day.
2).  Wouldn’t be caught dead without a bra and certainly not on their big day.

Which bride are you?

Cup Sizes A’s thru Small C’s:
Our most popular option is the sewn in, sweat absorbing gel cups sewn directly into your wedding dress!  They are as fabulous as they sound.  Affordable, practical, backless, comfortable, sexy… they really do it all.  We can adjust the push up by adjusting the placement and application in which we sew them in.

Cup Sizes C’s thru Full Figure Bust:
With a full cup (especially if they do not naturally have the lift you hope for, talk with your Alterations Manager about a few options:
1.   Sew in long line corset into dress as an all in one piece or as a separate piece.
2.  Sew in an “inner corset lace up” which is adjustable due to a lace up string.
3.  Sew in wide boning in the available seams inside your wedding dress for structure and support if the dress does not have enough to get the desired feel.
4.  Purchase a long line bra at Ava’s Bridal available in sizes A thru DD cup sizes and 32 thru 44 body.
5.  Sew in an underwire strapless bra that we can cut if necessary to give the placement and desired look.
6.  Gel Cups – might do the trick!  Try it before you buy it and see.

*Click Here to See Full Figure Bra Tips

*Pro Tip:  We do not recommend purchasing all undergarments prior to first fitting as many of those items will not be necessary unless you typically purchase all of your bras every day from specialty bra shops that cater to sizes F, G, etc.

Cap Sleeve
Off Shoulder Sleeve
Short Sleeve
3/4 Sleeve
Bracelet Length Sleeve
Full Long Sleeve
Pointed Lace to Hand Sleeve
Modest Lined Sleeve
Bell Sleeve
Straps

No Charge Alterations:
Bring your dress back within 2 weeks of “take home date” and make any needed adjustments to previously purchased alterations at no additional charge.

Half Rate Alterations:
Example:

Full Rate Alterations:
Alterations purchased less than 30 days prior to your “Need by Date” (which is not the same as the wedding date)

Bustles are tricky.  They seem easy enough when you watch your fitter complete the bustle.  You have seen it done before.  How hard can it be, right?

Avoid the #1 TIME DRAIN with the wedding dress on wedding day by practicing the bustle prior to game day.
Here is a “How to Guide” along with “Hand Positioning Tips” and more to practice with.

Bustle Misconceptions:
1.   How hard can it be?  I have seen it done before – surely it won’t be difficult.
2.  Dress does NOT have to be on a body to practice bustling.  In fact, we recommend practicing the bustle while on it’s hanger to time practices.  The more practice, the faster the time.
3.  Bustle should take NO MORE than 5-10 minutes tops to secure.  Even with the most intricate bustle, practicing and having proper help if necessary is critical to planning.
4.  Number 1 leading case to bustle death?  Bustles not properly fastened do not have the weight & fabric distribution needed to last.  One missed step will break a bustle not properly fastened.
5.  Assume your bustle will break and use this guide to have a “safety pin parachute” on game day.  When you have a bustle emergency, the parachute is there for you.
6.  When in doubt, start with the CENTER BACK SEAM and work your way outward toward side seams.  This tip will come in handy if you have more than 3 bustle points or if this is new to your world.
7.  Watch me whip.  Watch me bustle.  Here is a satisfying bustle video to my fellow OCD humans out there!

*Pro Tip:  Avoid a Time Drain click here to watch this helpful video.

Now that your bustle is properly attached, let’s practice the art of “karate chopping” the messy bits of the bustle.
Even more, in this video I will share my ninja secrets of making the bustle smoother, longer in this helpful video.

*Pro Tip:  Avoid a Time Drain click here to watch this helpful video.

You had a weightloss surgery, on the Keto diet, pursuing a healthier you, or losing major lbs for your wedding day and honeymoon.  We have done it all!  There may be more seams to go into in order to properly scale your pattern down to the proper size, but it’s what we do every day in our department.

If you have been told No by another seamstress, or been taught the “old rule of 2”, you are not alone.
This is a common misconception that we over come often with Ava’s Brides wanting to be the best version of themselves on their wedding day!

Many of us are between sizes.  The rib cage/waist measurement can be tricky in petite brides, moderate size brides and plus sizes.  Having a broad rib cage is a term you may already know about your body frame.

During the professional fitting, the conversation with your bridal stylist in the ordering process is critical to not order too small.  However, don’t be alarmed if your dress is too small in one isolated area yet fits well in other areas of the body.

Let’s cover this TOP FAQ in person during the 1st Fitting with your Alterations Manager.

It’s important that we show how your dress will lay in this hollow space:
1.  When dress is tight around pelvis area, what is the result?
2.  When dress is loose around pelvis area, what is the result?
3.  When ribcage is lifted +  shoulders are back, what is the result?
4.  When knee(s) is bent, what is the result?
5.  Review airbrushed, model photos with us to see patterns in all body types.

Everyone is a little different, but it’s important to cover this topic in the first fitting so the expectations are positive and achievable.

If you feel the need to alter the straps tighter after the first fitting, before you do – try adding grip first.

Avoid these Mistakes:
1.  Bust line travels too far North due to repeated tightening in the straps.
2.  Straps are carrying too much weight and begin to “dig in” to the shoulder skin.
3.  Lace straps stretch over use due to amount of pressure lace straps are expected to take.  (Lace does stretch with pressure and weight)

If you find yourself altering more than once with straps, off shoulder, etc. talk with your Alterations Manager about “Bridal Tape”.

Bridal Tape is strong enough and wider than typical craft store fashion tapes.
The grip is important to stay on the shoulder which is the feeling that misleads brides to thinking a take in is needed.

Think of a Bridal Salon with an Alterations Department in-house like you would a Luxury Car Dealership with a Service Department in-house.

(As consumers, you are not required to use the in-house department, however, many of us like to have the pros for the services that are important.)

Take for example an oil change.
Oil changes can be done just about anywhere without much liability or risk.

Take for example an engine replacement.
How important is your warranty and liability for future effects if something where to go wrong in altering a large change?
Is it convenient to know you have the customer service to ask questions about the engine even if you choose to do business elsewhere?

Often times, the cost difference in a bridal salon can be slight in comparison to an independent brick and mortar.  We find that in-homes are the least expensive, but the process is a consideration.

We want you to have no regrets in who you choose to alter/cut your wedding dress!

Before you take your gown to an in-home, independent, or contractor, let us take a look at it.  We work with budget brides every day at Ava’s Bridal.  If we cannot reach your goals at Ava’s, here are a few alternatives.

Alternatives to using a Bridal Salon:
1.  In Home
2.  Independent Brick + Mortar
3.  Contractor | Family or Friend

Boho Inspired Dress vs Sculpted Fit:
If you are looking for your wedding dress to sculpt your frame and give an illusion of one size smaller, but it has no structure, boning or shape (common in “Boho” inspired wedding dresses), add structure to your dress.
Our team can show you in person examples of a structured dress that will sculpt vs your dress in your in-person consultation.  Just ask and we would love to teach the difference!

Full figured bust line:
A heavy cup size will not take shape without shape wear that will lift.
Let’s talk about this in person in how we can achieve this without purchasing an uncomfortable bra.