Wedding dress alterations in Chelmsford
Bought your dress somewhere else? Bring it to us.
We make wedding dresses by hand in our Chelmsford studio, and now we'll fit yours too, so it feels like it was made for you.
What we alter
- Hems, including layered, lace and horsehair hems
- Taking in or letting out the bodice and side seams
- Shortening straps and lifting shoulders
- Bustles, so you can dance once the train has done its job
- Adding bra cups
- Replacing zips
- Shortening or adjusting sleeves
Hoping for something not on this list? Ask us. We'll tell you honestly at your consultation what's possible with your dress.
Why bring your dress to us
Every Lucy Can't Dance dress is made from scratch in our studio by our own seamstresses. We spend our days cutting, fitting and finishing wedding dresses, so we know how they're built: the layers, linings, boning and lace. That's exactly what you need when a dress is being altered, so it keeps everything you loved about it.
Our studio is relaxed and friendly, and everyone is welcome.
How it works
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Get in touch
Email us a few photos of your dress, your wedding date and what you'd like changed.
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Consultation and quote
Bring your dress to the studio, with the shoes and underwear you'll wear on the day. We'll pin it on you, talk it through and confirm your price at your consultation, before any work begins.
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Fittings
Most dresses need one to three fittings, so you can see it coming together.
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Collection
When everything fits just right, your dress is ready to take home.
When to book
We recommend getting in touch four to six months before your wedding, so there's time for fittings without any rush. Closer to the date? Ask us and we'll see if we can fit you in. It all depends on the time of year and how busy we are.
Prices
Every dress is different, so we confirm your price at your consultation, before any work begins. As a guide:
- Hemsfrom £130
- Taking in side seamsfrom £105
- Strapsfrom £50
- Bustlesfrom £35
- Bra cupsfrom £35
- Zip replacementfrom £95
We take a 50% deposit upfront and the remaining 50% at your final fitting.
Alterations or a makeover?
Wedding still to come?
Alterations are for before your wedding. We make your dress fit you beautifully, exactly as it is. We don't dip-dye other makers' dresses before a wedding. Before a wedding, we only dip-dye our own dresses, made in fabrics we've tested many times, and another dress might not take the dye evenly.
Already married?
Makeovers are for after your wedding. If your dress is sitting in the loft, we can restyle it into something you'll wear again. That can include cutting it shorter or dyeing it, because we can test the dye on fabric trimmed from your dress first.
For bridal shops
Run a bridal shop without an in-house seamstress, or need extra help in the busy season? We'd love to hear from you. Email us and we can talk about how working together could look.
Trade terms are agreed individually, so get in touch to chat about working together.
Questions
Do you alter dresses that weren't bought from you?
Yes. Our alterations service is for wedding dresses bought anywhere: another shop, online, or handed down.
When should I book?
We recommend getting in touch four to six months before your wedding. Contact us as soon as you have your dress and we'll plan your fittings.
How many fittings will I need?
Most dresses need one to three fittings. Please bring the shoes and underwear you'll wear on the day to every fitting.
How much will it cost?
It depends on your dress and what needs doing. We'll confirm your price at your consultation, before any work begins. We take a 50% deposit upfront and the remaining 50% at your final fitting.
Can you alter lace or beaded dresses?
Usually, yes. Lace and beading need more hand-finishing, which we'll explain when we quote.
Can you dye my dress before my wedding?
No. Before a wedding, we only dip-dye our own dresses, made in fabrics we've tested many times. Other dresses might not take the dye evenly, so it isn't a risk we'll take before your wedding. After the wedding, our makeover service can include dyeing.
Do you alter bridesmaid dresses?
Yes, we alter bridesmaid dresses too.
Where are you?
13 Eckersley Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1SL. We're less than five minutes' walk from Chelmsford station and about 30 minutes from London by train. Visits are by appointment.
Book your consultation
Email lucy@lucycantdance.com or call 01245 290648 with your wedding date and a few photos of your dress.
Fittings are by appointment.