Helga's Custom Alterations
Serving the Metroplex area since 1981
Your Bridal Gown
The ceremonious bridal gown is the most important, most personal dress in a woman’s life. Every feature must dazzle. Taking advantage of the endless tailoring opportunities the wedding gown offers, we work closely with brides, to modify the form and style for a perfect fit.Expert in custom dressmaking, we provide all tailoring services.
- shortening or lengthening the train
- slimming or letting out the bodice
- customizing the sleeves
- reshaping elaborate beadwork
- even modernizing and redesigning dresses entirely
Acquainted with the many complex components of wedding gowns, our team finds creative ways to work with different fabrics and solve intricate construction issues. We also make bustles, cautiously evaluating various factors of the dress for the best design. For instance, a cathedral train or delicate fabric that tears easily—lace or silk organza—is harder to fasten securely and cannot be treated with a standard bustle. Drawing on an array of bustle styles and choices, we find imaginative ways to create bustles that are unique, practical, and suited to the style and fabric of the gown—and flattering to you. From the simple One-Point Overbustle to the fancier Austrian or the Triple French Bustle, we fashion all kinds and are always open to new ideas. Our wedding gown specialists take great care in managing the many fine details of tailoring bridal gowns, continually pursuing an elegant, comfortable fit to make your dream dress come true. We also alter accessories like veils and bridal gloves, and embellish wedding gowns with jewelry, sequins, and other decorations.
The cost and turn-around time of altering a wedding gown depend on the difficulty of the alterations. The level of complexity is primarily defined by the fabric and construction of the gown. For excessive restoration, one or more fittings will be required.
For clients aiming to significantly revise the style or fit of a dress, we recommend purchasing a gown larger rather than smaller in size. Additional fabric provides our tailors with more alteration options. We also ask brides to bring shoes, all undergarments, and the veil to the initial fitting, as well as drawings or magazine clippings portraying the look they are seeking to achieve.
Likewise, we alter dresses for bridesmaids and flower girls, and all formal evening wear, such as prom and pageant dresses.
Bridal gowns receive a complimentary steaming and, if needed, we will have your gown professionally cleaned prior to your wedding at an additional cost.
Your bridal fitting..... what to expect
First fittings can sometimes be stressful especially for a bride, however, we at Helga's want to prevent that as much as possible by providing you with some useful information to keep in mind for your fittings Also, please feel free to email us with any other questions you may have.
Undergarments: The bra being the most important, especially a long-line bra, it effects the structure of your bodice dramatically. You should bring anything you would be wearing on your special occasion. Every little thing makes a difference in creating the right fit.
Slip: To all brides, this is a must! The underskirt, aka petticoat, aka crinoline, effects the hemline of your dress as it expands the volume of the skirt. As alteration specialists, it is our responsibility to cover different pricing for different types of fabrics that would need to be hemmed. We work with beaded, laced and multi-layered fabrics as well!
Bustle: This regards any bridal and formal wear with a long beautiful train. We are gown bustle specialists and design any bustle that can suit your unique style and gown. Not only can we help you dream up the most beautiful bustle for your special day, we will spend time showing you how to bustle the dress as well! It is amazing how a bustle can enhance the design work of each gown.
Shoes: Hemming a dress is one of the most common alteration out there. Bring with you the exact shoes you have chosen to wear for the special occasion, this is to ensure a desired hem.
Camera: And last, but not least, don't forget to bring a camera along with your loved ones. The first fitting can be an exciting time for a bride. It marks a special experience to try everything back on again and have loved ones to share it with.
Preserve the memory
Helga's is proud to have earned the recognition of being an Elite Dealer for Wedding Gown Preservation Company. Wedding Gown Preservation Company was founded in 1913 by Sara and Joseph Schapiro in Endicott, New York. They value the fact that your gown is an everlasting memory of your wedding day. Their passion is to preserve your beautiful memory by providing you with a service that will stand the test of time.
100 Year Guarantee
All wedding gowns are professionally cleaned and preserved by their certified specialists. In very rare instances, a gown will yellow over a period of time. In the unlikely event this occurs, they are happy to reprocess the gown at no charge. Should they be unable to remove the yellow, the bride’s preservation cost will be refunded. Beads and sequins are excluded. Improper handling of the gown may cause damage and compromise the true preservation of the gown. For more information check out their Facebook page on the link below.