Touch of Class Bridal Alterations in Phoenix can make your wedding dress or wedding gown picture perfect for your special day.

Have the dress you’ve always dreamed of wearing with the help of Mari Torres, the owner, master wedding dress designer and seamstress of this valuable Phoenix alterations store and service.

Mari has over a quarter of a century of experience in the bridal industry that she will put to work for you.

You can have custom wedding attire for your entire bridal party. From design to creation, Touch of Class Bridal Alterations ensures that your vision becomes a reality.

Alternatively, start with a newly purchased gown or one that you already have in your wardrobe.

Watch your dream gown appear through Mari’s wedding dress restyling magic.

A bustle can be added for as little as $10. Bra linings, laced-corset backs, zippers and modesty panels can also be affordably added to transform the original gown into one that’s simply perfect for your dream wedding.

Enhance your gown with stones, beads, sequins and appliques. This is the year for glamour, glitz and color!

Thanks to more than a few prominent royal and entertainment industry weddings, this is the time to break free from some stodgy traditions.

While shades of white are always fashionable, they are not the only choices.

Everything from soft, subtle pastels to bold, bright colors are being worn as either the primary color or in an accent such as a sash, panel or beaded trim.

Throw some basic rules out of the window as even the alterations don’t have to conform to any particular pattern or symmetry.

Random placement of accents creates visual interest and adds to the originality of the designs.

Make your wedding dress perfect in your own eyes.

Touch of Class Bridal Alterations can offer valuable guidance to assist you in making the right selections every step of the way.

It’s perfectly acceptable for the bridesmaids to wear different gown lengths, styles and colors. It’s also okay to wear different styles and colors of shoes.

The groomsmen have the option of wearing individualized styles and colors too. The rules of conformity are suspended. The trend is definitely supporting creative freedom and expression.

When considering the most popular choices for 2012, you’re looking at longer corset styling and more revealing cleavage.

The sweetheart neckline has become deeper while one-strap designs add significant possibilities for diversity.

Modesty panels are incorporated along with very low backless gowns.

Bolero jackets come alive with glitzy enhancements like crystals, colored beads and dangling charms.

Design your dream veil independent of your dream gown; they don’t have to be a perfect match in material or design to be visually appealing.

The message has never been more clear:

This is the ideal time to have a wedding that is truly custom-designed and unique to your own wishes.

The best part of all is that Touch of Class is extremely affordable.

There’s no reason to buy something that isn’t quite what you’re looking for and sticking with it. Make your dream wedding a reality.

Visit the Touch of Class Bridal Alterations website for more information and inspiration.

It’s the first step to make your wedding dress perfect!

Mari Is A Local Phoenix Wedding Dress Designer & Seamstress -

Call Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations For All Of Your Bridal Alterations Needs -For A Free Bridal Fitting Today CALL 480-776-7964

Visit Mari Seamstress & Designer at Touch Of Class Bridal Alterations Online At Her Website

Touch Of Class Bridal Alterations

Mari@TouchofClassAlterations.Com

About the Author

Touch of Class Bridal Alterations is located in Phoenix AZ Mari has 26 years of experience in bridal fashion and custom wedding dress design.

Book a free bridal fitting today. Call 480-776-7964 or 623-433-8342 if busy.

Need Bridal Alterations For Your 2012 - 2013 Phoenix Wedding - Save Up To 50% On Alterations For Your Entire Phoenix Bridal Party With Touch Of Class Alterations

In 2012 more and more brides are looking for ways to enhance their wedding dress and make their wedding gown truly unique. A custom wedding dress bust line is one way to truly customize your wedding dress for both style and comfort.

In order to add a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress, it is necessary to permanently alter the bust line of the wedding gown.  The level of difficulty in adding a sweetheart neckline always depends on the type of fabric used in the wedding gown as well as the cut or silhouette of the wedding dress to start with.

To add or not to add a sweetheart neckline…

Here are the Top 3 Reasons to add a sweetheart neckline for your own custom wedding dress.

To Add Or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline To The Wedding Dress Reason #1  - Added Wedding Dress Comfort.

Add a sweetheart neckline if you want to add elegance and style to a dress that may not have enough custom elements already. For example, a strapless wedding gown will already have more style in the bodice with a rigid corset filled with boning and layers of fabric….

With this in mind, adding a sweetheart neckline to a strapless wedding dress, can add a more dramatic look to the strapless wedding gown, especially if the bust line is already heavily beaded or adorned.

Many times a strapless wedding dress design will have plenty of detail in the bodice, yet somehow the wedding dress designer forgot to continue the attention to detail in the bust or neckline. It is quite common to see brides that fall in love with a fab wedding dress that has almost everything they want…

One of the benefits of adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress is it almost always can add curves and shape to the bustline. A well designed sweetheart neckline can also offer more breathing room and comfort in a rigid corset style strapless wedding gown or dress.

In order to correctly add a sweetheart neckline to any wedding gown, you will need to enlist the help of a professional and detail oriented bridal seamstress or wedding dress designer that specializes in wedding dress restyling, bridal alterations and designing wedding gowns exclusively.

A professional seamstress understands the importance of both symmetry and comfort when adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress. The degree of difficulty required to alter a wedding gown neckline with perfect symmetry and curves, requires a steady hand and industrial sewing machines.

Adding a sweetheart neckline almost always requires lowering the neckline and permanently removing boning and/or fabric materials from the wedding dress.

It is best to inquire of your potential seamstress, if they guarantee their work and your total satisfaction with adding a sweetheart neckline design element to your wedding gown. It is also best to get references from other brides to verify the quality of the work they received and how comfortable they were with the overall fit of their wedding dress.

To properly add a sweetheart neckline a wedding dress, the wedding dress designer or seamstress will basically build up the existing structure of the wedding dress to reshape the bust line into the shape of a heart. Adding a sweetheart neckline is a fantastic detail that many busty brides love, as it accentuates their curves, while adding a lighter more comfortable style to the wedding dress… A custom sweetheart neckline should almost always require a multi-layered structure underneath to add proper support. Adding cups to the bodice can also help brides that love the romantic and captivating look of a sweetheart neckline, regardless of their bust size.

Many brides feel their dress is lighter and can breathe better once they open up the bust line by adding a sweetheart neckline. By taking your time to select a talented and experienced independent wedding dress designer or seamstress, many brides can add comfort while saving money over having this type of wedding dress alteration done at an expensive wedding dress store or bridal shop. A bride will look better in her wedding photos if she feels great in her wedding dress.

Want To Add A Sweetheart Neckline To Your 2012 - 2013 Wedding Dress ? Touch Of Class Alterations Can Add A Sweetheart Neckline For Less Than Most Bridal Shops & Phoenix Wedding Dress Stores

To Add Or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline To The Wedding Dress Reason #2 – Adding Your Own Personality & Style.

Adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress certainly can help any bride look even more stunning, while adding creativity and style.  Make sure to remember that the more detailed your wedding dress already is, the more care and detail that will be required to add a sweetheart neckline to your wedding dress.

Having a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress for many brides means visiting the wedding dress store where they purchased their wedding gown. In most cases, an in house bridal alterations department can handle adding a sweetheart neckline, but it is always a good idea to get a few outside quotes to have the alterations done for more budget conscious brides.  Many brides have shared their experiences online of feeling they paid too much to add sweetheart neckline or to alter their wedding dress hem. In fact, many brides also have reported in online reviews that even though they relied on an expensive bridal shop or retail wedding store to do their wedding dress alterations…. They honestly felt rushed through many of the bridal fittings, starting with the first fitting.

How can this be? Once a bride has purchased an expensive wedding dress at a retail store, most brides encounter the alterations department and settle for less than stellar service. The truth is many bridal shops are big on sales clerks and sales service….

But once a purchase has been made, their alterations department is often understaffed and overworked. With many brides relying on the same quality of service and attention to detail that they witnessed during their dress purchase, many are shocked that the alterations process can take weeks to even get in for their first fitting.  Since many bridal shops are quite busy with brides receiving dress orders that they have waited for months, it is quite common for brides to notice an alterations lady or store seamstress making recommendations that strangely are steering them away from their own ideas and vision.

The reason is an exquisite, finely detailed wedding gown, will almost always require up to 4 hours of work just to add a sweetheart neckline. This is due to the fact that the beading and design work on the bodice on the wedding gown will need to be removed and re-applied once the sweetheart neckline has been added. To make matters more challenging for a bridal shop seamstress, many of the seamstresses are underpaid and are expected to get volume work done, so working for 3-4 hours on one single wedding dress alteration, can slow down the service output to other brides. Subsequently, the level of service is not always the same as what a bride encountered when first selecting a wedding dress. Especially if a bride wants to make more dramatic changes to a wedding dress.

For example, a bride decides she would love to have a sweetheart neckline but her dress is a halter style. This requires a highly skilled seamstress and the exact materials to restructure a wedding dress. Or a bride that wants to add a sweetheart neckline to a dress that is not strapless and without a corset. Almost always changing a dress to a strapless or backless design requires a high level of skill and removing applications, design elements and beading and then reapplying the elements after totally re-designing the dress into a strapless wedding dress design with a sweetheart neckline.

The bottom line is many brides are given only 3 weeks before their wedding to come in for the bridal alterations on the advice of the wedding gown store or bridal shop in the first place. This is dangerous timing as a more conscientious bride will almost always demand that the seamstress follow her direction. The last thing a bride to be needs is to be told that there is not sufficient time to add a custom design element like adding a sweetheart neckline, a corset or a strap less re-design.

It is estimated that up to 50% of brides “settle” on less than what they envisioned for their wedding dress for the above reason of being steered away from doing more difficult and detailed wedding dress alterations.

The second reason brides settle is the cost quoted during their first bridal fitting. Since many stores cannot do the more detailed and skilled alterations on short notice, they must either subcontract the work or ask their best seamstress to pull longer shifts to get the job done. It is not uncommon for a bride to be quoted up to $350 or more to add a sweetheart neckline to their wedding dress. This exorbitant pricing is not counting hemming a wedding dress, changing the hem length of a wedding dress or taking in the bodice of a wedding dress.

Nor does the quote cover the cost of adding straps to a wedding dress or changing the backline or converting a wedding dress to a strapless design. In addition, many stores charge a bridal fitting fee of up to $25 for each fitting and any additional fittings necessitated by an uncompromising bride.

In this scenario, many brides break down right in the store and give up on their ideas. This is mostly stress and disbelief that they are “suddenly” under time pressure in regard to their wedding dress itself… this is always on top of all of the other arrangements that must be handled the final weeks before the wedding day. This is the exact area where hiring a talented local seamstress can change a brides wedding dress alteration  experience, removing the stress, lowering the cost and reducing sticker shock from the often undisclosed pricing of more detailed bridal alterations at a retail wedding dress boutique or bridal shop.

The author and seamstress has interviewed brides that were quoted over $800 to do the wedding dress alterations listed above, with no guarantee that the fit would be perfect since the fitting were always rushed just weeks before the wedding.

A good seamstress always recommends doing the major bridal dress alterations at least 60-90 days before the wedding with a free final fitting for minor adjustments a week or two before the wedding day. This leaves plenty of time to get the alterations done and removes one more worry for a busy bride the final weeks before her wedding.

To Add Or Not To Add & Sweetheart Neckline To A Wedding Dress Reason #3  - A Unique Wedding Dress Is Always Remembered.

It is far better to find a dress that a bride absolutely loves that is within her budget, and then add a sweetheart neckline than to purchase a dress that is too expensive just because it has all of the elements a bride wants.

Part of feeling comfortable in your wedding dress is being comfortable with the cost of the wedding dress and the cost of bridal alterations. Many brides fall in love with a dress not only for how it flatters their figure but also for finding a bargain that with just a little alteration, adding a sweetheart neckline for example, will look even more flattering!

Many brides love the how a sweetheart neckline for lack of a better expression “made their boobs look better” Brides also report that adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding dress definitely adds more curves and shape to any wedding gown.

To Add or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline To The Wedding Dress – Creating a Unique Custom Wedding Dress

Adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding gown can help a bride feel more beautiful and special as all eyes are on her dress as she walks down the aisle. An exotic, custom wedding gown is almost always remembered…. Not to mention the stunning photos a bride will cherish for a lifetime. The more unique a wedding dress is, the higher the likelihood that the wedding dress will be preserved as an heirloom dress for the brides own daughters one day!

Of course, a talented seamstress can add dramatic lines to any wedding gown adding style and personality to the dress. Brides that want a more romantic wedding or even a more chic wedding that is sassy and opulent will almost always love fine detail work on a well-crafted sweetheart neckline… A stunning bride certainly is one that is creative, fun and intriguing. Bridesmaids and guests will often comment on how fantastic a wedding dress truly is, expressing their approval with questions of “who designed your dress…?”

This example from real clients is almost always a great feeling for an independent designer and seamstress. It is an equally rewarding experience for the intelligent bride that does the research necessary to explore other options outside of just “settling” for whatever service level a retail wedding store provides.

While it is true that there are many exceptional wedding dress stores with great alterations departments, this is often the exception and not the rule. More often than realized, brides encounter high, unexpected prices for altering their wedding dress the way they truly want it at an expensive bridal shop or wedding store in phoenix. If a bride truly wants to make a statement on her wedding day, this almost always will require hiring a wedding dress designer or seamstress with a great level of experience and a highly developed skillset.

When hiring a seamstress ask for references and photos of their work. Remember that part of altering a gown and adding a sweetheart neckline is knowing how to deconstruct the reconstruct the support and structure of a wedding dress… this way the dress is even more comfortable and supports the new design elements.

An example of this is an experienced seamstress should be able to make a corset lace up style with boning and a high quality bodice from scratch. A talented seamstress will also be able to do the fine detail application work, removing beading, stones and applications and then reapplying them in the original pattern on the wedding dress. Many brides have come to the author with alterations done to their dress that were done incorrectly or with substandard materials.

Touch Of Class Bridal Alterations recommends in order to add a sweetheart neckline, to redesign underlying structure in the bodice and remove/reapply applications and beading… A talented seamstress will need to pay close attention to fine details.

To Add or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline to The Wedding Dress – The Finish

The finish of the look should be as flattering as the fit and comfort of the design. If a bride feels the urge to “tug” her strapless gown, or if the neckline is itchy or uneven, this is an example of shoddy work on the bridal stores part. Again, for a wedding dress to truly be memorable, it should make a bride feel luxurious and comfortable. There should be no “bridal tug” because the wedding dress should be custom fitted in the bodice and neckline. The structure of the wedding dress bodice should exceed the original manufacturer’s skill level resulting in a more comfortable design.

Another example of why adding a sweetheart neckline can create a truly unique and memorable wedding dress, is the combination of adding a well fitted, and strong lace up corset. A well designed and fitted corset should be comfortable allowing a bride to “take in” her waistline while accentuating her bustline and curvy features.

Almost any bride, regardless of cups size, can accentuate their figure, smooth their torso (so no bulges are evident in the wedding day photos of the bodice) and add detail and emphasis on areas that a bride wants to be seen, like a sweetheart neckline area that is perhaps further adorned with some bridal jewelry, a tiara or a veil A great seamstress is comfortable with the slow painstaking process of converting a simple less dramatic neckline, into a fiery, ravishing sweetheart neckline shape, bedazzled with swarosvki, beading, rhinestones or simple elegant lace work and applications.

Many wedding dress designers and seamstress wear special magnifying glasses with lenses when doing detailed beadwork. This is in order to keep symmetry and style of the applications at acceptable standards of quality. This is one area where many alterations shops and bridal stores fall short as they are pressed for time by their own dress orders and time tables they have given brides.

If you have decided to do your bridal alterations to your wedding dress at the bridal store alterations department, make sure to request references and ask to see a dress that has been made into a sweetheart neckline. That way you can see what the finished quality and attention to detail looks like. You will also need to look inside the wedding dress to see if the bodice was structured, cups were added or how they supported the new bust line of the gown.

Adding a sweetheart neckline to a dress properly requires adding boning in many cases to the bodice, especially for bustier brides that want to show cleavage… This is extremely important in order for a bride to feel comfortable and supported with a strapless wedding dress. A bride should also inquire about adding cups or options for a supportive bra to work well with a sweetheart neckline. A bride should also be open to using some two sided tape to add support and prevent any low cut sweetheart designs from becoming a dress failure. Runways models, actresses and brides use bridal tape in order to keep a sweetheart neckline perfect during the wedding ceremony, photos and reception. A great design is still protected and enhanced with the proper bra, cups and invisible tape to ensure a picture perfect special day every time.

To Add or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline to The Wedding Dress – Tips

One bride that was extremely busty commented online that she was surprised that no wedding gown can be guaranteed to lie perfect on the bust line, when a low cut sweetheart or “deep v” is incorporated in 2012 wedding dress styles.  This bride didn’t like the idea of her seamstress recommending using “tape” in addition to the careful design of her corset, sweetheart neckline and bra choice (no bra in this case just cups) What can be learned from this is that alterations for more dramatic styles on busty brides are almost always complimented by taking the advice of a knowledgeable seamstress or wedding planner, all of which that recommend using bridal tape in addition to adding a sweetheart neckline for a memorable, unique wedding dress!

In addition as mentioned earlier, some wedding dresses will have fabric and a cut or silhouette that requires adding boning, a corset and even cups to fully support a sweetheart neckline for each bride’s body type and shape….

This multi-faceted approach to the structuring of a wedding gown can be costly when adding a sweetheart neckline, especially at regular busy bridal shops and wedding dress retail chain stores. It is a good idea to get a quote from an independent seamstress and wedding dress designer in order to save the most on multiple alterations when adding a sweetheart neckline for a more dramatic look.

Many brides report having better attention to detail, lower pricing and better more personalized service by working with an independent phoenix seamstress. So when it comes to creating a look they’ll never forget on your wedding day, consider all of the options including more personalized service at an independent designer or seamstress

This way a bride can actually get her alterations done up to 90 days in advance of her wedding at prices that are up to 50% less than more expensive high overhead wedding stores and bridal shops. A bride should never feel rushed or that her questions were forgotten or not answered fully during a bridal fitting. It’s actually very common for a bridal shop or wedding store to fail to adequately take the proper amount time to address all of a brides concerns or questions.

This is always due to the fact that many stores have more sales persons than they have seamstresses. A great bridal shop will always explain all of the best alterations options that a bride should consider when deciding on making changes that require extensive alterations to a wedding dress. A bride should always be given the option of restyling her wedding dress so she can truly feel unique and special on her wedding day! After all, your wedding is an event, if not the event you will remember for the rest of your life!

Don’t settle for less than working with a patient, kind and knowledgeable seamstress that offers quality and pricing that doesn’t break your bank or your budget. And never settle for a wedding dress that is uncomfortable after the alterations have been done somewhere. I cannot stress enough the importance of a bride feeling comfortable in her wedding dress. If you don’t feel comfortable in your wedding dress after the alterations have been done, then how can you feel comfortable during your wedding ceremony, photo shoot and reception?

To Add or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline to The Wedding Dress – Sewing & Alterations

Altering or sewing a wedding dress is more than just sewing a hem or adding straps… It often requires restructuring a wedding dress to add a sweetheart neckline properly, for example….

In fact most of the most common wedding dress alterations (adding a corset, adding a sweetheart neck line, resizing a bodice, changing hem length etc.,) do require the skill of an experienced and exceptional seamstress…. to do it right

To Add or Not To Add A Sweetheart Neckline to the Wedding Dress – Conclusion

In order to ensure a picture perfect wedding day without any wedding dress disasters or mishaps… it is best to meet with and interview a seamstress first to determine their experience level and comfort with doing more elaborate wedding dress alterations.

A bride should be totally comfortable when standing, sitting, dancing or walking in her wedding gown. Finding the perfect fit that flatters while fitting your budget is an art form all it itself. And it all starts with finding a seamstress or designer that you are completely comfortable with.

Make sure to inquire about the cost of adding a sweetheart neckline to a wedding gown before you decide to purchase it at a retail wedding dress store. If the prices are too high for your budget to add a sweetheart neckline, alter a hem, add straps etc, then make sure to interview a local seamstress and compare prices and level of service. Another great way to verify if a store or seamstress is a good value it to head over to Wedding Wire and look up their online reviews. Wedding Wire is a bridal website that verifies all of their reviews to make sure they are written by actual brides.

For Local Phoenix Brides:

Read online reviews to compare a local phoenix seamstress to an in-house alterations dept. of a bridal shop or wedding gown store. This way you can see if you will get better service going with an independent seamstress in the phoenix area. Use your intuition at the store too. Look around and see how brides are being handled after the wedding dress purchase. Many brides do get great service at a wedding store or bridal boutique, but sadly some brides are left waiting for their fittings. Make sure you are completely comfortable with the alterations service, price and quality of work before making your final decision on where you will have your bridal party alterations and wedding dress alterations done.

And remember…. altering your wedding dress and getting fitted should be fun!

A bride should never feel rushed during her bridal fittings and alterations experience…  Bring Mom of bride, bridesmaids and friends for support to your fittings And work with a seamstress you are comfortable with! Good luck in your search for the perfect wedding dress. Like many brides, you may just decide to add a sweetheart neckline to that almost perfect dress. And when that time comes, if you do your due diligence and decide to come in for a free bridal fitting… I’ll be here to help

Mari@TouchofClassAlterations.Com

About the Author

Touch of Class Bridal Alterations is owned by Mari Torres.in Phoenix AZ Mari has 26 years of experience in bridal fashion and custom wedding dress design.

Book a free bridal fitting or custom dress / restyle consultation today on the Touch of Class Bridal & Alterations website convenient online scheduling calendar today….

A wedding is one of those major events in our lives that can change us forever. And the dream of a perfect wedding has always been on every girl’s bucket list.

Weddings can bring us so much joy. Finding the love of your life and getting married to that one true love can make all the past disappointments so worth it. Everyone in the family as well, is excited and filled with much anticipation for the wedding and the marriage to come.

But what would make a wedding, a perfect wedding? As a woman who just recently got my dream wedding, it all depends on the perfect wedding dress and the perfect wedding dress alterations seamstress!

You must be thinking that I’m kidding. Everyone thinks that you should just have the perfect groom or the perfect wedding cake or the perfect entourage or the perfect makeup and you are good to go. But I should say that it is the perfect wedding dress. And behind all perfect wedding dresses, is a skillful wedding dress alterations seamstress.

When I got married last June, I had a particularly difficult dilemma when I took my pre-wedding diet too seriously.

I was a willowy, hour-glass shape but when I had taken my diet and exercise plan seriously, a lot of weight came off and on the day when the wedding gown designer had sent me the dress and I tried it on, I was aghast.

Yes, the dress and the design was just the way I wanted.

My wedding dress was a divine white confection of a delicate mixture of satin, lace and organza with a very intricate beading. It was perfection incarnate.

But the size was all wrong. I tried on the bustier but shamefully, it just slid off my torso. I just lost too much weight and this time, it had really posed a huge problem for me. The wedding was in two weeks and I was panicking big time.

I called my mother and in tears, I was telling her that my dream wedding was going to flop. No way was it possible to repair it in record time. It took a long time for the dress to be altered each time that I had nit-picked on anything when the fittings were done.

This was supposed to be just the size I wanted. I was in great trouble. After bawling on the telephone, my mother consoled me by saying that she knew someone, a wedding dress alterations seamstress in Phoenix, Arizona who would know what to do. She was recommended by her friend who just got married recently and who was raving about the wonderful job that they had done on her wedding dress.

Touch Of Class Alterations was the recommended wedding dress alterations seamstress and designer in our state, located in Phoenix, AZ and that was also what my mom’s friend had recommended to her. In fact, they not only altered wedding dresses , but they also designed wedding dresses.

Touch of Class Alterations is located in North Phoenix and my mother and I wasted no time and drove to the place. It is located just north of the 101 freeway off another major freeway I-17 North, so the drive was quick.

During our drive over, my heart was beating so fast. I had my dress with me, but I wasn’t sure that Mari the seamstress would be able to take on the challenge of making sure that my wedding dress would fit me… let alone in record time.

Two weeks may be sufficient for other wedding dress alterations, but my dress was very delicate organza and lace and complicated with multiple layers…

With this running through my mind, I could imagine a less talented seamstress attempting to do a rush alterations job and ruining my dress with the sheer delicacy of the fabrics and details involved. I now had a full blown wedding dress emergency….

I needed not only a seamstress I needed a miracle worker; I needed an experienced professional, a master wedding dress designer in the bridal design and alterations business.

We arrived at the 3200 sq. foot home studio location for Touch Of Class Alterations and met the owner and lead seamstress, Mari Torres. I wasted no time showing Mari my wedding dress and desperately asked her if she could do it in less than two weeks!

Without batting an eyelash, Mari said yes.

She even said I could pick it up on Monday next week… with no rush fees! Not only would Mari give me a week before the final wedding day to ease my stress, but she didn’t even charge extra for a rush job. Nor did she charge a fitting fee like the bridal shop I went to for numerous alterations months before.

Mari’s confidence put me at ease, but still, I was crossing my fingers and really hoping that she could do the job to the high standards I have… in such a short amount of time.

My mother was cool about it. Her friend was able to assure her months earlier when she came to Mari… and her dress came out fantastic.

I was a bit skeptical. I asked Mari what her experience was in the wedding dress industry and it turns out that she has been in the business for 20+ years… since she was 18!

In fact, Mari has taken on many “wedding dress re-styles” and “dress emergencies” that have been turned down flat, by a lot of ‘other’ local phoenix wedding dress stores and bridal shop seamstresses.

It turns out Mari is not afraid to do the more elaborate and more difficult wedding dress alterations … that many retail bridal stores simply don’t have time for. Or possibly, they simply don’t have a seamstress that is as patient as Mari

Mari has also worked in huge bridal businesses like the Wedding Accessory Superstore and David’s before starting her own bridal design and alterations business 6 years ago in Phoenix, AZ. I left the location with mixed feelings of  anticipation, worry and hope.

At long last, the following week did arrive and the wedding dress alterations specialist, Touch of Class Alterations has proven their excellence to me.

June 2011, I was a happy bride with the most beautiful wedding dress in all of Arizona. Thank you so much, Mari! You saved my wedding!

By the way, Touch of Class Alterations is located at 3119 W Maya Way Phoenix, AZ 85029, and is available by appointment only. Be sure to compare them before paying too much for bridal alterations at a national bridal store like I did!

You can learn a lot from Mari about how to bustle your wedding dress and do the alterations right the first time.

The Touch Of Class Alterations website also offers a convenient online bridal calendar and online scheduling system.

The bridal calendar shows all of the available time slots that are open each week, Monday thru Saturday.

This way, phoenix area brides to be can book an appointment weeks or even months in advance…

Or even last minute as I did!

Their website is http://www.touchofclassalterations.com .

Also, you can contact Mari and her staff at (480) 776-7964.

If you want to have a dream wedding just like I did, make sure to book your appointment with them.

You can thank me later for the tip!

See the Touch Of Class Alterations Bridal Calendar To Schedule A Free Bridal Fitting.

Congratulations and good luck!

Judy R.

The upcoming Wedding Dress Trends for 2012 are quite striking with stunning colors that transcend the color palette of 2011. The much anticipated arrival of the latest wedding dress designer trends hit the US with bridal fashion shows that debuted many stunning a line, ball gown and mermaid styles complete with enhanced tulle, organza, and lace.

In addition to more elaborate asymmetrical styles and contrasting lace and tulle embellishments, the latest bridal fashions also promise a hint of glamour that harkens back to softer less dramatic prohibition era elegance.

With sequined empire waist-lines, swarovski crystal bedazzled bodices and gorgeous sweetheart necklines, the latest wedding dress fashion trends for 2012 are truly a welcome breath of fresh air compared to the flashy more dramatic lower cut necklines that show what many brides considered in retrospect to be “too much” cleavage on their wedding day.

With this softer more captivating look, the latest strapless wedding dress styles and gowns  offer a newly envisioned “softer” elegance, that is reminiscent of a by-gone era from the 1920’s.

Strapless wedding dresses with illusion net, silk and lace sleeves abound, while other form fitting wedding dress silhouettes like mermaid, Cinderella and trumpet have evolved into higher concept, more passionate designs which showcase more elaborate trim and more conservative and elegant lines.

In addition, romantic glass beadwork, silk modesty panels on corsets and silver lace and swarovski crystal applications are visually intriguing and will make any bride feel truly special on her special day …

The spring 2012 lineup consists of many inspiring wedding dress fashions, but one of the most innovative and compelling is the illusion net neckline that creates a softer more conservative yet  sultry look for any bride to be. It’s both a trendy and more elegant way for 2011 and 2012 brides to create a sexy yet classy sophisticated look that revisits the subtle elegance of the past…

When it comes to creating inspiring wedding dress styles and custom one of a kind creations, many brides consider either a custom wedding dress designer or simply re-styling the almost perfect wedding gown they’ve found, and adding the aforementioned 2012 enhancements and flair.

With this in mind, it becomes even more important for busy brides to be to consider all of their options while staying within their budget.

What is certainly most true in 2011 and for at least the near future is that most brides are definitely on a budget! Not every bride can afford a Vera Wang gown.

So where does a busy bride to be… that is on a budget look to save money without compromising style?

One great way 2012 and 2013 brides and beyond can truly create their own special one-of-a-kind wedding dress is by visiting an independent designer and seamstress.

This of course is after they have searched trunk shows, bridal boutiques, national bridal chain stores and bridal shows for ideas.

Once a bride has settled on the silhouette of her gown, the neck line, materials and overall look, the next step is finding a talented local wedding dress designer or seamstress that can put many of the elements that a bride envisions into the dream concept wedding dress.

In major cities like New York and Los Angeles putting together a one-of-a-kind custom wedding dress creation complete with custom neckline, satin, lace or chiffon materials, sheer fabrics, sleeves and victorian inspired corsets, can cost over $5,000

Yet, with careful research many brides can find an elegant wedding dress consisting of the right materials, asymmetrical, or curvy silhouette and then add the necessary sought after applications and enhancements that will make the dress truly inspiring and long remembered.

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations specializes in wedding dress design and wedding dress restyling. Brides can change a zipper back to a corset for under $200 for example. Brides can also add illusion net, lace, and organza to their dress neckline, train, and hem.

Many brides opt for custom lace applications around the hem, and french bustle that has many points to enhance their gown, adding fullness without being too poofy…

Again, and expert designer and seamstress can help a bride that has encountered difficulty in creating the look they want… for much less than an expensive bridal salon or wedding dress store.

For example, many wedding dress stores in phoenix AZ offer bridal alterations but the cost of doing multiple alterations on an already expensive wedding dress can add up to over $600 in many cases.

A great way for budget minded brides to save on the overall cost of their wedding gown is to visit an independent designer and seamstress after getting a quote from an expensive bridal boutique.

What many brides are shocked to discover is that they can find more patient and attentive service with faster turnaround times by visiting an independent designer and seamstress in phoenix.

Mari, the owner at Touch Of Class has over 100 reviews online from phoenix area brides that love her work and more importantly, her prices.

When considering the latest 2012 bridal fashion trends brides should always consider getting a second opinion on their alterations needs.

What many brides also discover is that while many busy bridal shops in phoenix and all over the country can perform reasonably well on more elaborate alterations and dress restyling to help a bride get the look she wants, many simply do not have the time or are running too close to deadlines.
This of course can lead to the inevitable trend we have seen over and over again in the bridal industry…

Many brides encounter bridal alterations departments that over-promise and often under-deliver… In fact, there are plenty of reviews online from brides that have endured a wedding dress emergency or bridal horror story due to their wedding dress not being properly altered or even worse, not completed in time for the wedding.

One of the benefits of working with an independent designer and seamstress is more personalized attention, attention to detail and higher quality craftsmanship. After all, an independent seamstress sets her own schedule whereas a busy bridal shop or wedding store often overbooks their seamstress department.

Unfortunately, when a seamstress working in a store is overbooked, brides end up feeling the effects and lack of service.

Many brides report waiting over an hour despite arriving on time for their bridal fitting. Other brides report a seamstress that always seems to steer them away from doing more complex alterations or simply charging way too much to again manipulate a brides decisions.

And of course, many stores do in fact make a higher profit margin on both alterations and accessories, so it is quite common for a seamstress to recommend alterations and accessories that a bride many not feel comfortable with based on price.

Yet, since many busy bridal stores out of necessity schedule bridal fittings too close to the wedding day, many brides feel pressure to purchase and get their alterations done, regardless of the cost…

At Touch Of Class Alterations we feel there is a better way. Brides can come in for alterations 90-120 days before their wedding to get the alterations done for 50-70% less than most bridal stores and wedding boutiques, with the guarantee that they can come back just weeks before their wedding day for a final fitting and adjustment at no additional cost.

Most importantly brides that are looking to create an original, elegant and sophisticated wedding dress for their 2012 or 2013 wedding will absolutely be surprised by how much easier it is to get the look they want for less, by coming in for a free wedding dress consultation and free bridal fitting at Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations.

Many of the same fashion-forward trends for 2012 can be attained by purchasing a more reasonably priced wedding gown or dress and then adding the sought after elements like a corset back, lace sleeves, illusion net neckline, modesty panel, hem from waist, bead work, sequins and even stunning swarovski crystals for hundreds less than a wedding dress store.

One thing is for certain… 2012 and 2013 brides are looking for romantic lace a-line dresses, silk and organza print and dot patterned gowns, sheer form fitting gowns, halter-top weddig gowns, and bedazzled wedding dresses which feature brilliant, sequined and crystal emblazoned bodices and sweetheart necklines.

What better way is there to create a stunning 2012 bridal fashion style and look for less? Check out the Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations website for more information on custom wedding dress designs and bridal alterations for less.

Many brides are looking to add color as in pink sashes to match their wedding theme. Another highly anticipated trend for 2012 and 2013 is the addition of elegant lace sleeves, higher necklines and mermaid dress styles that truly flatter curvy brides.

Any and many more of these 2012 wedding dress styles and trends can be customized with a dress restyling from Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations. Brides that wish to create the look for less will happy to find that Touch Of Class never charges a fitting fee or dress consultation fee.

For reviews and helpful information see Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations on Wedding Wire and the Knot ( Wedding Channel ) websites under bridal shops and alterations.

To A Fantastic Fall 2011 wedding season and the upcoming 2012 bridal fashion debuts!

Congratulations on your upcoming special day 

Mari

480-776-7964

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations

Finding the picture perfect wedding gown or wedding dress is often more challenging than a bride-to-be expects or is prepared for.

Choosing a wedding dress is an important part of each brides special day, as the dress reflects each brides personality and style.

The wedding dress also compliments the wedding theme, wedding venue and the season for each brides special day.

With this in mind, finding the perfect wedding dress is both exciting and nerve wracking, for many brides…

Especially with so many considerations to be made…

One of the most important considerations in attaining the picture perfect wedding dress, is finding the right seamstress…

Getting the bridal alterations  done right the first time around, can ultimately take an ordinary dress and make it extraordinary…

With this in mind, proper alterations to the wedding dress, ensures that the wedding gown truly inspires a bride and her guests.

While shopping for the perfect wedding dress can be exciting, conversely, many brides encounter difficulty in finding the perfect seamstress…

Once they’ve narrowed their selection down to a few wedding gown styles or purchased a wedding dress, the next step is to verify WHO will be working on the dress and how much the wedding dress alterations will cost.

Whether a bride selects an A Line, Mermaid, Trumpet, Fit and Flare or a more traditional gown, the challenge boils down to making sure the wedding gown alterations are done professionally and on time.

Each bride must also make sure her dress fits properly and is comfortable for her body type and shape…

Each wedding dress silhouette poses a different set of alterations requirements for each brides body type. Brides do have intuition and know how their dress feels once it is on. Many times after principal alterations have been completed, a bride may still “feel” that her dress is too loose, or the hem is too long.

This is not uncommon, and while many busy bridal shops will remedy a brides concerns, others simply do not have the time or inclination to revisit a dress. In fact, many stores will offer a bride “supportive observations”, basically directing a bride away from doing more alterations and adjustments…

If a bride presses on, with valid concerns with the fit of her wedding gown after the alterations have been done, some bridal stores indicate that “additional alterations fees” would be necessary to continue to change the dress.

Many stores also schedule alterations and bridal fittings too close to the wedding date. This quite often leaves too little time left to do multiple fittings and adjustments for what many stores call “picky brides” that want “the perfect fit” The end result is a percentage of brides that feel they received lesser service.

This is where having a patient & highly skilled seamstress can make all the difference.

First, an independent seamstress can often offer both better prices (up to 50% less than bridal stores in phoenix)… Second, an independent wedding dress designer & Seamstress almost always offers more personalized service… This is because a seamstress may only have 20-30 brides to assist each week, whereas a store may have over 100 brides to keep up with.

The fact is, many brides report in online reviews receiving slower store service, bad alterations and high bridal alterations prices… It is also a fact that most stores make a higher profit margin on wedding dress alterations and wedding accessories. Many brides are caught off guard by the high cost of alterations, as this usually occurs after they purchase an expensive gown. To be fair, for the many negative online review, there are others that are positive… but the thought of any store with multiple negative reviews raises valid concerns. A bride being treated poorly and crying in the store is not a good scenario.

For this reason, brides should be patient and careful when selecting a wedding gown store. Most importantly brides should know the cost of wedding dress alterations before they purchase their gown and how many fittings they are guaranteed to make their dress right…

Yet strangely, many brides end up purchasing their gown at an expensive bridal boutique without knowing how they will be treated during the alterations process…

As a result, despite succumbing to pressure to purchase a higher price wedding dress, many brides end up with sticker shock at the extremely high price of bridal alterations at some local bridal shops and wedding dress stores in phoenix… (we’re not mentioning any names) .

Add to this scenario the fact that many brides report wearing a dress on their wedding day that they were not completely happy with… and you have a recipe for disaster… that needs to be addressed in the industry…

Regardless of whether it doesn’t happen to every bride…, it shouldn’t happen to any bride…ever. Period.

Here then, are some tips to avoid the common mistakes brides make when shopping for the perfect wedding dress.

Actual online reviews from brides can help brides avoid common pitfalls by asking the right questions…

In addition, knowing what to look out for… when purchasing a wedding dress…. and before agreeing to do the wedding dress alterations at an expensive wedding store, bridal shop or boutique is extremely important…

1.       Keep The Cost Of Bridal Alterations In Mind.

Selecting A Wedding Dress With Patience … Means finding the right seamstress for the job.

If you think about it, a seamstress is more qualified to help a bride with trying on a wedding dress and making suggestions as to fit, appearance etc. in the first place. This is because a seamstress knows bridal fabrics and works with altering or creating different wedding dress styles and lines everyday.

A patient seamstress is a good listener, and will always put the total comfort and satisfaction of a bride first. A professional seamstress will listen attentively to ascertain how a bride feels in her wedding dress, first before any alterations are done at the bridal fitting.

By keeping each brides wedding dress fit, style and theme at the top of the priority list, an independent seamstress can guarantee that each bride receives the result they want, in plenty of time before the wedding, and at a price that is affordable and agreeable.

The last thing any busy bride-to-be needs… is hidden “surprise costs” and “unexpected problems ” with how the wedding dress alterations turn out… especially right before the wedding…

Therefore, brides should make sure to ask important questions to determine how patient the seamstress or bridal store is with their bridal alterations customers. Brides should find out how much time for fittings is guaranteed to be provided for adjustments and who will be doing the alterations on their wedding dress. Brides should also inquire about the general pricing for doing a hem, multiple point bustle, bodice sizing (taking in sides) bead work and making a custom veil.

A seamstress that is truly experienced and knowledgeable can often provide brides with the kind of patient demeanor and attentiveness that helps them to sort out their thoughts when looking in the mirror at the wedding dress fitting.

A seamstress should have a patient and positive attitude, offering helpful suggestions and showing each bride different ideas and solutions to each concern or question raised. A bride should never feel rushed during a bridal fitting. If a bride does encounter feeling rushed during a fitting, being “steered” in one direction or being told “not to do” one alteration or another because there “isn’t time” or the alteration is “too costly”… It’s time to get a second opinion!

A seamstress should offer service with a smile, helping each bride through the fitting process and making sure they are completely comfortable.

This requires professionalism and proper time management and scheduling. Basically, a seamstress should schedule each bride to receive sufficient time for questions and total satisfaction at each fitting. Fittings should never be overbooked, as in many busy national bridal shops and wedding dress stores. Brides should never feel like a number, and more importantly a bride to be should never, ever purchase a dress for thousands of dollars, only to not wear it and purchase another dress before the wedding. This scenario is also quite common and is often the result of a bride being talked into a wedding dress they were never sure about.

Again, patience, starting early and asking about the cost of alterations can help each bride avoid paying too much for the wedding dress…. and paying too much for alterations.

No bride should ever end up receiving less than stellar service after making an expensive wedding dress purchase… Every bridal fitting for alterations to the wedding dress should be fun filled, shared with mom of bride and friends…. and trouble-free…. Unfortunately, not every bridal store can guarantee that… only some brids are lucky and get the perfect fit and perfect service…

So ask questions about the cost of bridal alterations before purchasing any wedding gown or wedding dress. Ask to meet the seamstress that you will be working with… Are they pleasant and patient?

It’s worth mentioning that WHO a bride selects as their SEAMSTRESS is just as important as WHAT wedding dress or gown they choose. So searching for the perfect wedding dress in reality means searching for the perfect seamstress.

The fact is, 95% of all brides require alterations to ensure their wedding gown or wedding dress truly fits and flatters to their satisfaction. Finding the picture perfect wedding dress and a great seamstress is a major challenge because one store may have what looks like the perfect dress… yet have tons of negative reviews online when it comes to their alterations department…

This is the main area where patience on a brides part is required. Do your due diligence and at least visit one independent seamstress before having alterations done to your wedding dress at an expensive bridal boutique. Also, read online reviews of independent seamstresses and bridal shops alike, to determine WHO truly offers patient service, better personalized attention and LOWER PRICES…

With careful research both via the internet and in stores by asking the right questions about alterations costs, a bride can find an experienced seamstress or alterations dept. that truly shines and ensures EVERY bride is happy.

Remember the bride (customer) is always right and deserves to look and feel spectacular in her wedding dress on her special day… With patience, a bride can find the right seamstress for the job…

2. Keep Your Options Open

You’ve tried on what seems like an endless array of wedding dresses, in half a dozen local phoenix bridal stores and wedding stores. Your feet are tired and you’ve likely lost weight in the process!

Your head is aching from the glare of your LCD computer screen after surfing through countless online bridal stores and retailers… Now that you have decided on a wedding dress style or silhouette (shape) it’s time to start comparing prices. But what about making sure that you include the cost of alterations in your price comparisons both online and offline? What about a reasonable evaluation of the level of service you can reasonably trust to receive at each bridal store, department store, boutique or independent seamstress? Have you decided to compare ALL of your options including visiting an independent seamstress, and not just expensive boutiques and bridal shops?

Most brides are surprised once they encounter the high cost of wedding dress alterations at many bridal shops, wedding dress stores and tailors. Even department stores often have high prices on altering a wedding dress or gown. What to do? Well, for starters how about comparing each of the above stores with an independent seamstress prices? A savvy bride will also read online reviews for multiple stores in regard to their alterations department and level of service excellence, AFTER a wedding dress purchase is made…

Based on each option, which stores can a bride expect to receive the highest caliber of service at? Which store or seamstress offer competitive prices both on the wedding dress and the alterations…? Alterations will undoubtedly be required…

What additional cost may a bride encounter once the wedding dress is purchased and alterations are started? Will the seamstress meet the bride before the sale is made to show the bride options for her dress as well as general pricing? Will the bridal fitting be patient, fun and with ample time to ensure even a picky or conscientious bride will be totally satisfied with the result of the alterations done to her dress?

Only a seamstress with many years of experience in providing bridal fittings and performing highly skilled wedding dress alterations and restyling can help each bride to identify their preferences and discover the perfect bustle or fit for their dress in the bust, hips, waist and hem length.

Again, each bride is different and will have unique ideas and preferences, and these choices should be heard and respected, while offering real solutions. This requires a seamstress of exceptional skill, and patience, that has earmarked sufficient time for a higher level of service for each and every bride….

There are a myriad of possibilities when customizing a wedding gown and finding the perfect balance of options, fit and style requires a seamstress with both experience and patience. Simply put, a seamstress must have the time and patience to perform even major dress restyles and alterations.

3. Keep The Wedding Dress Shape In Mind

Knowing your figure will help make the most of finding that perfect dress with your seamstress. And while guidelines exist for you to follow, no one should choose what you want except you. The following are suggestions and are not to be taken as rigid rules; every bride is different.

Hourglass shape: a slim waist with a balanced bust and hips. If you are fortunate to have this shape, you have many options, but Mermaid style dresses (sheath gown to the knees, with a flare out), pure sheath, or gowns with horizontal seams and styles, (Ball Gown for example), all take advantage of your flowing curves.

Pear shape: an attractive upper body with a more pronounced bottom. The key here is to emphasize your face, neck, shoulders and bust. Gowns for this shape let your top do the talking and let your most attractive features shine.  A-line and empire styles are good choices, while off-shoulder or strapless necklines help lend prominence to the upper half of your body. Fishtail designs and Mermaid style dresses can also work incredibly well.

Apple shape: a truncal upper body with narrow lower parts, almost the opposite of the pear shape. So if you’re bigger in the middle, an A-line or an empire can easily disguise or hide your stomach.  Also possible are sheer waistlines, or princess-cut can give you a sexier look but can conceal as well.

Busty shape: Just as it sounds, dresses here help craft a more flowing silhouette and can use halter necklines, which narrows your shoulders while making you bust look smaller. V-neck and wrap neck are choices to consider as well. And unless you want to push your bust out even more (which you can certainly choose to do!), you’ll want to skip sweetheart or strapless necklines. A talented and experienced seamstress can accentuate and customize any style to take advantage of the dress that will be perfect for what you want for your day.

4. Keep Wedding Accessories Options In Mind

Veils, tiaras, jewelry, flowers and gloves; they all exist to complement the gown. The most beautiful gown in the world will be missing something without the right accessories.

Too much can look gaudy. Too little, and it can appear plain or as if you look like you are not whole. If it doesn’t complement the style and silhouette, even the venue or time of year, you’ll lose out on that perfect gown.

An experienced independent seamstress can often offer custom wedding dress accessories for hundreds less than busy bridal shops and wedding accessory stores. For example, custom wedding veils at Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations start at just $80-$120 and are often more decorative and stylized than veils costing over $200 in expensive bridal boutiques. Swarovski crystals, bugle beads, sequins and more can be added to veils and tiaras for an elegant look.

Again, details are everything. Tiaras, for example, have grown more popular, but there are hundreds of styles. Even wearing them at the wrong angle can affect your look. And choosing the right jewelry is an art all its own, while gloves and flowers require a deft, subtle touch. Complementing the perfect dress is a rewarding challenge, and a professional seamstresses can help a bride choose wedding dress accessories that are both affordable and easier on the budget… An experienced independent seamstress and designer can also help a bride with custom bolero jackets, sashes, gloves, crinoline slips, and veils that provide timeless elegance so every bride feels beautiful and  every inch the princess on her special day.

5. Knowledge Is Power.

A bride that keeps all of her options open by visiting and comparing an independent seamstress for a custom wedding dress or even just saving on the bridal alterations is armed with more knowledge and better choices.

By receiving more perspective from an independent seamstress outside of a busy bridal shop or wedding dress store, many brides ALSO discover they can receive better service and lower prices… way lower in fact… Just look at the online reviews below of some expensive bridal stores where service was second to sales…

Before having your alterations done at ANY busy bridal boutique or bridal shop / wedding store why not get a free bridal fitting with an independent designer and seamstress?

This allows a bride to take more time and to ask all the questions that should be asked when altering a wedding dress… It also affords a bride the often rare opportunity to slow down and make better decisions when deciding on which alterations should be done and at what price?

An independent designer and seamstress can also show a bride many different options for adding customization to their wedding dress, like sweetheart necklines, french bustle points, adding a corset and adding applications or adjusting the hem or train length…

A seamstress with at least 25 years experience is often required to perform more intricate and more elaborate wedding dress alterations and complete dress restyling. Only with knowledge, experience and patience can a seamstress truly help a bride get the look and fit they deserve. Let Touch Of Class Alterations create and design the gown you’ve always dreamed of, or provide professional bridal alterations to make your wedding dress picture perfect…

Is there anything more important than choosing the right seamstress?

Actual Wedding Wire Reviews From Busy Bridal Stores Below:

Here are some actual reviews from brides that didn’t get the service they deserved. I know it’s not always accurate to judge any store by just one bad review… but a great store should have very few or NO bad reviews at all… These wedding wire reviews are from actual brides that spent MORE on the dress to get better service…. Yet even though they had their alterations done at an expensive bridal shop or wedding store… they didn’t get the results they wanted. Therefore this information IS relevant to help brides avoid these EXACT same scenarios from happening to them…

“I’d recommend having your alterations done elsewhere, no matter which dress you go with.  I had a terrible experience with the bridal shop that did mine, and I’ve known so many other people who did, if you can find a seamstress on your own, go that route!…” (review from actual bride)

“I have huge horror stories when it comes to  _____… I don’t know where to begin. I would not recommend this place by any means. Lets just say..I didn’t even wear the $2,700 gown that I purchased… So, if you’re interested in a beautiful gown, I have one you can buy! …never worn. (they have a no return/exchange policy…under no circumstances..even death…” (actual bride review of boutique)

“…Please don’t go to _____…. They lied about random discounts to get you to put a deposit that day… “Oh, what a surprise, that dress is on sale today;” and they’re never consistent… they changed their “taking-picture” policies like ten times…  I honestly was mortified with their customer service. The dresses are beautiful… but I want the dress shopping experience to be happy and fun… not another horrible sales tactic …

” My dress was not made correctly and I had to pay to have it fixed (extra loops on the corset back because they did not got down far enough) I spent $400 in alterations to get a sewing machine hem (that was not straight) and bustle that did not hold up at my wedding reception for more than 15 minutes… “We had to use safety pins:( big disappointment to be worried about my wedding dress the whole day after i spent that much money…”

When they ordered my dress, they said I should get a size 8… I said ok… When the dress came I tried it on, it was so huge that it kept falling off of me… It wasn’t even close to fitting right. I accepted this because brides always hear that it’s better to have the dress be too big than too small… Let me rephrase that, I accepted this… until I found that I would be paying $570 in alterations after already spending over 2k on the dress...”

It was supposed to be ready for pickup at 10am the day before the wedding. When I arrived at noon, my dress was not only not THERE to be picked up… but it had not even been FINISHED…”

“It hadn’t even been touched since the last time I had been there, and my wedding was THE NEXT DAY… The store mgr said it “wasn’t a big deal” (at that point I started crying) and that they would have it done for me later that day…

What I didn’t understand is WHY didn’t I receive a phone call? Why do they allow this to happen to brides ever?  I already was SLAMMED with appointments (nails, hair, etc..) There was no way I could get back later to pick it up…”Luckily, one of my bridesmaids was due to pick up her dress later that day, and she was able to get my dress at that time….

Unfortunately, I did not try my dress on a final time until the day of my wedding… “

“Since the final touches were so slight, and I knew my dress fit well.. I didnt think anything could be wrong with it… I was just happy to have it. When I put it on… the cups were sewn up too high. So high up, that I couldn’t even pull my breast INTO THE CUPS!

Because of this, my dress fit very uncomfortable and looked very weird.…

By the end of the day…. the claps behind the bodice kept coming undone and people had to keep hooking (fixing) my dress for me throughout the evening…” …

“Oh yeah…. lets talk about my bustle. After an hour of having my bustle up, it broke… Not during dancing, mind you.. but during our photo session after the ceremony. My sister had safety pins and had to keep pinning it up in random places because it actually had 4 different bustles to hold it up.

At my actual reception it had fallen so many times that I kept stepping on it and other people stepped on it and PIECES of my dress RIPPED off… It was actually comical because people were wrapping the pieces around their necks like scarves or around their waists like sashes… “And finally.. the beads… I noticed loose threads when I got my dress before the wedding. It bothered me but I am kinda low key… so I figured it was such a small thing no one would notice. The closer I looked, however.. I noticed that beads and crystals were missing everywhere. ”

“My bridesmaids complained about the service there. My friends I referred to  _____  also complained about the service. I am sorry to have referred them. You would think that for the money you pay you would have a better experience and more of a quality dress. Save your money and go elsewhere…”

“…________ had some bad online reviews when it came to alterations. But I went there anyway…. My thinking was – you only really hear about the bad reviews as opposed to the good reviews right???

And, if there was any issue with alterations, the salon could resolve the issue and get me a new dress if need be, right? Wrong.  I didn’t want to take the chance and go some where else and not have the salon liable.  Since I was having some more complex alterations, I stuck with them and paid too much for terrible service. Price – I had heard alterations were pricey at  ______.  And, yes.  They were. 

Alterations were almost half the cost of my dress! I almost died! But at that point… when it’s so close to the wedding, you don’t care. I just decided to drink a Bloody Mary afterwards and not worry about it…”

And finally, “….My one complaint about my dress alterations was that the seamstress didn’t want to take in my dress as much as I wanted…  And for me that was unnerving.  I know me.  I am a realistic individual and had NO intention of looking like I had been stuffed in my dress and had it sewed on the day of….” I just knew the longer I wore my dress, the looser it became, so I wanted the seamstress to take it in to account for that.  Understandably, she was worried that I would pop a seam.  But as I suspected, on my wedding day, I found my dress to be looser and less form fitting, than I wanted. ”

Ultimately, I wasn’t entirely happy with the overall alterations.  I wanted my dress to fit and feel better than it did. The bustle didn’t look right and came loose before the reception…. ” ” … A lace up corset back would have made the dress fit perfect… but they couldn’t add a corset in time for my wedding…” Plus they wanted $280 to add a corset…”

Again, the above online reviews, are real experiences that may not happen to every bride… but these scenarios DO occur. We hear many of the same alterations horror stories from brides that come to Touch Of Class Bridal & Mari for help… this is always after experiencing an alterations nightmare that no bride should endure before her special day…

Alterations disasters, wedding gowns arriving late, incorrect hems, sides of the wedding dress being “taken in” way too far… and then the extra fabric being CUT away by an inexperienced seamstress from inside the wedding dress…. in this case the dress cannot be “let out” after a mistake is made… Or the opposite scenario is where many brides find seamstresses that are unwilling or unable to make their dress “fit right” because they are told to leave the dress looser to prevent mistakes.

Many brides are left wearing a dress that is either too tight or too loose on their wedding day. The end result is a wedding gown that does not fit and flatter in the wedding photos that document the disaster for a lifetime! Ouch…

Other brides end up buying more than one wedding dress out of frustration… There’s plenty of brides that will attest to buying more than one dress…

It simply is not fair to busy brides-to-be to go through such ordeals when they can be completely avoided altogether in the first place with a talented seamstress… By interviewing the independent, bridal shop and wedding store seamstress before agreeing to purchase a wedding dress, a bride can find out just how patient and experienced they are. Getting the real truth on the cost of alterations first, is another prerequisite for brides on a budget 

Don’t simply trust your wedding gown alterations to any store or anyone without doing careful research into their commitment to service and protocol to prevent alterations errors and scheduling mistakes….

OK… we’ve seen what can happen when a bride does not do enough research into the service of any bridal shop or store…We’ve  identified how each bride should be completely comfortable with the seamstress that will be working on her wedding dress…

We’ve also covered getting up front pricing on the cost of alterations for each bride and her wedding dress or gown…

Now Let’s Look At Some Positive Reviews:

Touch Of Class Phoenix Bridal & Alterations on Wedding Wire

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations On Google

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations On Merchant Circle

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations

P.S. Visit many stores and entertain all options, but don’t forget to consider a custom wedding dress or gown and or wedding alterations & bridal alterations from an independent designer and seamstress!

Mari