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….

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress For Your Dream Phoenix Wedding?

It’s a pity that weddings are usually associated with rampant and excessive overspending…

Going over budget with expenses and having to spend a huge chunk of your life savings on your phoenix wedding, can cause financial strains to say the least.

Dream weddings are usually described as ostentatious. Dream weddings also usually mean both an expensive wedding and an expensive dress…

But how about the majority of us brides who also want to have a dream wedding… but just can’t afford a dress from a Paris couture house?

How about us brides who don’t want to spend too much, on an extravagant wedding so we may have money left for the marriage eventually?

How about us brides who don’t want to spend our entire life savings on a dress and alterations with a hefty price tag? These were questions that I had pondered, when I had accepted my then-boyfriend’s proposal to get married three years ago…

I felt it was simply just unfair that I couldn’t get the dream wedding dress I wanted just because I lived in Phoenix, AZ which is very far from major fashion houses… What’s more, I didn’t have a lot of money to burn on just a dress… I didn’t believe in having to borrow money and suffer the consequences of high interest rates just because I wanted a dress I couldn’t afford.

I believed in an ideal wedding, a dream wedding dress without having to live above my means. Well, that was three years ago and I did get my dream wedding. It was a dream wedding brought to life and it was perfect for my budget. And how about my wedding dress? No, it wasn’t a giant monstrosity of a dress that I got from some thrift store. It was instead, a dreamy masterpiece that could definitely pass off as couture. And the best thing about it? Let’s just say it costs 70% lesser than what it would’ve cost.

Just a word of advice to beautiful brides out there who want to have a perfect wedding dress:

Try A Local Phoenix Seamstress!

With the right seamstress, you’ll get more personalized attention, longer appt. times for your bridal fittings and better service while never feeling “rushed”  out of a store…

Plus I am a perfect example that proves you can save up to 70% off what most busy phoenix bridal stores charge.

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress? Reason #1

It can be much more affordable than going into expensive fashion houses.

Major fashion houses and bridal boutiques can charge thousands and thousands on a mediocre dress.

A local seamstress, on the other hand, can charge so much less on a wedding dress that you really want.

A local phoenix seamstress can also do bridal alterations for far less than most tailor shops and bridal shops.
I saved over 50% off the so-called lowest price I was quoted at a west side Alterations business that I went to. This store had employees that wouldn’t give me their name and walked out to help me like zombies.

I was surprised that so many people continue to pay so much for such mediocre service.

I’m sorry, but price isn’t the only factor I have when shopping for a wedding dress and bridal alterations….

How about Alterations Service with a smile? Is that too much to ask?

What I encountered at the west side alterations and tailoring business I went to, was simply another example of yet another alterations store where the seamstress was overworked and underpaid.

She looked TIRED when she came out and never smiled. Her clothes were disheveled and everyone in the store looked exhausted. No one welcomed me or sounded encouraging at all. It was just mundane routine… Change into your dress here the lady with a hunchback stated…

I inquired “whom would be working on my wedding dress” and received the reply: ” Any of us can take care of it….it just depends who gets to it first…” You can change in there…”

She pointed to a tiny cramped changing room on dirty tile floor… But before I was about cram into my mom’s wedding dress in there… I asked again who I would be working with… and the same reply was given…. “Anyone here can help you…”

Again, no names were given and never even a smile was cracked…

I decided right then, regardless of the lower price than the previous bridal alterations departments I had been to at David’s and an expensive bridal boutique…. that I would continue my search to get my wedding dress restyled… and bridal alterations done elsewhere…

Thank God I found Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations and Mari, an incredible local phoenix seamstress that is so patient and kind…

Mari is always excited for you and happy to help each bride or bridesmaid. She really makes every person feel comfortable and it shows…

I found Mari’s prices to be over 70% off what I would have paid at an expensive wedding dress store in Scottsdale on both the dress and the bridal alterations.

And Mari, always greets her customers with a warm smile regardless if it is the first fitting or second… She has great attention to detail.

Mari has about 8 wedding dresses always on display that showcase her work on mannequins.

The dresses are always changing and she sells a lot of custom gowns to many brides that came in with a dress that they weren’t happy with…

This is because Mari’s prices for a custom gown or redesign are extremely low, starting around just $600

Mari can make a custom design or restyle any wedding dress, as she did for me with my mom’s dress.

Mari also shows you her equipment which are all industrial top of the line overlock sewing machines. Mari has over 25 years experience and works hard to keep all of her customers extremely happy.

Mari recently underwent laser heart surgery for clearing an artery and many of her customers were worried to death of losing her, because she does ALL of their family formal and bridal alterations. Mari was back to work within days of returning home. She is that dedicated.

Mari will even give you the names of her customers and she works on referrals all the time. Mari gets a lot of business from the internet because so many of her customers leave glowing reviews for her.

Mari can make flower girl dresses, mother of bride dresses, bridesmaid dresses, custom wedding veils and much more.

She can make bow ties and tuxedos from scratch. She can do sashes, lace sleeves, gloves, garter, veils and make anything that has to do with formal wear.

Once I read Mari’s reviews online, I knew I had to come in for a free wedding dress consultation.

I read plenty of helpful tips on Mari’s blog because I kept finding both her website and phoenix wedding dress alterations blog all over Google on the top pages.

I read about the horror stories many brides go thru with their wedding dress alterations and was determined to save money and avoid unnecessary stress before my wedding.

So I went on the Touch Of Class Alterations website and used the 24 hour scheduling calendar to book an appointment for a free bridal fitting. I was educated by the great articles on Mari’s blog and there were so many great photos that gave me dress ideas. Her blog truly looks fantastic and is always updated, even though Mari is always busy helping brides and bridesmaids.

From what I read on her blog, I knew that the most important thing for a bride to remember…. is that before you buy a wedding dress anywhere, make sure you know exactly what the alterations will cost at that particular store.

Also, look to see if there are tons of brides waiting and getting poor service after they bought their wedding gown. If a busy retail bridal store or chain store is overloaded, quite often it’s easy to spot the alterations department and the level of service they provide to their customers. At David’s, I witnessed a bride in tears that her dress was still not ready and that the seamstress was very short with her.

I have seen brides perplexed by the price tag when paying for their alterations, standing there in total shock looking at the bill… I left that store pretty quick. I have also seen brides wandering the store with little assistance while other clerks were too busy.

I knew I wanted better service than that. I also knew that I had a unique goal for my dress.

In my case, what I did was to use my mother’s heirloom wedding gown, which was this very out-dated 80’s wedding gown that had huge puff sleeves and a poufy skirt which was just wrong for my body type.

But it had a great corset… Mari redesigned the corset adding stronger loops and making a custom lace back that made the back look stunning….

And she did the corset for only $90!

I used my mom’s dress as a base for the wedding dress that I had envisioned. I had Mari remove the sleeves and add a sweetheart neckline…

Mari also fixed the hem length for only $90 and the whole bill came to less than $250 which was over 70% off… what two other stores wanted…

And her price was also  50% less than the “Night of the Living Dead” Alterations shop I visited before…. lol

I know a lot of brides out there would actually love to be able to wear their moms wedding dress…. if only it looked more modern and could be done at the right price… That’s where working with a local seamstress like Mari, really can help.

More budget brides could do this because a lot of our mothers have actually kept their wedding dresses and have painstakingly preserved them so that they could pass it on to their children.

Well, my mom was indeed very, very happy that I found use of her dress She came with me to my bridal fittings with Mari and subsequent dress consultations, all the way to the final fitting. Where did I get my mom’s wedding dress altered?

What I did was bring my mom’s wedding dress to Touch of Class Alterations, a local seamstress in Phoenix, AZ, along with the fashion-forward design that I wanted the dress to have. Would you believe I spent 70% less than what I would have spent, had I insisted to have a totally new dress with the same exact new design I had asked for?

Why Hire a Local Phoenix Seamstress? Reason #2

You need not go far. It is amazing what the internet can do. When I had actually looked up for a highly recommended local seamstress in Phoenix, AZ, I immediately kept finding Touch of Class Alterations in the search results. Mari, the owner and seamstress at Touch of Class, has tons of positive reviews online because she does exceptional work at prices that commercial wedding stores can’t beat.

Mari had a lot of satisfied customers and I just knew they were the right people to go with. And the best thing was, when I looked up their address, it was just two blocks from my work place!

This was perfect for me since I didn’t have to go far for my fittings to be done to ensure my dress was the perfect fit.

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress? Reason #3

Local seamstresses can offer custom bridal couture at a more affordable price. This is especially true. The reason why couture is expensive is because they are masters at custom-made gowns.

They are able to get the gown to fit flawlessly to enhance the wearer’s assets and accentuate what they want. Couture houses also have tastefully designed wedding dresses. However, aren’t these things possible with your local seamstress?

I know Touch of Class Alterations can offer this because Mari is a master seamstress and wedding dress designer with 25 years experience. Mari has over 100 reviews all positive on wedding wire, merchant circle and the wedding channel.com combined.

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress? Reason #4

A local seamstress specializing in gowns, especially wedding gowns, would follow a bride’s instructions or specifications on a particular dress. You can’t expect a well-known designer to follow what you want to the letter. Designers create fashion in which the wearers are the ambassadors of their design portfolio.

Don’t you want a dress of your very own, with your own specifications? I believe that is what a dream wedding dress should be. And it takes an extremely patient wedding dress seamstress to make your dream a reality that is affordable.

Touch Of Class made my dream wedding a reality because I could finally afford the wedding dress of my dreams!

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress? Reason #5

Lastly, I must have to say that you need not go far to get the best wedding dress. Help promote local business and create your very own design you can be proud of and love like I did

Be proud of a design you can really call your own.

A local seamstress can help you create a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that will be long remembered by your guests.

Truly, a dream wedding is made up of all the things that you want in particular.

So why not visit a local phoenix seamstress to compare her level of service and price to the busy, national bridal chain stores?

You’ll soon discover there is a reason why hundreds  of brides have recommended local seamstresses like Mari and Touch Of Class Alterations…

The number one thing is… each bride deserves to have her vision respected. And nobody knows the perfect wedding gown better for you than your own self.

Never settle for a store that steers you away from an idea, or tells you a particular re-design or dress restyle is “too expensive” With a local phoenix wedding dress seamstress and designer, you can get any alterations or wedding dress restyle done for up to 70% less than a high overhead high priced bridal boutique or wedding dress store.

Brides can also save more at a local seamstress that works from a home studio compared to an expensive tailor shop or alterations shop where the prices are still higher, and the service is often lacking that personal touch and caring smile that only a dedicated wedding dress designer and seamstress that focuses solely on bridal fashion can offer.

You see, most alterations shops, sewing stores, and tailors are busy hemming jeans, pants, and jackets. Since they offer a wider array of services, many times the level of focus and attention to detail on complicated bridal alterations is lacking. Its always best to make sure you FEEL comfortable with the person that will be actually working on your wedding dress.

Did they answer all of your questions? Did they listen completely to what you envision for you wedding dress? And most important, do they guarantee their work and your total satisfaction regardless of price in writing?

I found that with Mari I had all of my questions answered and received a written guarantee of completion date. Again, many stores won’t guarantee when your dress will be done. Mari guarantees most alterations will be completed within 7 business days, unless it is a custom design or restyle which she can have done in a few weeks.

At Touch Of Class Alterations, I received service with a smile and Mari was always friendly and quick to explain all of the alterations she recommended and why she recommended each option. Her prices on a french bustle are ridiculously low compared to every other store I went to…. And Touch Of Class Alterations also gives extra discounts for multiple alterations and groups if you bring your bridesmaids.

Mari never charged me a $20 fitting fee like many of the alterations shops and bridal stores wanted to either.

Why Hire A Local Phoenix Seamstress For Your Dream Phoenix Wedding Conclusion:

I can’t tell you how good a feeling it is to have a seamstress that treats you like family working on your wedding dress. But don’t take my word for it….

Read the hundreds of reviews Mari has received from her happy brides and customers on Merchant Circle, Wedding Wire, The Knot and Dex Knows.

Thanks,

Judy

For more information and to book an appt with Mari using her convenient online scheduling calendar go to:

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations Phoenix Website

Your phoenix wedding day is a one of a kind occasion where only the best will do. With this in mind, likewise only the best wedding dress will do… This is key for an unforgettable phoenix wedding day with perfect pictures. In addition, the bridesmaids dresses must also be immaculate and match the wedding day theme…

However if you’re a phoenix bride that is working within a limited budget, you need to save money wherever you can too…

What should a phoenix bride on a budget do to save money on her wedding?

One unexpected expense that many brides to be do not consider, is the need for bridesmaid & wedding dress alterations.

Understanding how to save on wedding dress alterations will help the budget strapping bride make the best choice for a fabulous wedding dress.

There are many different ways that a wedding dress may need to be altered. And… the cost for bridal alterations can quickly skyrocket…causing you to leave your carefully planned phoenix wedding budget in the dust. One of the most common types of alterations needed is for the wedding dress hem which usually starts at $120 and can go up to $350.

However by following a few guidelines, it is possible to save on your wedding dress alterations. For example, a local phoenix seamstress may do a perfect wedding dress hem for only $80

When selecting your wedding gown, it may be tempting choose something over the top and elaborate. As the saying goes “the bigger, the better.” However, if you are planning a phoenix wedding on a small budget, sometimes the simpler the dress, the classier the look.

In fact, this is one of the main ways to save on wedding dress alterations.

If you have not yet bought your wedding dress but are considering a few different options, then you may want to give some thought to purchasing a wedding dress with simple lines that will only need to be shortened at the hem and taken in at the seams.

On the other hand if you have purchased an intricate wedding dress with bodice bead-work and hand sewn details, wedding dress alterations will be a bit more complex.

Many brides may even have to have the wedding dress partially deconstructed or restyled to get exactly the right look and fit that flatters…

If you are working with an extremely small budget, many brides consider hiring a student from a fashion school.

Fashion design students are eager to practice their trade and if you post fliers for senior level designers to work on your dress, you may find a good price…

However, due to the complexity of today’s wedding gowns and their construction, most brides will want to hire an extremely experienced wedding dress designer or seamstress that guarantees their work so a phoenix bride will be absolutely delighted with the results.

Fashion design students have been specifically trained in seamstress work, tailoring or simple dress alterations, but they may not have exclusive training in bridal alterations and wedding dress fabrics.

In addition, for many brides it may be nerve-wracking to entrust their wedding dress alterations to anyone except a professional seamstress, let alone an inexperienced student, although brides have been doing this for years. There are practicing student dentistry schools, barber schools, cosmetology schools and many more…

However, before making use of a lower experience student… whose ability may be limited to areas other than bridal, it is best to do your due diligence and check into other options, like visiting a local wedding dress seamstress. Either way, thinking outside the box and local phoenix retail bridal shop for wedding dress alterations can end up saving you big bucks in the long run on your phoenix day costs.

Oftentimes when doing a fitting for an alteration, you may not be wearing the shoes that you will wear on your wedding day. This can affect the length of your wedding dress being completely accurate.

To ensure that your wedding dress is altered to the correct length the first time around, make sure to bring the right shoes to your bridal fitting and be sure to check out a local phoenix wedding dress seamstress. If your wedding shoes have not arrived yet, just bring a shoe with the same height as your planned wedding shoes. The same is true for the bodice of your dress.

If you are planning to wear a slip underneath your dress or some other type of lingerie, this will affect how tight the bodice needs to be. When having your measurements calculated with a local phoenix seamstress make sure to wear your slip underneath on the day of your bridal fitting.

Following these guidelines can help you save money by avoiding your alterations to have to be done twice.

Another great way to save on wedding dress alterations is by using the services of a designated alterations company.

Not only will you receive the highest quality in service, but you will also be able to take advantage of their competitive prices since they have lower operation costs and lower overhead.

Large chain bridal stores usually have set prices based on their large advertising costs and although they may have bargain dresses, they usually don’t discount their bridal alteration services.

By using a company that specializes on alterations, such as Touch of Class Alterations In Phoenix, Arizona, you can receive quality alterations that won’t break your budget.

The fact is that wedding days are truly one of the most enchanting and memorable occasions of our lives.

Having a perfect wedding dress is a veritable requirement of having the perfect wedding day.

By following the aforementioned guidelines, you will be able to save on bridesmaid dress and wedding dress alterations while still looking spectacular on your special day

For more information visit:

Touch Of Class Alterations Phoenix

Question:   How much does it cost to add a bustle to a wedding dress or wedding gown?

Answer:  Many local bridal shops and wedding dress stores charge as much as $25 per bustle point to alter a wedding dress.

Adding a French bustle is usually the most utilized option by brides that want to secure their wedding dress train for the wedding reception.

A French bustle is a “under bustle” where the train of the dress is secured and fastened underneath the wedding dress using many different ribbon ties.

The ribbons used should be strong and there should be enough ribbons or “points” across the wedding dress train to properly hold the gown from different directions.

In order to create a strong, French under bustle, an expert seamstress or wedding dress designer should be sought for a professional bridal fitting. Many wedding dresses look much better with at least 5 bustle points to create a professional and elegant pickup pattern on the wedding dress train.

An “over bustle” design requires buttons that lift the wedding dress train and secure it to to the back of the wedding gown with clear buttons or with metal hooks and eyes.

Many brides accept the recommendation of the wedding dress store or tailor that is handling their bridal alterations, only to discover that they do not like the final look of an “over bustle”. This is almost always due to buttons being sewn outside and all over the train of their wedding dress.

Many brides are told to try using hooks and eyes instead of the buttons that are so visible on the outside of their wedding dress train. But again, metal hooks and eyes can actually rip a wedding dress and Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations recommends not using them.

They can also damage a wedding dress if it is being stored as an heirloom dress, over time, since metal can rust and degrade with oxidation leaving marks on the fabric surrounding the hooks.

Modern brides usually opt for adding a French “under bustle” to their wedding wedding dress, once they actually visit a seamstress that gives them ALL their options.

A talented seamstress will always show a bride exactly “how” an under bustle looks compared to an over bustle.

One reason many tailors and bridal shops still recommend using metal hooks, is due to it’s less complex nature…

It certainly is easier to attach hooks than turn a wedding dress inside out… and then sew multiple bustle points inside with ribbons, which requires an industrial sewing machine for tight bustle points.

When it comes to adding a bustle to wedding dress, each wedding dress requires a different type of bustle.

Most phoenix bridal shops and phoenix wedding dress stores charge ‘by the point’ for adding a ‘under’ or ‘over bustle’ to a wedding dress.

In fact, many busy phoenix bridal stores and boutiques / bridal salons charge a fitting fee of $20 just for a bride to come in to assess her wedding dress at a bridal fitting in phoenix.

When adding a bustle to determine which bustle style (under or over bustle) should be incorporated into the wedding gown, and how many points are necessary to properly hold the gown, it is best to consult with an extremely experienced phoenix seamstress.

Many fuller silhouette wedding dresses require anywhere from 6-12 bustle points depending on the amount of pickups, applications and lace on the wedding dress.

Some wedding dress stores in phoenix charge a flat fee (around $100 – $200) for a French bustle, but only if a bride purchases the wedding dress in store, and also has additional bridal alterations done there.

Brides that are looking for a high quality wedding dress bustle and alterations should consider the experience level and communication skills of the seamstress they interview.

A talented seamstress will be patient and take the time to show a bride the different bustle styles and how they will look on her wedding dress.

Ultimately, it is the brides decision to choose whether to have a over bustle where buttons can been seen visible on the back side of the wedding dress train, or to have the stronger more hidden French under bustle style.

When it comes to altering a wedding dress and adding a french bustle to the dress, Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations never recommends using any metal hooks.

Metal hooks are typically used by many tailors and bridal shops but they can easily rip a wedding dress, especially if the material is chiffon, lace or organza.

It is always a good idea to get at least 3 quotes before doing any bridal alterations, regardless of where a bride purchases her wedding gown.

A simple visit to an independent seamstress and wedding dress designer can often offer more perspective and much lower prices compared to a national bridal retail store like david’s bridal, for example.

Touch of Class Bridal & alterations offers custom wedding dress alterations and can add a French bustle from just $10 per point with no fitting fees.

Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations also offers further discounts on altering a wedding dress hem, sweetheart necklines, taking in the bodice (waistline) installing cups, resizing a wedding dress and adding custom beads, lace and applications.

Whether a bride needs to alter the wedding dress hem, change the bust line, shorten a hem, or add a bustle , its always a good idea to make sure you’re totally comfortable with the seamstress you will be working with..

And most importantly, it is important a bride is comfortable with the price of wedding dress alterations including adding a wedding dress French bustle , adding sleeves, adding a wedding dress corset or changing the hem length of a dress.

The price of these wedding dress alterations depend on the wedding dress, and where the alterations are performed. Again, many brides are quoted up to $200 to simply add a French bustle to their expensive wedding gown at a popular wedding dress store, bridal shop or boutique.

The fact is, an independent designer and seamstress can usually create a professionally designed French bustle for as little as $50-$90

It pays to do a little comparison shopping when considering wedding dress alterations before your upcoming phoenix wedding.

We would like to think that most brides already know to comparison shop when it comes to getting the final wedding dress alterations done before their phoenix wedding.

But the reality is most brides are so busy that they overlook the costs of adding a bustle to a wedding dress.

In fact, many brides are caught off guard by the high cost of adding a corset to a wedding dress, adding a sweetheart neckline or even just taking in the size (resizing ) a wedding dress.

Again, the simple answer is to get more than one quote for bridal alterations and always make sure you actually like the seamstress you are working with.

A bride should also like the prices for her bridal alterations.  For more information on how a professional independent wedding dress designer and seamstress can help you with adding a French bustle to a wedding dress, please visit the Touch Of Class Bridal & Alterations website.

Use the online calendar scheduler to set up a free wedding dress consultation and free fitting.

See exactly how adding a bustle to a wedding dress can enhance comfort during the wedding reception.

Bustle A Wedding Dress Phoenix

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