Wedding Dress Alterations

When I received the giant box containing my Carolina Herrera wedding gown about a month and a half ago, I began the search to find a place that could do the alterations.  Basically, the dress needs to be hemmed (for a shortie like me!), taken in about four inches through the waist, and the boning needs to be fixed in the bust area.

Todd and I were wandering about in the Marina district a few weeks ago and we literally stumbled upon Persepolis Design (http://www.persepolisdesign.com).  It was a jewel of a shop with a picture window featuring two beautiful wedding gowns and an evening gown.  There was a sign that said "specializing in couture gown alterations."  

I called the owner of the shop, Leila Van Dyke, and made an appointment to bring my dress in.

When I put on the dress in the curtained dressing room at the appointment, I was so nervous.  Nervous that I wouldn't like it anymore.  Nervous that I'd gained weight and it somehow wouldn't fit.  Nervous that Leila would say she couldn't alter it to my specifications.  But when I stepped out of the room and onto the platform so she could see the gown, all my doubts faded away.  It was still perfect.  Leila assured me that she could do all the alterations I needed, and we scheduled three additional fittings over the course of the next few months.  I'm also thankful that she'll store the gown for me during the alteration period and up until the wedding so I won't have to worry about Todd coming upon it in the apartment!  

The only issue that came up at our first appointment was the cost of all the alterations.  To tell you the truth, my breath was taken away when Leila told me how much it would cost.  Really? Just for a little hemming and taking it?  But then I thought: Do I want to go through the process of finding a more affordable tailor?  Do I want to worry about the quality of the alterations?  Do I have the time and energy to still devote to this?  Do I trust this woman?  

And I decided that - although the cost was much more than I'd expected - it was worth it.  Leila has over thirty years of experience altering hundreds of gowns.  I know she won't go out of business, or botch my wedding gown.  And I know that peace of mind is certainly worth paying a little extra.  Plus, she seems really great to work with and that's essential for someone whom I'll be spending hours upon hours of fittings with as the wedding draws closer.  So I booked her, swallowed the extra expense, and haven't regretted it since!

One more thing off the list!