Caroline Alexander Alterations
Welcome to My Website
After 30 years’ experience of working in the fashion industry, Caroline started a professional alterations business at the end of 2018, specialising Wedding Dresses.
As well as designing a bespoke selection of freshwater pearl hair vines, accessories and jewellery, she also imports beautiful silk tulle veiling from all round the world to add that finishing touch to your special day.
To make an appointment once you have your beautiful dress
please contact Caroline on her mobile 07976 449409
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Now fully booked for June, July and August 2024 weddings.
My Studio
This is just the beginning.
Dress alteration and Jewellery
by Caroline Alexander Alterations
My Services
Alterations
If you are unsure what the cost of the alteration will be, just make an appointment and you can discuss it with her. There is no obligation on your part, and quite often something positive will come out of the discussion.
The average cost of a wedding dress alteration is between £250.00 and £500.00.
The cheapest alteration under taken so far was around £150.00 and the most expensive to dates has been £950.00.
Hourly rate is around £25.00 per hour
There is something very satisfying about taking a beautiful dress and making it fit perfectly.
Please be a wear that the studio has limited space and only bring one special friend to your fitting.
Jewellery
Caroline's freshwater pearl hair vines are all individually designed and made in her studio with prices starting from £100.00.
Bridal Accessories
Silk tulle veiling made to measure. Prices start from £55.00.
The veil in the photo above was £110.00
The Alteration begins.
This wedding dress was perfect for restyling, it had a beautiful lace bodice which Caroline managed to find a suitable lace to compliment.
The bride wanted her shoulders and arms covered and by making a pattern to fit the original bodice she created a natural extension of lace flowing up to the shoulders and into the sleeves.
The original dress .
Lace was then sourced.
The lace that Caroline found to compliment the bodice had a stunning scalloped edge which was perfect for the front and back neckline.
The scalloped edge was then used for the bottom of the sleeves.
The lace top was attached to the original bodice and the center back was lined up with the top of the zip. This was finished off with loops and satin buttons to match the original dress.
The final fitting and the dress is finished.
At last the big day arrives!
The alteration cost around £550 and the
lace a further £100
Alterations Story Mother to Daughter
Before
This 1988 wedding dress
was perfect for restyling, it had lots of fabric and lace that could be used to create a more contemporary
style.
With this in mind Caroline designed a pattern to make full use of the silk and lace available.
Despite the age of the dress the lace and silk Dupion made up very well. Caroline was very pleased with the finished bridal gown bringing it up to date. See Jessica's story for more photos.
The alteration cost around £700.00
Before (1988) After
(2019)
Wedding dress planner
Your Beautiful Dress
Things you need to remember from the point at which you purchase your dress, to the day of your wedding.
Buying the dress
- Try to be honest with yourself when choosing your dress.
- Go with your heart and not with the person who you want to please
- Think of the venue that the wedding is being held at and get the two to compliment each other.
- Think of your body shape and use it to your advantage. Ignore the unachievable picture in your head. Remember he has chosen you!
- Brides who have a deep bust are better off with a V neck line as it gives the bodice a much longer line.
- If you are quite petite then think of a dress that has long lines, this will give the elusion of height.
07976 449409
Dress fittings
- Be very careful about buying a dress that is far too small. It tends to be a very expensive alteration and is very difficult to hide the extended areas.
- Just to let the dress out before you start the alteration the cost will start at around £150.00.
- I do get asked "What if I loose weight?"
If the dress is sitting properly then you shouldn't have to touch the dress again. Its much better to leave the seams alone because each time they are touched will burses the fabric more.
07976 449409
Day before your wedding
- Assemble a first aid kit for your dress.
Use ivory thread a needle already threaded and a sharp pair of scissors
- If you have beads or lace on your dress there may be loose threads. Cut them off don't pull.
- Get your dress out of its bag and let it hang down with the train spread out.
- If you have a petticoat then fluff it out and straighten the net.
- Make sure all surfaces around your dress are clean.
- If you are getting married in the summer spray the room with fly killer so that nothing will stay alive to cause any damage.
- Use a steamer with De-Ironized water to STEAM your dress.
- Steam your dress from the inside starting at the back in an area that wont show, just in case the steamer spits.
07976 449409
Morning of the wedding
- Make sure you eat something before the day starts!
- Remember that any bra or sock marks made during the morning of the wedding will last most of the day.
- Only put on a T shirt and tracksuit bottoms so that no marks are left on your skin.
- Going to the loo shouldn't be a problem. Once you have your dress on just pick the front skirt and go in forwards, straddling the loo looking at the wall.
- Remember to give yourself half an hour just to put you dress on. This time is really important because it signals the start of your wedding day.
- Some times things do go wrong but get it into you head that it really doesn't matter.
- HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
07976 449409
BIO
Caroline Alexander has been in the fashion industry for the past 30 years working for many well known companies and decided to setup her own business, specialising in bespoke alterations.
Caroline's studio is set in the beautiful grounds of her husband's farm in the village of Eynsford, Kent and has created a very special studio to work in.
How to proceed
If you are unsure what the cost of the alteration will be, just make an appointment and you can discuss it with her. There is no obligation on your part, and quite often something positive will come out of the discussion.
If the alteration is impossible Caroline will advise you of this so she won't waste your time.
Sadly she can't let out garments if there is a 1cm seam allowance or less, this being standard across the industry. If in dout buy the next size up. (Remember size is only a number) Anything with a collar or a wrap across the bust are generally not feasible.
Sadly she can't let out garments if there is a 1cm seam allowance or less, this being standard across the industry. If in dout buy the next size up. (Remember size is only a number) Anything with a collar or a wrap across the bust are generally not feasible.
Phone 07976 449409 to make an appointment.
NEWS
The alteration side of the business has been a huge success and gets very busy please book your appointment as soon as you have decided on your dress.
Caroline has some wonderful clients all bringing their own story of the occasion they are going to attend, from stunning wedding dresses to prom and bridesmaid dresses, Mother of the Bride and every other occasion you could think of.
Caroline does her best to make the experience special.
Please only bring one special person to your fitting as the studio is limited in space.
'Pricing for Alterations.
This is the first question Caroline gets asked when a client phones her.
This is very difficult to answer as she has no idea what the dress looks like or the fabric it's made in, how many layers the skirt has will also be taken into consideration.
For example a bridesmaid dress that needs shortening with a hem circumference of two meters or less and two layers works out about £40.00.
A similar dress with three layers will be around £45.00.
Her hourly rate is around £20.00 per hour.
Caroline has invested in a wide range of professional machinery which will cover most alterations undertaken.