Wedding dress alterations, London
Exclusive Alterations is a specialist bridal alterations studio
Exclusive Alterations is a specialist bridal alterations studio at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. For over 20 years, bespoke tailor Richard Thompson and his team of seamstresses have altered wedding gowns for brides across London and beyond adjusting fit, reshaping silhouettes, and handling the beading, lace and silk that most alterations shops turn away.
We alter gowns; we don’t make them from scratch. If you already have your dress and it needs to fit you perfectly, that’s exactly what we do. Fittings are by appointment at our Islington studio, a two-minute walk from Angel station.
Why brides choose us
A tailor, not just a seamstress. Richard Thompson trained in bespoke tailoring and has worked in the trade for over 20 years. Structural changes reshaping a bodice, rebuilding a corset need tailoring skill, not just stitching.
Difficult fabrics handled properly. Beaded bodices, French lace, silk chiffon, tulle and crepe all behave differently under a needle. We work with them daily.
One studio, start to finish. Your dress is altered here in Islington by our own seamstresses, nothing is outsourced.
What we can alter
Taking in or letting out adjusting the bodice, waist and hips so the gown sits correctly on your frame.
Hemming and length shortening the skirt to your height and your wedding shoes. Bring the shoes to every fitting.
Bustles lifting the train off the floor for your reception. We’ll show you the options and pin the one that suits the dress.
Sleeves and straps shortening, lengthening, adding or removing; reshaping straps for comfort and support.
Corset and lace-up backs converting a zip to a corset back, or the reverse, for a better fit and a different look.
Cups and structure adding bra cups, boning or interior support so the gown holds its shape without additional underwear.
Beading and lace moving, matching and reapplying embellishment so alterations are invisible on the finished gown.
How many fittings will I need?
Most gowns need two to three fittings.
At the first fitting we pin the dress on you, agree the changes and take measurements. The second fitting checks the work and makes final adjustments. A third is sometimes needed for heavily beaded gowns or larger structural changes.
Bring your wedding shoes and any underwear you plan to wear to every fitting. The hem is measured to the shoe, so a change of heel height means a re-fit. Each fitting takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
Before your fitting
Bring your wedding shoes. Alterations are pinned to your exact heel height, so bring the shoes you’ll wear on the day — or a pair of identical height. Without them we may have to postpone the fitting.
Bring your underwear. Any bra, basque or shapewear you plan to wear. It changes how the dress sits.
Be weight-stable at your first fitting. This is when the dress is pinned, and significant changes afterwards mean extra work and extra cost.
Allow an hour. Bridal alterations are detailed work and appointments occasionally overrun. We’ll always try to keep to time.
Cancelling less than 48 hours before your appointment incurs a £35 fee. If you decide not to proceed after the tailor has pinned your dress, a pinning fee applies.
Rush fittings. Available at additional cost, subject to availability. If you’re travelling from abroad, let us know when you book and we’ll work around your dates.
When should I book my first fitting?
We recommend booking your first fitting six to eight weeks before your wedding.
That gives time for two or three fittings without rushing, and leaves room if something needs adjusting after the second. Book earlier than eight weeks and your body may change before the day; leave it later than six and the schedule gets tight, particularly in peak season between May and September.
If your wedding is sooner than that, call us. We can often accommodate shorter timelines, though availability is limited in summer.
Bridesmaid dress alterations
We alter bridesmaid dresses alongside bridal gowns, so the whole party can be fitted at the same studio.
Size adjustments, hemming to each bridesmaid’s height, strap and sleeve changes, and neckline adjustments are all straightforward. If your bridesmaids are different heights or sizes, we can adjust each dress so the group reads as a set.
Book bridesmaid fittings at the same time as yours where possible — it’s simpler to coordinate and we can match hem lengths across the party.
before you visit us
FAQ
Still unsure about something? Call us on 020 3651 4390 or email info@exclusivealterations.co.uk. We’re happy to talk it through before you book, and there’s no charge for asking.
Can you alter a dress I bought online?
Yes. We alter gowns bought anywhere — online, from a boutique, second-hand or vintage. Bring the dress to a first fitting and we’ll tell you honestly what can and can’t be done with it.
Can you alter a dress that's too small?
Sometimes. It depends on the seam allowance the maker left and whether the fabric can be let out without leaving marks. Bring it in and we’ll look — we’ll tell you if it isn’t possible rather than take the work on.
Do you do last-minute or rush alterations?
Often, yes. Rush fittings are available at additional cost, subject to availability. Call us and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can meet your date — availability is tightest between May and September.
What should I bring to my first fitting?
Your dress, the shoes you’ll wear on the day, and the underwear you plan to wear. The hem is measured to the shoe, so shoes matter more than anything else.
Do you make wedding dresses?
No. We alter and restyle existing gowns. If you need a dress made from scratch, we’re not the right studio — but if you have a dress that needs to fit properly, we are.
How do I book?
Call 020 3651 4390, email info@exclusivealterations.co.uk, or book online.
visit the studio
Islington, by appointment only
We’re inside the Business Design Centre on Upper Street, next door to the Hilton two minutes from Angel station. Every visit is by appointment so your fitting is never rushed or shared.
address
Business Design Centre
52 Upper Street
London N1 0PW
Opening times
Mon–Fri: 10am–7pm
Saturday: 10am–6pm
Sunday: closed
