video of our busy busy workroom

ALTERATION SHMALTERATION

I was just surfing through the net looking up forums on bridal alterations and questions that people had.  One girl was so upset that her gown came in and it had to be altered, why should it have to be altered? they measured her didn't they! NO!!! Ladies, the designer doesn't change their entire pattern for YOU I'm sorry but it just doesn't work that way! The boutique has to go by a sizing chart given to them by the designer and they have to professionally give you the size they feel will fit you best according to your largest measurements. So if you are a 34, 26, 38 you may have to go with a size 8 instead of that 6 because of your hips. You must then re-fit your bust and waist so it is proportioned.  

We do custom design at our boutique at The Dress Doctor and people still need to have a good fitting! Every person has a different body proportion, size, width, etc... do not panic when your gown comes in too big it can big fixed!  We specialize in re-fitting garments and gowns so your gown is just shrunk down to fit YOUR body.  

I had also seen several comments on what is an average price for alterations.  Some girls were offended at numbers above $300.  Ladies, the labor it takes to rip apart a wedding gown and re-shape it and fit it custom to your body is extensive.  It's like asking your contractor to tear down a wall and build it back up again for 100 instead of 500 dollars.  It is absolutely reasonable for places to charge over $300 for alterations.  

If you come to a specialty boutique like ours (the only one of its kind by the way ;) you are paying for the service, location, guarantee, skilled couture methods, skilled seamstresses, skilled fitters (yours truly and my mother), certification of Vera Wang Bridal, 30 years of couture re-fitting experience, and a nice fitting room! 

 Our bridal alterations normally range between 300-700 dollars.  If this is a shock to you still, please read the paragraph above once more! Just kidding, it really depends on what is important to you, if you feel like your Vera Wang gown is fine and you can have just ANYONE work on it then that is your choice, if you feel like your David's Bridal gown was a steal and you'd like some custom work done to it then come on in!  We do free consultations that are no obligation, so if you'd like to come in and see how much everything costs it is not a problem at all! 

We love people and love solving problems, we are the place you come to when everyone else has messed up, we are the place to come to if you feel that your gown is too important to risk taking anywhere else.  As my mother always says "I will stand on my head for my clients!" That is how dedicated she is... we should really have a reality show at our shop.....

giselle

BRIDAL SHOES!! endless.com

I loooove this website! I think it is powered or owned by Amazon.com, which I love and trust, but they have a category in their women's shoes section called Bridal. It is wonderful! I found super cute Badgley Mischka pumps for around $215! Endless.com  They also do free overnight and one day delivery!

Here is a cute wedge for you garden brides!

Day Of Assistance!

Day of bridal and attendant dressing

Please contact me at The Dress Doctor (312) 943-2828
for day of assistance in dressing, pressing of garments, emergency sewing and personal assistance for your special evening.


Past experience with hotels (I usually work with the catering coordinator, day of coordinator/wedding planner):
The James
The Peninsula
The Four Seasons
The Ritz Carlton
The Allerton
The W
The Conrad
Sofitel
The Drake
The Knickerbocker

I have done assistance with photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, wedding coordinators, everything that a bride's maid should do I do

ForceOneSeven ft Giselle!

Ive been working with Nael Shehade the founder and ceo of ForceOneSeven Production Company for over three years and these are a few songs we have created together. Nael does all of the production and music creation and I write the songs. This collaboration results in beautiful music! His studio is located in south Michigan Ave. and he does private studio recording for any level performer, vocal and instrumental, recording, mixing, mastering.
www.forceoneseven.com
www.forceoneseven.blogspot.com

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The Alterations Process at The Dress Doctor

My mother and I do all of the fittings at our boutique in The Water Tower Place. If you have any question please contact us at (312) 943-2828 or e-mail us at doctors@dressdoctor.com and I will probably be the one responding to your e-mail.

Alterations with us are very custom and for bridal usually take four fittings. At your first fitting or consultation we will have you tell us how you expect to look in your gown and we will explain how it can be done. We usually start with the bodice, or top, of your gown checking to make sure that it fits properly. If it does then we will go to your hem and bustle. If it doesn't we will fit it properly then have you try it on again for your next fitting and then go to the hem. It is usually okay to have your exact shoes by your second appointment or shoes that are of exact height.

Your first appointment or consultation is free and you will be given a receipt of exactly how much your alterations will cost and there is no obligation.

At your first appointment if you do wish to work with us we like to take a 50% deposit, we take all major credit cards and checks. We also like to schedule all of your other appointments (because we fill up quickly) so be prepared to bring your calendar.

Alterations can range between $300-$700 or higher depending on what you need done, and again your total price will be given to you at your first appointment. If you need your gown in one week or less we charge a rush fee of double, if you need your gown in 2-3 weeks we charge a rush fee of time and a half ex: $450 is your cost of alteration plus $225 for rush fee your TOTAL comes to $675 (we do not charge tax on labor only on fabric, nail polish, bras etc..)


Custom designs start at $800 and go up NOT including fabric. For custom projects you can either bring in a picture or sketch or tells us an idea you have and we can create it for you. We have fine fabric swatches in house for you to custom order from or we can tell you how much fabric you need if you'd like to purchase it yourself.

We carry bustiers and strapless bras from Felina that can be purchased through us, or during your consultation we can let you know what undergarments work best with your garment.

We also carry a nice line of costume jewelry by an online company called Mariell
(trust me their pieces are amazing in person and look like they cost a fortune!)

We also work with a custom jewelry designer Ani Afshar who creates pieces inspired by you!

My mother has been creating custom garments for over 25 years and has been written up in Vogue Magazine for being the "Best Copy Cat" in chicago. We work exclusively with Belle Vie Bridal Couture and Vera Wang Chicago (which I highly reccomend!) and will soon be launching a line of Mother of the bride/groom gowns under my label Giselle. Belle Vie is a wonderful place to purchase your gowns and accessories.

Please stop by to see our boutique located on the 9th floor executive suites of The Water Tower Place, we do work by appointment only and are closed Wednesdays and Sundays, but if you'd like to come by and take a look that is not a problem at all! See you soon!

p.s

You are more than welcome to bring along anyone you'd like, your mother, aunt, sisters, etc.. also if you have accesories that you'd like to try on with your gown please bring them along, (we can also put items like your shoes or bra on hold for you so you don't have to bring them back and forth) these appointments are for you and your big day, do whatever makes you happy! And please feel free to come in to try on your gown between appointments for your family and friends if they can't make it to your fittings. We are here for you.

The Dress Doctor

~giselle~

Simply...

sweet by GiGelle featuring Ylang|23 earrings