A short written agreement protects both you and the bride. It is not about being heavy-handed — it is about making sure you both understand the same thing: what is being done, what it costs, when fittings happen, what the deposit covers, and what happens if plans change. For something as important and time-sensitive as a wedding dress, that clarity is worth having in writing.
What a bridal alterations agreement should cover
A clear agreement usually addresses:
- Who the agreement is between, and the wedding date.
- The work to be done, ideally referencing your written quote.
- The total price, the deposit, and when the balance is due.
- How many fittings are included.
- Timings: when fittings are booked and when the dress will be ready.
- What the customer is responsible for (turning up to fittings, providing the dress clean, bringing the right shoes and underwear).
- Your liability and its limits, and the insurance position.
- What happens if the customer cancels, or if the wedding is postponed.
- Storage and collection.
The template
Copy everything between the lines and adapt it to your business.
Bridal Alterations Agreement
Between:[Your Studio Name] (“the Studio”) and [Customer Name] (“the Customer”)
Date of agreement: [date]
Wedding date: [date]
1. The work
The Studio agrees to carry out the alterations set out in the quote dated [date], which forms part of this agreement. Any additional work will be agreed and priced separately before it is carried out.
2. Price and payment
- Total agreed price: £[ ]
- Deposit (due to confirm booking): £[ ]
- Balance (due on collection): £[ ]
The deposit is non-refundable except where required by law, as it secures the Customer’s booking and the Studio’s time.
3. Fittings
The price includes [number] fittings. Additional fittings, if needed, are charged at £[ ] each. The Customer agrees to attend booked fittings and to bring the shoes and underwear they intend to wear on the day.
4. Timing
- First fitting: [date]
- Final fitting: [date]
- Dress ready for collection by: [date]
The Studio will complete the work in good time for the wedding date, provided fittings are attended as booked. The Customer understands that late changes or missed fittings may affect timing.
5. The Customer’s responsibilities
The Customer will provide the dress clean and ready for alteration, attend fittings as agreed, and inform the Studio promptly of any change to the wedding date or requirements.
6. Care and liability
The Studio takes every care with the Customer’s garment. The Studio holds [list the insurance you hold, e.g. public liability and garment care cover]. The Studio’s liability is limited to the value of the alterations work, except where the law provides otherwise. Nothing in this agreement removes the Customer’s statutory rights.
7. Cancellation and postponement
If the Customer cancels, the deposit is retained and any work already carried out is chargeable. If the wedding is postponed, the Studio will, where possible, rearrange fittings and completion for the new date; further charges may apply if substantial extra work results.
8. Storage and collection
The dress should be collected by [date / within X days of completion]. The Studio can store the finished dress until shortly before the wedding by arrangement.
Signed:
Studio: ___________________ Date: _______
Customer: _________________ Date: _______
A note on deposits and consumer law
In the UK, terms with consumers must be fair, and a non-refundable deposit must be a genuine reflection of the booking and work involved rather than a penalty. A modest deposit that secures the slot and covers early work is generally reasonable; an unusually large non-refundable sum may not be. If in doubt, keep the deposit proportionate and take advice. Your customers’ statutory rights always stand alongside whatever you agree.
Where StudioOps fits
A contract sets the terms; the day-to-day is remembering who agreed what, who has paid their deposit, and whose balance is due before a fast-approaching wedding. StudioOps Atelier keeps the customer, the agreed work, the deposit, the balance, and the fitting dates together, so the agreement on paper matches what is actually happening in your studio. It is built for bridal alterations specialists and dressmakers, where timing and money both matter.
See the Chayil Couture case study for how a working studio keeps this straight.
Next step
Adapt the template above for your studio, and have a solicitor glance over it once if you handle high-value gowns. To keep deposits, balances, and fittings tracked against each booking, take a look at StudioOps Atelier.