A clear written quote is one of the simplest ways to look professional and avoid awkward conversations later. For wedding dress alterations especially — where there can be several adjustments, multiple fittings, and a nervous bride — a tidy quote sets expectations before any thread is cut. Below is a template you can copy and adapt, plus notes on what to include and why.
What a good alterations quote includes
A quote does more than state a price. It records what was agreed, so both you and the customer remember the same thing. A strong bridal alterations quote covers:
- Your business name and contact details.
- The customer’s name and the wedding date.
- A line-by-line list of each alteration, each with its own price.
- The total cost.
- The deposit required and what is left to pay.
- When the balance is due (commonly on collection).
- How many fittings are included, and the cost of any extra.
- A note on timing — when the dress is needed and when fittings are booked.
- A short note that the quote is an estimate and that additional work, if agreed, will be priced separately.
Line-by-line pricing matters. “Alterations: £250” invites questions. A list showing hem, bodice, bustle, and cups, each priced, shows your work and rarely gets challenged.
The template
Copy everything between the lines and fill in the brackets.
[Your Studio Name]
[Your address] · [Phone] · [Email]
Wedding Dress Alterations Quote
Quote date: [date]
Quote valid until: [date]
Customer: [Name]
Phone / email: [contact]
Wedding date: [date]
Dress: [designer / style / colour, if relevant]
Alterations requested:
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hem | [e.g. shorten and re-finish, single layer] | £[ ] |
| Bodice | [e.g. take in sides] | £[ ] |
| Straps / sleeves | [e.g. adjust strap length] | £[ ] |
| Bustle | [e.g. add three-point bustle] | £[ ] |
| Cups / bra | [e.g. insert cups] | £[ ] |
| Other | [ ] | £[ ] |
Subtotal: £[ ]
Total: £[ ]
Fittings included: [e.g. two — first fitting and final fitting]
Additional fittings (if needed): £[ ] each
Deposit due to confirm booking: £[ ]
Balance due on collection: £[ ]
Timing:
- First fitting: [date]
- Final fitting: [date]
- Collection by: [date]
Notes:
This quote is an estimate based on the alterations discussed. If further work is agreed during fittings, it will be quoted and added separately. Prices assume the dress is provided clean and ready for fitting.
Please confirm by [paying the deposit / replying to this message]. Thank you.
How to set your prices
If you are not sure what to charge, start from your hourly rate and the realistic time each job takes, rather than guessing what the customer will accept. Bridal alterations should sit higher than everyday alterations because of the delicate fabrics, the number of fittings, and the simple fact that there is no second chance before the wedding.
It helps to keep a standard bridal price list for common adjustments — hem, take-in, bustle, cups — and quote bespoke work on top. Over time you will see your own averages and can refine the list.
Why a deposit matters
A deposit confirms the booking and protects your time. Wedding work is seasonal and your diary fills up; holding a slot for someone who later disappears is lost income you cannot recover. Taking a deposit at the first fitting, with the balance due on collection, is a common and reasonable arrangement. State it clearly on the quote so there are no surprises.
Where StudioOps fits
Writing one quote by hand is fine. Writing dozens through a busy wedding season, then remembering who accepted, who paid a deposit, and who still owes a balance, is where it gets hard. StudioOps Atelier lets you build quotes with line items, send them, and track which are accepted, what deposit has been paid, and what balance is outstanding — alongside the customer’s fittings and wedding date. It is made for dressmakers and bridal alterations specialists, so the quote and the job stay connected instead of living in separate notebooks.
You can see how a real bridal studio runs this in the Chayil Couture case study.
Next step
Copy the template above and make it yours for your next bride. If you would rather your quotes, deposits, and balances tracked themselves, take a look at StudioOps Atelier.