FAQ
What are your hours and location?
Tailor Maid is open for fittings Tuesday through Saturday, by appointment only. To view available times and schedule your fitting, please visit our Booking page.
We are located in downtown San Francisco at:
755 Sutter Street (between Taylor and Jones).All fittings are by appointment only—we do not accept walk-ins.
When should I book my appointments?
Our schedule fills up quickly and far in advance. We recommend that you book your appointments when you purchase your gown not once it has arrived.
Most dresses need three fittings total:
- Start alterations 6–8 weeks before your wedding.
- Second fitting 4 weeks before your wedding.
- Final fitting 2 weeks before your wedding.
Please leave at least 14 days between fittings for adjustments.
At the final fitting, your dress should be ready to take home. If minor adjustments are needed, we’ll fix them while you wait. For longer changes, you’ll return the next business day for pick up.
Bringing the exact shoes you plan to wear to every fitting is essential—see our Shoe Policy for details.
Dresses altered in under 6 weeks will incur a Rush Fee (see fee policy below).
To ensure every bride’s dress is completed on time, we limit the number of dresses we accept for each wedding date. Once a date is full, we are unable to take additional dresses for that day.
You secure your spot with us once you receive an official confirmation email for all three of your fittings.
Shoe Policy
Exact Shoes Required for Every Fitting
It is essential that you bring the exact shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to every fitting. If you do not have your actual shoes with you, you will need to reschedule your appointment, and a rescheduling fee of $125 will apply.
Please note that sample shoes or shoes of a similar height are not acceptable. Here’s why:
- If your actual shoes are higher than the sample pair, your dress will be too short once hemmed.
- If your actual shoes are lower, your dress will be too long and require a second hem—resulting in an additional hem fee.
- If you arrive without any shoes, the alterations process is delayed, and an additional appointment will be required, which also incurs a $125 fee.
Most brides schedule fittings several months to a year in advance, which should provide ample time to have your wedding shoes ready.
We truly appreciate your understanding and preparation. Bringing your actual shoes to every fitting helps us deliver the best possible result and avoid unnecessary delays or added costs.
Rush Fee Rules
Rush fees start at $250 & up and will apply if:
- Your dress must be completed in less than six weeks from your New Bride fitting to the pickup date.
- Your first two fittings (New Bride and first follow-up) are scheduled less than 14 days apart.
Do you charge for rescheduling appointments?
As of June 2025 we are implementing a rescheduling fee as we can no longer accommodate as many reschedule requests as we currently receive.
We super appreciate our brides sticking to their original schedule as we are fully booked during the wedding season.
The fee for rescheduling will be $125.
Do you have a guest policy?
To ensure a calm, focused, and timely experience for every bride, we kindly ask that you bring no more than one guest to your fittings. Our schedule is carefully planned with back-to-back appointments, and limiting guests allows us to give you our full attention and finish our work on time.
We also ask that both you and your guest arrive on time. If your guest is running late, we will begin your fitting at the scheduled time, and they are welcome to join once they arrive.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. This policy helps us maintain a smooth experience for all brides and give you the attention you deserve during your fitting.
Can I take photos at my fitting or facetime with family & friends?
We’re more than happy to take photos for you at each fitting. Once your gown is fully pinned, we’ll gladly take as many photos as you’d like.
If you’d like to FaceTime with family or friends, we ask that you please wait until pinning is complete. After that, we’re happy to help you get set up for a facetime call—even with a tripod if needed. It’s important that we’re able to focus while pinning to ensure everything fits just right before calls begin.
How do I request a Free Estimate?
To receive a free quote for your alterations, please email photos (front and back) and/or a link to your dress, along with your wedding date and a list of anticipated alterations (such as shorten straps, take in sides, take in waist, hem, etc.) to [email protected].
We’ll review your details and get back to you with a quote as soon as possible.
When submitting photos, it’s very helpful to let us know if the dress shown is your exact dress or a sample dress that you ordered in your size.
If you purchased a sample dress, please mention that too, as sample dresses usually require more work than dresses ordered in your size.
This information allows us to provide a more accurate and realistic quote.
What are typical alteration costs?
The cost of gown alterations can vary widely based on several factors, including the number of layers, understructure or boning, lace, beading, fabric type, hem, finish details, buttons, zippers, belts, corsets, bustles, and train.
We’re happy to provide a price range based on your specific needs—just request a free estimate, and we’ll gladly review your details and send you a personalized quote.
What forms of payment can I use?
We accept cash, checks, Apple Pay, and all major credit cards.
What is the difference between a New Bride appointment and a Consultation appointment?
New Bride Appointment
This appointment is for brides who are ready to begin alterations and do not need major design changes. If you know which gown you’re wearing and are ready to move forward, this is the right appointment for you.
Consultation Appointment
This is the best option for brides considering design changes, bringing in vintage gowns for recrafting, or if you have uncertainties about your dress. It’s also ideal for brides deciding between multiple dresses or sizes, or if we weren’t able to provide a quote by email.
There is a non-refundable $150 fee for Consultation Appointments.
What type of undergarments do you recommend?
Our go-to undergarment for brides is the Commando Classic Control Short—a seamless, smoothing option that works beautifully under most gowns. We carry samples and stock in all sizes for you to try on during your fitting. If your gown has a low back, these shorts can easily be trimmed to stay hidden.
The Honeylove SuperPower Shorts offer excellent extra control, but due to the prominent “X” design on the front, they’re best suited for A-line gowns and not recommended for fitted styles.
If we suggested a Spanx bodysuit, this is the exact style we had in mind. It’s a great option for gowns that are one continuous piece without a defined waistline. This bodysuit features a low back, but it also has a center underwire, which may be visible depending on your dress fabric and structure. Because of this, it doesn’t work for every gown.
Need Recommendations for Bra or Cup Options?
We carry BOOMBA bust inserts, which are fantastic for adding cleavage and volume—boosting you by one or even two cup sizes! We have samples in-store for you to try during your fitting.
For dresses with a low V neckline, we recommend lifting nipple covers by HelloMolly for comfortable, discreet support.
If your dress is strapless and needs extra structure, we can add boning directly to the gown. Alternatively, if we’ve suggested purchasing a longline bustier, we recommend the Noemi Strapless Bustier.
We also carry thin cups and gel push-up cups that can be sewn directly into your gown.
What Tape Do You Recommend?
For securing straps and keeping borders in place, we recommend using hair extension tape as a great alternative to fashion tape.
For lifting and supporting the bust, kinesiology tape works really well and is comfortable to wear.
What Bag Do You Recommend for Traveling with a Wedding Dress by Plane?
We recommend keeping your dress in its original garment bag for protection. Then, place it inside one of the following bags for an easier travel experience:
- This canvas tote is a perfect size for most dresses and features a secure zip closure.
For gowns with many layers or larger volumes, this Large Bag is ideal—it offers extra space to accommodate fuller dresses that won’t fit in the canvas tote.
Do you steam/press dresses?
We recommend making arrangements for a final steaming/pressing on the big day, as your dress will become wrinkled once it’s placed in a garment bag for transportation. Many hotels and venues have steamers available for your use, so it is a good idea to check with them first before purchasing your own. Additionally, you can search for a Wedding Gown Specialist near your wedding’s location for professional pressing before the big day.
Do You Recommend a Specific Steamer?
Yes! For travel and day-of touch-ups, we recommend this handheld steamer—it’s compact, easy to use, and perfect for on-site steaming.
For a more powerful option, this professional steamer is great for steaming heavier fabrics and fuller gowns.
We suggest covering either steamer head with 2–3 layers of cheesecloth, which we will provide, to prevent any water spots or drips.
What Wedding Dress Cleaning & Preservation Specialist Do You Recommend?
We highly recommend Elegance Preserved for both wedding dress cleaning and preservation, as well as sample dress cleaning.
Please note:
If you purchased a sample dress, it’s mandatory to have it cleaned before starting alterations.
If your dress is new and unworn, cleaning should be done after the wedding.Should I Have My Sample Dress Cleaned?
Yes—if you purchased a sample dress, it’s essential to have it cleaned before starting alterations.
We highly recommend Elegance Preserved—they’re truly the best! You can sign up for cleaning services directly on their website.
Please allow 8 weeks for cleaning to ensure your gown is ready in time for your New Bride fitting at Tailor Maid. If you’re working with a tighter timeline, expedited services may be available through Elegance Preserved.