I entrusted two precious wedding dresses to Bellvue Alterations for my March 2023 wedding, and although I have hesitated to share this review, I feel it's necessary to express my experience. I had both a main dress and a backup, both of which mostly fit, requiring slight adjustments around the bust and hem shortening. I reached out to the shop a couple of months in advance to ensure everything would be ready for my destination wedding, and they assured me that a month's notice would suffice.

Upon my arrival, the shop owner proposed altering the top for added support and suggested going without a bra, which seemed like a great idea at the time. I also inquired about alterations to the back, which she confidently agreed to. When I expressed concerns about the bodice's support, I was reassured it wouldn't be an issue. Additionally, she recommended raising the straps on the other dress, promising it would enhance its appearance and comfort. Trusting her expertise, I consented.

A few weeks later, I returned for a final fitting, during which she assured me she could address any last-minute adjustments. However, when I tried on the altered dresses, neither fit properly. The lining beneath the bodice didn't lay correctly, resulting in an unflattering and wrinkled appearance across the bodice. The dresses lacked the promised support, and one actually fit worse than when I first brought it in.

To rectify the lining issue, the shop suggested replacing it with padded liners matching the dress color. Regrettably, they didn't have the correct size, and with the wedding date rapidly approaching, I had no choice but to proceed as advised. I returned the following week to try on the dresses again, but to my dismay, they fit even worse. I felt uncomfortable and looked like I had significantly changed cup sizes overnight.

The previously well-fitting dresses were now uncomfortably tight, and alterations had altered the low back of one dress to a point where it looked entirely out of place. To prevent the other dress from slipping down, an awkward strap had been added to the back, completely negating the intended open-back design. This left me with two dresses that were essentially ruined, and I had only two days to find an alternative before my flight. Needless to say, I was utterly devastated.

While the shop owner was polite throughout the process, she was unwilling to acknowledge that the alterations hadn't worked as intended. Instead, she kept promising adjustments that never resolved the issues. While Bellvue Alterations may be suitable for everyday clothing, I would strongly advise against entrusting them with special occasion garments. In the end, I spent more on alterations than the combined cost of both dresses and had to hastily purchase a last-minute replacement. It was a heartbreaking experience, and I would not consider returning.