Frequently Asked Questions

Studio Experience and Policies

John Emily Studio is committed to providing a personalized and memorable experience for every bride. Our master-level alterations, exceptional workmanship, and attentive customer service cater to your desires, addressing any concerns or pain points you may have. We pride ourselves on guiding each bride through a personalized process that ensures transparency, honesty and clear communication every step of the way.

To stay up-to-date on our seasonal updates, business policies, and turnaround times, we encourage you to follow our website and social media channels. You can also reach out to our team via phone, email, or in person to inquire about any changes or adjustments to our services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free alterations experience.

Visit John Emily Studio in Charlotte at 1222 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, or call (704) 705-5282.

Our Lake Norman, NC studio is at 21411 Hickory Road, Suite 1, Cornelius, NC 28031. Call (704) 237-4545.

You can also email clientservices@johnemilystudio.com. We look forward to being part of your wedding journey.

Our team’s happiness is at the heart of our service. We work to create a positive, supportive experience for the artists whose skill and care shape every fitting.

Kindness, compassion, quality work, and reliability guide our team and the service we provide to every client.

Communication and Coordination

A few ways to communicate with us are via phone, email or by filling out the “Bridal Alterations Interest Form”. It’s important you are as detailed as possible when contacting us. 

A few things to note if you are emailing us: please share your best contact phone number, boutique and wedding date. The booking process is personalized for each bride’s unique situation. Our booking steps will be explained in detail for a seamless process.

First, you will contact the studio. Then our booking team will study your dates and wedding details to coordinate a day to begin the alterations process. Lastly, your booking will be officially confirmed “after” we have received the “Bridal Alterations Interest Form”. This last step helps our team prepare and label your booking according to your specific details.

After reviewing your interest form, our fitting consultants may schedule a phone call before meeting you in person. This helps us clarify the details you shared and prepare for your fitting.

To ensure the alterations team and the designers have enough time to offer the services, the turnaround time required for custom work will be extended to 15–20 weeks prior to the wedding date. Please note that rush alterations might not be applicable for this service.

We recognize that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and we strive to make the alterations process as smooth as possible. Our standard timeline, including a first fitting, is 10–12 weeks before the wear date. Keep in mind that this could be your bridal portrait date. Whether your wedding is local or at a destination may also affect booking timeframes.

Bridal alterations that begin less than 10 weeks before the wear date are considered rush alterations. We offer rush services with the same care and attention to quality on a shorter timeline.

Gown Preparation and Fittings

During your first fitting consultation, we provide an intimate, one-on-one bridal experience focused on understanding your unique needs and vision. Our skilled fitting experts will offer tailored suggestions and recommendations according to your wedding timeline, venue, location and overall wedding style.

Of course. We offer 30-minute, in-person consultations for a $50 fee, giving you an opportunity to review our expert’s detailed alterations plan. We understand how special your wedding day is and want you to feel informed and comfortable with the process.

Your first visit includes guided steps to prepare you for your consultation. We understand that having your dress pinned, measured, and adjusted can feel stressful. Our skilled fitting team has reviewed your file and is ready to begin.

Bring your shoes to every fitting and, if possible, one or two supportive guests. Our experience includes alterations for more than 5,000 wedding gowns, and we want you and your guests to feel confident in our care.

The fitting lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour.

No problem, our team will make sure you have video tutorials on bustle instructions and how to properly get into your gown. We have all eyes on you to make sure all angles are covered.

Typically, a 2nd bridal fitting is scheduled 4–6 weeks from your initial appointment. This allows for a 3rd fitting to be scheduled for minor adjustments that may come up through the alterations process. Follow-up fittings last between 20–40 minutes.

We understand that body changes can be an emotional aspect of wedding preparations, and many times it’s not intentional. Our skilled Senior Fitting Experts are experienced in these situations leading up to the wedding day. “Major” sizing changes are considered to be 2 inches or more of change on bust, waist or hip measurements. You can trust our team to manage these changes by carefully allowing fabric to be taken in/out as well as building corset backs.

We understand that last-minute adjustments may be needed. Call 4 weeks before your wedding to schedule a “Follow Up After Release” appointment. Our team will review your file and discuss the adjustments.

Additional charges apply. We take previous payments into account when planning the work needed to restore your fit.

Times have changed. Most women are full-time professionals and scheduling conflicts easily arise. John Emily Studio is here to support you while you are juggling many things at once. Our professional booker will handle your alterations plan and try to schedule out as many appointments as possible to avoid rescheduling. 

We are a high-volume studio supporting over 400 brides every year. It’s important to make time for your fittings in your calendar. In the end, this is a magical time in your life and it deserves all the attention. At the moment, our hours of operation are M-F 10am – 6pm. This is subject to change according to market demand and seasonality.

Your fitting expert will prepare an estimate based on four areas: bodice sizing, hemming, bustles, and custom work.

A typical full bridal alteration covering at least three of these areas ranges from $450 to $1,250. The gown’s volume, designer, fitting complexity, and special requests affect the final cost.

Any alterations areas that have been pinned at your fitting will be charged the same day. In some cases we pin all 4 areas; other times we pin only the bodice at your first fitting. As we continue to grow and expand, payment terms will be updated with more options that work best for you.

Special Alterations Requests

Yes. For $25, you can book a 15-minute phone consultation with a skilled Senior Fitting Expert. This will help guide you in advance of your fittings in person. The guided call will review your wedding details to create a “Personalized Bridal Alterations Proposal”. This extra step will put you ahead of the game when beginning your alterations journey.

We value each bride’s individuality and strive to accommodate unique gown requirements within our range of services. If you have specific alteration needs or custom requests, please email us with detailed information and reference images at clientservices@johnemilystudio.com. Our team will evaluate your request and guide you towards the best solution, ensuring a positive and satisfying experience.

Prior to meeting in person, please email us photos and schedule a phone consultation. If you decide you want our team to review the gown in person, our team of skilled Senior Fitting Experts will work with you to assess the alterations possibilities on this type of gown. This is a 30-minute consultation for a $50 fee that reviews the gown’s condition and determines if alterations are recommended. In some cases, these gowns are too fragile to alter. Our team of experts will make sure our recommendations and advice always have your best interest at heart.

Designer gowns from Pronovias, Anne Barge, Vera Wang, Kleinfeld NY, Ines di Santo, and other designers require specialized care. During booking, we note these details and match you with a senior-level consultant.

High-end designer gowns can take three times as long to alter as non-designer gowns. We account for that additional complexity, care, and time when creating your alterations plan.

Our senior team handles this delicate work for an additional charge.

To request custom work and design services, please be very specific in the “Bridal Alterations Interest Form” that is sent through our booking system. Our teams will create a comprehensive alterations plan to complete your full bridal look. Some examples of custom work include custom corsets, veils, sleeves, capes and bows. Depending on the designer’s schedule and availability, these offerings can vary during high-demand seasons.

Yes, repair packages are available pre-alterations, including for off-the-rack gowns. A detailed review of the gown’s condition will determine the order of services recommended. It might be required to dry-clean a gown before it’s brought into the alterations shop for servicing. We understand the importance of your gown, and we’re committed to treating it with the care and expertise it deserves.

No worries, we have a plan for you. We recognize that planning with more time can ease your mind to complete this service with no hassle. This also adds on a layer of planning to allow for possible sizing changes that could happen between the beginning of your alterations journey and your magical wedding day. John Emily Studio will clearly highlight this detail when booking your first fitting, ideally a reasonable completion time frame between 15–20 weeks.

Once alterations have been completed within a 15-20 week period, the gown will go home with you. According to season, available storage and market demand, we can usually store your dress at no fee for about 6 weeks before your wedding, given that all alterations have been completed. We do not offer storage fees at the moment, but this could change in the future.

If you think your gown needs further adjustments, try it on at home with a trusted friend or relative. Call us to schedule a “Follow Up After Release” appointment if needed. This tells our team that your original alterations are complete and you are returning for additional work.

A $50 booking fee applies. We take previous payments into account when reviewing your gown, and major adjustments are charged separately.

Gown Care and Preservation

At John Emily Studio, we take great care to maintain the pristine condition of your gown throughout the alterations process. Our experienced team handles each gown with the utmost care and attention to detail. Additionally, we offer gown steaming, dry cleaning and preservation services to ensure your gown looks impeccable on your wedding day and remains a cherished keepsake for years to come.

Our steam and press services help your gown look its best for your special day. Depending on the gown’s size, the service costs $80 or $120 and is completed the same day.

Veil steaming is complimentary, although some veils are subject to steaming fees. Your veil will be returned with your gown, and we include handling instructions.

Satin, crepe, and silk gowns can wrinkle easily. After your bridal portraits, you may bring your wedding gown back for a second steam and press service at 25% off.

Yes. We offer steam and press services for smaller formal gowns, including rehearsal dinner and mothers’ dresses. Depending on the gown, the service costs $40 or $60.

Yes. You can expect the same attentive guidance you received throughout your alterations. After steaming, we provide detailed instructions for transporting, handling, and touching up your gown to help prevent wrinkles.

Our experts recommend bringing your gown to Gown Care by John Emily Studio, our cleaning and preservation department. The sooner you bring it in, the easier it may be to treat stubborn spots and stains.

Wedding gown preservation is distinct from standard dry cleaning. While dry cleaning treats stains, it doesn’t preserve your gown for the long term. Our specialists create a personalized treatment plan considering your gown’s fabric, stitching, details, and any stains. This plan can even address outdoor stains, such as grass or dirt, as well as wine/champagne spills from your celebrations. It renews your dress without harming delicate fabrics, protecting it for years to come. 

After dry cleaning, your gown will be lovingly placed in a preservation box with a transparent window, showcasing your dress and veil beautifully.

Gown cleaning is $365, and cleaning with preservation is $485.

Preservation is available only when the gown is professionally cleaned. We include storage instructions to help protect your gown for years to come.

If you choose cleaning without preservation, your gown will be returned in a clear garment bag on a secure hanger.

Yes. Our alterations department offers repair packages. If your gown has been worn to a major event, repairs are available after professional cleaning so we can give the garment the care it deserves.

Your gown can be stored at no charge for up to 20 weeks from the date you drop it off for Gown Care services.

We do not currently offer storage beyond 20 weeks. Our booking team will contact you to arrange pickup within that time frame.

If your gown remains at John Emily Studio beyond the 20-week period after cleaning or preservation, a $50 weekly fee accrues until pickup.

Courier House Calls are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $40 delivery fee within a 50-mile radius. Availability varies with the season and demand.

Boutique

At John Emily Boutique, we take pride in offering an exquisite selection of brands that cater to your unique style and preferences. Our collection includes the elegant designs of Jenny You, the sophisticated allure of Jovani, the charm of Untamed Petals, designer jewelry by Olive & Piper, the timeless elegance of Alexander by Daymor, and our top seller SPANX for comfort and style.

The styling journey for made-to-order gowns varies between 2 and 14 weeks for delivery, depending on the designer brand. We value the uniqueness of your choice; hence, please note that ordered gowns, as well as display or off-the-rack gowns, are final sales with no returns.

Yes, alterations are an additional service. However, to offer our appreciation, a 15% discount is applied on alterations for all dresses purchased from John Emily Studio, whether ordered or off the rack.

Steaming is a separate service with a 25% discount for all John Emily Studio dresses, whether ordered or off the rack.

To maintain the exclusivity and uniqueness of our collection, we do not offer exchanges. Each piece you select is a final sale. Damaged/defective merchandise must be reviewed prior to release of the item from our location.

Your convenience is our priority. Feel free to visit us anytime during our working hours; no appointments are necessary. We do offer online booking to best serve your shopping requests and match you with a stylist.

Return Policy

At John Emily Studio, we are dedicated to ensuring that every item you purchase is a perfect fit for your special moments. Our return policy is designed to uphold the quality and exclusivity of our products, while respecting the choices of our valued customers.

Final Sale on All Products: All items, including dresses, jewelry, shapewear, and undergarments, are final sale once they leave our store. We do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds on any products.

Jewelry: For the safety and comfort of all our clients, we maintain a strict no-return policy on all jewelry items, especially earrings. This policy is in place to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and customer care.

Shapewear and Undergarments: Due to the intimate nature of shapewear and undergarments, these items are also final sale. We do not accept returns or exchanges, even in the case of damages, to ensure the utmost hygiene for all our clients.

Made-to-Order and Off-the-Rack Dresses: Each dress, whether made-to-order or purchased off the rack, is a unique expression of personal style. As such, we do not accept returns or exchanges on any gowns once they have been purchased.

Alterations and Steaming Services: Please note that alterations and steaming services are available at an additional cost, with special discounts for dresses purchased from John Emily Studio. Alterations and Gown Care services are non-refundable once paid. 

Sales Tax: All purchases are subject to North Carolina sales tax, as applicable by law.

Please consider your selections carefully before purchasing. Our team is here to offer guidance and support throughout the process.

If you have questions about our return policy, please contact us.

Thank you for choosing John Emily Studio for your special occasion. We look forward to helping you find the right ensemble.

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