Real bride wedding dress alteration at Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations

If you’re having second thoughts about your wedding dress or wondering whether it’s too late to make a change, take heart from Hannah’s story.

After falling out of love with her original gown, she turned to expert seamstresses at Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations to completely rework the design. 

The result? A one-of-a-kind wedding dress that felt entirely her own. 

Hannah married Stuart at Gleddoch Hotel in Langbank on 26th October 2024, wearing the Ottawa gown by Rara Avis from Eleganza Sposa, transformed by Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations.

The bride shares a first-hand account of her wedding dress alteration experience and doesn't leave out any details...

What can you do if you regret the wedding dress you've chosen?

"I’m not really a dress person, so I surprised myself by falling for one I’d saved to my vision board long before I got engaged.

"It had a beautiful full skirt and a leg slit I loved – a must for my wedding dress. I tried it on at Eleganza Sposa and asked if the off-the-shoulder sleeves could be removed before I bought it and the boutique ordered it in for me – they felt a bit fiddly and I worried they might restrict me on the day.

"But several months later, when I came back to collect the sleeveless gown, I started having second thoughts.

"The top half felt bare and incomplete without the sleeves, and I felt that, overall, the dress just didn’t suit me anymore. No matter how much I’d spent on it or how long I’d loved the idea of it, I knew I couldn’t wear it like that on my wedding day."

Reading this and thinking 'that's me'? Jasmine Rotchford, operations manager of Glasgow-based bridal alterations specialist, Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations, shares her top five tips on what to do if you don't like your wedding dress

Can a seamstress redesign a wedding dress?

"At my first appointment with Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations (handily just down the stairs from Eleganza Sposa), I stood in front of the mirror, thinking, “What is going to make me like this dress?”

"The seamstresses patiently walked me through various ideas, trying different sleeve styles and shapes until I told them I’d always liked the look of something more wrap-style across the shoulders.

"They immediately understood what I meant. “Leave it with us,” they said.

"I sent a few reference pictures and left the dress with them. When I returned a couple of months later, I was stunned – it looked like a completely different gown. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it.

"Until that moment I genuinely didn’t think there was any way to change how I felt about the dress. It was such a relief to put it on and say, 'Okay, I can actually wear this now'."

What kind of alterations can transform a wedding dress?

"I’d done my dress shopping with my mum Hilary and my maid of honour Jen, but I went to my fittings alone, partly because I’m fussy, but also because I trusted the alterations team completely.

"They were so reassuring and kind, and really wanted me to be happy. Jasmine at reception was especially lovely, and everyone I met was supportive and helpful.

"The team worked wonders. They didn’t just create a new neckline and bodice wrap, they also made a higher, wider split, reshaped and repleated it slightly; took the gown in and made the silhouette feel like it was made for me"

"I had four fittings in total, from April through to mid-October, and I never felt rushed or pressured. They even prepped and steamed the dress before the wedding day.

"Although I hadn’t budgeted for such extensive alterations, I honestly think it was money well spent. At one point I had panic-ordered backup dresses from ASOS, but in the end I’m so glad I didn’t need them.

"My dress looked incredible – if you saw the before and after, you wouldn’t think it was the same gown."

How do you stay calm during wedding setbacks?

"I’m not really a crier – even when I realised I’d gone off the dress, I just took a deep breath and focused on fixing it. I’m very much an “it is what it is” kind of person, and that mindset definitely helped on the day too.

"We actually had multiple powercuts during the reception, but I didn’t let it bother me – the venue handed out free wine and we carried on!

"To go with my new and improved dress, I kept my accessories fairly simple: I wore a 3D floral veil I’d had doubts about but grew to love, and switched into a headband for the evening.

"I managed to keep the whole dress journey mostly a surprise for Stuart and he didn’t see either version of the dress until I wore the finished result on the wedding day.

"The only thing he’d suspected was that I’d have a leg slit, as I’d subtly explained the need for an especially nice pair of shoes when I splurged on some gorgeous heels.

"All in all, we both loved it and I couldn’t be more grateful to the Karen Rotchford alterations team for saving the day."

Discover more Scottish bridal boutiques and wedding dress specialists in our supplier directory 

Put your trust in the wedding dress specialists

“Working with Hannah was an absolute joy from start to finish,” says Jasmine Rotchford, operations manager at Karen Rotchford Bridal Alterations.

“She came to us thinking her only option was to buy a new dress, but we were able to help her realise that the gown had incredible potential and, with a number of thoughtful alterations, could truly reflect her personality and flatter her figure.

"She wanted to feel elegant, effortless and completely herself on her big day and we were determined to make that happen.

“Our goal was to honour the beauty of the original gown while tailoring every detail to suit her perfectly in fit and feeling. Right away, it was clear that Hannah trusted our expertise, and that trust allowed us to collaborate in a way that felt creatively fulfilling.”

Seamstresses Karen and Carol’s alterations to Hannah’s gown included sourcing identical fabric for a ruched bardot collar (complete with a modesty panel behind the hook and eye fastening) and re-cutting the whole front panel of the skirt to make a wider, higher split across her legs.

“We also re-pleated the front of the skirt and balanced it to both sides of the waist, while the overskirt moved further back towards the side seams. Lastly, the bodice was taken in to fit Hannah and the new skirt perfectly,” adds Jasmine.

Scroll to see more beautiful photos from Hannah and Stuart's day, all captured by Connor Barrett Photography: