Bridal Designers With Two Decades of Experience
The Wedding Dresser is a collective of Brooklyn-based fashion and costume designers, each with their own unique specialties and backgrounds. We are also a design incubator providing real-world hands-on sewing experience in bridal design, evening wear, and couture techniques to students from the Fashion Institute of Technology in a for-credit internship program.
an elevated bridal experience
Our Approach
OUR mission
At The Wedding Dresser, we are keeping the art of fine dressmaking alive by hiring highly skilled costume and fashion designers who can practice their couture techniques while supporting their own design work. Pairing our pros with bridal design students in a production setting keeps these couture techniques alive while giving our clients a trusted source for perfecting their tailoring and styling their look.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to take the stress out of dressing for your wedding or special event. At The Wedding Dresser, you’ll have a designer’s eye on your fitting and fabulous styling by our trained stylists, you’ll leave our studio feeling your confident best.
WHo we are
Meet The Team
Susan Ruddie Spring
owner. designer. stylist.
Susan has worked in bridal for more than 15 years as a Bridal Stylist and Designer at Susan Spring – The Wedding Dresser. Her bridal accessories are sold internationally.
Prior to starting her work in bridal, Susan spent 25 years as a costume designer, costume director, and textile artist. Her designs have toured the world with The Mark Morris Dance Group. Recent work includes the 25th-anniversary tour of Evita directed by Hal Prince, national tours of Fiddler in the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Patrick Cassidy, and The Sound of Music (which toured mainland China). She also ran the workrooms of Grace Costumes and Eric Winterling Costumes, where she supervised costume construction for Little Mermaid, Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Radio City Rockettes, and Ringling Bros. Circus. As an associate designer, Susan worked on Broadway, ballet, and opera, including ABT, and The Met.
Susan launched her first accessories line under the label Susee Human in the 1980s, which were featured in Elle and on the cover of WWD, and on the runway for designers like Patricia Underwood, Marc Jacobs, Williwear and Isaac Mizrahi. Pieces from her new collection, “Susan Spring for The Wedding Dresser,” have been featured in The Knot, Brides Magazine, InStyle Weddings, and on numerous blogs including Style Me Pretty.
TRESSA BELFONTE-O’BRIEN | OFFICE GODDESS
Tressa joined The Wedding Dresser 5 years ago as a part time receptionist. Now she runs our studio. Her love for organization and computers makes her an indispensable part of our team. Tressa was key to creating our retail department and Shopify Store. She also wears the hats of Bookkeeper and HR/Team manager. When she’s not handling affairs at The Wedding Dresser, she spends time at home baking delicious goodies with her kids or taking a bike ride around the neighborhood. Tressa’s oldest daughter Danielle is our first Junior intern.
MARISA THOMPSON | DESIGNER + BRIDAL GODDESSFIT
Marisa’s love of vintage fashion began over 20 years ago when she discovered her grandma’s collection of vintage nightgowns. That same grandma taught her how to sew when she was eight years old and spent years helping her prepare for fashion school. Marisa studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated in 2015 with a BFA in Fashion Design with a concentration in Bridal and Special Occasion Design. While in college, she interned for Oscar de la Renta, Rosie Pope and L’Fay Bridal. She has worked for several New York based fashion brands including Jaclyn Jordan New York and Zero Waste Daniel since graduating. In addition to her work with the Wedding Dresser, Marisa also works for Alexandra Grecco and makes custom wedding gowns out of her Brooklyn apartment. Marisa has been working with The Wedding Dresser for over three years and specializes in vintage restyling and alterations projects!
GALINA PRYMOST | DESIGNER + FITTER
Gala joined The Wedding Dresser after years of experience designing and creating custom evening wear for individual clients and NY Fashion Week at Silhouettes and Profiles, New York; and in her native Belarus. Gala is our beading and lace specialist. When not working with us she designs and builds costumes for her daughter who is competing as an Olympic Rhythmic Gymnast
AVELLINO ALFRED | DRESSMAKER + TAILOR
Avellino splits his time between altering our dresses and working as the on site tailor for Brooks Brothers fitting models for print and TV. Avellino also makes custom suits and dresses at his studio Avellino Tailoring.
DANIELLE O’BRIEN | JUNIOR INTERN
Danielle kindled her love for fashion and creative arts by helping with organizing, photographing and modeling our line of accessories. A high school freshman and budding entrepreneur, Dani also just launched her own line of handmade soaps and jewelry called “Danimade”. We know she will be running our company in a few years!
MIA MANZA | PR + MARKETING INTERN
Mia is an undergraduate student at The Savannah College of Art and Design studying Fashion Marketing and Management with a triple minor in Fashion Photography, Fashion Journalism and Social Strategy Management. She runs an Artist Collective (D28 Studios) and works closely with Q4 Sports to create digitally rendered sneakers and accessories for WEB3. She also works closely with the SCAD Fashion program to manage shows and collections. Mia has experience in marketing, public relationship, and content creation along with DJ’ing in her free time.
TREN NGUYEN | SEWING INTERN
I am Tran Nguyen, an Artist and an aspiring Designer who connect classic elegance and rebellious spirit to create arts in form of clothings that bring the two ends together.
I utilise my talents and experience in both designing and creating garments to contribute best to a like-mind creative team to further expanding my creativity, knowledge and career as a fashion designe
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule my first fitting?
Bridal alterations typically take 6-12 weeks or more. Suits, bridesmaids, moms and party dresses take 2 fittings in 2-4 weeks.
What do I need to bring to my fitting consultation?
You just need to bring your wedding dress or suit and a pair of shoes with the heel height you plan to wear. We have everything else you need, including shapewear, corsets, and even sticky cups you can try with your look. If you have special undies or accessories to try with your dress, feel free to bring those as well. We ask that you have your wedding shoes by your 2nd fitting.
How many fittings do you typically do?
Most wedding dress alterations require 3 fittings. For restyling, we may have as many as 6. We do the final fitting a week before the wedding to allow time for final tweaks. Suits, jumpsuits and LWDs often only need 2 fittings.
How long does a dress fitting take?
Most consultations take an hour. Subsequent fittings take 30-60 minutes.
Can I bring guests to my fittings?
Due to COVID-19 we ask that you limit yourself to one guest. We are happy to have your bridal team join us through Zoom or Facetime. Let us know in advance so we can set up a meeting. If you have a large bridal party and would like to do fittings together we can arrange a private appointment.
How are you keeping staff and clients safe during COVID-19?
We have a large, well-ventilated studio with high ceilings and will be keeping windows open and fans running.
What happens if my plans change and I need to cancel my alterations?
Most alterations we pin are in hands within a week of your fitting. We would only charge for the alterations work done. We can not refund payment for alterations that are complete.
What happens if I have to cancel my wedding?
If you cancel your wedding we will work with you to make the unfortunate circumstance as painless as possible, helping you to store, resell or donate your gown.
Do you charge for consultations?
We usually start with a free virtual consultation for alterations, restyling and vintage. In-person consultations are $35. You can book your virtual or in-person consultation on our website.
How long does the typical alteration process take?
Bridal alterations typically take 6-12 weeks, though with so many couples eloping we have a lot of 2 week turnarounds. Our rush service is 3 fittings in 4 days. In a pinch we can do alterations overnight.
My wedding is coming up quickly. Do you offer rush alterations?
Recently we have had lots of elopements so lots of 1-2 week turnarounds. Our rush service is 3 fittings in 4 days, but we have altered gowns overnight in a pinch.
Can you alter a sample gown that is too big for me? Or a little tight?
We can make most gowns up to 10 sizes bigger or smaller. If you are shopping feel free to test us a pic from your shopping appointment and we can let you know what is possible.
I want to wear heels for my wedding then switch to flats. Can you hem my dress for both shoes?
Hems only work if we hem to the higher heel. A difference of an inch wont affect the hem. If you wear 3-5” heels we recommend changing to a wedge sneaker or platform shoes for dancing, We can often make your bustle adjustable to 2 heights.
How much do wedding dress alterations cost?
Most salons that offer alterations charge a flat rate for taking in the sides, hemming and creating a bustle. In Baltimore, a standard flat rate is $800, in and NYC it’s around $995. At The Wedding Dresser, we itemize and charge only by the amount of work needed.
Do you charge for styling appointments?
You are always welcome to come into the studio to try on accessories with your dress. If you are not doing alterations, you are welcome to bring your dream dress and get advice from our stylists.
How do you accept payment?
For alterations we charge a 50% deposit and 50% upon delivery. We accept payment by cash, check or credit card including Amex. Bespoke separates and restyling must be paid in full when ordering.
What is your accessories return policy?
We accept returns of jewelry, headpieces and accessories in exchange for credit. Bespoke pieces are non-refundable.
Ready to work together?
Book a virtual or in-person appointment at our studio to get started!