Adding Sleeves to a Wedding Dress

Thoughtfully designed sleeves that feel completely in keeping with your gown

Sleeves can completely change how a wedding dress feels to wear. Sometimes it is about coverage, sometimes balance, sometimes confidence, and often it is simply about making the gown feel more you.

One of the most common questions I am asked in my studio is whether sleeves can be added to a wedding dress. In most cases, the answer is yes, but the approach matters just as much as the outcome.

Adding sleeves is not about attaching something new. It is about understanding the structure of the bodice, the movement of the fabric, and how everything works together so the sleeves feel like they were always meant to be there.

What types of sleeves can be added to a wedding dress?

There are many ways sleeves can be introduced, depending on the gown and your vision. These might include:

Soft sheer lace sleeves

Delicate cap sleeves

Fitted sleeves that extend to the wrist

Light off the shoulder or gently draped styles

Detachable sleeves for flexibility between ceremony and evening

Each option is considered carefully with your wedding dress in mind. We look at the details of your gown together and chat about the style you love, how the sleeves sit across the neckline and shoulders, and whether you are drawn to a long sleeve or a shorter sleeve, always considering how it works with the overall design.

Will the sleeves match my dress?

This is often the biggest concern, and rightly so.

In most cases, there is not spare fabric within a wedding dress to create sleeves. Instead, lace or fabric is carefully sourced to match the original as closely as possible, then worked into the gown so the sleeves look and feel as though they have always been part of the design. The aim is always continuity, so the sleeves feel like a natural extension of the gown rather than a visible addition.

This is slow, detailed work, but it is what allows the finished result to feel refined, balanced, and intentional.

The examples below show how carefully sourced lace and appliqué can be blended so sleeves feel like a natural extension of the original design.

Planning sleeves as part of your alterations journey

Sleeves are usually discussed right from the very beginning of the alterations journey. Many brides mention them in their first or second email, often before their initial fitting, which allows the sleeve design to be considered alongside the overall fit of the gown.

This early conversation is important, as sleeves rely on the structure and final shape of the bodice. By planning them from the outset, the sleeves can be refined to feel balanced, comfortable, and completely integrated, as though they have always been part of the original design.

How much do bespoke or heirloom sleeve additions cost?

Sleeve additions are bespoke and priced individually.

As a guide, heirloom or bespoke sleeve work starts from £280, but I can only give an accurate quote once I have seen you in your dress and discussed the design in detail.

Every gown, fabric, and construction is different, and pricing reflects the time, craftsmanship, and care involved in creating a seamless finish.

A considered approach to finishing your bridal gown

Sleeves can be transformative, but the most beautiful results come from a thoughtful, sympathetic approach that respects the original gown while shaping it to suit you.

If you are considering adding sleeves or making a design change to your wedding dress, it is always worth allowing time to talk through the options properly.

You may also find it helpful to read Inside a Bridal Fitting, where I share more about how fittings work in my studio and what to expect throughout the alterations process.

If you would like to book an appointment, you can enquire via my booking form.