Lyla Dejesus
Finding the perfect wedding dress is a crucial part of your wedding plans. It is recommended that you start looking for your wedding dress between eight and twelve months before your wedding date. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, and ensures that you avoid rush fees and give designers enough time to create your gown. However, some sources suggest that six months is enough time to find a wedding dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to start shopping | 9-12 months before the wedding |
| Time to purchase | 7.5-8 months before the wedding |
| Time to start trying on dresses | 12 months before the wedding |
| Time to start research and inspiration | 12-18 months before the wedding |
| Time for first fitting | 2 months before the wedding |
| Time for second fitting | 1 month before the wedding |
| Time for final fitting | 2-3 weeks before the wedding |
| Time for dress to come in | 5-8 months |
| Time for alterations | 3-4 months before the wedding |
| Time for bridal portraits | Follow 9-12 month timeline |
| Time for shipping | Allow extra time |
| Time for intricate customizations | Allow a longer timeline |
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What You'll Learn
Most dresses will take at least 5-6 months to come in
Wedding dresses typically take at least 5-6 months to arrive, so it's important to start shopping for your dress early. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find your dream dress. It also ensures that you avoid rush fees and gives designers enough time to create your gown from scratch. Remember, each gown is made to order, so longer wait times are inevitable.
It is recommended that you start wedding dress shopping between nine and twelve months before your wedding date. This allows ample time for getting a dress sorted and ensures a stress-free experience. You can start by researching and gathering inspiration, creating a vision board of wedding dress silhouettes, fabrics, and the overall tone to help narrow down your preferences. Then, you can schedule your first bridal appointment and begin trying on dresses.
If you start your wedding dress hunt too early, you may risk dress regret later on as newer designs are released. On the other hand, waiting until your wedding is less than eight months away can be risky, as you may have to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives on time for alterations. It's important to consider your wedding date, venue, and aesthetic when deciding on your dress, as these factors will influence the type of dress you choose.
After your dress arrives, you can begin the fitting process. You'll generally have up to three alterations fittings to ensure the dress fits perfectly. The first fitting is where major adjustments are made, such as adding sleeves or adjusting the hem. The final fitting usually takes place two to three weeks before the wedding, with minor last-minute tweaks being made at this point.
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You should start shopping 9-12 months before your wedding
You should start wedding dress shopping between nine months to a year before your wedding date. This will give you plenty of time to shop around and find your dream dress. It also ensures that you avoid rush fees and give designers adequate time to create your gown from scratch. Remember, each gown is made to order, so longer wait times are inevitable.
Starting your search 9-12 months in advance is a safe bet, as most dresses will take at least 5-6 months to come in. If you begin your search with less than 8 months until your wedding, you risk having to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time for alterations. It's important to get the timing of each appointment right. Your first alterations appointment is where major changes are made, such as adding sleeves or adjusting the hem.
While it may be tempting to start dress shopping earlier during longer engagements, it's generally recommended to avoid starting before the 12-month mark. This is because bridal trends change with the seasons, and new collections are released every year. Brides who start their search too early may find themselves comparing their chosen dress to newer designs that are released closer to their wedding date, leading to dress regret.
Additionally, the farther out your wedding is, the more uncertain your plans may be. It's a good idea to have your wedding theme, location, and venue established before picking your dress to ensure it's appropriate for the occasion. For example, the type of dress you choose may differ depending on whether your wedding will be indoors or outdoors, or whether the setting is formal or casual.
To ensure a stress-free experience, it's essential to start the dress shopping journey early. This allows you to explore various options without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You can begin by creating a vision board on Pinterest of wedding dress silhouettes, fabrics, and overall tone to help narrow down your preferences. Then, when you're ready, you can schedule your first bridal appointment and start trying on dresses!
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Don't shop before 12 months, or you might have dress regret
Wedding dress shopping should be a wonderful, memorable, and stress-free experience. However, it is important to start the process early enough to avoid rush fees and dress regret. While some sources suggest that six months is enough time to find a wedding dress, others recommend starting the search between eight and twelve months before the wedding. This is to allow for plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, as well as to avoid newer designs being released after you've made your choice.
If you start looking for your wedding dress more than a year in advance, you may find yourself comparing your dress to newer styles as more recent collections are released. You may also find that your tastes change, or that your body weight and shape fluctuate, leading to dress regret. It is also important to ensure that you have the wedding theme and location established before picking a dress, to make sure that it is appropriate for the occasion.
If you wait until less than eight months before the wedding to start looking, you risk having to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time to be altered. Most dresses will take at least five to six months to come in, and you will need to allow time for alterations. If you are planning on several intricate customisations, you will need to allow for a longer timeline. Your first wedding dress fitting will usually take place about two months before the wedding, with the second fitting a month later, and the final fitting in the two to three weeks prior to the wedding.
To avoid feeling rushed or overwhelmed, it is a good idea to start researching wedding dresses and gathering inspiration twelve to eighteen months before the wedding. This will give you time to create a vision board of wedding dress silhouettes, fabrics, and overall tone, which will help you to narrow down your options when it comes to trying on dresses and making a choice.
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You'll need to allow more time for intricate customisations
Wedding dress alterations are an essential part of the dress shopping process. Brides-to-be should allow ample time for intricate customisations to ensure the perfect fit.
Customisations can include adding sleeves, switching up the neckline, adjusting the hem, or adding intricate embellishments like beading. These adjustments can be made to ensure the dress suits the wearer's body shape and height. For example, adding structural boning to a strapless dress can give the impression that it was always intended to be strapless. Brides can also add a lining to a sheer bodice, changing the look of the dress.
The cost of customisations can vary depending on the complexity of the work. Simple customisations, like a neckline change, will be cheaper, while intricate beading or lace work can cost upwards of $1,000. The fabric type also influences the cost, with alterations for silk or satin gowns being more expensive due to the need for delicate hand stitching.
To avoid rush fees, it is recommended that brides start the alterations process at least two to three months before the wedding. This allows time for multiple fittings and adjustments, ensuring the dress is flawless for the big day.
In addition to customisations, brides may also want to consider bridal portraits prior to the wedding day, which would require the dress to be ordered and fitted in advance. To avoid dress regret, it is generally advised to purchase the dress no more than eight months before the wedding.
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You'll need to allow more time if you're shipping your dress
It is recommended that you start looking for your wedding dress 9–12 months before your wedding date. This gives you enough time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, and ensures you can avoid rush fees and last-minute dress regret. However, if you are shipping your dress, especially overseas, you will need to allow more time.
While it is possible to order your dress with less than 9 months to go, you run the risk of incurring rush fees, and you may find that newer designs are released after you have made your choice. You should also consider whether you will need to make any alterations to your dress, as these can take time and may impact the overall cost.
The first fitting is where the heavy lifting happens, including adding sleeves, switching up the neckline, adjusting the hem, and requesting customizations. You will generally have up to three alterations fittings to ensure the dress fits perfectly. However, if you have your first fitting too far in advance, your body weight and shape may fluctuate, resulting in a dress that no longer fits properly.
If you are shipping your dress, you should factor in additional time for shipping and any potential delays. You may also need to consider customs and import duties, especially if you are shipping overseas. It is a good idea to build some flexibility into your timeline to account for any unforeseen issues that may arise during the shipping process.
While it may be tempting to start dress shopping as early as possible, especially if you have a long engagement, it is generally recommended to wait until you are within the 12-month window. This will help to ensure that your dress is appropriate for the wedding theme, location, and season, and reduce the risk of dress regret due to changes in taste or body shape.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you start looking for your wedding dress 9-12 months before your wedding. This will give you enough time to shop around and find your dream dress.
Starting your wedding dress search too early can result in dress regret. You may find yourself comparing your dress to newer designs as more recent collections are rolled out.
If your wedding is in less than 8 months, you may have to pay rush fees to ensure that your dress arrives in time to be altered.
Try on different styles and silhouettes, and don't stick to just one style. You might end up loving a style you never thought you would. Also, don't forget to budget for tailoring.
Go back to your bridal salon and try on the dress again. Seeing yourself in the gown in person can help reaffirm your choice.
