Rhiannon Hendricks
Deciding on a wedding dress is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. While some brides opt to purchase their dress early in the planning process, others may prefer to wait until closer to the wedding date. It is recommended that brides start trying on wedding dresses and making appointments 9-12 months before the wedding. This allows ample time for shopping, production, and alterations, as well as avoiding rush fees. However, it is important to consider factors such as the wedding date, venue, and personal style when deciding on a timeline for choosing a wedding dress. Some brides may experience dress regret if they purchase their dress too early, as newer designs may be released or their taste may change. On the other hand, waiting too long may result in rush fees and limited options. Ultimately, the decision of when to choose a wedding dress depends on the individual bride's preferences and circumstances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to decide on a wedding dress | 8-12 months before the wedding |
| Time to start trying on dresses | 12 months before the wedding |
| Time to finalise the dress choice | 8-9 months before the wedding |
| Time to order the dress | 8-9 months before the wedding |
| Time for the first fitting | 2 months before the wedding |
| Time for the second fitting | 1 month before the first fitting |
| Time for the final fitting | 2-3 weeks before the wedding |
| Things to consider | Wedding date, venue, weather, body shape, personal style, budget |
| Things to avoid | Rush fees, dress regret, following trends, weight fluctuations |
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What You'll Learn
Budgeting for your dress
Budgeting for your wedding dress is an important part of the wedding planning process. Here are some tips to help you budget for your dream dress:
Set a Realistic Budget
Determine how much you are willing to spend on your wedding dress. The cost of a wedding dress can vary depending on factors such as designer influence, fabric quality, and craftsmanship. The average cost of a wedding dress in 2023 was around $1,800 to $2,000, but prices can go upwards of $10,000 for custom-made dresses depending on the designer and complexity. Couples typically allocate around 6%-10% of their total wedding budget to attire and beauty, so it's important to set a realistic budget that fits within your overall wedding expenses.
Explore Different Options
To find a dress that fits both your style and budget, consider exploring various options such as off-the-rack dresses, trunk shows, sample sales, and online retailers. Off-the-rack options can provide style and elegance without breaking the bank, and trunk shows often feature exclusive sales and discounted prices on designer gowns. Browsing affordable wedding dresses online is another way to find budget-friendly options. Large retailers like David's Bridal offer a wide range of wedding dresses at different price points.
Factor in Alteration Costs
Alterations are often necessary to ensure your wedding dress fits perfectly. These costs can add up quickly, so it's important to include them in your budget. Simple alterations like hemming might cost around $75, while more complex adjustments such as adding sleeves or changing the neckline can cost upwards of $300. To save on alteration costs, consider choosing a wedding dress that already almost fits your unique measurements. Some bridal boutiques offer in-house alterations, while others may require you to find your own seamstress.
Accessories and Extras
Don't forget to budget for accessories such as jewellery, shoes, and a veil or headpiece. These extra items can range from $150 to $400. If you plan to wear custom shoes with your dress, be mindful that changing your shoe choice after ordering your dress could impact the length and fit. Custom hem lengths may incur additional fees, and you may need additional alterations to ensure the dress is the correct length for your wedding day.
Timing and Payment Plans
The timing of your purchase can also impact your budget. Buying your dress too early may increase the risk of dress regret, as your taste may change. On the other hand, buying too close to the wedding may impact the cost of alterations due to rush fees. Some boutiques offer payment plans, allowing you to spread out expenses.
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Timing your purchase
Timing your wedding dress purchase is crucial to avoid rush fees and ensure your gown is ready for the big day. Here are some guidelines to help you time your purchase perfectly:
12-18 Months Before the Wedding:
Start your research and gather inspiration. Create a vision board on Pinterest or browse through wedding dress websites to explore different silhouettes, fabrics, and styles. This early research phase will help you narrow down your preferences and develop a clear idea of what you're looking for.
12 Months Before the Wedding:
Schedule your first bridal appointments. Trying on wedding dresses at this stage will give you ample time to find the perfect gown. Don't be afraid to try on various styles to discover what complements your body shape and aligns with your personal taste and wedding theme.
8-12 Months Before the Wedding:
Finalise your wedding dress choice and place your order. This timeline allows for potential delays in production or alterations. Be mindful that each gown is typically made to order, so longer wait times may be inevitable. If your wedding is overseas and you plan on shipping your dress, allow for extra time.
2-3 Months Before the Wedding:
Your first wedding dress fitting. During this appointment, you can finalise your undergarments and accessories, ensuring that everything coordinates perfectly. Your second fitting will usually take place a month later, followed by your final fitting in the last few weeks before the wedding.
It's important to note that these timelines are flexible and can vary depending on the complexity of your dress and any customisations you request. Additionally, if you're considering bridal portraits before the wedding day, you'll need to adjust your timeline accordingly, ensuring your dress is ready for those photos.
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Wedding dress fittings
Timing of Wedding Dress Fittings
It is recommended to start wedding dress shopping and fittings 9 to 12 months before your wedding. This allows ample time for shopping, production, and alterations. The first fitting usually takes place about 2 months before the wedding, with the second fitting a month later. The final fitting is typically scheduled for the last 2 to 3 weeks before the big day.
Factors to Consider for Fittings
During your fittings, you should finalise any undergarments, shapewear, and accessories, such as jewellery and hairpieces. It is advised to avoid wearing makeup or fake tan and refrain from eating or drinking during the appointments to keep the dress pristine. Additionally, consider the venue, weather, and your budget when selecting a dress.
Alterations and Customisations
Wedding dresses often require alterations to ensure a perfect fit. You'll generally have up to three alteration fittings, allowing for customisations like adding sleeves, changing the neckline, or adjusting the hem. It's important to get the timing right, as fittings too far in advance may result in a dress that doesn't fit properly due to future body weight or shape fluctuations. On the other hand, delaying alterations can lead to rushed decisions and additional rush fees.
Budgeting for the Dress
When deciding on a wedding dress, it's crucial to set a budget and stick to it. Consider the cost of the dress, alterations, taxes, shipping, and accessories like shoes, a veil, and jewellery. By budgeting effectively, you can ensure you only try on dresses that align with your financial plan.
Avoiding Dress Regret
While it may be tempting to start dress shopping early, it's recommended to avoid beginning more than 12 months before the wedding. Starting too early can lead to "dress regret," as newer designs may be released, causing second thoughts. Additionally, your taste or body shape may change, increasing the risk of wanting to return or exchange the dress.
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$63.99
Wedding dress length
When it comes to wedding dress length, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the majority of wedding dresses will need to be hemmed to fit the bride's height. This is especially important for brides who are average height or shorter, as they may trip on the extra fabric while walking down the aisle. For taller brides, the dress may already be the perfect height, but alterations may still be needed based on their chosen footwear.
It is important to consider the style of the dress. For instance, a big ball gown will likely cover the bride's feet when walking, due to the width of the skirt and the many layers of fabric. On the other hand, a more fitted dress will likely allow the bride's toes to peek out when taking a step.
The perfect hem should just graze the floor when the bride is standing still. Some brides prefer their toes to show a little when they walk, while others opt for their feet to be completely covered. It is worth noting that the dress should not be so long that the bride has to kick it out of the way when walking.
Ordering a custom length based on a specific heel height is possible, but it is not recommended. This is because changing your mind about your shoes could result in the dress being too short, and extra fabric cannot be added back.
Additionally, some bridal designers charge an extra fee for custom hem lengths, and even with this option, additional alterations may still be needed.
For brides looking to elongate their figures, a tea-length wedding dress is a good option. This style has a tapered skirt that flares out above the knee, creating the illusion of longer legs. An empire waist gown can also achieve a similar effect.
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Who to bring shopping
There are no rules about who you bring wedding dress shopping. It is a special experience, and those you bring with you can make or break your experience. It is recommended that you limit your guests to just the most important people in your life. These are usually people who are supportive and have your back.
Many brides bring bridal party members along on dress shopping trips. This could be the entire bridal party or just the maid or matron of honour. You could also bring your mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law, bridesmaids, aunt, or anyone else who is important to you and has good style. Some brides even bring their fiancé so they can get their opinion!
However, it is important to remember that the more people you bring, the more different opinions you will receive. This can lead to unnecessary stress for brides. It is also important to check with the salon in advance to see if they have limits on the number of guests allowed in your party. For example, one bridal shop allows six guests per bride on weekdays and limits the party to four guests on weekends.
If you are worried about too many opinions, it is perfectly fine to go wedding dress shopping alone.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you start looking for your wedding dress 12 months before the wedding. This gives you ample time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams.
You should aim to finalise your wedding dress choice and place the order 8-9 months before the wedding. This ensures that you avoid rush fees and give designers enough time to make your gown.
It usually takes 5-6 months for a wedding dress to arrive. However, some dresses can take up to 8 months to arrive.
You'll generally have up to three alterations fittings to ensure that the dress fits perfectly. The first alterations appointment is where you can request customisations like adding sleeves or switching up the neckline. The final fitting will be 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
It's important to set a budget for your wedding dress and stick to it. You should also consider the wedding venue and the weather when choosing your dress. For example, if your wedding is outdoors, you may want to choose a dress that's more casual and breathable.
