George Boyle
Buying a wedding dress is an important part of wedding planning. It is recommended that you start shopping for your wedding dress between nine months to a year before your wedding date. This allows plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, and ensures you avoid rush fees and give designers enough time to create your gown. However, buying a dress too early may result in dress regret if newer designs are released, or if your body or tastes change. It's important to consider your budget, do your research, and book appointments with bridal stylists to ensure you find the perfect dress within your desired timeline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to start shopping | 9 months to a year before the wedding |
| Time to buy | 6-15 months before the wedding |
| Time to order | 8-9 months before the wedding |
| First fitting | 2 months before the wedding |
| Second fitting | 1 month before the wedding |
| Final fitting | 2-3 weeks before the wedding |
| Time to avoid shopping | More than 18 months before the wedding |
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What You'll Learn
- The ideal time to buy a wedding dress is 9-12 months before the wedding
- Avoid buying a wedding dress more than 18 months before the wedding
- Research bridal salons, designers, price points and sample sizes before buying
- Budget for extras like taxes, alterations, shipping and accessories
- The first fitting is usually 2 months before the wedding, with the second a month later
The ideal time to buy a wedding dress is 9-12 months before the wedding
During the 9-12 month window, you can start by gathering inspiration from bridal magazines, identifying trends, and researching designers and salons. This research phase is crucial for determining your budget, as wedding attire can account for a significant portion of your overall wedding expenses. You can also use this time to book appointments with bridal salons and stylists, ensuring they carry designs that align with your vision and budget.
It's important to keep in mind that buying a wedding dress too early can lead to dress regret. Styles and trends can change, and newer designs may be released, causing you to second-guess your choice. Additionally, your body may fluctuate in the months leading up to the wedding, impacting the fit of the dress. Therefore, it's generally recommended to avoid purchasing a wedding dress more than 12 months in advance.
The 9-12 month timeline also allows for alterations and fittings. Your first fitting is typically scheduled 2-3 months before the wedding, with the second fitting a month later. This leaves enough time for any necessary tweaks and adjustments to ensure your dress fits perfectly on your big day.
While the 9-12 month window is ideal, there may be exceptions. For destination weddings or bridal portraits, you may need your dress earlier, so plan accordingly. Additionally, if you're considering intricate customizations or shipping your dress overseas, allow for a longer timeline.
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Avoid buying a wedding dress more than 18 months before the wedding
While it may be tempting to buy your dream wedding dress as soon as you see it, especially during longer engagements, it is generally recommended to avoid buying a wedding dress more than 18 months before the wedding. This is because buying a gown too early may result in some last-minute stressors. For instance, you may experience dress regret if you buy your dress too early as you may find yourself comparing your dress to newer designs as more recent collections are rolled out. Similarly, the farther out your wedding is, the less you know about your wedding theme and location, and you want to ensure that your dress is appropriate for the occasion.
Additionally, buying your dress too early may result in unnecessary alterations. While it is rare, bridal sizing, manufacturing, designers' collections, and the industry's supply chain are all subject to change. Gowns may be discontinued, the designer may run out of fabric, or world events may influence shipping or delivery. Therefore, it is best to avoid buying a dress more than 18 months before your wedding to avoid the risk of unnecessary alterations.
Furthermore, you should consider how your body may change in the time between buying your dress and your wedding. Buying a wedding dress too early may result in the dress not fitting properly on your wedding day. While you may want to wait until you are at your "perfect weight," it is important to accept that your body may fluctuate over time. Instead, focus on finding a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day, regardless of your size.
Finally, buying a wedding dress too early may result in additional costs. Most wedding dresses are made to order, and the longer the wait time, the higher the risk of incurring rush fees. By buying your dress too early, you may also miss out on finding a dress that is a better fit for your budget or finding a sale on a dress that you love. Therefore, it is essential to consider your budget and research the cost of potential dresses before making a purchase.
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Research bridal salons, designers, price points and sample sizes before buying
When it comes to buying a wedding dress, it's important to plan ahead to ensure you have enough time for shopping, production and alterations. Most sources suggest starting to look for your dress 9-12 months before the wedding. This gives you enough time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, and it ensures you avoid rush fees and give designers enough time to create your gown from scratch.
Before you start looking, it's a good idea to research bridal salons, designers, price points and sample sizes. This will help you make the most of your time when you do start trying on dresses.
First, determine your bridal style by compiling a visual file of your favourite wedding dresses. Tear pages out of magazines, save Instagram posts, create a Pinterest board, browse online bridal boutiques and make note of celebrity looks you love. Identify an overarching theme – for example, are the dresses you've chosen embellished, lacy or voluminous? Do they have open backs or strapless necklines? This will help you narrow down your options when you start trying on dresses.
Next, consider your budget. Wedding attire typically accounts for around 6-7% of the overall wedding budget, and in 2023, the average cost of a wedding dress was $2,000. However, this doesn't include extras like taxes, alterations, shipping and accessories. When deciding on your budget, consider the quality, desirability, designer and how current or trending the style is. Bridal shops may discount sample dresses by 20-50%, and sites like EWedded give designer gowns a discount of 50-80% off the original price. Bridal sizing doesn't reflect the same measurements as your regular clothing size, so be prepared to try on a range of sizes.
Finally, research bridal salons and designers. Make sure the bridal shop has the dress styles and designers that you're interested in, so you don't waste your time. Check with the salon in advance to see if they have limits on the number of guests you can bring with you. Some salons also have specific sizes they carry, so it's worth asking about this too. With a bit of research, you can ensure you're prepared and informed when it comes to finding your dream wedding dress.
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Budget for extras like taxes, alterations, shipping and accessories
When budgeting for your wedding dress, it's important to remember that the price tag on the gown is not the only expense. Here are some tips to help you budget for the extras:
Taxes
Depending on where you live and where you're purchasing your dress from, you may need to factor in sales tax. For example, if you're an out-of-state bride, you may be charged sales tax once you get your dress notarized.
Alterations
No matter the price of your dress, alterations will most likely be needed. Basic alterations typically cost $100 to $300, while complex changes can cost upwards of $700, with most brides spending about $450. The cost of alterations depends on factors such as the fabric and embellishments of your dress, as well as your unique body type and height. If you need alterations done quickly or plan on making special customizations, the cost may increase.
Shipping
If you're purchasing your dress online or having it shipped to you, be sure to factor in shipping charges. These costs can vary depending on the store and whether expedited shipping is required.
Accessories
Don't forget to budget for accessories such as shoes, a veil, jewellery, and special undergarments. Veils can range in price from less than $100 for short veils to a few hundred dollars for beaded and lace-adorned cathedral veils. Accessories can help define your style and let your personality shine.
Timing and Rush Fees
It's important to start shopping for your wedding dress early to avoid rush fees. Most sources recommend starting your search between 9 and 12 months before your wedding, with the goal of ordering your dress 8 to 9 months in advance. This will help you avoid rush fees and give you time to shop around for the dress of your dreams.
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The first fitting is usually 2 months before the wedding, with the second a month later
The first fitting is a crucial step in the process of buying a wedding dress. It is recommended that you schedule your first fitting two months before your wedding date. This timing ensures that you have an opportunity to make any necessary adjustments and allows for a final fitting closer to the wedding day.
The first fitting is an exciting milestone in the wedding planning process. It is an opportunity to try on your chosen wedding dress and ensure that it fits well and flatters your body. During this appointment, you may also be able to make minor alterations or customisations to perfect the dress. It is advisable to bring along a trusted friend or family member for a second opinion and to help you feel confident in your choice.
Scheduling the first fitting two months in advance provides a buffer for any unforeseen delays or adjustments that may be needed. It also allows time for the dress to be altered and prepared for the final fitting, which typically occurs one month later, or approximately one month before the wedding. This second fitting is an opportunity to ensure that the dress is comfortable and fits flawlessly for the big day.
The time frame between the first and second fittings can be utilised to finalise other wedding details, such as accessories, shoes, and bridal party attire. It is a period of fine-tuning and final preparations, ensuring that everything comes together seamlessly for the wedding day. During this time, it is also essential to maintain a consistent diet and exercise routine to avoid significant weight fluctuations that could impact the fit of the dress.
By following this timeline and allowing sufficient time for fittings and alterations, you can approach your wedding day with confidence, knowing that your wedding dress will be a perfect fit and reflect your personal style.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you start shopping for your wedding dress 9-12 months before your wedding. This will give you enough time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, as well as avoid rush fees and give designers enough time to create your gown.
It is not recommended to buy your wedding dress more than 12 months before your wedding. Buying a gown too early may result in last-minute stressors, such as dress regret if newer designs are released or changes in your body weight and shape.
You should aim to buy your wedding dress no later than 8 months before your wedding. Any later and you risk having to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time to be altered.
After purchasing your wedding dress, you will typically have three fittings: the first at 2 months before the wedding, the second a month later, and the final fitting 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
