George Boyle
The time it takes to get a wedding dress varies depending on the designer, style, customisations, and whether the dress is being made to order. Most dresses will arrive within four to six months of ordering, but custom dresses may take longer. Ideally, you should start looking for your dress at least a year before the wedding, to allow time for browsing, visiting salons, scheduling appointments, and trying on dresses. You should also leave time for alterations, which can take up to two months. If you're short on time, you can ask your bridal consultant about rush fees or shop for sample dresses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to receive the dress after ordering | 4-8 months |
| Time taken for alterations | 2 months |
| Ideal time to order the dress | 1 year before the wedding |
| Time taken to receive accessories | 2 weeks-2 months |
| Time taken for fittings | Depends on the type of dress, ideally a few weeks before the wedding |
| Time taken for delivery | Depends on the designer and their location |
| Time taken for customizations | Depends on the customizations, can increase the wait time substantially |
Explore related products
![The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner [Revised Edition]: Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Timelines, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81lx2xHeJdL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Finding the right dress
Before you start shopping, it's a good idea to do some research and figure out what you like. You can look at different necklines, fabrics, and silhouettes to get an idea of what you might want to try on. You can also use your wedding venue and theme as a starting point for narrowing down your dress options. For example, if you're getting married on a beach, you might want a lighter fabric that suits the setting.
Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, you can start booking appointments. It's recommended to start with one to three dress appointments so you don't get overwhelmed. If you know you want to try a specific designer, you can check if they're having a trunk show near you. You can also decide who you want to bring with you to appointments. Some people bring a small group of supportive friends or family, while others prefer to shop alone to avoid outside opinions.
When you find a dress you love, you can place your order. At this point, you'll sign a contract and put down a deposit, which is usually about 50% of the dress's price. The remaining balance will be due when you pick up your gown. The time it takes to receive your dress can vary depending on the designer and style, but it's generally between four and eight months. Custom dresses may take longer. If you're short on time, some designers offer rush fees to expedite the process. Another option is to buy a sample dress, which you can take home the same day and start altering immediately.
After you receive your dress, you'll want to allow time for alterations. Most dresses will need at least a couple of months for this process, and you may need multiple fittings to ensure the perfect fit. Ideally, your final fitting will occur several weeks before the wedding, so you have time to relax before the big day.
Selling Your Wedding Dress: Is It Worth It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$45.99
Ordering the dress
Ordering a wedding dress can take a lot longer than you might expect, so it's a good idea to start the process early. Ideally, you should begin shopping for your dress at least a year before your wedding, to give yourself a few months to browse different styles and visit bridal salons.
The entire process, from browsing to fittings and alterations, can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. Most dresses will arrive within four to six months of ordering, but custom dresses may take longer. It's important to note that each dress is made to order and created specifically for your measurements, so it's worth giving the designer ample time to create your dream gown.
If you're ordering a custom dress, it's a good idea to do some research into how long your chosen designer's process takes, and then add a month to give yourself some wiggle room. You can also ask your bridal consultant what dresses are available within your timeline. Some designers offer rush fees, so you may be able to pay extra to get your dress made quicker. Another option for a shorter timeline is to shop for sample dresses, which you can take home on the same day and begin altering immediately.
When you purchase your gown, you'll be asked to sign a contract and pay a deposit, which is usually around 50% of the dress's price. The remaining balance will be due when you pick up your dress. Make sure you read the contract thoroughly before signing to ensure all the details about your dress, including the designer, size, and arrival date, are correct.
Finally, don't forget to schedule your dress fittings early enough that any necessary adjustments can be made. Most brides will need at least one fitting after the initial session, and ideally, your final fitting will occur several weeks before the wedding, so you can relax in the lead-up to the big day.
Victoria's Wedding Dress: Sally's Dress Revisited
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fittings and alterations
It is recommended that brides buy their dress 10 months before the wedding and schedule a fitting eight to 12 weeks before the wedding day. The first fitting will typically last about an hour, with the tailor assessing the dress and the alterations needed. The bride will meet the artisan fitter, who will be with her during every fitting until the wedding day. The gown will start to take shape when the fitter starts pinning and tucking the fabric and sculpting it to the bride's body. At the second fitting, the bride should have a better idea of how the gown will fit. If a third fitting is required, this will involve fine-tuning any last-minute modifications. The final fitting should be no later than two weeks before the wedding.
The number of fittings will depend on the number of changes the wedding dress requires, but brides should expect to attend two to four fittings. The more complicated or custom the bridal gown, the more time it will take to alter. For example, some dresses only need to be hemmed for length and adjusted on the sides for fit, while other brides may want to adjust the neckline, add a strap, or add additional beading or other embellishments. Custom alterations, such as modernizing a family member's wedding dress, can take much longer.
It is important to bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear for the wedding to each fitting, as the height of your shoes and the way you stand in them will affect how the dress falls. It is also crucial to get the right bust and hip fit. If you plan to wear a veil and jewellery, bring these along to your fittings too, to ensure that all the details match the dress.
Affordable Wedding Dresses: Where to Find Them
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Timing considerations
The time it takes to receive your dress after ordering varies depending on the designer and style, but it typically falls within four to six months. Custom dresses may take longer, and if you're ordering during peak wedding season, the increased demand can further extend the wait time. It's important to be mindful of these timelines and start the process early to avoid last-minute issues.
If you're working with a shorter timeline, don't despair. Some bridal salons offer sample dresses that you can purchase off the rack and take home the same day, allowing you to immediately begin alterations. Certain designers also offer rush fees to expedite the manufacturing and delivery process, but this requires approval from the designer and may not always be possible.
Additionally, consider the time needed for fittings and accessories. Most brides will require at least one fitting, with the final fitting occurring several weeks before the wedding. Accessories like veils can also take anywhere from two weeks to two months to arrive, so it's important to factor this into your timeline as well.
Overall, the key to successful timing considerations is to start early, be mindful of potential delays, and leave ample room for alterations and last-minute adjustments.
Macy's Wedding Dresses: In-Store or Online?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$61.99
Rush options
If you're short on time, there are a few options for securing your dream wedding dress. Firstly, it's important to understand the timeline for ordering a wedding dress. Typically, it takes around 6 to 8 months for a bridal store to receive your dress after ordering. This is because boutiques usually order dresses from the designer or factory, and production time can vary depending on the designer and their location. For instance, a dress from Berta, an Israeli designer, can take 6-8 months as each dress is made individually. Additionally, shipping times can add to the overall delivery time, especially if the dress is being shipped internationally.
Given these factors, many boutiques recommend ordering your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for production, shipping, and alterations. However, if you're working with a shorter timeline, there are rush options available.
- Contact the designer directly: Some designers offer rush fees to expedite the manufacturing and delivery of your dress. This option may require approval from the designer, and the cost of rush fees can vary depending on time constraints, dress complexity, and customization requirements.
- Shop sample dresses: Bridal shops often have sample dresses available for brides to try on during their appointments. These sample dresses can be purchased off the rack, providing a quick solution for brides who need a dress within a short timeframe.
- Consider trunk shows and sample sales: Trunk shows feature new and exclusive collections from designers, and they can be a great opportunity to find a dress that might not be available in stores yet. Sample sales also offer the chance to purchase a discounted designer gown without the wait time, although alterations may still be needed.
- Shop at stores with available inventory: Instead of ordering a dress that needs to be produced, you can opt for stores that stock inventory and have dresses readily available for purchase. This option eliminates the production wait time, but alterations may still be necessary.
- David's Bridal: David's Bridal is known for providing dresses within a short timeframe, sometimes even less than a month. Their alterations services can also accommodate tighter schedules.
- BHLDN: BHLDN dresses are known to arrive within a few weeks, and in some cases, even earlier than expected.
When considering rush options, it's important to be mindful of potential rush fees, which can add to the overall cost of your dress. Additionally, even with rush options, some alterations may still be required to ensure the perfect fit. Therefore, it's advisable to budget time for these final adjustments to ensure your dress is ready for your big day.
Dorit's Wedding Dresses: How Much Do They Cost?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you start looking for a dress at least one year before the wedding. This gives you a few months to browse different gown styles, visit bridal salons, and try on dresses.
It can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to receive your dress, depending on the dress style and where you purchase it from. Most brides can expect to receive their gowns within four to six months of ordering. Custom dresses may take longer.
You should leave about two months for alterations before the wedding day. It is recommended to have your final fitting several weeks before the wedding so that you can relax in the last few weeks before the big day.
If you are short on time, you can consider shopping for sample dresses or off-the-rack dresses, which you can take home the same day as your appointment. Some designers also offer rush fees for an additional charge.
