Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dress lead times vary depending on the designer, customisations, and shipping. On average, wedding dresses take between three to eight months to be produced, with some designers offering a rush service that can see this time reduced to as little as one month. Rush fees are additional costs on top of the price of the dress and can vary depending on the boutique and the time constraints. To avoid rush fees, it is recommended that you start shopping for your wedding dress between eight and twelve months before your wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical lead time for a wedding dress | 5-12 months |
| Rush order lead time | 1-4 months |
| Cost of rush order | Varies from store to store, depends on time constraints, dress designer, and intricacy of customizations |
| Average cost of a wedding dress in 2023 | $2,000 |
| Average percentage of overall wedding budget spent on wedding attire | 7% |
| Average number of bridal salons visited before purchase | 2 |
| Average number of fittings | 3 |
| Options to get a wedding dress quickly | Purchase from sample inventory, attend a sample sale, buy off the rack, buy from a store with inventory (e.g., Nordstrom, BHLDN), buy used |
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What You'll Learn
Rush fees and how to avoid them
Rush fees are additional costs on top of the wedding dress price to expedite the creation and shipping of the gown. The cost of these rush fees varies from store to store, depending on time constraints, the designer, and any customisations. Most boutiques require that you order your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for creation, shipping, and alterations. Rush fees typically come into play if you’re ordering your dress 5 months or less before your wedding. Designers need time to source materials from all over the world, and each dress is made-to-order based on your measurements. After the gown is assembled and shipped to your boutique, it still needs to be altered before you can wear it.
To avoid rush fees, order your dress 9-12 months ahead of your wedding. This will give you ample time to find a dress you love, order it, and make any necessary alterations. If you are short on time, you can explore the following options to avoid rush fees:
- Purchase a gown from the store’s sample inventory and take it home that day. Sample gowns may have been on display or tried on by other brides, and may have small imperfections, but they can be a great way to get a wedding dress quickly.
- Attend a sample sale, where bridal boutiques offer heavily discounted gowns to make room for new inventory. Sample sales are a great way to save money on a designer gown while avoiding creation and shipping times. However, it can be competitive, so be sure to arrive early.
- Explore alternative retailers with shorter lead times, such as outlets or online retailers like Etsy or bhldn.
- Purchase a ready-to-wear dress that is available for same-day purchase.
Remember that even when gowns are ordered to your size, they typically need minor alterations to achieve a personalised fit. Budget time for alterations, especially if you are buying a sample gown or a ready-to-wear dress, as it is rare to find a perfect fit. Not leaving enough time for alterations is a common reason why brides end up paying rush fees.
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Sample sales and sample gowns
Sample sales are events where bridal boutiques offer sample gowns for purchase. These gowns are typically heavily discounted to make room for new inventory. Sample gowns are dresses that have been on display in showrooms and tried on by other brides. They may have minor imperfections due to handling but can be an excellent option for brides on a budget or with a short timeline. Sample gowns are also more sustainable, as you're purchasing a dress that has already been made instead of putting a new garment into production.
When buying a sample gown, it's important to note that alterations may be necessary to achieve the perfect fit. Sample gowns may require more significant alterations than a new dress, so it's essential to budget for these additional costs. Most boutiques offer alteration services, and some even provide virtual or in-person consultations to advise on the necessary adjustments.
Sample sales are an excellent opportunity to find a designer gown at a fraction of the original price. These sales usually occur when boutiques need to clear inventory, making it possible to find your dream dress without the lengthy wait time of a traditional order. Sample gowns can be purchased "off-the-rack," meaning you can take your dress home with you the same day.
Additionally, some boutiques offer virtual sample sales, allowing you to shop online from the comfort of your home. Detailed descriptions and multiple photos help you make an informed decision, and stylists are often available to answer any questions about fit, alterations, or styling. It's important to note that sample sale dresses are typically final sales and non-refundable, so it's crucial to be confident in your choice before purchasing.
Overall, sample sales and sample gowns provide an excellent opportunity for brides to find their dream dress without compromising on design, budget, or timeline. With the potential for significant savings and the ability to take your dress home immediately, sample sales are a great option for brides who are short on time or looking to maximise their budget.
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How much time is needed for alterations
The time required for alterations depends on the complexity of the changes and the seamstress's schedule. Wedding dresses typically undergo two, three, or even four rounds of alterations. The first fitting usually takes place three to four months before the wedding, with the second fitting around six weeks before the wedding. The final fitting should be scheduled one to two weeks before the wedding, as the body is unlikely to change much during this time.
Some boutiques require that you order your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for creation, shipping, and alteration time. If you're looking to avoid rush fees, it's best to order your dress 9-12 months ahead of your wedding.
If you're short on time, you can purchase a gown from the store's sample inventory and take it home that day. These gowns may have small imperfections due to being handled, but they can be a great way to get a wedding dress quickly. Attending a sample sale is another option to get a dress without waiting. These gowns are usually heavily marked down and can be purchased without any wait time.
When scheduling your fittings, it's important to bring the right wedding dress undergarments and shoes to obtain the proper fit. This helps the tailor assess how the dress will sit on your body and adjust the hemline to the correct length.
Overall, it's recommended to budget ample time for alterations to ensure a stress-free experience and a flawless fit on your special day.
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Online shopping and home try-ons
For those who prefer the comfort and flexibility of at-home wedding dress try-ons, there are several online shopping options available. These programs allow brides to order sample dresses to their homes, creating a DIY bridal appointment experience.
Dreamers & Lovers
Based in California, Dreamers & Lovers offers an at-home try-on service for brides in the US, Canada, and select European countries. You can order up to three dresses to try on, and once you've decided on your favourite, you can send your measurements to receive your custom dress. For brides in the US, there is a $65 fee per dress, which will then be credited towards the chosen dress.
Avery Austin
Avery Austin offers an at-home try-on program that allows brides to select up to three dresses for $15 each to try on at home. After choosing a dress, you can send back the samples and purchase your favourite, with the try-on cost applied as credit. You also have the option to keep your sample dress at a 20% discounted rate.
Luxe Redux Bridal
Luxe Redux Bridal offers an online collection of designer bridal samples that you can order directly to your doorstep. If the dress isn't the one, you can simply return it and continue shopping. They provide a pressure-free and affordable experience, with top designers like Watters, Hayley Paige, and Jenny Yoo.
Revelry
Revelry offers a home try-on service for bridesmaid dresses, allowing you to order samples in your size to try on at home. They provide free shipping for up to three samples within the contiguous US.
Grace + Ivory
Grace + Ivory offers an at-home try-on program that allows you to order any dress to try on in the comfort of your home with friends and family.
It's important to note that home try-on fees are typically non-refundable, and alterations may still be necessary even when ordering a dress that matches your measurements.
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Trunk shows and off-the-rack purchases
If you're looking to purchase a wedding dress without the wait, a trunk show or off-the-rack purchase may be your best option.
Trunk shows are a unique opportunity to shop an extended line of a designer's wedding dresses, often including the newest styles fresh from Bridal Fashion Week. During these limited-time events, bridal salons will have a much wider range of options available to browse, try on, and purchase. This includes designs that may not be available in your local boutique or have even been released to the public yet. Aside from having more gowns to try on, a bridal salon visit during a trunk show differs very little from a standard salon visit. You’ll book your appointment, peruse the racks, and try on your favourites.
Trunk shows also often offer exclusive perks such as discounts, gifts with purchase, special gown customizations, and access to designs that aren't regularly available in-store. For instance, an in-house representative from the brand or even the designer themselves may be on hand to offer styling tips and discuss gown customization options. It's important to note that trunk shows are not always a cheaper option, and it's a good idea to ask any price questions upfront.
If you're looking for an off-the-rack purchase, you can sometimes buy sample gowns directly from bridal boutiques. These gowns may have small imperfections due to being handled and tried on by other brides, but they can be a great way to get a wedding dress quickly since you can take it home with you that day. Sample gowns are also typically heavily marked down as boutiques need to make room for new inventory. It's important to note that it is extremely rare to find a perfect fit with a sample gown, so you'll want to budget time and money for alterations.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of rush fees varies from store to store, depending on the time constraints, the designer, and the complexity of any requested customizations.
Rush orders can take anywhere from one month to four months, depending on the designer and the specific dress.
It is recommended that you order your wedding dress 8-12 months in advance to avoid rush fees. This allows ample time for creation, shipping, and alterations.
Yes, you can explore the following options:
- Purchasing a sample dress from the store's inventory, which can be taken home the same day but may have minor imperfections.
- Attending a sample sale, where marked-down dresses are sold to make room for new inventory.
- Buying a dress off the rack from a designer showroom, which may offer a perfect fit without the wait time.
