Bridesmaids Dresses: Quick Turnaround Times For Your Wedding

Bridesmaids should typically order their dresses about six months before the wedding. It can take up to three months for dresses to arrive, and you'll want to allow extra time for any alterations. Custom dresses will take longer to arrive than off-the-rack options, so it's always best to give yourself a cushion of more time than needed in case of unexpected changes. It's recommended that you start seeking inspiration and narrowing down styles about eight months before the wedding.

Order six months before the wedding

Ordering bridesmaids' dresses six months before the wedding is a general rule of thumb. This is because dresses can take up to three months to arrive, and you need to allow extra time for alterations. Custom dresses will take longer to arrive, so it's always best to give yourself a cushion of more time than needed in case of any unexpected changes.

If you're ordering custom or made-to-order bridesmaid dresses, there may be longer lead times, and you may want to allot extra time as a buffer. Ordering at least four months in advance will allow some wiggle room to exchange the dress if you're not 100% happy with it. Made-to-order dresses can take up to eight weeks to produce and deliver, which is a common practice in the bridal industry.

It's important to consider shipping times for bridesmaid dresses, especially if you're ordering online. Off-the-rack dresses will arrive much quicker, so you can feel secure in the six-month window for ordering these. If you're in a time crunch, opt for ready-to-ship options.

To ensure that all of your bridesmaids' dresses are an exact match, it's recommended to order them all at the same time. This way, you'll know that all of the fabric is from the same dye lot. Ordering at different times may result in slight variations in colour, even if it's the same dress style.

Additionally, it's a good idea to start seeking bridesmaid dress inspiration about eight months before the wedding. This will give you ample time to make your final decision and ensure that you're on track for the big day.

Allow two to three months for delivery

Bridesmaids should typically order their dresses about six months before the wedding. However, it can take up to three months for dresses to arrive, so it's important to allow two to three months for delivery. This timeline ensures there is ample time for any necessary alterations. Custom dresses or made-to-order gowns generally have longer lead times, so it's crucial to factor in this extended timeframe when planning.

To avoid delays, it's advisable to start the bridesmaid dress shopping conversation early on. This includes discussing the bride's vision for the dresses, such as colour, style, and length, as well as considering the bridesmaids' budgets. Having these conversations eight months before the wedding is recommended, allowing everyone to be on the same page.

Once the bridesmaids' measurements are taken, the dresses can be ordered. This process can be done virtually or in-person, depending on the preferences and locations of the bridal party. It's important to confirm that the manufacturer or retailer has the desired dresses in stock and to allow for potential shipping delays.

After the dresses arrive, alterations can be made. This process typically takes a month, but more complex tailoring may require additional time. To ensure an accurate fit, it's best to schedule alterations for four to six weeks before the wedding.

By allowing two to three months for delivery, the bridal party can rest assured that they will have their dresses well in advance of the big day, leaving room for any unexpected changes or last-minute adjustments.

Allow two months for alterations

Bridesmaids should allow two months for alterations to their dresses. This is because the average turnaround time for alterations is about a month, so it is recommended to have alterations done between four and six weeks before the wedding. Simple alterations like a hem can be ready in a month, whereas more complex tailoring will take closer to six weeks. It's important not to schedule alterations for any earlier than six weeks out to ensure an accurate fit. Depending on the complexity of the alterations, there may need to be multiple visits to get the fit right, so having the first fitting six weeks before the wedding is a good timeframe to allow for any unexpected delays or additional fittings.

It is recommended to call and schedule an appointment slot three to four months before the wedding to guarantee a slot. Wedding season gets busy fast, and appointments fill up quickly. It is also important to try on the dress as soon as it arrives to be sure there are no major surprises. The last thing anyone wants is to stress the bride out with a bridesmaid dress catastrophe a week before the wedding!

Bridesmaids should also bring their shoes to the tailor so that the bust measurements and hem length can be adjusted accordingly. If the bridesmaids are wearing strapless dresses, they should be sure to wear a strapless bra to the fitting.

The final fitting should be scheduled about a month before the wedding. This is especially important if the wedding is during the height of wedding and prom season, as seamstresses tend to book up in advance during this period. The only exception to this is if a bridesmaid is pregnant. In this case, she will want to schedule her final fitting as close to the wedding day as possible.

Order all dresses at the same time

Ordering all bridesmaid dresses at the same time is crucial to ensure colour consistency. The same dress can vary in shade depending on the dye lot, so it's important to order all dresses from the same lot to guarantee an exact match. This is especially important if your bridesmaids will be wearing the same dress, but it's also worth bearing in mind if they'll be wearing different styles in the same colour palette.

Ordering all dresses at the same time also ensures that they are cut from the same bolt of fabric. This is important because, if you order dresses at different times, the fabric may come from different dye lots, resulting in slight colour variations.

To ensure that all dresses are ordered from the same dye lot, it's recommended that you create a showroom and invite your bridesmaids to it. This way, they can select that unique showroom number when checking out, ensuring that their dresses are created within the same dye lot. It's also a good idea to order all the dresses within 24 hours of each other.

Ordering all the dresses together will also help with planning and budgeting. It will give you a clear idea of the total cost, and you can take advantage of any bulk order discounts that may be available.

In terms of timing, it's recommended that you order bridesmaid dresses about six months before the wedding. This allows for the fact that dresses can take up to three months to arrive, and gives you extra time for any alterations that may be needed. If you're ordering custom dresses, these will take longer to arrive than off-the-rack options, so it's always best to give yourself a cushion of time. Starting to seek inspiration eight months before the wedding is a good idea, so that you have plenty of time to make a final decision.

Check stock availability

It is recommended that you check stock availability for bridesmaid dresses at least six months before the wedding. This is because dresses can take up to three months to arrive, and you will want to allow extra time for any alterations. If you are ordering custom dresses, these can take even longer to arrive, so it is always best to give yourself a cushion of more time than needed in case of any unexpected changes.

Some sources suggest that you should start seeking bridesmaid dress inspiration around eight months before the wedding, so that you have ample time to make a final decision. This also allows you to take advantage of made-to-order dresses, which can take up to eight weeks to produce and deliver.

If you are ordering off-the-rack dresses, you can feel more secure in the six-month window for ordering. However, it is still important to look into shipping times in advance so that you know if you need to order earlier.

For those on a tighter timeline, some retailers offer ready-to-ship options that can help expedite the process. Additionally, if you are ordering online, it is important to leave enough time for returns or exchanges if needed.

In summary, checking stock availability for bridesmaid dresses should be a priority early in the wedding planning process to ensure that you have enough time for ordering, alterations, and any potential delays.

Frequently asked questions