Junior Rasmussen
There are many factors to consider when deciding on the timeline for buying a wedding dress. While there is no such thing as too early to buy a wedding dress, it is important to be mindful of potential dress regret if you start your search too early and end up comparing your chosen dress to newer designs. It is recommended to start wedding dress shopping between nine months to a year before the wedding, with the goal of picking out and ordering the dress at least six to eight months in advance. This allows ample time for shopping, production, shipping, and alterations. However, it is crucial to have your wedding venue booked before purchasing your dress, as the style and location of the wedding will influence the choice of dress. Additionally, ensuring that you have the wedding theme and location established beforehand will help you pick a dress that is appropriate for the occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average time to start visiting salons | 8.5 months before the wedding |
| Average time to make the purchase | 7.5 months before the wedding |
| Average engagement length | 15 months |
| Ideal time to start shopping | 9-12 months before the wedding |
| Ideal time to order the dress | 6-9 months before the wedding |
| Time for first fitting | 2 months before the wedding |
| Time for second fitting | 1 month before the wedding |
| Final fitting | 2-3 weeks before the wedding |
| Time taken for the dress to arrive | 4-9 months |
| Time taken for alterations | 1-3 months |
| Time to buy a second dress | As soon as you know what your main gown is |
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What You'll Learn
When to start shopping: 9-12 months before the wedding
When to start shopping for a wedding dress depends on a few factors, such as the length of your engagement, your wedding date, and your desired dress style and customizations. However, the general consensus is that it is best to start shopping between nine and twelve months before the wedding.
Starting your search within this timeframe allows for the "classic wedding dress shopping experience" without feeling rushed. It gives you ample time to visit different salons, try on various styles, and make informed decisions without being pressured into impulse purchases. This is especially important if you plan to customize your gown or order a made-to-measure dress, as these processes can take several months.
Additionally, beginning your search nine to twelve months in advance helps you avoid rush fees and ensures that your dress is ready for alterations. The first alterations appointment is crucial, as it involves significant customizations like adding sleeves or changing the neckline. By starting early, you can also ensure that your dress is ready in time for bridal portraits or a destination wedding, if applicable.
While it is essential to be mindful of timelines, it's equally important to remember that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to wedding dress shopping. Some brides may find their dream dress earlier, while others may opt for ready-to-wear options closer to their wedding date. Ultimately, the key is to allow yourself enough time to enjoy the process and make informed decisions without feeling rushed or pressured.
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When to buy: 6-9 months before the wedding
When to buy a wedding dress depends on several factors, such as the length of your engagement, how quickly you're getting married, the type of dress you want, and the number of alterations needed.
Ideally, you should start wedding dress shopping between eight and twelve months before your wedding date. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find your dream dress without feeling rushed. It also ensures that you can avoid rush fees and gives designers enough time to create your gown from scratch.
If you're opting for a made-to-order wedding gown, keep in mind that they typically take about six to nine months to create. Therefore, it's essential to start the process sooner rather than later to ensure your dress is ready in time for your big day.
Additionally, consider the number of fittings and alterations you may need. Your first alterations appointment is crucial for customisations, and you'll generally have up to three alterations to ensure the dress fits perfectly.
While some brides may worry about shopping too early and changing their minds, others may find themselves with a shorter engagement or a tight timeline. In such cases, there are options to expedite the process, including bridal salons that offer pre-cut gowns and online retailers with ready-to-wear collections.
Remember, the key is to allow yourself enough time to enjoy the experience and find the perfect dress without feeling pressured or rushed.
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How long does it take to get a dress? 5-9 months
Wedding dresses typically take between five and nine months to arrive, with some dresses taking longer. This is because wedding dresses are often made-to-order, meaning production and shipping can take several months, especially for custom or heavily detailed designs.
It is recommended that you start looking for your wedding dress nine to twelve months before your wedding. This gives you ample time to browse styles, visit bridal salons, and make a confident decision without feeling rushed. You should also consider the time it takes for alterations, which can take between four and six weeks for simple alterations, and longer for major modifications. Your final fitting will typically take place two to three weeks before your wedding day.
If you start looking for your wedding dress with less than eight months to go, you risk having to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time to be altered. However, some brides have reported that their dresses took less than five months to arrive. For example, one bride ordered her dress in March for her wedding in June, and another bride's dress took four months to arrive.
It's important to keep in mind that every bride's experience is unique, and the time it takes to find and order your dream wedding dress may vary.
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Fittings: 3 fittings, first one 2 months before the wedding
Wedding dress shopping can be a lengthy process, and it's important to give yourself enough time to find the right dress and have it fitted. While there is no definitive answer to when you should start shopping, most sources suggest that you should begin looking for your dress between eight and twelve months before your wedding. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams. It also ensures that you can avoid rush fees and gives designers enough time to create your gown from scratch.
Once you've found your dream dress and ordered it, it typically takes four to five months for the dress to arrive. This means that your first fitting should be scheduled two to three months before the wedding. At this fitting, the seamstress will go over every aspect of the dress to see what needs to be altered. They will discuss the type of alterations you want, such as adding sleeves, switching up the neckline, or adjusting the hem. They will also take your measurements to ensure the dress fits your body perfectly.
Your second fitting should take place about a month later, or six weeks to a month before the wedding. At this appointment, the seamstress will make any necessary adjustments to the dress based on your first fitting. They will also create a bustle to prevent your train from getting stepped on or torn during the reception.
Your final fitting will be two weeks to one month before the wedding. This is when the seamstress will make any last-minute tweaks and ensure that all the alterations from the previous fittings have been completed correctly.
It's important to bring your wedding day undergarments, shoes, jewellery, and accessories to each fitting. This ensures that your seamstress can evaluate how the alterations look with the complete outfit and make any necessary refinements.
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Rush fees: leave enough time to avoid extra costs
Wedding dresses are often made-to-order, so it is important to leave enough time for production and alterations to avoid paying rush fees.
Most boutiques require that you order your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for creation, shipping, and alteration time. 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 your personal measurements. The cost of rush fees varies from store to store, depending on time constraints, the designer, and the complexity of any customizations.
If you are ordering a customized gown, you should allow for a longer timeline. You should also consider whether you will be getting bridal portraits before the wedding day, as you will need to have your dress ordered and fitted in time for these.
It is recommended that you start wedding dress shopping between 9 and 12 months before your wedding date. This will give you plenty of time to shop around and find the right dress. You can then pick out and order your dress 8-9 months before the wedding.
If you are short on time, some boutiques offer the option to purchase a gown from their sample inventory. These dresses can be taken home on the same day, but they may have small imperfections from being handled and tried on.
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Frequently asked questions
It's never too soon to get a wedding dress, but it's recommended to start shopping 9-12 months before the wedding. This gives you time to shop around and avoid rush fees.
Wedding dresses typically take 5-6 months to come in, but it can take up to 9 months or longer.
Your first wedding dress fitting will be about 2 months before the wedding, with the second fitting a month later. The final fitting will be 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
