Bridesmaids: When To Start Looking For Their Dresses

Bridesmaids should start looking for their dresses around eight months before the wedding. This gives them enough time to order their dresses, which should be done around six months before the wedding, and then get alterations if needed. It's important to leave enough time for alterations and delivery, as dresses may take two to three months to arrive and alterations can take a while. To be safe, it's recommended to start the conversation with the bride about dress options around eight months before the wedding and have a sense of the styles and colours you're interested in.

Order the bridesmaid dresses

Ordering bridesmaid dresses is a process that requires careful planning and coordination. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

8 Months Before the Wedding:

Before ordering, it's essential to have open communication with the bride to understand her preferences and expectations. Discuss whether she will be choosing the bridesmaid dresses or if she prefers you to pick your own within a specific colour or style palette. This early conversation ensures everyone is on the same page. It's also a good time to start seeking inspiration and creating a vision board for the dresses.

6 Months Before the Wedding:

This is the ideal time to place the order for the bridesmaid dresses. Designer dresses or those from bridal boutiques may take around two to three months to arrive, and you'll need to allow time for alterations. Ordering early provides a buffer for any unexpected delays and ensures you're not rushed.

3-4 Months Before the Wedding:

Schedule your alterations appointment. It's advisable to have your first fitting at least three to four months before the wedding. This appointment ensures the dress fits your body type and allows for any necessary adjustments, such as altering the length or taking in the gown at the waist.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding:

Schedule your final fitting. This should be done about three to five weeks before the big day, leaving enough time for any minor alterations that may be required. After the final fitting, you can take your dress home and store it safely until the wedding.

Day Before the Wedding:

On the day before the wedding, gather your bridesmaid dress and all accessories, such as earrings or jewellery, to ensure everything is ready for the big day. Check-in with the bride to see if she wants anyone to bring or invest in a portable steamer to ensure wrinkle-free dresses for the entire bridal party.

Wedding Day:

It's finally time to get ready and celebrate! Steam your bridesmaid dress, get dressed, and help the bride with any finishing touches. Enjoy the day and savour the memories!

Remember, it's always better to allow ample time and not rush the process. Ordering bridesmaid dresses requires careful consideration of timelines, alterations, and the bride's vision for her special day.

Allow time for alterations

Bridesmaids should allow ample time for alterations to ensure their dresses fit well for the wedding. While simple alterations like a hem can be ready in about a month, more complex tailoring will take closer to six weeks. To be safe, bridesmaids should schedule their first fitting at least four to six weeks before the wedding. This will allow time for any unexpected delays or additional fittings.

Depending on the complexity of the alterations, there may be a need for multiple visits to get the fit right. Therefore, it is advisable to call and schedule an appointment slot three to four months ahead of the wedding to guarantee a slot. Wedding season gets busy, and one would want to secure an appointment in advance.

The final fitting should be scheduled about one month before the wedding to allow enough time in case any other minor alterations are required. After the final fitting, the dress can be taken home and stored in a safe place until the wedding day. It is recommended to find a place in the closet or away from anything that could damage the dress, and it should be kept in a breathable garment bag.

Additionally, it is important to note that dresses may vary slightly in colour depending on the dye lot they come from. Therefore, it is essential to order all bridesmaid dresses at the same time to ensure an exact colour match.

Discuss budget with bridesmaids

Bridesmaids should start looking for their dresses about eight months before the wedding. This gives them enough time to order the dress, which can take up to three months, and then get alterations, which can take up to two months.

Talking about money can be a sensitive topic, but it's important to be transparent with your bridal party about dress expenses. Be mindful that your bridesmaids will be putting a lot of time and energy into your wedding, and you don't want to put too much financial pressure on them.

Have an open conversation with your bridesmaids about their budget as early as possible, preferably before you start shopping for dresses. This will allow you to choose dresses that are within everyone's price range.

If you're the bride, do some research on different dress options within your bridesmaids' budgets. You can also suggest some affordable options or offer to pay for part of the dress if it's outside their budget.

If you're a bridesmaid, be honest about your budget constraints. It's better to speak up early in the process than to struggle with the financial burden later on.

Discussing budgets openly and honestly will ensure that everyone is on the same page and feels financially comfortable. It's important to remember that the wedding is meant to be a celebration for everyone, including the bridal party.

Choose a dress style

Choosing a dress style for your bridesmaids is a fun but challenging task. Here are some tips to help you make a decision:

Start early

Give yourself plenty of time to make a decision by starting the search for dress styles about eight months before the wedding. This will give you ample time to browse, seek inspiration, and make a decision.

Consider your bridesmaids' preferences

Your bridesmaids are likely to have different budgets, body types, and style preferences. To keep everyone happy, consider letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses within certain guidelines, such as length, colour, and fabric type. This will ensure your bridal party looks coordinated while allowing your bridesmaids to express their individual style and feel comfortable.

Choose a versatile style

If you prefer your bridesmaids to wear the same dress, opt for a versatile style that will flatter different body types. A-line dresses, for example, are known for their universality and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Be mindful of the cost

If you require your bridesmaids to purchase specific dresses, be mindful of the cost. Expensive dresses are likely to be worn only once, so consider offering to pay for the dresses if you can. Alternatively, you can suggest renting dresses, which will be more budget-friendly.

Take the location into account

The location of your wedding should also influence your choice of dress style. For a sunny, seaside wedding, opt for breathable fabrics and avoid long sleeves. For a wedding in cooler temperatures, choose a style that will keep your bridesmaids warm, such as a maxi dress.

Be flexible

If you're set on a particular style, be flexible when it comes to alterations. Small tweaks like adding sleeves or raising the neckline can make your bridesmaids feel more comfortable without drastically changing the overall look.

Pick a colour

Picking a colour for your bridesmaids' dresses is one of the most important tasks on your wedding to-do list. It's not always a straightforward decision, but there are some tips and tricks to help you choose.

Firstly, decide if you want all of your bridesmaids to wear the exact same dress, which is the most traditional route, or if you'd prefer a trendy mix-and-match look with different dress styles. If you're opting for mix-and-match, it's still a good idea to keep the dresses within the same colour palette. This will make your bridesmaids identifiable and ensure they don't clash with each other or with you.

Next, think about colours that will flatter everyone's skin tones. You don't want to choose colours that will wash out certain skin tones or make them look too flushed. Warm neutrals like gold and taupe are flattering for a range of skin tones. Blush is one of the most popular bridesmaid dress colours and can easily be incorporated into a mix-and-match palette. If you're looking for something bolder, orange is on track to be one of the next big trending wedding colours.

The season of your wedding is also important to consider when choosing colours. For example, fuschia might not be the best choice for a winter wedding, while deep greens are usually suited for fall or winter. In spring, pastel palettes and yellows look fantastic, while bright pinks and purples are perfect for summer.

Finally, don't forget to choose a colour that complements your venue and the colour of your bridal gown. You want your bridesmaids to stand out, but not because they clash with the surroundings!

Frequently asked questions