Deborah Chan
Wedding dress shopping can be a lengthy process, and it is recommended that you start looking for your dress between eight and ten months before the wedding. This is because wedding dresses can take between four to nine months to be made, depending on the complexity of the design, and you will also need to account for shipping times and alterations. If you start looking for your dress with eight months to go, you may have to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time. However, it is not impossible to find a dress at this stage, and there are options for everyone, including sample sales, off-the-rack styles, and online boutiques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average time to start shopping | 8-10 months before the wedding |
| Average time to purchase | 7.5 months before the wedding |
| Time required for production and shipping | 4-6 months |
| Time required for alterations | 1-3 months |
| Time to start if customisations are required | More than 8 months |
| Time to start if buying from an online boutique | Much closer to the wedding date |
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What You'll Learn
It's not too late, but you need to start shopping now
Don't panic, it's not too late to start shopping for your wedding dress, but it is time to get a move on. The general rule of thumb is to buy your wedding dress between eight and ten months before the wedding. This gives you time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams, and ensures you avoid rush fees and give designers enough lead time to create your gown from scratch.
Most wedding dresses are made to order, so longer wait times are inevitable. The production of a wedding dress takes between four to six months on average, but can take longer depending on the complexity of the design. If you want several intricate customizations, you'll want to allow for a longer timeline. You'll also need to factor in time for alterations, which can take between one to three sessions.
If you're buying a dress with a tight turnaround, department stores and online boutiques are a great place to look for designer buys that are high quality without the lead time. You can also look for sample sales or off-the-rack styles, which you can buy and take home on the same day.
It's important to do your research on bridal salons, looking into each salon's designer selection, price point, and sample sizes. You should also wait until you've booked your venue and decided on the look and feel of your wedding before you go shopping, as these will dictate the dress you choose.
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You may have to pay rush fees
Wedding dresses typically take between four to six months to create, depending on the complexity of the design. This means that, ideally, you should start shopping for your wedding dress between eight and ten months before your wedding. However, if you're less than eight months out from your wedding, you may have to pay rush fees to ensure your dress arrives in time.
Rush fees are additional costs on top of the wedding dress price to expedite the creation and shipping of the gown. These fees can vary depending on the store, the time constraints, the dress designer, and the intricacy of any customizations. Most boutiques require that you order your dress at least six months in advance to avoid rush fees, with some requiring up to twelve months in advance.
If you're short on time, there are a few options to avoid rush fees. One option is to purchase a gown from the store's sample inventory, which includes dresses that have been on display and tried on by other brides. These gowns may have minor imperfections, but they can be a great way to get a wedding dress quickly since you can take it home that day. Another option is to attend a sample sale, where bridal boutiques offer heavily discounted gowns to make room for new inventory. This can be a great way to save money on a designer gown while also avoiding creation and shipping times.
It's important to note that even when gowns are ordered to your size, alterations may still be needed to achieve a personalized fit. Not leaving enough time for alterations is a common reason why brides end up paying rush fees. Therefore, it's crucial to plan ahead and budget time for any necessary alterations.
While it is possible to find your dream gown on a tight timeline, starting your search earlier can help you avoid rush fees and ensure you have plenty of time for customizations, alterations, and fittings.
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You'll have a limited salon dress selection
If you're 8 months out from your wedding, you may find that your salon dress selection is limited. Wedding dresses can take anywhere from four to nine months to create, depending on the complexity of the design. This means that if you're looking at dresses with only eight months to go until your wedding, certain styles, designers, and boutiques may be off the table.
Many wedding dresses are hand-finished and often need to be shipped from overseas, so it's important to factor in extra time for production and delivery. Boutiques and salons will often carry a limited number of sample sizes, so it's worth researching their designer selection, price point, and sample sizes ahead of time to ensure they align with your vision and budget.
If you're set on a specific designer or boutique, consider reaching out to inquire about their lead times and availability. Some designers may be able to accommodate last-minute orders, but this will likely come at an additional cost. It's also worth asking about their policy on alterations, as you'll want to ensure there's enough time for any necessary adjustments.
To increase your chances of finding your dream dress, consider starting your search online. Many brides find that doing initial research online helps them narrow down their preferences before stepping into a salon. This can save time and increase your chances of finding "the one" within a limited selection.
While eight months may be cutting it close, it's not impossible to find your dream dress. Be open-minded, start your search soon, and consider reaching out to boutiques and designers directly to inquire about their specific timelines and availability.
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You'll need to buy off-the-rack or sample sale
If you're looking for a wedding dress with eight months to spare, you may need to buy off-the-rack or from a sample sale. Buying off-the-rack means choosing your dream dress from a selection of premade gowns, which you can take home on the same day. This option is great if you're on a tight timeline or budget. You can find off-the-rack wedding dresses at bridal boutiques and online retailers, and they are usually available at a more affordable price point than made-to-order gowns. However, keep in mind that you may still need to budget for alterations, as most off-the-rack dresses will require some tailoring for the best fit.
Sample sales are another option for finding a wedding dress on a tight timeline. Sample dresses are those that have been tried on by brides and, while they may have minor flaws, they are usually discounted. Sample sales allow brides to choose from the newest designs at lower prices. Additionally, buying a sample dress is more environmentally friendly than ordering a new gown, as nothing new is being created, reducing production waste and shipping emissions.
It's important to note that, when buying off-the-rack or from a sample sale, you may need to act quickly if you find a dress you love. These dresses are often available in limited sizes and quantities, so they may not be available if you wait too long.
While it is possible to find a wedding dress with eight months to spare, it is generally recommended to start shopping for your dress nine to twelve months before your wedding. This allows plenty of time for customizations, alterations, and any necessary shipping. However, if you're pressed for time, off-the-rack and sample sale options can be great solutions for finding your dream dress.
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Customisations will be limited
If you're shopping for a wedding dress with only eight months to go until your wedding, you may find that customisations are limited. This is because wedding dresses are typically custom orders made to your measurements, and they can take up to six months to arrive. This leaves a very tight window to pick out, order, and alter a gown.
Custom-made gowns are created according to your measurements, and some components may be sourced from across the globe. This process can take a considerable amount of time, and any customisations will depend on the complexity of the changes. If you are interested in intricate customisations, you will need to allow for a longer timeline.
The earlier you start shopping, the less stress you'll have in the long run. Leaving it too late may mean incurring rush charges and additional stress to get everything ready in time. If you are set on customisations, it is best to discuss this early in the shopping process to ensure that all modifications can be accommodated within your timeline.
If you are concerned about time constraints, you could consider buying a sample gown off the rack. This can be a great way to find a beautiful designer gown without waiting months for production. Bridal boutiques typically carry sample dresses from the designers they represent, and many bridal stores host sample sales where you can find a stunning dress at a reduced price.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. While some brides start shopping for their wedding dress 10 months before their wedding, the average time to start shopping is 8.5 months before the wedding. However, if you start shopping at 8 months, you are leaving yourself a dangerously short window to pick out, order, and alter a gown.
The entire process of shopping for a wedding dress can take up to 9 months. This includes the time taken for research, making appointments, making a final decision, manufacturing, shipping, and alterations.
The ideal time to start shopping for a wedding dress is between 8 to 10 months before the wedding. This gives you enough time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams.
If you are buying a dress with a tight turnaround, you can look for designer buys at department stores or online boutiques. You can also opt for a sample wedding dress or an off-the-rack style.
