Lyla Dejesus
There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a wedding dress. While some brides opt to purchase their dress a year or more in advance, others recommend avoiding this to prevent dress regret when newer designs are released. The general consensus is that buying a wedding dress 8-12 months before the wedding is ideal, as it allows time for alterations and ensures the dress will be appropriate for the wedding theme and location. However, some brides choose to buy their dress earlier to avoid stress and rush fees closer to the wedding date. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the specific circumstances of each bride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal time to buy a wedding dress | 8-12 months before the wedding |
| Time taken for alterations | 2-3 months |
| Time taken for the dress to arrive | 5-6 months |
| Final fitting | 2-3 weeks before the wedding |
| First fitting | 2 months before the wedding |
| Second fitting | 1 month before the wedding |
| Deposit | 50% of the price of the dress |
| Balance payment | Due when you pick up the dress |
| Accessories | Jewellery, shoes, clutch, veil |
| Veil | Short blusher veil, birdcage veil, cathedral veil |
| Weight loss | May require additional alterations |
| Wedding theme and location | Should be established before picking a dress |
| Venue | Should be booked before buying the dress |
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What You'll Learn
It's standard to buy a wedding dress a year in advance
It is standard to buy a wedding dress a year in advance. Wedding dresses must be purchased far in advance to avoid rush fees and dress regret. It is recommended to start making bridal dress appointments 9–12 months before the wedding date, with the goal of picking out and ordering a dress 8–9 months before the wedding. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find your dream dress, and it ensures that designers have enough time to create your gown from scratch.
Each gown is made to order, so longer wait times are inevitable. Most dresses will take at least 5–6 months to come in, and alterations will take another 2–3 months. If you don't start shopping until 8 months before the wedding, you're leaving yourself a dangerously short window to pick out, order, and alter a gown.
However, it is important to note that starting your wedding dress hunt too early can also result in dress regret. Brides who start before the 12-month mark often find themselves comparing their dress to newer designs as more recent collections are rolled out. Additionally, the farther out your wedding is, the less you know about the wedding theme and location, which can impact the appropriateness of the dress.
Therefore, it is generally recommended to start looking for a wedding dress between 9 and 12 months before the wedding. This allows enough time for shopping, production, and alterations, while also reducing the risk of dress regret.
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Buying too early may result in dress regret
While it may be tempting to buy your wedding dress as early as possible, especially during longer engagements, it is generally recommended that you avoid buying a wedding dress more than 12 months in advance. Starting your wedding dress hunt too early can result in dress regret. Brides who buy their dresses too far in advance may find themselves comparing their dresses to newer designs as more recent collections are rolled out.
Additionally, the farther out your wedding is, the less you know about the details of your wedding. Ensuring that you have the wedding theme, location, and venue established before you pick a dress can help make sure that it is appropriate for the occasion. For example, the type of venue you book may influence the style of dress you want.
If you buy your dress too early, you may also experience last-minute stressors that you might not have considered beforehand. For instance, your body weight and shape could fluctuate after alterations are made to your dress, resulting in a poor fit. It is recommended that your final fitting takes place 2-3 weeks prior to your wedding day.
While it is generally recommended that you avoid buying a wedding dress more than 12 months in advance, there are some exceptions. If you are planning on several intricate customizations, you may need to allow for a longer timeline. Similarly, if you're getting bridal portraits done before the wedding day, you'll need to have your dress ordered and fitted beforehand. In this case, it is suggested that you follow the 9-12 month timeline, but use the date of your bridal portraits rather than your wedding day as a reference.
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You may want to establish the wedding theme and location first
It is important to establish the wedding theme and location before choosing a wedding dress. The venue and theme will influence the style of the dress. For example, a casual gown may be more suitable for a beach wedding, while a ball gown might be more appropriate for a formal event.
Additionally, the venue and theme can impact the colour and fabric of the dress. A light and flowy dress might be more comfortable for a summer outdoor wedding, while a dress with a longer train could be more suitable for a wedding in a grand ballroom.
By establishing the wedding theme and location first, you can ensure that your dress is appropriate for the occasion and avoid any last-minute stressors. It is also essential to consider the lead time needed for dress production and alterations. Most dresses will take at least 5-6 months to come in, and alterations can take another 2-3 months.
Therefore, it is recommended to start looking for a dress 9-12 months before the wedding to have enough time for shopping, production, and alterations. This timeline allows you to avoid rush fees and gives designers ample time to create your gown.
However, some brides may choose to purchase their dresses earlier, especially if they are not concerned about following trends or if there are potential COVID or supply chain delays. In these cases, it is still crucial to consider the wedding theme and location to ensure the dress is suitable and to avoid any dress regret.
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You'll need to factor in time for fittings and alterations
Wedding dresses are usually made to order, so it's important to allow enough time for fittings and alterations. This process can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the changes required.
Most wedding dresses require 2-3 fittings, but restyling or extensive changes can take up to 6 fittings. The first fitting will typically last about an hour, as the tailor assesses the dress and the alterations needed. The subsequent fittings will be shorter as the dress gets closer to the perfect fit. It's important to time these appointments carefully, especially if you expect your size to change before the wedding. The final fitting should be scheduled 2-3 weeks before the wedding to allow time for any last-minute tweaks.
During the fittings, the seamstress will assess every aspect of the dress, from the shoulders, bust, waist, and hips to the hem. They will also consider the type of shoes and undergarments you plan to wear, as these can impact the fit and fall of the dress. If you're making major changes to the design or accommodating a pregnancy, it's advisable to budget a few extra weeks.
It's recommended to buy your dress 8-12 months before the wedding to allow enough time for fittings and alterations. This timeline can vary depending on the salon's policies and the complexity of the alterations. Some brides may also choose to have their first fitting earlier if they require significant customizations.
Overall, it's essential to factor in sufficient time for fittings and alterations when planning your wedding dress timeline. This will ensure that your dress fits perfectly and looks exactly how you envisioned it on your big day.
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Buying early can help you avoid rush fees
Wedding dresses are often made to order, so it is recommended that brides buy their dresses early to avoid rush fees and to allow for shipping and alterations. While it may be tempting to buy a wedding dress more than a year in advance, it is suggested that brides avoid doing so, as they may find themselves comparing their dress to newer designs as more recent collections are rolled out.
Most dresses will take at least 5-6 months to come in, and the average bride has 3 alterations appointments before the wedding. Brides who start before the 12-month mark risk having to pay rush fees to ensure their dress arrives in time to be altered. 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, but they can be avoided by ordering your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for ample creation, shipping, and alteration time.
If you are short on time and still want to avoid rush fees, you can purchase a gown from the store's sample inventory and take it home that day, or attend a sample sale. Sample gowns may have small imperfections from being handled and tried on, but they can be a great way to get a wedding dress quickly and save money.
It is important to budget time for alterations, as even when gowns are ordered to size, they typically need minor alterations to achieve a personalized fit. In the months it takes for gowns to come in, women's bodies may experience slight changes, so alterations within a few weeks of the wedding are key to ensuring the dress fits perfectly.
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Frequently asked questions
It's not necessarily bad, but it might be a little early. Most sources suggest buying a wedding dress 6-12 months in advance. This gives you time to shop around and avoid rush fees, while also ensuring the dress is not so old that it goes out of style.
Buying a wedding dress a year in advance means you have plenty of time for fittings and alterations. It also means you can spread out expenses and avoid the stress of last-minute suppliers' issues.
If you buy a wedding dress a year in advance, you may experience \"dress regret\" later on as newer designs are released. You may also find that your body weight and shape fluctuate, meaning the dress no longer fits properly.
Most sources suggest buying your wedding dress at least 8 months in advance to avoid rush fees.
