Bridesmaids, Order Dresses Early To Avoid Last-Minute Stress

Bridesmaids should order their dresses around six months before the wedding. This is to allow time for the dresses to be made and delivered, and for any alterations to be made. If you are ordering a custom or made-to-order dress, you should allow even more time – these can take up to nine weeks to be produced and delivered. To be safe, you should start looking for dress inspiration around eight months before the wedding and aim to make a final decision on the dress style around six months before the big day.

Allow 6-8 months for research, ordering and alterations

It is recommended that bridesmaids order their dresses around six months before the wedding. This is to allow time for the dresses to be made, shipped, and altered. However, it is important to start researching and gathering inspiration for the dresses eight months before the wedding. This will give you time to narrow down the style, colour, and budget for the dresses.

If you are ordering custom or made-to-order bridesmaid dresses, it is important to allow for longer lead times. These dresses can take up to eight or nine weeks to be produced and delivered. In this case, it is recommended that you order the dresses at least four months before the wedding. This will give you some wiggle room to exchange the dress if you are not completely happy with it.

It is also important to consider shipping times when ordering bridesmaid dresses. Off-the-rack dresses will arrive much quicker, so you can feel secure in the six-month window for ordering these. However, if you are ordering online or from a retailer that is not local, you may need to order earlier than six months before the wedding.

To ensure that all of your bridesmaids' dresses match, it is recommended that you order all of the dresses at the same time. This is because the same dress can vary slightly in colour depending on the dye lot it comes from. Additionally, if you have a large number of bridesmaids, it will be easier to organise if all of the dresses are ordered at the same time.

Order custom dresses 9 weeks before the wedding

Ordering custom dresses for your bridesmaids is an important part of wedding planning. While there is some flexibility in the timeline, it's crucial to allow ample time for production, shipping, and any necessary alterations. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to ensure your bridesmaids receive their custom dresses in time for your special day:

9 Weeks Before the Wedding:

Ordering custom bridesmaid dresses typically takes around nine weeks, so this is the time to finalise your decisions and place the order. By now, you should have already spent a few months researching styles, colours, and price ranges that suit your vision and budget. It's essential to involve your bridesmaids in this process, especially if they have varying body types, budgets, and geographical locations.

6-8 Months Before the Wedding:

This is the ideal time frame to start finding inspiration and narrowing down the dress styles that you and your bridesmaids prefer. Consider whether you want them all to wear the same style or mix and match with different dresses. It's also important to decide on a comfortable price range for everyone. This early planning ensures that you're not rushed and can make informed choices.

4-6 Months Before the Wedding:

At this stage, you should have already ordered the custom dresses. Now is the time to focus on accessories. It's recommended to allow four to six weeks after ordering the dresses for your bridesmaids to purchase their shoes, undergarments, and any other necessary items. This ensures that they can try on everything together and finalise their wedding-day look.

2-4 Months Before the Wedding:

By now, the custom dresses should have arrived, and it's time to schedule alterations. Bridesmaid dresses are typically ordered in specific sizes and may require alterations for the perfect fit. Allow ample time for these adjustments, as they can be time-consuming, especially if multiple fittings are needed.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding:

Schedule the final fitting for your bridesmaids to ensure that all alterations are correct. If everything looks perfect, they can take the dresses home and safely store them until the big day.

Remember, it's always better to give yourself a generous buffer of time when ordering custom dresses. You don't want the stress of last-minute surprises, so stick to a well-planned timeline, and your bridesmaids will be all set for your wedding!

Order off-the-rack dresses 4-6 months before

Off-the-rack bridesmaid dresses are a great option if you're short on time. While custom-made dresses can take up to nine weeks to be produced and delivered, off-the-rack dresses can be ordered much closer to the wedding date. In fact, some off-the-rack dresses can be shipped in as little as 5-12 business days. This is a huge time-saver if your wedding is fast approaching.

That being said, it's still important to give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress. Starting your search 4-6 months before the wedding is a good idea. This will give you plenty of time to browse different styles and colours, and make a decision that you're happy with. It's also a good idea to keep in mind that alterations may be needed, so allowing some extra time for this is always a good idea.

If you're ordering online, be sure to check the shipping times for your chosen dress. These can vary depending on the retailer and your location. In some cases, you may need to allow for additional time for international shipping or unexpected delays. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

To stay organised, create a timeline for your bridesmaids' dress shopping. Start by setting aside time to browse and narrow down your options. Then, schedule fittings and alterations as needed. Finally, plan to have the dresses delivered or picked up a few days before the wedding, to avoid any last-minute stress.

Order rental dresses 1 week before

The timeline for renting bridesmaid dresses can be a little tricky. Most sites only allow rentals for the day before the event, with the dress returned the next day. Ideally, you should aim to secure a rental service that allows bridesmaids to receive their dresses up to a week before the wedding. This gives them time to exchange the dress if it doesn't fit.

Some rental sites offer at-home try-ons, allowing you to choose from a few styles and sizes before deciding on the best option. If you can only secure the dresses a few days before the wedding, it's best to have your bridesmaids order the same dress in two different sizes, so they can wear the one that fits them best.

If you're ordering custom or made-to-order bridesmaid dresses, you'll need to allow for longer lead times. It's recommended to allot extra time as a buffer, in case any issues arise. It's also a good idea to look into shipping times in advance, so you know if you need to order earlier than the standard six months ahead of time.

It's important to give your bridesmaids enough time to try on their dresses and make any necessary alterations. The average turnaround time for alterations is about a month, so scheduling alterations for six to four weeks before the wedding is ideal. Simple alterations can be ready in a month, while more complex tailoring will take closer to six weeks.

To ensure an accurate fit, it's not recommended to schedule alterations any earlier than six weeks out. Depending on the complexity of the alterations, multiple visits may be needed to get the fit right. Therefore, locking down an appointment slot three to four months before the wedding is a good idea, especially during the busy wedding season.

• Start seeking bridesmaid dress inspiration eight months before the wedding.
• Order the bridesmaid dresses six months before the wedding.
• Schedule alterations and fittings three to four months before the wedding.
• Aim for the final fitting and dress pickup one to two months before the wedding.

Try on the dresses a few days before the wedding

It is always a good idea to have the bridal party try on their dresses a few days before the wedding. This way, you can make last-minute arrangements for any alterations that may be needed and feel assured that there won't be any unexpected issues on the special day.

It is important to leave enough time for the dresses to arrive, and for the bridesmaids to try them on. You don't want the disaster of having one or more bridesmaids without a dress on the big day. It is recommended that bridesmaids order their dresses about six months before the wedding. Dresses can take up to three months to arrive, and you want to allow extra time for any alterations. Custom dresses take longer to arrive than off-the-rack options, but it's always best to give yourself a cushion of more time than needed in case of any unexpected changes.

The average turnaround time for bridesmaid dress alterations is about a month, so it is recommended to have alterations done between six and four 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 this to ensure an accurate fit. Depending on the complexity of the alterations, you may need to go back for multiple fittings to get the fit right, so having your first fitting six weeks before the wedding is a good timeframe to allow for any unexpected delays or additional fittings. If possible, call and schedule your appointment slot three to four months in advance so that you are guaranteed a slot. Wedding season gets busy fast, and you'll want to lock down your appointment early.

If you are ordering a custom or made-to-order bridesmaid dress, there may be longer lead times, and you may want to allow extra time as a buffer. Many made-to-order bridesmaid dresses take up to eight or nine weeks to produce and deliver, so it is recommended to have your bridal party shop at least four months before the wedding, which will allow some wiggle room to exchange the dress if you're not completely happy with it.

Frequently asked questions