So, you’re already imagining walking down the aisle toward your future spouse, surrounded by loved ones on the most beautiful day of your life. But the picture isn’t yet complete — what are you going to be wearing?
Shopping for wedding dresses can take a long time, between finding, ordering, and altering, but hopefully, you’ve given yourself plenty of time to do it. Starting early can save you a lot of stress and even money! This guide provides a typical timeline for buying wedding dresses.
1 Year Before the Wedding: Start Researching Wedding Dresses
Gathering inspiration for your wedding dress is where it all begins. You can do this by browsing Pinterest and flipping through magazines, which will teach you all about the silhouettes, styles, and fabrics you love. You’ll become an expert in wedding dresses in no time.
Take time to browse wedding dresses online too, to find designers you like. Personally, we love the new Sherri Hill wedding dress collection, but there are hundreds of expert designers out there to choose from.
You should also use this time to establish a realistic budget. Finding the perfect dress is a bummer when you realize you can’t afford it, so don’t get caught in that trap.
9-12 Months Before: Begin Shopping for Wedding Dresses
Wedding dresses are often made to order and can take several months to arrive, so don’t leave shopping until the last minute.
At this stage, you get to book an appointment at a bridal salon and invite your girls for a day of fun trying on dresses. Expert stylists will guide you through a variety of styles within your budget, and you often get to sip champagne while they do! Keep an open mind, and try on lots of different wedding dresses to ensure you don’t miss “the one.”
Don’t worry if it takes a few appointments to find the perfect dress. It’s important to keep the process stress-free and full of joy. After all, you want to feel your best in your dress, as well as look it.
9 Months Before: Choose Your Wedding Dress
You should aim to choose, and order, your wedding dress nine months before the big day. This allows plenty of time for alterations to be made, and you’ll also avoid having to pay a rush fee.
During this time, you will also have the opportunity to accessorize, knowing which dress you need to pair your jewelry, hair, and shoes with. Plan your hair and makeup appointments soon too. You might also consider jackets or shawls at this time if your wedding day is due to be a bit chilly.
2-7 Months Before: Attend Alterations
Even made-to-order wedding dresses require adjustments if you want them to fit perfectly on the day. You may need to attend two or even three fittings for hemming, bust adjustments, and strap modifications.
Bring your shoes to your fittings to ensure the hem is perfect, and for later fittings, bring any accessories, as well as someone from your wedding party who can learn how to bustle your dress. You can also practice walking and sitting comfortably in your full outfit.
1-4 Weeks Before: Pick Up Your Dress!
Your wedding dress is finally ready! When you pick it up, be sure to make any final payments, and transport it home safely in its bag. In the week before your wedding, don’t forget to air out your dress and steam any creases in the fabric. This also gives you the opportunity to admire your choice and build excitement for the big day.
The Timeline for Buying Wedding Dresses
Overall, the process should take about a year leading up to your wedding day. If you have less time than that, don’t fret, as many boutiques offer ready-to-wear collections and rush-order services for a fee. But if you’ve given yourself plenty of time, then shopping for wedding dresses should be easy. Be sure to have fun with it.
Finally, congratulations on the engagement. Your wedding day is sure to be gorgeous when you put the time and thought into it that you are putting in. On top of that, we wish you the wedding dress of your dreams.
