The Bride's Handbook: An Ultimate Timeline For Wedding Dress Shopping

Undoubtedly, shopping for a wedding dress is the most exciting part of wedding planning. However, the excitement of finding the perfect dress that captures your personality and dreams can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know when and where to start.

So, to help you shop for your wedding dress within the timeline, we have curated this guide. Here, we will discuss the wedding dress shopping timeline so you can start planning on time!

When Is The Best Time To Start Looking For A Wedding Dress?

Fashion is transient; trends come and go. So, you won’t want to wear an outdated wedding gown. So, before you go ahead, it is wise to know when and where you want to get married. This will help you understand the season and location – these factors can significantly affect your overall look.

Once you have decided on your style, it is time to look for a wedding dress. The ideal time to start looking for a wedding dress is around 12-18 months. You can start finding design inspiration, researching boutiques and deciding your budget. This will help you find the wedding gown of your dreams.

The Breakdown Of Wedding Gown Shopping Timeline 

The shopping timeline for wedding dress depends on various factors, including:

• When is your engagement?
• What is the location of your wedding?
• Do you want to buy a readymade gown or get it designed?
• What is the season of your wedding? Is it peak season?
• Is your designer available?

So, it is crucial to understand when to go shopping for a wedding dress. So, here is the breakdown of the average wedding gown shopping timeline:

12-18 Months Before The Wedding: Inspiration And Research

This is the ideal time to gather ideas and inspirations for your wedding gown. You can look through bridal magazines, fashion blogs, social media, etc. Save images of dresses that catch your eye – this will not only help you find your ideal style but also help you decide on your designer. 

In addition, get a list of boutiques for wedding dresses in your area and check their reviews.

9-12 Months Before The Wedding: Start Exploring Bridal Shops And Boutiques

With your research and inspirational ideas, it is time for window shopping. Visit your shortlisted wedding gown boutiques and try on a variety of styles to understand what best suits your body type. 

Visiting bridal boutiques 9-12 months before your wedding ensures you have ample time for selection and offers a relaxed shopping experience.

7-9 Months Before The Wedding: Decision Time

By now, you should have a clearer idea of your preferred bridal style. Find your dream wedding gown and place your order. If you are customizing your wedding gown, consider the delivery timeline. 

A wedding is one of the most precious moments of one’s life, but many brides compromise on their dream wedding gowns due to high costs. They consider it not worth spending a huge amount as they won’t be able to wear it again.

But this is not the case – you can choose to preserve your wedding gown and pass it as a family heirloom to your daughter. Wedding gown preservation from a reliable company like Trusted Wedding Gown Preservation allows you to keep your gown in pristine condition and prevent it from environmental damage.

6-7 Months Before The Wedding: Accessories

Once you have ordered your wedding gown, it is time to think about accessories, including veils, shoes, and jewellery. Finding the right accessories that match your wedding gown and theme takes time. So, 6-7 months before your wedding is the ideal time to look for the accessories. This will also give you enough time to order the accessories that are out of stock.

3 Months Before The Wedding: Alterations

By this time, your wedding gown should arrive and be ready for you to try on. So, schedule your appointment for the first fitting and ensure it fits properly. If it needs some alterations, ask the designer for them.

8 Weeks Before The Wedding: Second Fitting

Schedule your second fitting around two months before the wedding. This includes adjusting the straps and hem. Make sure you feel comfortable while wearing your dress. You should try walking in your dress and heels to ensure its length—it shouldn’t sweep the floor, and you shouldn’t trip.

3 Weeks Before The Wedding: Final Touch

You should give it a last try to avoid last-minute alterations and ensure that you and your gown are ready for your D-day. Last but not least, make sure your dress is in pristine condition when you pick it up.

Wedding Day: Shine In Your Perfect Dress

Congratulations! It is your wedding day - a perfect time to wear your dream dress and walk down the aisle with confidence and joy.

How Long Does It Take To Buy A Wedding Dress?

While having more time is better, buying a wedding gown typically takes 8-10 months. 

Since you are buying a wedding dress for the first time, you may not know that bridal shops don’t stock bridal gowns of every size. So, if you need a plus-size wedding dress, you may have to customize it, which may take longer than usual.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Wedding Dress

While there is no thumb rule to buying a wedding gown, keep the following factors in mind if you want your dress to align with your wedding day vision:

• Budget: Know how much you are willing to spend.
• Style: Have an idea of the dress style that complements your body type.
• Season: Consider the season of your wedding to choose an appropriate fabric.
• Venue: The location can influence the formality and style of the dress.
• Theme: Ensure your dress matches the overall theme of your wedding.
• Timeline: Start early to allow enough time for fittings and alterations.

By following this timeline and considering these factors, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable wedding dress shopping experience. Happy Shopping