When Should I Start Looking For My Wedding Dress?
It’s a question brides ask the most – how soon is soon enough?
The short answer is, it’s really never too early to start searching for your dream dress, with most experts suggesting at least 6-9 months before your big day.
Consider this; your wedding dress, like your fiancé, is one is a million. Our bridal consultants confirm that when a customer finds the perfect dress, she lights up and her whole body language changes.
So why leave this magical occurrence to the last minute?
With this in mind, here is a suggestion for a wedding dress shopping timeline.
Timeline Kick Off - The Engagement!
You are over the moon! When you come back down to earth, start making a Pinterest board or wish list with wedding styles you like. Throw your net wide, as the type of dress you eventually choose will depend on other decisions you make in the coming months.
First Wedding Dress Shopping Step - Book The Venue
Wedding organizers all agree – like your dress, it’s never to early to decide on your wedding venue, as one will affect the other. A warm weather beach wedding? Then consider a lightweight boho wedding dress. If you choose a more formal venue, such as a country estate, then you may want to start searching for a princess silhouette. Do you get the idea? Pin down you venue, and your wedding dress style will follow.
Then Make A Store Appointment
With a wish list of looks and the venue chosen, it’s time to make an appointment, either virtual or physical, at a wedding dress boutique.
Most brides-to-be don’t realize that a wedding dress store is a bit like a traditional haute couture house. The dresses you see on the racks are samples – the one you choose will be made to order especially for you. Your wedding dress consultant will steer you through your choices. You may find your dream dress on your first visit, but chances are you’ll need a couple of trips with friends or family before you make the final decision.
Time For The First Fitting!
Once your wedding dress is ordered, calculate at least six months for delivery from its maker (now do you see why you need to start looking 9 months ahead?) When it arrives at the store, you will be called in for the first fitting, and ideally this should happen 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This is when hem length, bust and waist are tweaked to your exact body size, so make sure you bring along a pair of shoes in the same heel height that you will be wearing on your wedding day, and maybe a bridesmaid so she can practice bustling the gown.
Now For The Second Fitting
This time round you will have a much better vision of how the dress fits. Bring along your lingerie to make sure no bra straps or panty lines will be visible, and if you haven’t chosen your veil or accessories yet, now is the time!
The Final Step - Pick up the dress!
Most dresses only require two fittings, so a week or two before you wedding day you can pick up your dress! The store will pack it in a protective cloth bag, so all you will have to do is give it a quick steam on the day.
Happy wedding dress shopping!
