You’re engaged. You have a wedding date-or at least a pretty good idea of one-and now you’re wondering:
When am I actually supposed to start shopping for my wedding dress?
Six months before the wedding?
Nine months?
A year?
Do you need the venue first?
And what happens if you're getting married in four months and haven't even started looking?
First, don't panic.
Wedding dress timelines can feel confusing, especially when you've never done this before. And unlike shopping for most clothing, finding the dress is only one part of the process.
At Blush Bridal Studio, we generally recommend beginning your wedding dress shopping about 9-12 months before your wedding day.
But that doesn't mean every bride needs exactly the same amount of time.
Let's talk about why.
Why Do I Need to Shop So Early?
This is probably the biggest surprise for many brides.
You find your wedding dress.
You say yes.
And then…you may wait several months to actually have your dress in your hands.
Why?
Because many wedding gowns are special ordered from the designer after you purchase them.
Your stylist will work with you to determine the appropriate size to order based on the designer's size chart. Your order is then placed with the designer, and your gown begins its journey to Blush.
Depending on the designer and gown, that process can take several months.
And your timeline doesn't end when the dress arrives.
You'll still need time for alterations before the wedding.
That's why we encourage brides to give themselves some breathing room.
Our Sweet Spot: About 9-12 Months Before Your Wedding
For many brides, shopping about 9-12 months before the wedding is ideal.
It gives you time to enjoy the process without feeling rushed.
You'll have access to more special-order options.
You'll have time for your gown to arrive.
You'll have time for alterations.
You'll have time to choose your veil and accessories.
And most importantly, you'll have some cushion built into your timeline.
Wedding planning comes with enough deadlines.
We'd rather your wedding dress not be one of the stressful ones.
Can I Shop More Than a Year Before My Wedding?
Absolutely.
If your venue is booked, you know the general feel of your wedding and you're excited to start shopping, there is nothing wrong with beginning earlier.
In fact, some brides love checking the dress off their list.
Once you find your gown, you can begin making other wedding-day decisions with your bridal look in mind.
Your veil.
Your jewelry.
Your flowers.
Your hairstyle.
Even details like bridesmaid dresses can begin to feel easier once you know what you're wearing.
That said, if your wedding is several years away and very little has been decided, there may be some benefit to waiting.
Your style can evolve. Wedding plans can change. Designers release new collections.
You don't have to rush simply because you're engaged.
Do I Need My Venue Before I Shop for My Dress?
Not necessarily.
But having your venue-or at least understanding the general feeling of your wedding-can be helpful.
A summer garden wedding may inspire something completely different from a formal winter celebration.
But here's something we think is even more important:
Your venue doesn't get to choose your dress.
If you're getting married outdoors and fall in love with a dramatic ballgown, you can wear the ballgown.
If you're getting married in a grand ballroom and want something beautifully simple, wear the simple dress.
Your stylist may ask about your venue because it helps us understand your wedding.
It doesn't create rules about what you're allowed to wear.
What If My Wedding Is Less Than Nine Months Away?
Come see us.
Seriously.
A shorter timeline doesn't mean you've missed your chance to have a wonderful bridal shopping experience.
Depending on your wedding date, designer and gown, we may still have special-order options available.
Some designers may offer quicker production or rush options.
And we also have wedding dresses available to purchase directly from our collection.
These are gowns that can leave Blush with you rather than waiting months for a new gown to arrive from the designer.
For brides working with shorter timelines, purchasing from the collection can open up some wonderful possibilities.
The most important thing is to tell us your wedding date when you book your appointment.
That way, your stylist knows your timeline from the very beginning and can guide you toward realistic options.
What If My Wedding Is REALLY Soon?
Maybe you're reading this with a wedding that's only a few months away.
Or a few weeks.
We still want you to call us.
Your options may look different than they would for a bride shopping a year ahead, but different doesn't mean bad.
A gown from our collection may be exactly what you need.
And there is something pretty wonderful about finding your dress and being able to take it home with you.
The shorter your timeline, however, the more important it becomes to think about alterations.
Having a dress in your hands is one thing.
Having enough time to make sure it fits the way you want it to is another.
So if your wedding is approaching quickly, don't wait because you're worried it's “too late.”
Reach out.
Let's see what's possible.
Remember to Leave Time for Alterations
|
|
Alterations are one of the biggest reasons we don't recommend waiting until the last minute to shop.
Wedding gowns are ordered using a designer's size chart. They are not custom-made to your exact measurements.
That means most wedding dresses will need some level of alterations.
You may need the hem adjusted.
The bodice may need to be taken in.
Straps may need adjusting.
You may want a bustle added so you can dance without carrying your train all night.
Every dress and every bride is different.
Your alterations professional will determine exactly what your gown needs, but building time into your wedding dress timeline makes the entire process much less stressful.
When Should I Shop for My Veil and Accessories?
You don't necessarily need to decide on your veil and accessories the same day you find your dress.
Some brides do.
Others want to wait.
Once you have your wedding dress, however, choosing those finishing pieces becomes much easier.
You can see how different veil lengths work with your train.
You can decide whether your dress needs a little sparkle-or none at all.
You can try different accessories with the actual gown rather than imagining how everything will look together.
And yes, sometimes putting the veil on is the moment that makes everything suddenly feel very real.
Should I Lose Weight Before I Shop?
Please don't postpone your wedding dress experience because you're waiting for your body to change.
We hear brides say things like:
“I want to lose ten pounds first.”
“I'll come in after the holidays.”
“I just want to feel better about myself before I start trying dresses on.”
But waiting can take valuable time away from your ordering and alterations timeline.
You deserve to find a wedding dress that makes you feel beautiful in the body you have when you walk through our doors.
If your body changes between ordering and alterations, your alterations professional can talk with you about what that means for your particular gown.
Don't make yourself earn the right to start wedding dress shopping.
You already get to be the bride.
What If I Find My Dress at My First Appointment?
Then you found your dress!
You don't need to keep shopping just because you thought finding it would take longer.
Sometimes brides feel like they should visit three or four stores before making a decision because that's what they've seen friends do-or because it somehow feels too easy to find the dress at the first boutique.
There is no required number of bridal appointments.
If you put on a dress and know it's yours, you're allowed to trust that feeling.
Finding your dress early doesn't mean you missed part of the experience.
It means you found exactly what you came looking for.
And now you get to celebrate.
So, When Should You Book Your Appointment?
If your wedding is approximately a year away, now is a wonderful time.
If your wedding is nine months away, now is a wonderful time.
If your wedding is six months away?
Now is a wonderful time.
And if you're sitting there thinking, “Oh no, my wedding is in three months…”
Call us.
The earlier you begin, the more options we'll generally have.
But there is no point where we want a bride to assume there's nothing available to her without talking to us first.
Every bride's timeline is a little different.
Our job is to understand yours and help you navigate it.
Give Yourself the Gift of Time
Wedding planning moves quickly.
One minute you're newly engaged and the wedding feels forever away.
Then suddenly you're six months out and wondering where the time went.
Starting your wedding dress shopping around 9-12 months before your wedding gives you something incredibly valuable:
Time.
Time to explore.
Time to find the dress.
Time for it to arrive.
Time for alterations.
And time to enjoy the fact that one very important question has officially been answered:
What am I going to wear?
Whenever you're ready to begin, we'll be here.
And if your timeline isn't quite what you expected?
Come anyway.
We'll help you figure out what's possible.