Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for that day. It’s a decision that should not be made in haste as it takes time to find the perfect dress that will fit your style, budget, and taste.
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding wedding planning is, “How early should you get a wedding dress?” To answer that question, we have put together a guide to help lead you through the process of selecting your wedding dress and when you should start your search.
When Should You Start Your Wedding Dress Search?
There is no perfect timeline that applies to everyone. Some brides know exactly what they want and can find their perfect wedding dress in a matter of weeks. However, it’s always better to start looking for your dress earlier than later since you never know how long it will take you to find the perfect gown. We suggest that you begin your search for the perfect wedding dress at least one year before your wedding date.
One of the reasons why we recommend that you start your dress search early is familiarity. Your wedding dress is a huge part of your wedding day and you want to make sure that it is the perfect fit for you. By starting early, you get to know your options, your likes, and what’s currently on-trend in wedding dresses.
Why Should You Start Your Search Early?
Your dress is one of the most critical elements of your wedding day, and finding the perfect one takes time. Starting your search early ensures that you have enough time to:
Get your dress made
If you are having a custom wedding dress made, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 months to complete. Therefore, you need to start your search as early as possible to make sure that everything is perfect by the time your wedding day arrives.
Go through fittings and alterations
When you find the perfect dress, it’s not always a perfect fit. You may have to make alterations to get the perfect fit for your body shape and taste. Alterations can take several months to complete, and you don’t want to be rushed in the process.
Allow time for the unexpected
There are a lot of unexpected things that can happen during the wedding planning process, and one of those things could be that your original dress choice is no longer available or is discontinued. In such a situation, you do not want to have to settle for a dress you don’t love simply because you’ve run out of time.
Don’t Start Too Early
While starting your search early is good, you shouldn’t start your search too early. Your dress should fit perfectly, and your size could change if you wait too long to obtain your wedding dress. Generally, you should order your dress closer to your wedding day to make sure it is the perfect fit.
If you start too early, there’s a high possibility that you’ll change your mind or find another dress you love more, which could lead you to regret your initial decision.
Closing Thoughts
Your wedding dress should be a beautiful reflection of you, your partner, and your love for each other. It’s one of the most significant financial investments you’ll make in preparation for your wedding day. Therefore, it’s important to start looking early and give yourself enough time to find the perfect dress and make any necessary repairs.
In conclusion, we recommend that you start looking for your wedding dress at least one year before your wedding date. But keep in mind that the timeline will change depending on circumstances such as customization, availability, and your budget. We hope this guide has provided you with the information needed to begin your search for the perfect wedding dress.
FAQ
How long before your wedding should you choose your dress?
One of the most exciting parts of wedding preparation is choosing the perfect wedding dress. It is the dress that will make you feel like a princess on your big day, and is often your starting point for all style decisions. However, finding the perfect dress can also be a daunting task. One of the most common questions that many brides-to-be ask is: How long before your wedding should you choose your dress?
The ideal time to start the hunt for the perfect dress is around 10-18 months before your big day. This might seem like a long time, but there are good reasons why it’s recommended to start early. First and foremost, wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming – there are so many styles, fabrics, and designers to choose from, that it can take time to find the perfect dress that is just right for you. Starting early gives you plenty of time to explore all your options, find a style that works for you, and make any customizations or alterations that need to be done.
Another reason why it’s important to start early is that most bridal shops require a lead time of several months to order your dress and have it arrive in time for your wedding. This is especially true if you opt for a custom-made dress or have a design in mind. It is important to note that most bridal shops do not carry every bridal dress in stock, so you may need to order your dress in your size as soon as you decide on it.
There are other advantages of starting your search for the perfect dress early. For example, the earlier you start, the more time you have to make adjustments or changes to your diet or exercise routine so that you look and feel your best on your big day. Similarly, by starting early, you can also attract more vendors and suppliers to work with you as everyone likes to be informed and book their services for the wedding well in advance.
When it comes to choosing your wedding dress, it is recommended that you start the process 10-18 months before your big day. By starting early, you’ll have plenty of time to explore all your options, take advantage of customizations and alterations, and ensure that your dress arrives in time for your wedding. So, be sure to give yourself plenty of time and enjoy the journey to finding the dress of your dreams.
Is 8 months enough time to buy a wedding dress?
When planning your perfect wedding, one of the most important decisions for the bride is choosing the perfect wedding dress. It needs to be well in advance before your big day to ensure a seamless experience so you get exactly what you want. At Love Bridal Boutique, we recommend that brides order their dress 8-12 months in advance.
Why does it take so long to order a wedding dress? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, most wedding dresses are not mass-produced, meaning that it can take time for the designer to create your dress from scratch once you place your order. Additionally, you will likely need to have several fittings to make sure that your dress is tailored perfectly to your body. These fittings take time to schedule and often require alterations to be made multiple times before your dress is perfect.
Ordering your wedding dress well in advance provides several benefits. Firstly, it gives you plenty of time to find the perfect dress and not feel rushed or pressured into making a decision on a dress that you may not love. It also allows you the flexibility to make changes to your dress if you change your mind about certain aspects of it. If you are getting married during peak wedding season, it is important to order your dress early to ensure that the designer can prioritize your order among the many other brides they are also likely working with.
Ordering your wedding dress 8-12 months before your wedding is highly recommended to ensure that you have a stress-free experience and receive the dress of your dreams. Remember to also consider alterations when budgeting your dress so you have enough time and money to make sure it fits perfectly on your big day.
Should I lose weight before wedding dress shopping?
Many brides-to-be may find themselves asking the question, “should I lose weight before wedding dress shopping?” However, the answer is not always straightforward and depends on various factors. The first thing to consider is the timeline between the wedding date and the dress shopping date. If there is enough time between them, then losing weight before the dress shopping day is possible. However, it is important to keep in mind that significant weight loss could also result in a need for adjustments to the dress, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Moreover, every bride deserves to feel comfortable and beautiful on her wedding day, regardless of her size. Instead of focusing on losing weight, brides should emphasize finding a dress that will make them feel confident and happy. Additionally, it’s essential to remember that bridal sizing is often different from regular clothing sizes. It means that a bride might be a different size than she typically wears, and it’s better to focus on finding a dress that fits and flatters rather than clinging to a specific number on the tag.
Finally, the wedding day is a memorable occasion that should be enjoyed and cherished. There’s no need to put extra pressure on a bride to lose weight before the wedding. Instead, she can focus on health and wellness, leading up to the wedding day, by incorporating physical activity and eating healthy foods. However, the most important thing is to feel comfortable in one’s skin and confident in one’s bridal dress.
