A bride’s wedding day is one of the most important days of her life. Choosing the perfect wedding dress is a significant part of the process. However, the timeline for ordering and receiving the dress can be a confusing and stressful experience for many brides.
The Ordering Process
Typically, bridal shops require dresses to be ordered at least four to six months in advance of the wedding date to allow enough time for the gown to arrive and for necessary alterations to be made. Ordering too early can be risky since bridal sizes are often different from street sizes, and brides may lose or gain weight in the months leading up to the wedding day.
Custom dresses may take longer, sometimes up to 12 months. Shop early and be patient, since it’s common to wait weeks or even months for custom dress fabrics and other materials to arrive. Rush orders are sometimes possible, but these can significantly increase the cost of a dress.
The Shipping Process
Shipping times for bridal dresses depend on a variety of factors, including the manufacturer, availability of materials, and shipping method chosen. Most bridal salons will keep the bride informed of the progress, but sometimes unexpected delays can happen.
Here are some timelines that brides can expect:
Domestic Dresses
Dresses manufactured within the same country as the bridal shop will typically take less time to arrive. Often, brides can expect to receive their dress within four to six months, with some taking up to eight months, depending on the designer and material availability.
International Dresses
International dresses may take longer to arrive, typically between six to twelve months. The increased time is due to longer shipping times and customs issues, plus the custom dress may require multiple fittings and alterations with a local tailor.
International dresses that are rush-ordered can shorten the delivery time but can be significantly more costly.
The Importance of Alterations
Once the bridal gown arrives and is inspected for defects, brides will need to schedule alterations. For the best fit, it is essential that brides try on the dress before it is altered. Wedding dresses are created with a base or standard length and size that may differ from a bride’s measurements. Alterations are necessary to make the dress fit the bride perfectly.
Alterations typically take between two to three months, so it’s essential to account for this time within the dress timeline.
The Bottom Line
Shopping for and ordering a bridal gown can be an overwhelming experience for brides. At the start of the process, it is wise to identify the wedding date as early as possible and to book a consultant at a reputable bridal salon to manage the timeline.
In summary, the time it takes for a bridal dress to arrive depends on several factors, including the manufacturer, the materials used, whether the dress is custom or not, and international shipping. However, brides can expect dresses to arrive within four to twelve months of ordering, with expected alterations taking an additional two to three months.
Conclusion
The timeline for ordering, shipping, and altering a bridal gown is a critical part of a bride’s wedding preparation process. Knowing the length of time it takes for the dress to arrive can help manage stress and keep the focus on the bride’s big day.
FAQ
Is 8 months enough time to buy a wedding dress?
When it comes to buying a wedding dress, timing is key. While some brides may think that they have plenty of time to choose a dress, it’s important to keep in mind that the process of ordering, fitting, and altering a wedding gown can take several months. That’s why experts at Love Bridal Boutique recommend that brides order their dress 8-12 months before their wedding day.
Ordering a wedding dress involves a lot more than simply choosing the style and color. Most wedding dresses need to be ordered from the designer and then shipped to the bridal shop, a process that can take anywhere from 4-6 months. Once the dress arrives, it needs to be fitted and altered to the bride’s specific measurements, which can take another 2-4 months. This timeline accounts for any issues that may arise during the alteration process, such as needing to order additional fabric or making last-minute adjustments.
Furthermore, it’s important for brides to give themselves enough time to browse different styles of wedding dresses and try them on. This allows them to find the perfect gown that matches their personal style and complements their body type. Rushing the process may lead to disappointment or settling for a dress that doesn’t meet all of your expectations.
8 months is a reasonable amount of time to buy a wedding dress, but it’s important to keep in mind that the process of ordering, fitting, and altering can take several months. For a seamless and stress-free experience, it’s always best to order your dress as soon as possible, ideally 8-12 months in advance.
Why does it take 6 months to get a wedding dress?
Ordering a wedding dress is an exciting experience for most brides-to-be. However, it is important to consider lead times for the production of wedding dresses, as it can take up to 6 months to receive your dream dress. There are several reasons why this is the case.
One of the main reasons is that wedding dresses are often produced in different countries, such as China, India, and the United States. These different locations may be utilized for their unique materials, styles, or costs. For example, many high-quality fabrics and lace materials may be sourced from different areas of the world, such as Europe or Asia. Therefore, it can take extra time to source these materials from across the world before they’re shipped to the designer to be constructed, and eventually to their final destination – with you! The extra shipping time on materials can definitely add to the lengthy lead time that goes into ordering a wedding dress.
Another reason for the extensive production time is the customized nature of wedding dresses. Each bride has her own unique vision of what she wants her wedding dress to look like. Designers work closely with their clients to create a completely custom gown. This process can take weeks, if not months, as there are often several rounds of design, fittings, and alterations in order to get the perfect fit and style.
In addition, many wedding dress designs require intricate beadwork, embroidery, or other decorative details that require a significant amount of man-hours to complete. Some of these details must be completed by hand, which is a time-consuming and delicate process. The overall craftsmanship of a wedding dress takes precision and attention to detail, ultimately resulting in a beautiful and unique gown.
Lastly, designer wedding dresses are often made-to-order, which means that the dress is not produced until it has been ordered. This is different from ordering a dress off the rack or ready-to-wear, where the dress is produced in advance. With made-to-order dresses, the designer must produce the gown specifically for the bride, which takes additional time.
While waiting six months for a wedding dress may seem like a long time, it is important to remember that the wait is worth it to receive a customized, high-quality piece. Wedding dresses require extensive time and effort to produce, and there are several factors at play that contribute to the production timeline. However, if you order your dress well in advance, you will be able to ensure that your dress will be ready in time for your special day.
How far in advance should bridesmaids get their dresses?
One of the biggest tasks for a bride when it comes to planning her wedding is selecting the perfect bridesmaid dresses. Besides the process of selecting the ideal dresses, it’s equally important to determine the appropriate timeline for purchasing and fitting them. Generally, it’s recommended that bridesmaids get their dresses approximately six months before the wedding. This timeline gives the bridal party enough time to order and receive the dresses, schedule and complete fittings, make any necessary alterations and adjust the style as required.
Six months may seem like a long time, but it’s crucial to give your bridal party enough time to coordinate and choose dresses that are appropriate for the wedding style and theme. It can take several weeks to find and agree on the perfect style, design, and color that complements the wedding color scheme. Once this is done, bridesmaids will need to place their orders and wait for them to be delivered. The dresses will then need to be tried on to ensure that they fit correctly and that any changes needed can be made before the big day.
In addition to fitting and alterations, bridesmaids may require additional time to coordinate their attire with the wedding theme. Hairstyles, makeup, shoe selection, and accessories all require attention, which is why allowing six months should be considered when planning all the finer details.
The ideal timeline for bridesmaids to get their dresses is approximately six months before the wedding day. During this period, the bridal party can work together to make all the necessary decisions and ensure everyone looks amazing on the big day. By allowing enough time, you’ll avoid stress, confusion, and the risk of last-minute alterations at the eleventh hour.
