Wedding Dresses: When Should I Start Shopping?

Finding wedding dresses that are perfect can be one of the most magical moments of your life. While it may seem like a daunting process, it can also be one of the most memorable. Brides-to-be often begin their dress search at different times – with some finding their perfect fit right away while others need a bit more time. You don’t want to wait until the last minute when you’ll feel pressured to find a dress so quickly. A good guideline to start shopping is usually around 9-12 months before your big day. Here’s a timeline of when you should start your wedding dress search.

12 Months

About 12 months before your wedding is a good time to begin your search for the perfect wedding dress. Do some research beforehand on Pinterest (try our real brides board), flipping through wedding magazines, and more to find which silhouettes, fabrics and other wedding dress styles you like. This also a great time to set your dress budget so you can narrow down some choices. Start making your appointments and let your stylist know what wedding dresses you love along with your budget so she can pull the best options for you. While it’s totally acceptable to start your search before the 12 months, keep in mind you’ll need a place to store your dress if you find one so early. You also might miss out on a whole new selection of styles and may second guess your decision if you find another dress you like even more.

9 Months

After spending a few months doing your research and trying on dresses, we recommend making your final decision around the 9-month mark. You should be nearing the end of your search and have a general idea of which gowns you loved the most. While you may not have one specific dress picked out, it’s good to have a small list of your top favorites and begin narrowing down your final decision. Nine months may seem like a long time, but you’ll also need to account for shipping, alterations and other possible unforeseen details.

6 Months

So you’ve made your decision and are waiting for your dress to be completed – now what? This is a great time to start pulling your whole look together around 6 months before your wedding day. You now know what your dress looks like and it’s time to choose your accessories. Whether you need a veil, shoes or “something blue”, this gives you plenty of time to find pieces that look beautiful and cohesive. You’ll also want to start looking for undergarments that work best with your dress, from a certain style bra, garter belt or shapewear.

3 Months

Alterations take time and are almost always needed to make the dress 100% custom for you. Shipping and alterations alone can take weeks, even months, with brides often needing more than one final fitting as well. You’ll want to give yourself at least 3 months to start your final wedding dress fittings to make the process easier on you and your seamstress. This will also ensure you have one less thing to stress about as your wedding day approaches and you need to plan out other details instead. Once your final fitting is complete, don’t forget to find a safe place to store your dress until your big day!

Are you ready to start the search for your perfect wedding dress? We have wedding dresses waiting for you! Book an appointment with one of our bridal specialists and let us help make your day special.