Wedding Dress Shopping: What's the Timeline?

As a bride-to-be, one of the most exciting and memorable parts of wedding planning is shopping for your dream wedding dress. However, finding the perfect gown can be a time-consuming process that requires careful consideration and planning. So, how long should a bride shop for her wedding dress before the big day?

The timeline for shopping for a wedding dress can vary depending on several factors, including the availability of the dress, the customization required, and personal preferences. Here is a general timeline to help you plan your wedding dress shopping journey:

12-18 Months Before the Wedding: Ideally, you should start shopping for your wedding dress 12 to 18 months before your wedding day. This allows you enough time to browse online, visit bridal boutiques, and try on various silhouettes and styles.

Start by researching bridal designers and styles that appeal to you. Create a Pinterest board or a mood board to gather inspiration and ideas. Once you have a clear vision of what you want, schedule appointments at bridal boutiques to start trying on dresses. if you have multiple favorites, create a list of those favorites at each bridal salon.

11-12 Months Before the Wedding: By this time, you should have a good idea of the style of dress you want to wear on your wedding day. Use this time to narrow down your choices and revisit your favorite bridal boutiques to try on your top picks again.

Consider factors such as the venue, season, and theme of your wedding when selecting your dress. If you're planning a destination wedding or getting married during a specific season, make sure your dress is suitable for the location and weather.

9-10 Months Before the Wedding: Once you've found your dream dress, it's time to place your order! Most bridal boutiques require several months to order and alter your dress, so it's important to finalize your decision early. Here at Kimberly James Bridal, our gowns usually take 5-6 months to arrive, and we recommend giving yourself at least 3 months for alternations after the dress arrival date, so plan accordingly.

6-9 Months Before the Wedding: You have placed your gown order! Congratulations! Now is the time to choose a veil to finish out your gorgeous wedding day ensemble. This is also a good time to choose your shoes for your big day. Hint: You will want to have your shoes chosen, or at least be sure about the height of the heel, in time for your first alterations appointment. This is because the tailor needs to see you in the wedding day shoes in order to properly hem the dress to the correct length.

3-6 Months Before the Wedding: Time to schedule your alterations appointments to ensure your gown is tailored perfectly to you. You will likely have 2-4 appointments for alterations. As your wedding day approaches, you should have your final dress fitting with your alterations specialist to make any last-minute adjustments. This is also a good time to choose jewelry to complete your bridal look.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding: In the final weeks leading up to your wedding, confirm your dress delivery date and schedule a final fitting to ensure everything is perfect. Make sure to pick up your dress at least a week before your wedding day and store it safely until the big day.

Shopping for a wedding dress is an exciting and emotional experience that requires careful planning and consideration. By starting your search early and following a timeline, you can find the perfect dress that makes you feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day.