Finding your dream wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day, but when should you buy your wedding dress? From exploring different styles to final alterations, giving yourself enough time ensures a stress-free experience.
Whether you’re drawn to classic couture elegance or something a little unconventional, starting the process early will help you confidently say “yes” to the perfect dress. So, let’s figure out when to buy your wedding dress.
One Year Out
Finding your dream wedding dress should ideally start one year from your wedding date. This time lets you explore fabrics, styles or silhouettes without pressure.
Not sure where to start? If you already have an idea of style, creating a Pinterest board of dresses or styles can help narrow down your search. This could be looking for non-traditional wedding dress ideas, your favourite celebrities’ wedding snaps or even your venue’s photo gallery to get an idea of the space.
To keep the search realistic, take into account the venue, time of year, and budget.
9 To 12 Months
After making your mood board and getting an idea of what you like, it’s time to go wedding dress shopping!
When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be guided through their collection and share your ideas with your consultant. Even though you’ve done your research, your consultant might pull out dresses for you to try that don’t exactly match your choices perfectly. Don’t stress; this is the time to keep an open mind. You’ll never know if the perfect dress was one you’ve never considered, and your consultant will have taken into account your body shape, style and season to find something a little out of the box.
Let your friends or family take pictures of elements you love, and ones you don’t, so you don’t forget in the excitement of the day.
If you are getting a custom dress made, this is also the time to lock in your designs. It might seem early, but a custom or couture dress will need more time.
This isn’t a time to rush the process; take your time and soak in the moment.
6 To 9 Months
Once you’ve tried on all the dresses you can manage, this is the time to find ‘The One’. It can take up to 6 months for your dress to be produced and delivered to the store (not factoring in alteration time). If you have your heart set on a dress, order as soon as possible to avoid stress, added costs or losing your dress altogether.
When it comes to dress sizing, this choice is best left to your consultant. But remember, it’s easier to remove material than to size it up—your bridal store should take care of this for you.
Fittings & Final Alterations
In the last 2 to 4 months before your big day, you’ll be attending fittings and having final alterations. This time is for making any adjustments needed before you walk down the aisle, so it’s a good idea to have your wedding shoes before fittings to get your hem exactly right. Bring along any bridal accessories, like your veil or jewellery, to see the full look come together and make any last-minute tweaks for perfection.
Once your dress is at home, read more on how you should store a wedding dress to keep it perfect for the big day.
When You Should Buy Your Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so enjoy every moment! From the first fitting to the final alterations, each step brings you closer to walking down the aisle in a gown that feels truly you. With the right timing and a little planning, you’ll be glowing with confidence as you step into forever.
Ready to Find Your Dream Dress?
Book a free appointment at our Sydney boutique and try on gowns tailored to your style.
Book Your Free Appointment
