When Should I Start Wedding Dress Shopping?
The wedding dress is one of the most critical aspects of your big day. It can also be one of the most stressful decisions you make for your upcoming nuptials. Brides often have questions about the dress, including:
When should you start to think about wedding dress shopping?
Is there a right time to start looking for dresses, or does it depend on what type of dress you’re looking for?
What if I’m not sure what style I want?
This article aims to answer these questions and more to help make your search for the perfect gown less stressful.
When should I start thinking about wedding dress shopping?
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 many brides use their wedding dress as the starting point for all style decisions. Your choice of dress could shape your theme, colour scheme and even your venue.
You also need time to determine your budget. Your dress might be one of the bigger expenses on the day, so choosing your dress well in advance will give you a better idea of how much you have left for the rest of your wedding.
Why does buying a wedding dress take so long?
Wedding dress shopping takes time because it is such a big event in your life. It’s the one item of clothing that you will wear just once, so finding something perfect takes time.
Most brides don’t know what style they are looking for when they start their search. This means you need to try on different style gowns to find something that matches your style.
In many cases, brides will go against all of their instincts and choose something completely out of character, with absolutely stunning results. There’s nothing quite like the shy bride-to-be choosing a sexy mermaid tail dress or the girl convinced she’s going to choose layers and layers of tulle reaching for a simple silk slip dress.
Trying on lots and lots of styles is the only way to find your dream dress. If you leave your dress shopping to the last minute, you’ll be searching in a stress-fuelled haze, and this can cloud your judgement. Not to mention it can suck all of the fun out of the experience!
Is it possible to buy a dress too early?
Just as you can leave it too late, it’s also possible to launch into this too early. If you head straight into wedding dress shopping immediately after your engagement, you could end up spending too much or purchasing a dress that isn’t right for your ceremony.
Your engagement is an exciting time, so don’t pile the pressure on to choose your dress straight away. Enjoy the engagement first, and then create some time to think about the practicalities of your wedding.
You need to determine your budget with your partner and think about the style of wedding you want. This will help you to avoid wearing a duchess satin ballgown to a relaxed beach wedding or choosing a dress with a long train for a chic city-centre wedding.
How long does a wedding dress take to arrive?
A designer can take up to 6 months to create your dress once you have ordered it, and this doesn’t include any last-minute alterations. You want your dress to be the perfect fit and like it was made just for you. You’ll want to think about making alterations around six weeks before the wedding date.
Will my wedding dress fit if I lose weight?
You should never order a more petite wedding dress and then plan to lose weight before your big day. This is far too much pressure, and there are no guarantees that you will lose weight in time.
Instead, rely on last-minute alterations to make sure the wedding dress fits correctly. It’s simple to take in a wedding dress if you are successful in your weight loss goals, but it’s far more challenging to make a small dress larger.
No bride should ever be made to feel that they have to lose weight before their big day. We offer a stunning selection of plus size wedding dresses that will help fulfil your wedding dress dreams without a crash diet or HIIT workout insight.
Our top tips for buying a wedding dress
1) Start shopping with an open mind. Be willing to try on different styles, even if they don’t immediately jump out at you. Many brides find they choose something entirely outside of their usual style, so don’t rule anything out until you’ve tried it on.
2) Don’t start shopping until you have a budget. You might fall in love with something outside of your budget and then feel like you have to compromise on your dress. Pick a budget and stick to it before you start your search. And don’t forget to include alterations in your budget.
3) Don’t let the size of your dress define you. You are more than a dress size, and any good bridal boutique will let you focus on the dresses rather than the number on the label.
4) Alterations are your friend. Alterations can do more than adjust the size and fit. You could add sparkle, change the straps, add a lace topper or even dip-dye your dress a wild colour. Your wedding dress boutique will be able to recommend local wedding dress alteration companies to help you get the perfect dress.
5) Have fun! Wedding dress shopping is supposed to be a joyous experience, so if you’re finding it stressful or upsetting for any reason, don’t be afraid to walk away and return when you are in a better headspace. Dress shopping can be stressful, particularly if you aren’t feeling very confident. Make sure you surround yourself with a supportive bridal party to keep things positive.
Ready to start your search for your dream bridal gown?
We offer two-hour appointments where you’ll have our full attention.
Try on as many gowns as you like to help whittle down your choices and get closer to your dream dress.
Get in touch to request your appointment
[ABOUT LILY ROSE BRIDAL]
Nicky (boutique owner) and close friend Jess have vast experience in helping brides choose their perfect wedding dress, they love what they do, meeting brides and helping them choose the most important dress they will ever wear, they find their work (if they can call it that!) so rewarding and so much fun. Give them a call today!
