How Many Months in Advance Should a Wedding Dress Be Purchased? Pre-Wedding Wedding Dress Selection Guide
The wedding planning process is an exciting yet challenging time for every bride-to-be. One of the most important decisions made during this process is choosing a wedding dress . Since a wedding dress is the most special piece that completes a bride's dream look, it is very important to buy it at the right time. So, how many months in advance should a wedding dress be purchased? Here is a detailed guide on the ideal timing for wedding dress shopping and the points to consider during this process!
The Ideal Time to Choose a Wedding Dress
How long in advance you should buy a wedding dress depends on many factors, including the size of the wedding, whether the dress will be custom-made or ready-made. However, as a general rule, it is ideal to start shopping for a wedding dress at least 6-8 months before the wedding . This allows enough time for the dress to be made, fittings, and any alterations.
Factors Affecting the Wedding Dress Selection Process
There are certain factors to consider when determining how far in advance you should choose your wedding dress. Here are the details of these factors:
1. Wedding Dress Sewing Time
If you are going to have your wedding dress custom made, you should meet with a designer at least 8-10 months in advance. Custom made wedding dresses can take longer to complete than ready-made models because both the design phase and the procurement of fabrics take time. In addition, a few fittings may be required for final adjustments to be made on the wedding dress. Therefore, it is very important to start early to avoid stress as your wedding date approaches.
2. Ready-made Wedding Dress Models
If you are planning to buy a ready-made wedding dress, your process may be a little shorter. However, it is a good idea to go to bridal shops at least 4-6 months before the wedding . Because even ready-made models may need fittings and minor alterations to make them fit your body. Moreover, after choosing your wedding dress, you will need to think about other details such as accessories, shoes and veil.
3. Wedding Date and Season
Your wedding date and season can also affect your wedding dress shopping process. If your wedding is during a busy season like the summer, wedding dress shops and stores may be quite busy. Therefore, brides-to-be who are getting married in the summer or spring may need to order their wedding dresses earlier. Winter or fall weddings can usually have a more flexible timeline.
Why Should You Start Choosing Your Wedding Dress Early?
There are many advantages to starting your wedding dress shopping early, including ensuring that you are both physically and mentally comfortable on your wedding day.
1. Reducing Stress
Wedding planning can be stressful as it involves many decisions and details. Choosing your wedding dress early on can reduce the potential stress you may experience as the wedding approaches. Choosing a wedding dress at the last minute can lead to rushed decisions and prevent you from spending as much time on your wedding dress as you would like.
2. Allow Time for Wedding Dress Rehearsals
After choosing your wedding dress, it is usually necessary to have several fittings. In the first fitting, the fit of the dress is checked and any necessary adjustments are made. Then, with a second fitting and sometimes a third fitting, your dress is made perfect. If you do not have enough time for these fittings, you may run the risk of your wedding dress not being exactly as you want it to be.
3. Time for Accessories
After you have purchased your wedding dress, you will need to complete other details such as a veil , shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories . Choosing your wedding dress early will give you time to find these accessories that are compatible. You may also want to see your wedding dress to decide on your bridal makeup and hair style.
Step by Step Timeline for Choosing a Wedding Dress
Knowing when to start shopping for your wedding dress will help you organize your wedding planning process. Here’s a step-by-step wedding dress shopping process by wedding date:
8-10 Months Ago:
- Start researching wedding dress styles. Check fashion magazines, websites and social media to determine which style suits you.
- If you want a custom made wedding dress, talk to the designers and make your decision.
6-8 Months Ago:
- Start trying on your wedding dress in stores.
- Choose your wedding dress and place your order.
4-6 Months Ago:
- Have your first wedding dress fitting. At this stage, the necessary alterations are made to ensure that the wedding dress fits your body.
2-3 Months Ago:
- Have a second fitting. The final adjustments to the wedding dress are made at this stage.
- Start choosing your accessories. Determine the complementary pieces such as veil, jewelry, shoes.
1 Month Ago:
- Have your final fitting. This is done to check that the wedding dress fits you properly.
- Try on the wedding dress with all your accessories.
Catch the Right Timing Without Rushing
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most exciting moments of the wedding process. However, it is very important not to rush this important decision and to take the necessary time before the wedding. Starting your wedding dress shopping at least 6-8 months before the wedding date will both make the process easier and help you find the wedding dress of your dreams. Starting early will help you be prepared for possible surprises and shine on your wedding day without stress.
