When Should You Go Wedding Dress Shopping?
You’ve just got engaged. Congratulations!
The ring is shiny, everyone’s excited, and somewhere between telling everyone you love and your first Pinterest search, you have started to wondering about planning everything.
One of the biggest parts of your special day is finding your dream dress. But when to start looking for it?
The honest answer is earlier than most brides think.
This guide walks you through the ideal wedding dress shopping timeline, when to start shopping, what happens at each stage, and why giving yourself plenty of time is the single biggest thing you can do for a stress-free wedding dress shopping experience.
Short and Sweet Answer: 9 to 12 Months Before Your Wedding Day
For most brides, the best time to start wedding dress shopping is nine to twelve months before their wedding date.
This gives you room to browse without pressure, research different styles, try them on at bridal boutiques, wait for your chosen wedding dress to arrive, and have time for any necessary alterations.
Of course, every boutique may have different lead times. But to fully prepare for the process, here’s roughly how that timeline breaks down from a wedding dress boutique in Glasgow:
9 to 12 Months Before Saying ‘I Do’
Start shopping and book your first bridal appointment.
If you are in this exciting stage of the process, Bijoux Bridal would love to welcome you into our beloved boutique.
7 to 9 Months Before
You have found your dream dress, said yes to the dress, and placed the order!
1 to 3 Months Before
The day has come! Your wedding dress has arrived at the boutique and is ready for you to collect.
1 to 2 Months Before
You are left with plenty of time to source your accessories and ensure everything fits perfectly in place before your big day!
The Best Time to Start Shopping for Your Perfect Wedding Dress
Most wedding dresses are made to order once you’ve placed your order.
All the beautiful fabric and intricate details can take time to perfect.
Here’s what happens between saying yes to the dress and walking down the aisle.
Wedding Dresses Take Time to Arrive
When you buy a wedding dress, it’s not usually the gown you tried on in the shop that you take home. The dress you try is a sample.
Your gown is made specifically for you, in your size, from the designer’s workshop.
This means it can take a few months for the dress to be created, by shopping early you’ll always the widest selection of designer gowns to choose from.
Finishing Touches May Take Another 1 to 2 Months
Once your wedding dress arrives, you’ll want plenty of time to ensure everything is perfectly in place before the big day. This includes finding your perfect accessories and any potential alterations of your dream gown.
Final preparations may happen in a few months before the wedding, and sometimes a few weeks before the big day, depending on your chosen seamstress’s availability.
You Want Time to Find the One
Shopping for a wedding dress should feel exciting.
Finding the dress is a moment. It deserves to be enjoyed properly.
Brides who start shopping nine to twelve months before their wedding can take their time with their decision, and it builds even more excitement for the big day!
Going Dress Shopping: Wedding Day, Wedding Budget, and Other Timeline Considerations
A few extra things that affect when you should go wedding dress shopping.
Seasonal Bridal Shop Availability
Bridal shops can get busy in patterns.
January to March is peak engagement season, so appointments may fill up fast.
September to October is busy too, because brides getting married the following summer are beginning to try on dresses.
If you’re shopping in peak season, just be wary that you may need to book appointments several weeks in advance.
Destination Weddings
If you’re getting married abroad, add time to your timeline for the dress to travel safely.
Bridal shops can advise on the best way to pack and transport your gown. But you want the dress in your hands well before when you are set to jet off.
Weight Changes and Life Events
If you’re planning significant weight changes before the wedding, or you’re going through another major life event, the timeline matters more.
Ordering a dress to your current measurements when you plan to lose two dress sizes means more extensive alterations later.
Bridal consultants can advise on how to handle this. But in general, it’s better to order the dress when your measurements are close to what you expect on the day.
Bridesmaid Dresses
Custom bridesmaid dresses typically take a similar lead time to wedding dresses, often four to six months.
Many brides start shopping for bridesmaid dresses around three to six months after ordering their own gown, once they’ve chosen a colour palette and style direction.
Expert Tips for When You Start Wedding Dress Shopping
When you’re ready to go dress shopping, a few expert tips from our stylists to make the most of your first bridal appointment.
Book in Advance
Give yourself the best chances of going to your dream bridal shop by booking in advance!
Start with Your Wedding Budget
Know what you want to spend before you start trying on dresses.
The average cost of a wedding dress can be wide, so having a figure in mind means you can focus on styles perfect for you!
Ask about Timing
A good wedding dress expert will help guide you through the process so you can plan accordingly.
Bring Photos
A Pinterest board or saved images helps our stylists understand what you’re drawn to.
No worries if you don’t know where to start! That’s all part of the fun of finding your dream dress!
Decide Your Group
Choose people whose opinions you truly value. Those who will lift you up and help you feel confident.
At Bijoux, our 90-minute appointments are designed for the bride plus up to four guests, with champagne is included for everyone. If you’d like any additional loved ones, get in touch with our friendly team members and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Be Open to Surprises
Brides don’t always buy the style they walked in thinking they wanted.
Try options you had never previously thought about! You might be shocked at what you like!
Ready to Buy a Wedding Dress? Visit Our Wedding Dresses Shop
Whether you’re nine months out, three months out, or somewhere in between, the best thing you can do is book an appointment and come in.
At Bijoux Bridal, we guide brides through the process every day, and we’ll give you honest advice about what’s realistic for your timeline.
With over 500 designer wedding gowns in store ranging from sizes 6 to 36, we’re Scotland’s largest bridal boutique and we’d love to welcome you.
Book your appointment today or give us a call on 01698 200122. We’ll pour the champagne.
