Buying your wedding dress is one of the most important steps for planning your wedding, and likely one of the first things you think about when you start setting a date! With all the moving pieces involved in planning a wedding, it’s key to know when to take care of each step. While we can’t help you know when to do everything, we can make your life a little easier by giving you a typical timeline you can expect when shopping for your wedding dress!
Before You Shop
Once you get engaged, there’s a few things you need to take care of before you start dress shopping. We think it’s extremely helpful to have your venue and date booked before you begin finding the perfect dress, as it helps you envision your wedding day and potentially narrow down what you may want. Simple things like having a winter vs. summer wedding or getting married on the beach or in your church can change what kind of dress you’ll want!
10-12 Months Ahead of the Wedding
This may sound like a lot of time, but trust us, time flies when you’re planning a wedding, and you need to start dress shopping this early. When you purchase your dress, it is made to order, and your designer can’t sew a high-end garment like your wedding dress overnight. From sourcing materials to placing the final embellishments, it takes several months for your designer to complete your dress, and you need to account for this time.
2 Months Ahead of the Wedding
After your dress arrives, you’ll need to get alterations to make sure everything fits perfectly. Most brides only need a few minor alterations, such as raising your hem or taking the dress in slightly. You need to get alterations to ensure everything fits perfectly on your wedding day! Typically, the time it takes for 2-3 fittings and alterations is about 2 months.
Realizing you need to start shopping? Book an appointment at McKenzie Jade, and we’ll help you find your dream dress.