As one of the earliest (and most important) steps of wedding planning, it’s important you know the full process of buying a wedding dress. Often, brides come into the boutique unsure exactly how long buying a wedding dress will take and what to expect throughout the process—for brides looking to start planning their wedding, here’s our breakdown of a wedding dress shopping journey so that you can know when to buy:
After Getting Engaged
Once you’re engaged, planning begins! Our best advice is to start shopping once you’ve set a date and a venue. This is so that you have a better idea of what your wedding day will look like and what the weather will likely be. After both are confirmed, start booking your bridal appointment and thinking about your dress. It may seem early, but you’d much rather have excess time to shop than not enough.
10 Months Before
It may be surprising, but wedding dresses typically take 6-8 months to arrive after you’ve placed your order—this is due to the high quality of your gown, the fact it’s being sewn just for you, and the time it takes to create a couture garment. Giving yourself enough time for the designer to create your dress is absolutely essential.
2 Months Ahead
After your gown arrives, you’ll still need alterations. Even though the dress is sewn specifically for you, there’s often minor adjustments that need to be made: hemming the gown, tightening a strap, taking it in slightly, adding a bustle. These alterations vary by bride, but you’ll go in for your first fitting 2 months prior to the big day for your first fitting, and again two to three more times over the next several weeks to ensure the dress fits perfectly for your wedding.
One Week Before
After alterations are done, the only thing left to do is walk down the aisle! Your dress will fit perfectly for the big day, so you have nothing to worry about other than simply putting it on. Congratulations!
If you’re realizing you need to start shopping sooner than expected, book an appointment at Mimi’s Bridal and Formalwear and let us help you find the wedding dress of your dreams.