How early should I have my BM dresses? Stressing!

MaggieF1990

So my wedding is May 14, and I was planning on having my bridesmaids order their dresses online from Azazie. We met with our caterer yesterday to go over choosing linens for the tables, and they suggested that we order all the dresses from one order to make sure it all comes from the same fabric and the dresses are an exact match, and that they might differ slightly if they are separate orders. I never would've thought of that, but they're the fabric experts...so I'm going with it. That also takes some stress off my shoulders of bugging my bridesmaids to order them in time with me ordering them all at once.

Anyway, back in the fall the turnaround time for Azazie was 4 weeks, so I wasn't in a huge hurry. I get on yesterday and turnaround time has increased to 8 weeks due to it being busy season. It makes sense, and it's my own fault for not keeping up with it, but I kind of freaked when I saw that. I called their customer service and they said if I were to order yesterday, my estimated delivery would be March 23-28. I'd like to allow some cushion time for alterations if they need it, so is that good? Am I freaking out for nothing? Ha, I just don't want to be worrying about this at the last minute and am now rushing to get measurements/sizing from my BMs. Right now, I have sizes for 3/4 of my BMs and going to offer to come over to the last girl's house tonight to help her measure. I feel like a bridezilla being on their butts about it. 

This post is half venting my dress, half asking if that roughly 6-week window is enough cushion time for ordering our dresses? I'm used to my mom being a super planner and wanting everything done way in advance, but will this be enough time?

justsie

MaggieF1990 said:

So my wedding is May 14, and I was planning on having my bridesmaids order their dresses online from Azazie. We met with our caterer yesterday to go over choosing linens for the tables, and they suggested that we order all the dresses from one order to make sure it all comes from the same fabric and the dresses are an exact match, and that they might differ slightly if they are separate orders. I never would've thought of that, but they're the fabric experts...so I'm going with it. That also takes some stress off my shoulders of bugging my bridesmaids to order them in time with me ordering them all at once.

Anyway, back in the fall the turnaround time for Azazie was 4 weeks, so I wasn't in a huge hurry. I get on yesterday and turnaround time has increased to 8 weeks due to it being busy season. It makes sense, and it's my own fault for not keeping up with it, but I kind of freaked when I saw that. I called their customer service and they said if I were to order yesterday, my estimated delivery would be March 23-28. I'd like to allow some cushion time for alterations if they need it, so is that good? Am I freaking out for nothing? Ha, I just don't want to be worrying about this at the last minute and am now rushing to get measurements/sizing from my BMs. Right now, I have sizes for 3/4 of my BMs and going to offer to come over to the last girl's house tonight to help her measure. I feel like a bridezilla being on their butts about it. 

This post is half venting my dress, half asking if that roughly 6-week window is enough cushion time for ordering our dresses? I'm used to my mom being a super planner and wanting everything done way in advance, but will this be enough time?

You caterer was hinting at dye lots, which are no longer really an issue. It was when colors were hand mixed, but now machines do the mixing and colors are pretty much identical. Its now more a tactic for shops to use to force people into ordering all at once so they get higher commission. Your BMs are all adults right? Let them know of the shops deadline for ordering dresses and let them place the orders themselves, one month for alterations should be plenty of time. 

Maggie0829

MaggieF1990 said:

So my wedding is May 14, and I was planning on having my bridesmaids order their dresses online from Azazie. We met with our caterer yesterday to go over choosing linens for the tables, and they suggested that we order all the dresses from one order to make sure it all comes from the same fabric and the dresses are an exact match, and that they might differ slightly if they are separate orders. I never would've thought of that, but they're the fabric experts...so I'm going with it. That also takes some stress off my shoulders of bugging my bridesmaids to order them in time with me ordering them all at once.

Anyway, back in the fall the turnaround time for Azazie was 4 weeks, so I wasn't in a huge hurry. I get on yesterday and turnaround time has increased to 8 weeks due to it being busy season. It makes sense, and it's my own fault for not keeping up with it, but I kind of freaked when I saw that. I called their customer service and they said if I were to order yesterday, my estimated delivery would be March 23-28. I'd like to allow some cushion time for alterations if they need it, so is that good? Am I freaking out for nothing? Ha, I just don't want to be worrying about this at the last minute and am now rushing to get measurements/sizing from my BMs. Right now, I have sizes for 3/4 of my BMs and going to offer to come over to the last girl's house tonight to help her measure. I feel like a bridezilla being on their butts about it. 

This post is half venting my dress, half asking if that roughly 6-week window is enough cushion time for ordering our dresses? I'm used to my mom being a super planner and wanting everything done way in advance, but will this be enough time?

The bolded is not true.  My two attendants but their dresses from Alfred Angelo.  They ordered them from two different stores, at two different times and from two different states.  The dresses were an exact match.

I would tell your BMs what customer service said.  I would also tell them that the site is giving an estimated 8 week turnaround time on orders.  Then let them order whenever they want to.

artbyallie

Am I missing something? How is nearly two months not a more than sufficient amount of time for alterations?

cowgirl8238

First the whole colors not matching thing is a myth these days (as justie) pointed out.  But even if there was a slight variation in color, who is going to run up to them with a color swatch and call them out on it?  It won't be noticeable at all.

As far as the order date is concerned it is up to the BMs to order their dresses on time.  If they were previously told the shorter time frame you can point out that the wait time is now 8 weeks, but do not harp on or babysit them.  They either buy the dress on time or they don't.  I would say that a month is more than enough time for alterations to be made.  I used a local seamstress and she did my wedding gown over the course of a single week.  If the place is demanding more than a months time to perform alterations (especially basic ones) I would just keep looking.

One final thought, and this is more for the future brides) but were your BMs comfortable ordering online like that?  I know I HATE buying anything that I can't try on first!!  And as your wedding date nears what will happen if someone measured wrong or the dress shows up and it looks horrible??  The site your using has many good reviews, but it is something to consider.

MaggieF1990

@cowgirl8238 We ordered samples back in the fall (the sample program is discontinued for now) to make sure the quality was good, looked the same in the picture, etc. I felt the same way and was VERY weary of ordering online without having any idea what it would look like in person. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and how pretty the dresses actually were in person.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I thought the non-matching color thing sounded outdated for 2016, but I wasn't sure. And I'm just overworrying on the alterations! I've never had any clothing altered except pants hemmed, so I have no idea how long something like a nice dress takes.