When to buy your dress

KELLYGEYER

We have set our wedding date for November 2011 and I have already began dress shopping is this ridiculous?

lmw4253

It does not hurt to look in mags and on websites but I would wait to actually buy a dress. I got engaged Aug 08 and am getting married next October and I just bought my dress this past weekend. I am glad I waited because I ended up gettnig a spring 2010 style. The longer you wait the more new styles will come out. Also, if you get something so soon, there is a greater chance of finding something you like better by the wedding. So keep you eyes peeled and get an idea for what you like, but hold off on buying I would say.

lookame3639

I'm not getting married till 2012 and I already have my dress. My story is though is my first marriage I saw this dress and wanted it so badly but it was way to expensive. I went with a style at Davids Bridal which was being discontinued. The next week they had their new styles in and I found I wanted a new style better. We ended up eloping and divorced 2 years later. I was young and thought I knew what was best for me...I recently got engaged again and saw the dress I loved the first time around at a price I can afford because it's an outdated style and preowned. Well there was no way I was going to let it pass me by again. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for buying so soon but it's a dress I've known to be for me since forever and it's a style which is simple and rather classic one style which recurs over and over in wedding dress design. I also don't gain or lose to much weight so that's not a problem either, I also figure if I do change rather drastically I have an amazing seamstress I know personally which can do wonders for anything you place in front of her. For me, my decision was right, but for you it's probably a good idea to wait till about a year before to buy. If it comes down to you found the dress and next season comes around and you missed out on your dress you can always search pre owned wedding dress sites or discount bridal stores which accept last seasons dresses theres also price cuts for last seasons styles and preowned dresses which could be great f or the budget.

stina93446

Look now but wait to try them on. The styles will change. I bought mine one year exactly from the date!

aerinpegadrak

I bought mine about a year out as well.  Another thing to be careful of is your weight: if your weight and body type is fairly stable, then you can order early, but if it fluctuates a lot, you'll want to wait as long as you can.  Once you have the dress in hand, losing weight will force alterations just as much as gaining weight will.

madison2011

My cousin, she is only 21 works part time in a bridal store. This is what she mentioned. Most designers or companies take about 3-4 months to ship to stores. New bridal samples for spring will ship around the end of December to Jan 30th. Stores are ordering those samples now at the bridal shows, this weekend in Chicago and in a couple of weeks in New York. So figure on new styles in stores in Jan. But the great styles will continue for many months. There are some stores that will tell you it takes 7-8 months to get dresses but that is a lie, they just do not place orders immediately. So the suggestion is if you find a great dress-be sure to order it. My friend in Seattle tried on the same gown for about a year and then, bop, it was discontinued on her.

JCKG04

I bought mine already and my wedding is 2011. the dress has been ordered but has yet to arrive, it was supposed to be her in NOv, but dress shop called and now it is Dec! With that said I am glad I ordered early! However this is also a dress that I swooned over about 4 yrs ago when I was engaged to ex-FI, at that time I was not in the position to afford that dress, so I settled for another. Long story short ex-FI was a jerk, and I called off that engagement, best thing I ever did! Now I am engaged to the right person, although I tried on several other dresses, I went back to the one I saw in magazines all those years ago, but at that time could not afford! NOW however I have ordered the dress of my dreams! So I say start looking, if you find "the one" then go for it! But just make sure you dont end up being one of those multi dress brides...if you are someone that can make up her mind and stick to it, I see no harm in starting now.

Cricket127

Hello Kelly! No you're not being ridiculous in looking this early as it does take some time to find the right dress. Take a good look around, get quotes, and look at yourself both now and where you want to be in the future. Besides, it's good to have a little fun and dream--just don't let the dream get out of control. If it helps any, I'm getting married in October 2010 and already I am starting to work out at the gym. As dresses are usually cut 2 SIZES smaller than your usual clothes, I figured this was a good thing to do for myself and get into the dress I want. The other advantage you have is that yu are not forced to buy right now--you have the chance to buy on Clearance when you do find THE Dress, have decided on location, and level of formality. Don't forget budget though as these dresses can become very expensive VERY rapidly! So get out there and have a blast! Just look around and be careful!

KELLYGEYER

For the girls who bought their dresses early what are you planning todo about the alterations?  I was thinking I could buy a dress and then wait to have it altered closer to our wedding date

Ishaba11

I feel your pain.  I'm also not getting married until November 2011 and I've been itching to go dress shopping but holding back for at least another six months. Of course, I will be continuing to look online and in magazines to get an idea but I refuse to let myself try on dresses and fall in love with one and not get to wear it for another two years.