When to buy a dress???

Arby0128

I got engaged earlier this month and we are planning for a June 2012 Wedding. I am wondering when is the right time to go out and try dresses and actually buy one?! I know you have to go early but I dont want to go too early. Please Help!!

Beachy730

I wouldn't go until at least a year before.  Styles change with each season, and the earlier you go the more likely you are to change your mind.  I went 5 months before my wedding and had no problem, but some designers take up a long time to be delivered.  I would say at about a year.

Also, what kind of bride do you think you'll be?  I knew I was buying a dress on my first trip, and only wanted to find one that I liked and was comfortable.  But if you want to keep trying on dresses until you get that "this is the one" moment, then definitely start at about a year out.

jemmini6

I have been engaged for almost 4 months now and just bought my dress this weekend, which is about 10 and a half months to my wedding.  I wouldn't rush into buying anything.  Styles change and you might find something you like more later.  Plus you don't want to risk something happening to your dress as you are just storing for so long.

CaylaSummer

I bought my dress in november and my wedding is next august. I wouldn't buy a dress unless it's with a year or even 9 months before your wedding. Some brides want to lose weight before the wedding so you don't want to have to spend money on alterations if you can get the dress in the right size. 

Figure out first what your ceremony and reception will be like then that will help you figure out what kind of dress you'll want to wear. 

futurepivko

first off, congrats!

ok to answer your question: when you know what kind of wedding you want, what your budget is, and what you want to look like on your wedding day. i have a friend (im in her wedding) who bought a 'beachy' dress (lots of flowy chiffon) because she wanted her wedding on the beach next fall....no date, no nothing. she was actually looking at short wedding dresses also because of this! then her parents talked her out of the beach idea, and they did set a date, and now she has this 'beachy' dress she doesnt like and wants a new dress but has to find the money somewhere first. i agree with PP, a year out is good. I got engaged in Feb, wedding is April, and I got my dress at the end of March.

evenundomiel

I'm getting married May of 2012. I knew the exact dress I wanted...but I had also been planning for a while. I had a very good sense of what style my wedding was going to be and what I wanted to wear. It all depends on the girl really. If I weren't a type A person, I would have waited, but I am a planner and knew that I would not change my mind. Or at least, haven't yet! 

BrideBling82

You can buy a dress anytime you feel comfortable. I got engaged the ending of October and about a week later we started shopping. I went to 6 different stores and tried on prpbably 30-50 dresses til I found the one I wanted. My wedding is July 2011....we moved quickly because I'm not good with tedious decision making. You still have plenty of time to make a decision take your time, go to some bridal shows and look online and in bridal books. But like some of the ladies said figure out what kind of wedding you want and whats your budget. Congrats on your Engagement!!!

DramaGeek

Some of the dresses can take 6 months or more to arrive.  Tack on a couple months for safety and a couple months for alterations, and I would say buying at the year mark puts you in a safe place for your dress to arrive in time and to have time for alterations.  I've heard horror stories of girls cutting it close and the dress barely making it in time, but I've also heard the opposite - bride buys her dress way in advance and then finds that she doesn't like it anymore as they get closer to the wedding.

AbbeyS2011

Most bridal shops will say order your dress 9 months before the wedding so it has enough time to arrive and also to get alterations (if needed) done.  I would suggest you start looking now, to see what styles you like and do not like, as well as designers, and then go to try on dresses around June 2011.  You have lots of time to plan, as well as save up for your dress if you have your heart set on a particular designer. 

Congrats and welcome to the boards!