Wedding dress: timeline?

cpblanco

Hey everyone!

My fiancé and I will be getting married this August in a semi-destination wedding in Spain: it's home for him, but to me it's a paradise island in the Mediterranean, so there was never any doubt where to have the wedding! I'm trying to figure out how to manage the purchase of my wedding dress, and here are my concerns... I'll be flying to Spain from TX (where I live) in early July, 5 weeks before the wedding, so I'll need to bring the dress with me then. I haven't started dress shopping yet (we got engaged over Thanksgiving and are finishing up spending a month with his family in Spain), so that would be a top priority when I get back to the U.S. However, it's really important to me to go dress shopping with my mom, who lives in NY. I'll be able to go to NY for 2-3 days in March, but I'm afraid that won't be enough time to have the dress ready for July. Am I kind of locking myself into buying an off-the-rack dress? That's ok by me, but I want to know where I should be looking!

Also, for alterations, do you think it's worth it to get the first fitting done in the U.S.? At this point I'm expecting to have to find a dressmaker or seamstress to do at least one (maybe 2) fittings once I get to Spain. Any thoughts?? I'm less worried about doing things in Spain, since I have my FIL to help me find an alterations place and since I'll be there for a good while before the actual wedding. Am I missing any other big points??

Lord, and if you have any advice about bringing the dress as a carry-on, I'd love to hear those too!!!

-Cindy

loramarie03

You may be able to get your dress in enough time if you order in March and plan to have your alterations in June while in Spain, however, you may have to pay a rush fee as most places say it takes around 3-5 months to get a dress (some designers even longer!)… off the rack might be your best option. But, you might want to check to Macy’s and Nordstrom’s – they both have bridal stores and I have heard that they are quicker.

 

Congrats!! Where in Spain are you getting married? My FI and I are honeymooning there. And I just noticed you are from Austin – we are considering a move there in a few years too! Hahah. 

jtoly

There are some bridal shops that can get you a dress in that time frame! My sister ordered hers from David's bridal and she got hers in 5 weeks. I got mine from Alfred Angelo and they told me 3 months but I got it in two. I def think you can order one and get it in time, just ask the shop what their time frame is. I'm not sure how it would work getting a fitting here and then finishing it in Spain. If your FMIL knows someone to alter it maybe find out if they would be able to get it all done in the 5 weeks your there. I'm taking my dress from PA to Hawaii as a carry on. I plan to call the airline ahead of time to see if they can hang it in first class. We did have a bride that put her dress in a vacuum sealed bag and put in her carry on. I don't have a seamstress in Hawaii so I don't have anyone to steam it but since you will still have to get it altered, this maybe this will work for you! Good luck and congrats!!

angybanez

If you'll be in NYC, check out RK Bridal. Look at their website and see the designers they carry. It's not a Kleinfeld experience, so make sure to know what you're looking for and that they'll have the sample in the store. I called them to make sure the dresses I wanted to try on and my bridesmaid dresses were there. The dresses do take weeks to come in ranging from 3-6 months depending on the dress. You may just need to pay a rush order. They also do alterations so when they call to let you know the dress is in, you can book your appt too. However if you're having your dress shipped to where you live, give yourself weeks ahead of time to go to get it altered. If the seamstress is busy you may find yourself down the wire. If you know for sure there is one available overseas then have someone let them know your situation and to make sure they'll have time to finish your dress. Best of luck!

BMcLeodTeam

Congrats and welcome to the board! I agree, ask around about what the shortest order time is with different shops, some should be able to accomplish this. Also ask about rush orders and the cost, that might help you get it in on time as well  

Hope you stick around and share your planning details with us! Can't wait to see what dress you pick! 

cpblanco

You guys are so encouraging - it's good to hear that at least some places have quick turnarounds, so I think when I get back to the States I'll have to make some calls to get estimates about time frames and rush orders. I can't access the RK Bridal site (probably because I have a non-U.S. IP address right now), but that also seems like a good place to get in touch with! I'll be on Long Island, so we'll probably be going into the City to shop anyway.

Jenn - good point about being able to steam it once I'm here! I thought of asking to hang it, but if I can find a good seamstress here, it would be nice to have the option of (carefully!) packing it another way, too.

Lora - how funny! Austin is a FABULOUS city, and while it's no NYC, there's always tons going on...and it's cheap and accessible. Where will you be for your honeymoon?? My fiancé is from Mallorca (an island off the east coast), and I've traveled through most of the mainland, so I'd love to hear your plans and ideas...and answer any questions, if I can!