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Dress shopping!

Dayn070104Dayn070104
100 Comments
in Massachusetts-Boston
How far in advance did you/will you go dress shopping?  I JUST booked my venue (any other Villa E. Bridgewater brides?!?) but I can't wait to try on dresses...I'm wondering, has anyone heard anything good about Country Weddings, Manhattan Bridal, or any other S. Shore bridal shops?

Thanks!
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Re: Dress shopping!

  • JBs_BrideJBs_Bride
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I started looking in January 2009 for my June 2010 wedding, with a goal of having it ordered by June 2009. Designer dresses take about 6-9 months to make and ship and I wanted to factor in some extra time for alterations and for any manufacturing or shipping delays.

    I had a good experience at Country Weddings, but I didn't end up buying my dress there.
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  • Galaxy8227Galaxy8227
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I started looking in April of 2009 for my October 2010 wedding, I wasn't planning on buying anything too early but the sample dress that I bought was being discontinued so I bought it in July of 2009.  If it hadn't been discontinued I would have ordered in November of 2009. 
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  • noodle_oonoodle_oo member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'd say you probably want to start about a year in advance of your wedding date.  My dress (a Maggie Sottero) took about 6 months to come in.  I started looking in Sept 2009 (for my Aug 2010) wedding.  It took me forever to decide on a dress.  I think I ordered it in Jan 2010 and it came in at the end of May, which was perfect timing for alterations.

    I looked at Manhattan Bridals and had a very nice experience there, but I found my dress at Camilla's in Arlington.
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  • megandjaymegandjay member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My dress took 7 months to come in (and then I needed 6 weeks for alterations). So I would give yourself about 1 year.
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    I personally think that bridal shops put a little fear into brides on this one.  I didn't even try on a dress for my July 2010 wedding until November of 2009, so about 8 months in advance.  I went to Kleinfelds the day after thanksgiving (7.5 months before wedding) and they told me that I still had time to order whichever dress I wanted.  Designers cut the dresses based on wedding date, not based on the date the order is placed. 

    I don't think there is harm in trying on dresses early but just make sure that your "vision" is pretty much set before picking a dress.  My wedding (flowers, venue, invitations, etc.) were all very modern and my dress fit with that.  Had I picked out an all lace dress, a ball gown, etc. before determining the direction I was going to go with some other things, I probably would have had a very different wedding.  The dress needs to fit the location, formality of the wedding, etc. 

    Good luck, dress shopping is so fun!!

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  • ourwedding111111ourwedding111111
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went shopping and bought my dress in July 2010 for our November 2011 wedding.  Good Luck!
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  • snorri10snorri10
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I just started shopping and we are planning to get married in February (!).  I am obviously not the 'normal' bride but we don't want to wait a year to get married.  You can buy off the rack (if you are willing) or some dresses can be ordered within 3 mos on a rush.  I went to Manhattan Bridal on Monday and they were incredibly nice and helpful - I went in last minute and they put no pressure on me to buy.  Just genuine interest in helping me find a dress.  I will say I wish the selection was larger but service wise I was happy.  I am actually headed to Waltham today to check out Bride's Choice so we will see what that experience is like!
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  • Dayn070104Dayn070104
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    WOW- i love all of your responses! Thank you so much!  My wedding isn't until July 2012 so i think i will start to poke around in the spring....maybe i can lose a few LB's before then ;)
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  • karmellahkarmellah
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    my wedding is aug 27th 2011 and my dress apointment is nov 14th so i'll be 9 mths out. I only did it early because Im a plus sized bride and its hard to find dresses and i wanted to have this part over and done with so i only have little things to do
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  • tecah123tecah123
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had a great experience with Terri's Bridal shop in Norwood. I went their with my bm just to browse and showed terri a picture of what I was looking for and she found that style right away. Since I wasn't even with my parents I couldn't buy it cause I wanted to show them before I purchased it. Terri was kind enough to hold it for a week till my parents could come down to give the official yes.  I didn't think I would find my dress so fast so it was suprising to me. Startedin September 2010for a September 2011 wedding.  Give your self time to think and search.  It says in every book took give your self 8 months atleast.
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