Dress Shopping..

shannon41885

How far in advance did you start looking? Did you make appointments? What did you wear? Any suggestions are helpful!

I have been kind of superstitious about dress shopping and refused to step foot into a shop until I had a date set (we got engaged Dec 2007).

Well I have a date set, but its not till Jan 2012. I am super organized and have a ton of the planning set and am just providing time for us to afford it all.. (we're paying for it ourselves).

I have read many great reviews here for Precious Memories and Madeilines Daughter and I noticed Madelines Daughter was having a sale the weekend of Thanksgiving, well my family is big Black Friday shoppers, (my mom and 2 sisters will be coming with me, as well as FMIL) so I talked to them and Saturday would work.. well all appts are booked up.. So I thought, since they're all available I'll try Precious Memories!.. but, they might be closed for the holiday, so both shops have to call me back if they're open/or have an opening.. I find I am drawn to Maggie Sottero dresses so I thought both shops would be a great start.

I haven't been too stressed to start looking for a dress as of yet, but my FI keeps asking when I plan to start (weird!). He is under the impression i'll be difficult and have a hard time finding something. So ladies.. How far in advance did you begin looking and what is your advice?

JBs_Bride

I started looking in January 2009 for my June 2010 wedding, with a deadline of ordering by June 1, 2009. Most designer dresses take 6-9 months. I also factored in a month for any potential delays (shipping, manufacturing, etc.)

If you're interested in Maggies, you should definitely check out their website and see what other stores in MA/NH carry them. I know one of my friends got her Maggie at Manhattan Bridal and she had a good experience working with them.

LaMarie412

I looked for wedding dresses at Precious Memories in Malden, and had a phenomenal experience. They were helpful, but not pushy, and had a surprisingly large selection of dresses for what looks like such a small shop. I didn't end up getting my dress there, but I would recommend them highly. They made me, and my large posse of girls, feel like special guests the whole time we were there.

I bought my dress October 3rd for my September 2011 wedding and felt like I still had plent of time.

rockstar8575

I got my Maggie at Precious Memories in Malden and I also had a great experience. I ordered my dress in May 2010 for my June 2011 wedding. It is taking 8 months to come in so I won't have it until January, then I need time for all the alterations!

But I agree with JBs, take a look on the Maggie website and see what styles you like and where they sell them around here, that way if you can't get an appointment at either store you have a backup plan.

roginskyj

I just started looking for my November 2011 wedding. Wear a good bra and undies and bring or wear shoes similar to those you'll wear at the wedding. Have an open mind too, you might like something you did not think you would. Have fun!!!

arp815

I was told that it takes about 8 months to order a wedding gown so I just bought mine a few weeks ago for my 8/2011 wedding.  I had a GREAT experience at French Bridals in beverly MA.  They women there really know what they are doing.  I also recently checked out Precious Memories in Malden for bridesmaids dresses and they have a great area for bridal gowns so I would suggest looking there as well. 

njlfred

I believe I ordered mine in the May/June 2009 timeframe for my April 2010 wedding.  I bought my Maggie at Confetti and Lace in Littleton MA and  had a great experience there. 

PinkTweed

I bought my dress at Priscilla of Boston and had a great experience there! I just ordered it and it's going to take about 8 months to come in.

If you're interested in Maggie dresses, I found a wide variety at Loren's Bridal in Sturbridge, MA. It's a small storefront but they have a huge storage room with seeminly endless numbers of dresses. If you're up for a little drive, I'd check them out too. The ladies were wicked nice and accessorized every dress I tried on.

kejaniak13

I also got my dress at Precious Memories.  They are really great there!!  I ended up with a Casablanca, but they have tons of Maggie Sotteros also.   I ordered mine in August, and it will be in late December/early January. 

shannon41885

Thanks Everyone! 

I made an appointment at Madelines Daughter for the 20th! I didnt raelly think about it, but its just samples at the sale so it didnt make a huge difference when I went.

I am starting to get really excited to see it all becoming so real