Too soon to buy the dress?

krmabojo · March 2010

My wedding is not until June 4th, 2011.

My friend and I went to look at dresses back in January 2010 for fun. I ended up really loving one in particular. I was told to call once a month to make sure the dress was not going to be discontinued.

Turns out, the dress will be discontinued in May of this year.

I went to try it on again today to make sure I still loved it. I do. I also went to another shop to try on different dresses. Nothing really caught me eye.

I found out that the second shop I went to today has that dress for $110.00 less that where I originally found it!

I have the money now to get it, but on the same note, I wonder if it is too soon to buy it.

My questions is, if I love the dress and it is in our price range (we are on a tight budget) is a year before the wedding too soon to purchase it?

Thank you!

JCKG04 · March 2010

I say go for it! I am not getting married until May 2011, and I already have my dress. If you know you love it, buy it. I was in the same situation with my dress, fearful it would be discontinued, so I went for it! As far as alterations as long as you are not planning a crash diet or something prior to the wedding, get your current size and maintain you weight. I dont plan on having my dress altered until about 6-8wks prior to my wedding.

You just dont want to be caught in a situation where you waited, and now the dress is not available and you cant find another dress you love just as much.

but you can also check with the designer...in some case you can still buy discontinued dresses, as long as the fabrics are still available however you will have to pay an increased cost(romona keveza has this option in some gowns)...which I am sure you probably wont want to do.

I say go for it! GL!

jagore08 · March 2010

If you know you won't want any other dress (as in don't keep looking through magazines or going to stores to try on more dresses) then go ahead and get it. Also ask if you can get any further discount since it's being discontinued.

krmabojo · March 2010

Thank you ladies for all teh advice! I just felt a little obsessive getting it so early.

And jagore08, really good idea. Thank you! I had not thought of that!

splashmadison · March 2010

The alterations should not be a factor since you can start them closer to the wedding date like I chose to do. I bought a dress 11 months before the wedding, not as early as you, but if you love the dress and are pretty sure you won't be changing your mind then definitely get it! You wouldn't want to pass it up and never find anything that you feel the same about further down the road.

morainemom · March 2010

My daughter's wedding was in Oct '09.
She bought her gown in Mar. '08 - it fit perfectly and needed no alterations.

The key is to stop looking at dresses and be totally sure that the one you bought is the gown you truly love.

d2smits · March 2010

My wedding is in May 2011. I did the same thing... I went to look at dresses just for fun, and the second one I tried on, ever, was it. The shop was going out of business, and I just couldn't pass it up... so I bought it. I think if you love the dress, you just know it's the right one, and continuing to look will only cause more stress. Do what feels right to you. I'm glad I got my dress, and I can't wait to wear it again.

Annekite · March 2010

I have a similar dilemna, being that I'm a fashionista and don't want to risk Fall '10 coming out with a style I adore. However, I have an April '11 date, so Fall '10 line will also be pushing it. I'd say, if you find one you love and can't stop thinking about, as I did, get it and just swallow any regrets. In the big scheme of things, having the latest fashion for a wedding dress isn't as important as having a gorgeous style that you'll be happy looking at in photos for years to come.

ajstrickler · March 2010

Being a destination bride May 2011, I had to get my dress from the spring/summer 2010 line - can't really buy a fall line dress for the beach! Anyway, I just ordered mine last week, it will take six months to come in, so it won't be here until late September. Then alterations. Should anything go wrong, or need extra time, I'll be totally fine and have no need to stess. I'm super glad I found it early. I think if you look at it that way, you will be too!

lkwedel · March 2010

Even though it has been said by many others, I also had to voice my thoughts because I was criticized by some for buying my dress early. I am also a June 2011 bride, and I found THE dress at the beginning of this year. It was a limited edition dress that was still within my budget. I didn't hesitate to buy it because I knew that if I didn't get this dress, my luck would be not to find something that I loved just as much closer to the day. For me, my size hasn't changed much since I was 18, so I knew that buying my size would still be my size in 15 months. If your size does fluctuate, just buy one size bigger and have it altered closer to your wedding date. Most bridal shops are knowledgable about this and can help you order the right size.

Good luck. I hope that you followed your first instinct.

clarita22 · March 2010

I recommend that if you love it, say yes and buy it!
Then stop looking - be confident in your choice and enjoy all your fun and planning. Sure there are (and will be) many dresses that you haven't seen,
but just remember...there are lots of men you haven't met yet, too.
(and we call guys "commitment-phobes" ? )
If you love him, say yes. and stop looking for the next handsome man you see. There will always be other options you've missed.
Ditto for the dress. As women we naturally get caught up in fashion and trends
so its natural but don't let it deter you from buying a fabulous dress. There is no perfect timeframe - and you want the relief of knowing its in, its altered and you're a calm happy bride to be.

ps.. even though we're all budget conscious, be sure that you buy your gown where you feel comfortable, understand what's included, and that sometimes the price tag on the gown includes other instore discounts and invaluable services that you won't think you need til something goes wrong when you shop price only.Good Luck!

rfk516 · March 2010

My wedding is June 5th, 2011 and I bought my dress last week! If you have found the right dress, then I say go for it! Especially if you got a good deal on it!

segross09 · March 2010

This is tough especially with the wedding being next year. But if you absoultly love it and the price is right go for it. I'm getting married in June and i had my dress in Nov. 09. I've done the same things you have, gone to other stores and looked/tried on dress and nothing really caught my eye. My fiance thought i had bought too early, since then he's seen me in it at one of my fittings and he Loves it.

GO for it..

CNNmorris · March 2010

My wedding is not untill 10/09/10 and I got my dress 2 months ago. So I would say go for it

stephe4664lands · March 2010

I wish I would've waited. I got my dress in March 2009 and am getting married in May 2010. I still love the dress I got, but went for my fitting this week and had to have it taken in quite a bit since I have lost weight. Not to bring money into it, but I paid $550 for the dress and then ended up having to pay $260 to have it altered. My situation is a little different because I could go in today and find another dress I like and wouldn't have to pay to have it altered! Follow your instinct thought. See if they'll discount you more if they know you're undecided. They may want to make a sell and lower the cost even more!

elorgwhee · March 2010

I thought that it was going to be tough finding my dress because I'm a bit of an oddball and I'm picky so I started really early. I looked through tons of magazines & websites, but only went to a couple of places to try dresses on. I found and bought my dress back in October 2009 and our wedding isn't until March 2011.

I took the risk that there might still be a better dress out there, but I really love this dress and didn't want to lose it. Plus it takes 4-6+ months to order it. It'll be ready to pick up a little under a year before the wedding, but now I don't have to worry about spending more time finding something "better" and running into deadline concerns. That's a huge weight off my shoulders, but a long time in storage since I'm not having it altered until much closer to the wedding. I don't expect to lose too much weight to make alterations impossible or difficult, so I should be golden.

I think it depends on whether you think that this is in fact THE ONE, and weight how much of a chance that you'd like to take on either getting it and finding one you like more, vs. not getting it and maybe not finding one that you like as much. As long a you love the dress and don't feel like you're just settling for a nice one, I don't think it's too early at all.

brandy_rochelle · March 2010

BUY IT!!! If you love it, buy it. You know when it's the right dress, like you know when it's the right guy. Trust me. I bought my wedding gown a year and a half ago, and my wedding isn't until June 26th of this year and I still absolutely LOVE it. No other dress can compare 'til this day. You will regret not buying it if you wait. I know from experience from being in a similar scenario. 8 years ago I fell in love with this prom gown. It had been discontinued, but the boutique still had one left. I decided to wait to buy it because I wanted to look around. I didn't find anything I loved as much as that prom gown, but when I went back to get it, it had been sold and they could not get another one. EIGHT years later, even though I still looked great that night, I regret not getting it when I look at my prom photos. LOL! Imagine how you it will be if you feel this way about your wedding gown ten years from now. Buy it.

tamicatbaby · March 2010

My dear, the only time it is too soon to buy the dress is if you are not sure the groom will go through with it.

As long as he will show up and he is what you want, by all means by the dress, make sure it is covered up so it won't get dusty between now and then, keep it out of sunlight or any light and way from extreme temps and moisture and enjoy your wedding day.

if this is the dress you want and he is the guy, yes get it now and if you are concerned about particular people that will say something to you for buying the dress "too soon" , don't discuss it with them it really is none of their business. Don't discuss it with them and they can't comment if you bring it up with them you are inviting their comments, if they bring it up, tell them the dress is a surprise they will see at the wedding.

and if it is someone polling you for into that isn't invited and they pump for info you can politely smile and say you are so kind to take an interest in a gentle polite tone.

MSullivan3 · March 2010

Do it!! I was just pondering this the other day - I'm getting married in April 2011, and I just bought my dress. It's one of those things where I think you would always wonder if you didn't buy it. If worse comes to worse and you decide closer to the date that you don't feel comfortable wearing it anymore, or you find another one, you can sell the dress on eBay or oncewed.com. You have options!

Congratulations!!

jennlemke · March 2010

If it is exactly what you want, buy it! I'm getting married in June 2011. I've only been engaged for 2 weeks and went to look at dresses for fun, not expecting to buy. I ended up purchasing the 2nd dress I tried on. I went back to the store twice to ensure I would love it. I compare every other dress to it. It's perfect for me and nothing can compare. It doesn't matter when you find the perfect dress.

EmilyC3 · March 2010

Not too soon- I say that no time is too soon... unless you don't have a ring. I would only be concerned about gaining weight between now and the wedding and for that reason you may want to order it a size or two larger because you can always have it taken in but its hard to have it let out.

Other than that, go for it! I bought my dress almost a year before my wedding and I am glad I didn't wait until the last minute.

CassieandMike · March 2010

My wedding is May 15 of this year. When I got engeged in November of 2008, I the first thing I did was look for a dress to get in the wedding mood. I found it in December of 2008 and bought in January of 2009. That's about 16 months in advance. I didn't plan (and still haven't) gained any weight and it still fits like a glove!!

AshleyG64 · March 2010

My brother is getting married in May of 2011 and my sister in law to be found her perfect dress and bought it. My advice is to buy the dress if you love it and you think it is the one and do not go looking at other wedding dresses later. My sister in law to be refuses to look at other dress just in case because she loves the one she has and doesn't want to have anything mess with that.

sodell23 · March 2010

If you love it to the point where you know you will not want any other dress, then go for it! Especially if it's in your budget!!! If you have to make alterations, no big deal. (you will be saving $110 of course!)

Little advise though, stop watching "Say Yes To The Dress!" IT'S DANGEROUS!!!! HAHA

ashrey06 · March 2010

i bought mine almost 9 months before the wedding. i fell in love with it and just knew that the dress was the one. i had tried on over 25 dresses and none made me feel theway this one did. i say if you have that feeling that it is the dress then go for it!!

epelleja · March 2010

I bought my dress in February of 09 and am getting married in June of this year (16 months!) I've lost weight but no worry, the dress shop ladies are just holding the alterations until mid may! Try and get them to through in the alterations or at least a discount on them because you are buying so far in advance.

sara_scarlette · March 2010

I am getting married June 11, 2011 and I already bought my dress (in December)! Personally, I am between sizes (big chest and no butt, unfortunately! lol) - I knew I would be getting my dress altered no matter what, so it doesn't really matter if I gain/lose a couple of lbs before the wedding. Also, I chose a classic style that will not go out of fashion anytime soon.

However, if you want the dress to fit off the rack, or if you are going for a more trendy style, maybe hold off a bit!

mommavmh · March 2010

I'm getting married June 18, 2011 & have already bought my dress. It was on sale & exactly what I wanted. I am not looking at any other dresses due to the fact that I don't have the intrest to since I am in love with my dress. As for alterations that is done closer to the wedding if any are needed. As long as you are definately sure about the dress, love it completely & maintain your weight then it shouldn't be a problem. I say go for it!

rmarks86 · March 2010

I don't think it's too soon. I bought my dress more then a year in advance. I knew it was the one and have not seen one I liked better. If you like this dress you should buy it. What if you don't get it and can't find anything you like before your day?! I always ask myself if I don't get it will I regret it later? Good Luck!

Titos#1girl · March 2010

you really do know when you've found your dress. it this is it i agree go for it! my FI and I got engaged in Feb of 09 and we're getting married jul 10 and i found my dress one month after we got engaged. and I was just like you, kind of browsing...i haven't regretted it at all, i actually fall in love with it all over again every time i see it. IF it's dress for you sweetie buy it! and its one less thing that you have to worry about in th process.

Taribear · March 2010

My wedding is March 25, 2011 and I already purchased my dresses last month in February. I am having a destination wedding in Napa Valley, California and I live on Cape cod, Massachusetts. My mother lives in San Francisco so I've been out there twice since deciding on a venue for the wedding and we shopped for wedding dresses together. I fell in love with TWO dresses as did she, so we put together a cost basis spreadsheet (we're finance professionals) to see which would be more affordable. We researched online (www.houseofbrides.com), at boutiques and authorized retailers for both designers and I made A LOT of phone calls to get price quotes from SF, CA to Providence, RI to Boston and Cape Cod, MA. After breaking down the total cost for each gown including est. alterations, accessories etc. I concluded that I could buy BOTH dresses )which I loved equally and represent different aspects of my personality and tastes). I found a shop in New Bedford, MA that included free alterations without limitations, with the purchase of a wedding gown and also carried both designers (Maggies Sottero and Mori Lee). I worked out a deal that made it possible for me to pay the total price on TWO gorgeous gowns for less than many spend on just one. And by doing my homework, I spent altogether $1710 (2 gowns + my whole wedding look) instead of $2309 I would have spent on just one of the dresses, had I gone elsewhere.

So my advice is if you are in love with the gown, first ask yourself if everytime you look at your wedding pictures for the rest of your life, are you going to regret not seeing yourself in THIS dress? Then do some homework and see if you can purchase it from somewhere else for even cheaper and then you won't feel so guilty about it being to early, b/c you're getting a great deal. And also, when you do that much work for a dress or for anything, you really KNOW if you love it that much or if it's not worth it. Lastly, when if you do buy it, then stop looking at/for wedding dresses. LIke they say, "Once you find the man of your dreams, you don't continue to go out and meet men looking for dates, right?" Good luck!

Too soon to buy the dress?

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