Poll - when did you start hunting

I found mine and paid a deposit with about 13 months to go. I think 2 years is a little hasty, if I'm honest. But there's no harm in trying a few on to see what you like

Totally agree with this ^^ In my time on hitched I've seen too many brides who bought in haste very early on and then totally changed their plans or their mind and had to try and sell or change their order. No harm in casually starting to look around and maybe try a couple on to start forming a good idea of what suits etc.

Thanks girls.

I have no intention to buy in haste, just to have a look at what's out there and then nearer the time if i'm still fixed on my dress then I can start looking for good deals - but I won't "stop" looking until around the 12 month to go mark i think

You have over two and a half years to go. This means that you'll see at least one, if not a few, seasonal and stock changes. You're tempting fate - what if you find a lovely dress very quickly, but need to buy it before it vanishes from the rails? It's adding a pressure that no bride needs.

If I was you I'd definitely have a look, just because it's fun and because you can - you're engaged woo hoo! Try dresses on! But definitely wait before you even consider buying anything. I bought mine 11 months before and I still think that was quite early.

I went looking and bought mine one year before and it only took 4months to come in. Some stores dont stock the dress - will ask you to collect so you would need to store for two years. I would hold off until end of next year/beginning of 2014 to be honest so not that far in advance and new seasons are in

We got engaged in January this year and I must admit I bought my dress about a week later! I had in my head my "dream dress" and found it pretty much straight away so bought it and haven't looked back. I normally change my mind every 5 minutes about everything else so it must definitely be the one. 2015 is quite a way off...but it wouldn't do you any harm to start looking around and getting a feel for what dresses suit you

I would wait until you have 10 - 12 months to go. At least that way you know if you see anything else after you buy your dress you know it will be too late to order it.

Hi im not getting married til jan feb march time in 2014......we havent even set a definite date until we've the weather next year lol! But ive already been searchjign online for themes colours this website,dresses, suits, flowers, thinking of guests etc. I wont be buying anything til about 6-9 months before unless i see something i simply must have etc but im so busy with my two kids, job as a school teacher & business ive recently launched i wont be leaving anything to last miniute. Also most of my wedding will be handmade by me and my bm's etc as im a serious crafter and provide the exact service to other brides etc so be plain stupid to buy everything ive done myself a million times!

At end of day theres no harm in looking, or picking up pieces you KNOW you'll def be using....ive bought a wedding photo album...but thats because its plain ivory so i'll be costumising it anyway to suit my theme etc and because it was a one off handmade paper one i found a lady seeling at a fair for chirstmas lat week!

I started looking and got mine in a sample sale about 18months before. Anything earlier than that and I think personally I would have major doubts further down the line just because of how many dresses you'll see after you buy. I love my dress + know it's the one but I do occasionally wonder if I bought it too early. My mum took lots of pics so luckily I can look at me in the dress remember how I felt in it + wobbles go away. I have also shut my mind off when it comes to dresses, I will not imagine myself in any other than mine!!

It's so easy to get carried away... you go in a shop just to have a look, then you try something on, then you could end up buying something.

If I was you I would just do research in to styles & designers but wait a little while before actually going in a shop (unless you have amazing self restraint!).

I think I went out shopping just before a year to go- had looked at tonnes and tonnes online before hand tho so it only took a few hours to buy!