When to start dress shopping? Update, I've found THE dress!

Im getting married in July 2016 and found my dress in Nov 2014.

ive been told my dress wont be in till December/January. im not sure if this is the same for all dresses but i was told it would take about 1 year.

you dont need to rush out now though, im sure some dress can be done in 6 months depending on were you go.

you also have the sample sales too and that way you can grab bargain.

I'm getting married in October this year. Started looking in December 2014. Found my dress at the beginning of January and it will take 6 months to come in. To me that seems a sensible enough time, not too long but enough time that I can get all alterations done comfortably without stressing about tight timelines.

Thanks for the replies.

I know everyone is different and it just shows how varied it can be with the replies. I do feel better about it now.

I think I will go to the appointment in a few weeks and take it from there, If I don't find what I'm looking for I'm reassured I've got a good few more months to find ' the one'

Thanks

I think that's a good plan :-) I went for the first time about a year before our wedding but it then took a good few trips to find my dress so I actually bought it about 9 months before. It was nice to be able to leisurely look and not feel under pressure to find one quickly. Happy dress hunting :-) xx

I looked with 18 months to go and the dress I fell in love with and bought has now been discontinued. It has already arrived in the shop and they are storing it for me free of charge until my wedding in March next year. I am so happy that I bought it when I did as I wouldn't be able to get it now. I did worry I wouldn't love it as much when I tried it on again but I loved it even more when I tried it on once it had arrived and it was pristine and I was the only one who would ever wear it.

Even if you find one you love now but don't want to get it this early you could ask the bridal shop to keep details of the dress and if it is going to be discontinued they could ring you to let you know and give you the chance to order it before it's too late xx

I decided to have a look around about 13 months before the wedding. I had no intention of making a decision that early but fell in love and ended buying my dress. I saw it again for the first time with 7 months to go and I do feel the same way. I think it's important to not keep looking at it, so you don't get bored of seeing it. I don't think wedding dress styles change that dramatically so I don't think it's too soon x

We got engaged two weeks ago. Getting married this August 2015, so I have about six months to go. I think I would probably not be able to buy some gowns because they take too long to come in but I'm not too worried about that as my budget for the dress is reletively small anyway (I could probably not afford those dresses anyway).

I've just made an appointment for next weekend to try on dresses.

I started September 2014 for wedding August 2015. I ordered my dress in the one and only shop I went in and it arrived at the shop week or so ago. The lady said if I had waited a couple of weeks later I would have been probably waiting another 3 months for it! xXx

I am also a May 2016 bride ?

I plan of looking in a couple of months to get an idea but I think 9 - 12 months is a good time.

I'm a july 2016 bride and i ordered my dress 2 weeks ago - i went into a shop just for a look around and ended up buying my dress. It should be in store in approx 3-4 months.

I'm getting married 14 March, I started shopping in May last year & many of the shops said that I was cutting it fine...I personally think this is rubbish! I eventually found my dress in August last year, it arrived at the end of January and I had my first fitting on Friday. Plenty of time for the seamstress to alter, I have my final fitting a week on Friday, 3 weeks before our wedding.

What I learned from my experience is do it in your own time & they will (mostly) make a plan for you to get the dress.

I've not got a date set yet, and although I've been looking online at dresses, I won't be going into a shop until nearer the time. We're thinking September 2016, but we've both got a fair bit of weight to lose, so I'm not trying on or ordering anything until I've lost at least another stone or can get into a 14-16!

I went dress shopping July 2014 for wedding dec 2015 and my dress has only just been dispatched to the shop so bare that in mind if your planning on ordering rather than off the peg. I thought 18months was very early but it was the only time my best friend could be there so I figured even if I didn't find the one I would have shared that experience with her. The earlier you look the more time you have to make a decision but once you have decided stop looking! Lol I went to two different shops and the one I thought would be better was pretty rubbish the one I thought I would think was just ok was beyond fantastic so don't judge a dress shop by its website! I recommend trying multiple designers and styles and take people with you that you want there and make a day of it :-)

Thanks again for the replies, lots of good advice and ideas. It also goes to show how its different for everyone with the different experiences.

As mentioned previously, I think I will still go in a few weeks and try on and get a feel for the styles I like, but I won't be feeling pressured to find something immediately as it seems I have a good few months. Ooo I'm excited - I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with it all before so thanks!

Hey Everyone,

I thought I would pop back with an update as I have found THE dress. I can't believe it, I was so nervous when I got there and felt so overwhelmed. I tried a couple on and although they were lovely they just didn't seem right. I had seen one online but wasn't as keen when I saw it hung up in the shop but decided to try it and I'm so glad I did. It was amazing and I just felt so different in this one, the assistants even commented on how much more relaxed I was.

I don't have any pics at the moment as the sample was around 3 sizes too big so I want to wait until my size comes in. I'm now sad I won't get to try it on again until early next year haha. It will take around 8 months to come in and then I can have my fittings.

So thank you for all your replies to my first post - It put my mind at ease. I'm still amazed I actually found it

X

Ah exciting! So what have you gone for/what's the name of it? :-D

I'm so excited. I wanted to get married there and then ha.

It's the Mori Lee 1960

X

Wow! Your dress is absolutely stunning!

Hi!
I work in a bridal boutique and am also getting married myself (this year)
I would start looking at styles about a year to go and preferably decide on your gown with 9 months to go.
I think people think it is a sales ploy or something but the time span for dresses to come in is usually 6 months.
A lovely girl came in for a prom/bridesmaid dress on Saturday for late May and we just couldn't help her. Good luck with your dress search xxx