Wedding dress shopping - When to buy??

I went 'just to look, not try on' just over a year before our wedding which is this Saturday... only went to the one shop, ended up trying five or six dresses and falling in love and paying in full for a 'sale' dress which was an ex-sample. Then had to pay the shop to store it for a year!!

Good points: The stress of the dress was over, I didn't have to find time to go to several shops and I did, and still do absolutely love my dress.

Bad points: I have 'dress wobbled' several times- luckily for me just popping in and trying it on again resolved that! I have also regretted the amount of money I spent- I know now that I could have got a similar dress for a LOT less money.

I also felt I missed out on the whole excitement and build up to going dress shopping as I literally spotted a sale sign outside and went in there and then with no prep and no appointment.

Sorry, that doesn't really answer your question but hopefully gives you some things to consider!

Hi

Some dresses can take 6 to 9 months to order so I would definitely be looking now. However, I also went to a wedding dress sale in a local bridal store and fell in love with an ex sample so came away with it there an then, a whole 2 years before my wedding. Thank god mum could store it in her spare room!

Good luck x

Thanks guys, sounds positive! X

I ended up buying two, three first I bought because I had lost note of ever finding anything actually nice within my budget so I bought out of anger, then found a much better shop which didn't laugh at my request and bought a lovely dress, I don't get married till next April and it's in my mum's spare room.

Have a peep at our blog article which we hope will help you and others.

Good luck in your search.

A bride’s guide to timing the purchase of her bridal gown

My wedding is mid-June, & I started visiting shops at the end of June last year. As it was, I ended up buying my dress which was the sample I tried on at the beginning of July & I took it home, & it's been hanging in my sister's wardrobe ever since. I still love it!

I got my dress from wed2b last may and we get married in August. So quite a way in advance! I had a few wobbles about it a few months ago so got it back off my sister so I could have a look and try it on. That massively helped and put a end to any uncertainties I had. I still love it so I don't think it's a bad thing buying in advance and having it at home xx

I got my dress from Wed2be. Went shopping in February to try different styles with no intention of buying and walked away with a dress. I get married towards the end of July. It's in my spare room and I've put it on twice since and still love it - but it's nice to know it fits still and helps me with pre wedding prep.