After celebrating the joy of your recent engagement, one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you’ll face is choosing that perfect gown for your walk down the aisle. It’s tempting to immediately dive into the world of wedding dress shopping, but careful planning can ensure a smoother, stress-free process. Let’s demystify the timeline for purchasing your wedding dress.
While a wedding often feels like a distant dream, it’s important to remember that timelines are crucial, especially when dealing with wedding dresses. Unlike off-the-rack purchases, wedding gowns usually require a lead time of six to nine months as they are often made-to-order. This is why a visit to the bridal salon should be a priority on your wedding planning checklist.
The extended timeline accounts for not just the creation of your dream dress, but also any alterations that may be necessary to ensure a perfect fit. Typically, brides undergo three fittings, each with its own specific goal: the initial fitting to adjust the dress to your measurements, a second fitting to refine these adjustments, and a final one to ensure everything is perfect. Remember, a well-tailored wedding dress is no overnight creation – it’s an art perfected over a timeline that allows meticulous attention to detail.
This might sound daunting, particularly for those with a tighter timeframe. But don’t worry, the wedding industry has evolved to accommodate the most time-pressed to-be-weds. The traditional wedding dress shopping itinerary is not carved in stone. With the rise of quicker engagements and an increasing number of designers offering rush services or off-the-rack options, there’s a solution for every bride.
Commencing Your Journey After Engagement
The thrill of being newly engaged often sparks off a flurry of activity, particularly when it comes to envisioning your perfect wedding gown. Perhaps you’ve been curating a selection of bridal gowns on Pinterest or noting down styles from magazines even before the proposal. If not, now is the optimum time to dive into the world of bridal fashion and home in on the aesthetic you resonate with most.
Start your fashion exploration by flipping through bridal magazines, surveying the latest couture trends, identifying key designers in the bridal industry, or drawing inspiration from real-life weddings. As you compile a collage of images that appeal to you, look for patterns or recurring elements. Are you consistently drawn to gowns with a plunging backline? Do you have a penchant for embellishments or intricate lacework? Are you captivated by curve-hugging silhouettes?
Consider these factors during your fashion reconnaissance:
- Identify your style preferences. This includes the kind of sleeves, neckline, gown length, backline, and silhouettes that flatter you;
- Reflect on the type of wedding you’re planning. Is it a beach wedding, a traditional church ceremony, or perhaps a vintage-themed event? The wedding style can influence your dress choice;
- Take note of the time of year and climate of your wedding location. A summer wedding in a tropical location might call for lighter fabrics, while a winter wedding may necessitate layers or heavier materials;
- Contemplate the level of comfort you’re aiming for. You’ll be in your wedding dress for an extended period, and comfort can significantly impact your overall enjoyment of the day.
Remember, bring along these visuals when you have your first appointment at the bridal salon. Having a clear image of what you’re looking for can make the selection process more efficient. However, always maintain an open perspective – you may discover a style, silhouette or detail you hadn’t considered before, and fall head over heels in love with it.
After You’ve Chosen Your Wedding Venue
After you’ve secured your wedding venue, it’s time to shift your focus onto the next exciting decision – your wedding gown. It’s a good idea to consider the style of your venue when selecting your dress, as the two should harmonize perfectly. For instance, a beach wedding calls for a lighter, more relaxed dress style, while an elaborate ballgown would be perfect for a grand indoor event.
As recommended by leading bridal experts, you should ideally start your dress shopping six to nine months prior to your wedding. This gives you ample time to explore different styles, attend fittings, and allow for any custom alterations required, all without feeling rushed or stressed.
Here is a guide to help you streamline your shopping experience:
- Set a budget: Aside from the cost of the gown, remember to allocate a portion of your budget towards alteration fees and any potential rush charges;
- Decide who will accompany you during your bridal appointments: Whether it’s your family, close friends, or a wedding planner, ensure they understand your preferences and can provide constructive suggestions;
- Secure your appointments: Popular bridal boutiques often have their appointments booked out well in advance. Schedule your visits early to avoid disappointment;
- Do your homework: Each bridal salon stocks a unique array of designers, styles, and price ranges. Research beforehand to identify the boutiques that align with your vision and budget;
- Understand bridal sizing: Bridal sizes typically run smaller than regular clothing sizes. Don’t be surprised if your bridal size is a couple of notches higher than your regular size. It’s important to focus on the fit and how the gown makes you feel rather than the number on the tag.
During your bridal appointments, you’ll be assisted by a consultant who will guide you through the process of trying on various sample gowns. Once you’ve found the one that makes you feel the most beautiful, the gown will be custom made just for you based on your measurements and specifications.
9 Months Before the Wedding
After browsing through an array of wedding gowns, you’ve finally narrowed down your choice to that one exquisite creation at a bridal boutique. To secure your perfect dress, you’re typically required to pay a deposit of around 50 to 60 percent. Now starts the six to nine-month wait for your custom-made wedding gown to be handcrafted, tailored intricately to your measurements.
But why does it take a significant amount of time for the dress to arrive, you might wonder. The answer lies in the detailed craftsmanship that goes into creating your dream wedding dress. The dress components and materials are often sourced internationally to ensure the best quality. From delicate laces from France, exquisite fabrics from Spain, to intricate beading from India, Japan or other parts of Asia, each piece plays its role in bringing the dress to life.
Beyond the sourcing of materials, the labor-intensive process of creating a wedding gown includes not only tailoring but also intricate details such as embroidery and beading. With a team of expert craftsmen meticulously hand-beading and embroidering your gown, this could alone take up to two weeks – and that’s just a single step in the whole creation process.
With the complex and lengthy procedure of creating a dress, you might also want to factor in any pre-wedding photoshoots or travel time. For instance, if you’re planning a destination wedding or bridal portraits, you’ll need your gown much sooner. Some brides also prefer to have their wedding dress ready and perfect-fitted a month before the wedding, leaving ample time for potential adjustments or alterations.
5 Months Before the Wedding
As the anticipation of your custom-made wedding gown builds, there are plenty of tasks you can tackle during this waiting period. One of the crucial steps is identifying a trusted tailor. Your bridal boutique can often suggest reliable options for alterations. Tailoring costs may vary, some charge per service, such as shortening the hemline or adjusting the bust, while others may present an overall alteration fee. So, it’s essential to factor these costs into your wedding budget.
Next on your list is accessorizing. A key tip for coordinating your entire ensemble is to select your veil, jewelry, and other accessories before your first fitting. This allows you to visualize the complete look early on and make necessary adjustments. Consider these guidelines while selecting your bridal accessories:
- Balance your look: If your gown is heavy on embellishments, balance it out with simple, sophisticated accessories. On the other hand, a minimalist gown is the perfect canvas for statement pieces;
- Keep the venue and theme in mind: The setting of your wedding can influence your choice of accessories. For instance, a vintage veil might complement a heritage venue perfectly, while beach weddings might call for more relaxed, bohemian-inspired adornments;
- Harmonize metals with your gown: Depending on the color of your gown, different metals for your jewelry can accentuate your look. For example, gold jewelry pairs well with ivory gowns, while platinum or silver complements pure white dresses.
Another essential item to consider beforehand is your wedding shoes. The height of your footwear will determine the final length of your gown’s hem. Factors like your wedding venue and the overall tone of the event play a crucial role in your choice of shoes. For instance, stilettos may not be the best choice for a wedding on a grassy location or a sandy beach.
3 Months Before the Wedding
The grand moment has arrived – your custom-crafted wedding gown is ready and awaiting your first fitting at the boutique! The thrill of seeing your dream dress come to life after months of anticipation is indescribable. However, your journey with the dress is not over yet. You still have a critical timeline ahead for final adjustments and alterations.
This vital phase ensures that your dress fits you like a glove, highlighting your best features and ensuring you shine on your special day. Here’s what to expect during the fitting process:
- First fitting: This is primarily for alterations to the dress’s length, bodice, and waist. Remember to bring along your wedding shoes and lingerie that you plan to wear on the D-day. The seamstress will then pin and adjust the dress on you for the alterations;
- Second fitting: The adjustments made during the first fitting would be completed at this stage. More refinements may be done to ensure the perfect fit. This is also an excellent opportunity to try on the dress with your wedding day accessories;
- Final fitting: This is your last chance to ensure everything about your dress is just as you envisioned it. If there are any minor tweaks needed, they can be done at this fitting. Once everything is perfect, your dress will be steamed and prepped for pickup.
Bearing in mind the time required for each fitting and potential alterations, it’s prudent to ensure you have some buffer time before your wedding, so you’re not rushing last-minute adjustments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the arrival of your wedding gown marks a crucial milestone in your wedding journey. However, patience and careful planning are still required to ensure your dress aligns seamlessly with your vision. With diligent management and an eye on the timeline, your dream wedding dress will be a reality, fitting you flawlessly as you walk down the aisle.