Do you really have to buy your dress 9 months in advance?

I was nervous about timing because I've heard so many horror stories about dresses coming just in the nick of time and stressing out over alterations. I ended up getting a sample so it wasn't an issue and has been sitting at the seamstress for months. First fitting is in June.

They said my dress would take awhile to come in; I got it three weeks later.

I ordered mine 5 months out and got it back from alterations last week.

We got ours from a consignment store. NotFroofy's was a sample, and mine was used. Not only did it save money, but it meant we could try on the exact dresses we'd be wearing (not try on one that didn't fit, and guess what it would look like when it did). And we could take them home the same day we bought them. We still had to allow a few weeks for alterations, but nothing like 9 months.

- Designer dress that is made to order: 6-8 months

- Chain store dress coming from a warehouse, but might need to be made due to lack of inventory: 3 weeks - 3 months

- Off the rack: 0 days

I bought mine off the rack about 12 months before. I also want to lose a little more weight before the wedding, but the dress I ended up with is a few sizes too big anyway. I figure I'll get it sized eventually to the correct size.

Depends heavily on the designer and the rush of orders.

I bought mine that day and took it home. So I could have bought it the week of technically. I wouldn't do that- but it totally depends on the designer- some gowns you can order and be good to go with minor alterations- I wouldn't wait under 5 months though.

I ordered my dress in March and its due to arrive in September. Add in the time needed to do alterations.....If you want to order a dress, I would go no later than 7 months out. and thats probably pushing it. If youre willing to buy off the rack you could wait longer, but your options will likely be limited

I was married in March, bought it the previous October. But I wasn't worried.

I bought mine off the rack in my size (well, one size too big, to allow for alterations) as I only have a few months. I wish I'd allowed more time so I could order what I wanted. My options were so limited I cried. But I did find a great dress that I like. But time/options would've been SO nice

I ordered mine last week. The estimated ship date is in August and it should arrive 2-3 weeks later. Eta: words

I went dress shopping 8 months out and all of the salons were like "oh good, you're just barely giving yourself enough time". I ended up finding my dress brand new on Tradesy for 1/3 of the price, so I got it right away.

Honestly, I would start looking for a dress soon just to get an idea of styles that you like and time frames.

How much weight are you wanting to lose?

I got mine 2.5 months out (and started shopping for it 3 months out). I knew I'd have to buy it off the rack but that was A-okay with me. I didn't have any issues and actually saved a lot of money because my dress was discontinued. I don't consider myself the most picky person and I knew I'd find something that I love.

As a plus, there's much less chance of having dress regret when you only have a couple months to change your mind!

I ordered mine the day after Thanksgiving and it's not in yet. It's due the end of this month.

I ordered mine in July and it just came in so..8 months

I ordered my dress in July. About 10 months out and I had every intention on losing weight. I lost 20 pounds and just had my first fitting in April 1st.

I'd suggest you at least go looking so you get the feel of what looks nice on your body type. If you find the one, great! Then you have time and possible motivation to start eating right and working out. Thats what alterations are for

My good friend had an 8 month engagement, and she didn't start shopping until around 5 months out, and she didn't have any issues.

The salons I went to suggested 9 months for it to come in and 2 for alterations

I bought off the rack and it's beautiful and doesn't even look like it has been a sample. It looks straight out of the box.

My first dress from a designer made to order took 8 months. When it arrived, it wasn't made to order, actually it was made with a corset back although my order specifically stated it was to be a zipper/button back. And it had a keyhole opening, so it wasn't like the dress could be altered to fix the mistake. I hated it. So I picked a different dress from a different designer and had to start over. The 2nd dress took 6 months. So my advice is to get shopping now, order a dress that fits you now, and alter it smaller to the size you are when it comes in.