Dress before ring… advice needed.

My FH and I have agreed on a shorter engagement (less then a year, 7-8 months tops). We are both mid thirties and have both been previously married. We agreed to begin booking our venue and vendors before our actual engagement because we know things book fast and with all the re-bookings due to covid, we wanted to make sure we were able to get what we wanted. We are currently booked for June 2022 and plan on getting engaged this fall/ winter.


We’ve booked our venue, photographer, video, and DJ. Now I am concerned about the dress. We are not “technically” engaged at the moment but we are a little more then 10 months out from the actual wedding. I know this is the time to begin shopping for a dress to make sure I get what I want but I am nervous about what my family is going to think about me going before I’m engaged. They were all supportive about me finding a venue but not sure how they are going to feel about looking for a dress. I want my mom, sisters, and aunt (whose very opinionated) to be there. Any thoughts/ advice? TIA!