How long should you go look at wedding dresses?

One year is usually about the time to start shopping! How long it takes completely depends on a bunch of factors, but unless you find something off the rack/at a sample sale, most boutiques will tell you it’ll take several months. Some take can even take 6+ months! So you want to leave enough of a cushion for alterations. You can also order one early and then just schedule your alterations closer to the wedding (just make sure house try on/inspect your dress as soon as you get it! I’ve seen horror stories where someone gets their dress early and doesn’t do much with it before leaving the boutique and then tries it on a few months later then it’s time to start alterations and there’s some massive mistake, but by then the boutique says it’s too late).

I purchased my dress in November 2022 for my October 2023 wedding. It arrived in May 2023. I tried it on the next week, and left it at the store, to hold it. They told me to call for alterations in August. (:


I set up two appointments but found a dress I loved at the first place and it was under budget. The second place had an online look book that allowed me to "pre pull" dresses. And none of them compared to the one I chose, so I canceled the appointment and ordered my dress from the first boutique.
It may be a smidge too early, which could lead to dress regret, if and when you do decide on your dress don't keep looking at any others. So many brides post dress regret and it's so sad.

It took me a year and a half of shopping to find my dress. I don't think it's too early!

I would say the one year mark is best. Make sure to have your venue booked as well as an idea of the size and formality of your wedding. Those 3 factors will help you plan for the type of dress you will be looking for when the time comes

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Wow thank you! I had no idea that it could take that long to get my dress after I order it. I was going to start calling a couple of bridal salons to make appointments to try on some dresses. Do you think it's to early to do that and that I should wait till the 1-year mark?

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Wow thank you! I had no idea that it could take that long to get my dress after I order it!. I was going to start calling a couple of bridal salons to make appointments to try on some dresses. Do you think it's too early to do that and that I should wait till the 1-year mark?

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Thank you so much! That is good to know, I definitely don't want buyers regret lol. I was going to call to make a couple of appointments to try on dresses to just to get an idea of what I like and how much I should budget for. I have looked at a bunch online but the pictures don't do them justice. Do you think that's a good idea?

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Thank and that really helps me because I was wanting to call some bridal salons to make an appointment to start looking at them. I know I won't buy one the first one I see because I want to really make sure I pick the one meant for me. I also want to get an idea of what the prices are so I can see where it fits in my budget. Also, I want to see some in person to really get an idea of what I am looking for.

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Thank you! I didn't even think of that! I do have my venue booked and it is an evening ceremony so a little more formal and right now we are at 207 but that may change depending on cost.

Nah! You good! I got my wedding dress already and I have the same wedding date as you. I would highly recommend trying them on as soon as possible. I found out I was allergic to any sequence or sparkle on any dress, so I had to find one that wasn’t converted in that (very difficult). I would also recommend getting a venue before the dress.

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Ok thank you! And I noticed that after I replied to your other comment, I

clicked on your profile and I got excited when I saw that lol. And I sent you a friend request lol

View Quoted Comment Sounds like a good advice in theory. However if you don't know your dress budget and you go just to try on dresses. You may end up falling in love with one way over budget.


Also every bridal shop/boutique I looked into you had to book ahead of time. Couldn't really walk in and look.
I saw a whole bunch online then once I got in store realized "wow lace is hideous I'll look like Nonnas doiley" 😂😂😂
My advice would to have a general idea of budget, and take people who boost you up never knock you down(even if it's a "loved" one who says mean things). I personally don't believe in having to match your venue with your dress. I'm getting married in a barn, the guys are all wearing suits and I didn't limit my dress options to fit with a barn wedding.

I got married September 17, 2022, I bought my dress July 7th, 2021, so a little over a year out. It came in at the end of April 2022 and Alterations took 3 months.

My wedding isn't until May next year and I found and bought my dress in April. 😅
It's never too early, but it can be too late. Don't put it off because stores will/may need time to order ypur dress, plus time for any needes alterations.

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The only thing to remember (and I'm sure the salons will tell you this) is that some styles may not be available to order next year because the fashion industry moves quickly.

Hi Kelly,

Congratulations on your wedding!!! I will be getting married in the month of March.

In my opinion, the sooner the better! If you have already envisioned what your dream wedding dress is going to be, then start looking out for similar styles or retailers that sell that designer/brand. Attending trunk shows is also a great idea so you get more time to try and decide what you really like.

Also many bridal stores charge extra for rush fee and they also take time to get it tailored and altered (several months!). This wont apply if you purchase an off-the-rack dress but if you are planning to get one shipped, do it atleast 9 months in advance1

Hope this helps!

It all depends if you are buying from a designer or somewhere like David's Bridal. Designer dresses have to be ordered months in advance so they can be made and then they come in for alterations, etc.....

I just got engaged June 24th and bought my dress the next day thanks to David's Bridal closing and they had awesome deals on dresses. My wedding is in Juky and I am so happy that is done!

It’s usually 60-90 days before the wedding.

No I don’t think it’s too early I’ve start looking already and my date is 10/26/24 there’s searching for that perfect dress, ordering it and sometimes that takes months, then you got to wait till it gets to the shop for you to go and make sure it’s all good after you tried it on, then there’s alterations and just finding the money to buy that dress, once that’s out the way that’s one last thing to worry about and that’s just my thoughts. Hope that helps.