I'm obviously new to this wedding thing

It's recommended to buy your dress 10–12 months before the wedding. So maybe start looking a year ahead of time.

View Quoted Comment Ohh okay !! Thank you 😊 I wasn't sure

I would plan to buy your dress around 10-12 months before your wedding! That would give the dress plenty of time for shipping, and also to give 2-3 months for alterations. You could schedule a few dress appointments for this spring/early summer, and get an idea of what styles you like. Also look online before the appointments so you have a starting point and inspiration photos of dresses you like. Happy dress shopping!

View Quoted Comment Okay!! Thank you very much !!!
I'm soooo excited to try dresses on!

I would personally do about a year out. With the shipping delays and demand issues we are facing, I think being extra cautious is a good idea. Plus, it gives you more time to make payments on the dress (if you choose to do that).

View Quoted Comment Very good idea 💡 thank you so much !

I agree to the above responses on timeline. The only exception would be if you bought off the rack or one of the ready to ship dresses at some stores such as David's Bridal. I got my rehearsal dress from one of DB's ready to ship and my wedding dress from a boutique since I was scared of the horror stories on shipping delays and dresses being stuck at ports, but I ended up choosing an off the rack dress and was able to take it home the day of. All that's left are alterations which will be done a couple months out. Congrats on the wedding, I love how your date is on your anniversary!!

View Quoted Comment Thank you sooo much for the advice!
Will definitely be doing that!!

And thank you so much 💖

Congratulations! We just got married 10/31/21 after year postponement and ultimately a long 3-year engagement. The ladies above answered the question regarding dress shopping. However, when I saw “August 2023” in your post as being 600 days away, it was a reality check for me. I graduate with my PhD in August 2023 and seeing it listed as 600 days seems SO far away. It will fly by for you in terms of a wedding. But it feels like forever when it comes to classes and writing a dissertation 😩 Lol!!


Congrats again and best wishes!!! We’ll both be celebrating in August 2023! 🎉🎉

View Quoted Comment Awwwe congratulations to you !!


I'm kinda hoping these 600 days fly by lol . I'm super excited!! But nervous at the same time. Reality check really hit me hard yesterday lol . I have gotten a lot of things for the wedding already just have to get a couple more things and plan some stuff. Hopefully it's an easy Rollercoaster lol I'm not trying be a bridezilla or anything lol . I have seen some show and I don't wanna be like that.
Good luck on your classes !!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!! If you’re organized, fully clear on your vision and decisive, then the planning won’t be stressful at all. I notice that brides who are unclear on what they want are easily swayed by everything they see, making the process confusing and much more laborious than necessary. I think it’s best to write down your OWN vision in great detail first (type of venue, colors, theme, level of formality, decor ideas, etc.) before looking at a bunch of wedding websites. Once you know what you want, then you can search weddings of the same style for a little added inspiration.

Congratulations! I agree with the above statements. I went dress shopping in July and they said my dress wouldnt come in until December (it ended up coming in early). I made my appointment for fitting/alterations when I picked up my dress and they said they were already mostly booked for alteration appointments next summer.

View Quoted Comment Thank you soooo much !
I appreciate all the advice 🙏

We are doing the same thing. Getting married on our 3 year anniversary of dating, which is September 28th 2023. Congratulations

View Quoted Comment Awee congratulations 🎊 🧡🧡💜

View Quoted Comment Thank you. ❤❤

View Quoted Comment You're welcome 😊

I think now is the perfect time to at least make your first trip. You don't have to buy THE DRESS today, as you still have a year and a half. However, now is the time to get the ideas of what you're looking for in a dress. You may have in your head what you think you want, but you may go try on that style and find out it's completely wrong for you. At the same time, you may be convinced that you will never wear a particular type of dress, but then you'll try that style on, and lo and behold - that's the one!

Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Thank you sooo much for the advice.