Off the Rack Wedding Dress-Pros and Cons

I think DB dresses come in way faster than if you were to go to a boutique and order a designer dress.

I could be completely wrong as I did not shop off the rack however I noticed that some of the samples I tried on were tattered or obviously worn. I would think that samples that are sold "off the rack" could have some physical defects.

Just go shopping now. At least just to get an idea of what you want. Then from there you can decide to order now or look online at BHLDN or other online stores. I thought the same thing about wanting to lose weight before I went.....but alterations can do a LOT, you really don't need to worry so much about it. Plus, like me, you might surprise yourself. I was scared to death of looking at myself in a wedding dress and hating what I saw in the mirror....but in reality, it wasn't that bad at all. Not even a little.

Just go shopping now! The stylists will work with your time frame and give you your options.

Another thing about off the rack dresses (obviously not all...just at the boutique I went to), some looked kind of run down and damaged. Some of the beading on the intricate ones was kind of falling off or loose. And some of the tulle or silhouette dresses looked rugged and were kind of fringing on the edges. Just know a LOT of people have tried them on. But you can usually find amazing deals....so I'm not knocking all off the rack dresses. Just that it's not NEW, so you have to look carefully. But there are some great ones, too. My FSIL got an off the rack dress and it was in pristine condition.

I bought both my dresses "off the rack" neither had to be altered in terms of being taken in or let out- only one required a hemming.

But- I was fortunate and- also didn't have an actual wedding dress. So- take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

It can be done yes- but you're taking a gamble.

I bought my dress off the rack. I vote go now and get what fits you. If you do lose weight the dress can always be taken in

Congrats! I worked at a high end bridesmaid boutique for a while, but I think a lot can be applicable to bridal.

1. samples get so gross....our samples were smeared with makeup and sweat. Off the rack isn't a TERRIBLE choice though if need be. But it'd be less stressful to find something you love and have it altered

2. Bridal sizes ARE DIFFERENT than street. ex: I'm a 2. My wedding gown is an 8. I had bridesmaids fight me and order the 2 and not fit...so just remember that. It doesn't mean anything, just a number.

3. Everyone swore up and down they'd lose weight and fit....and often did not. Also most people didnt realize that their bone structure doesn't shrink with weight loss.... this is another reason I recommend ordering now and getting tailored closer to the date.

4. Your fiance clearly loves you the way you are so don't stress yourself too much. Brides always look beautiful, you will too!

I had only 6month between engagement and wedding. I got my dress at BHLDN, and there was some wait of 7 weeks to get the dress. Then I made an appointment with a seamstress about 2.5month before the wedding (I did get an earfull because I was so close).

I say, start shopping now.

I got my dress at David's Bridal in late January and it was ordered and arrived in a month. Plenty of time for my 5-27 wedding. It was a brand new dress, not used. As I understand it, off the rack means they're not taking your measurements and custom making the dress for you. You order a size and then alter it accordingly. It doesn't always mean you're taking the sample dress home that day. You have PLENTY of time, don't worry.

Ok. Thank you all for the responses. We wanted a quick wedding date because we are just doing a small beach wedding with immediate family and luckily we were able to find a very experienced officiant and photographer that day. I will go ahead and push my appointment up then as it seems per the group.

My dress is off the rack. It's from a small boutique. They don't have the traffic like db does. It still looks great!

David's Bridal will let you know what dresses they can get right away. They told me that even though you can order dresses - anything on the rack is for sale.

I bought off the rack from David's and I don't have anything negative to say about it except that I bought it in January so I had to store it for several months before I had my first alterations appointment! It took up very valuable closet space!

ETA: There were some loose beads but they were "tightened up?" during alterations free of charge.

Also I have never heard of BHLDN so thanks ladies, very nice dresses I see. I will also check them out.

Our weddings are 2 weeks apart! My dress (new) from DB came three weeks after I bought it. I just pick it up on Sunday and I was expecting it in November. I tried a size 12 and was a little tight so my consultant told me to get a 14! (I'm usually size 8) I told her I wanted to loose some weight before the wedding. She said one size is 15 pounds and that it is easier to take in some inches. They told me to come back in January for alterations.

So just go now and start looking for styles you'll be surprised how different they fit and then make a decision if you want to wait or not.

I bought a sample dress off the rack from a bridal boutique...the dress was in really really excellent shape. There was only one small tear in the lace and because of how much it needed to be taken in that was fixed in alterations. I totally would recommend going off the rack!

Also check out Azazie there production time around 8 weeks. But id definitely start looking now. Also its typically easier to take a dress in then to let it out, so order your current size. I will say i love my corset back because minor weight fluctuations don't matter as much!

I got my dress from a consignment style bridal shop so I was able to take my dress home with me that day. If you are ok with a dress that has been worn one time by someone else, I would recommend it. Also, check department stores because sometimes they have dresses that are not technically wedding dresses but if worn on the wedding day it is indeed a wedding dress. Basically, think outside of the box and you will find something.

Go shopping now. No matter where you order from, you're running the risk of it being delayed for some reason. You can still lose weight but the dress will have to be altered well.