When to buy your wedding dress?!

We have the same date! I was told by a few bridal shops to order my dress 10-12 months out instead of the normal 8-10 because of the possibility of shipping delays from covid. I've already found my dress, but I didn't expect to find it at the first store I went to and assumed I'd be much pickier lol.

I want to lose weight as well, but bought the dress in my current size so I wouldn't have to be worried if my weight loss goals didn't happen. Personally, I believe that's the best way to go, because it can always be taken in. In the chance that you order it a size or two smaller and you don't make that size it's going to be a lot more stressful than saying "well, I didn't make it but at least my dress will still fit!"

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YAY! Date twins!

I was originally thinking of starting to look in January - but maybe I'll start in December instead! And you make a great point about buying it at your current weight, because it's easier to take it in than it not fit! Thank you for the info!!

I'm going look in September, giving me 8 months until the wedding.

My reason for waiting so late is that I'm trying to lose weight too. I'm down 24 lbs since April 12th, hoping to lose 12 more in the next 6 weeks, then I still wanna lose 10-15 more before the wedding. I plan to order one size down when I do order my dress, since there's absolutely no reason I can't lose 15 more lbs in 8 months and maintain it.

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Great job! May I ask - what are you doing to lose weight?

I'm scared I won't be able to lose the weight and if I order down it won't fit me! But you seem like you totally have it down!

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I'm not doing anything special, just counting calories. I can't do elimination diets, where I swear off a food group or category. I eat what I want and just count it all using the Fitbit app. I did give up sodas, of course, water only. I also walk 20-24 miles a week. I hate gyms, so I have a treadmill at home.

Start now!!! I ordered my dress 1 full year in advance because I know I'd have a heart attack if it didn't come in time. And I'm glad I did because 6 months later Covid hit...so I'd definitely start looking now. Not sure if bridal shops have limited hours still in place so that can slow you down a little. As far as weight...how much do you plan on losing? I didn't really have a goal weight when I started but I knew I wanted to slim down just a little more or more so tone up. I think you should find your dress and then start your weight loss journey so that by time your dress comes in, you can be ready for your first round of alterations. It took 7 months for my dress to arrive; they normally say anywhere between 6-9 months but every place is different; add in that extra cushion!

They'll normally suggest ordering your dress in your current size or a little bigger which is a good thing vs. ordering it smaller and trying to get down to that smaller dress size; that's just too much stress. But you can work on your body goals now and then be ready for alterations. Once you complete that first round of alterations you do want to aim to stay within your current weight range. Losing or gaining anything over 10 pounds might require more work and/or more money if they have to keep altering it.

On a personal note...I went from 198 to 166 and I was swimming in my dress when I tried it on for my first alteration appointment lol so like I said anything over 10 pounds will definitely make a difference so make sure once you hit your target, stay there. And I didn't do any crazy diets, fasting, pills or even hard core exercise...none of that. I simply cooked all my meals at home for like 3 months straight. We cut out ALLLLLLLLLLL fast food and deleted the darn urber eats app lol. Ate lots of seafood, veggies, red meats and I didn't cut out alcohol or soda; just ate healthier! I only baked or stove top cooked and only used olive oil to cook with. So don't stress it too much, it will come naturally if you eat right; I hope you get to where you want to be for your big day!

Unless you're planning on buying off the rack, I don't think it's too early to start looking now! I ordered my dress 12 months in advance, it then took 9 months of production time for it to come in, and finally I had the last 3 months for alterations. The timeline was honestly a lot tighter than I had expected, considering that alternations weren't finished until a week before the wedding. And this was all pre-Covid! I would order your dress in your current size because it can always be taken in later.

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Thank you for sharing!! I appreciate it!

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Wow 9 months! I didn't think/know it could take that long! Thank you for sharing!

Receiving the dress one week before the wedding would give me anxiety lol!

Thank you

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Thank you for sharing! I was thinking of starting to look 10 months before - but after these posts, I think I should start sooner lol! I too would get so much anxiety if my dress didn't come in time!!

Thank you for also giving me info on what you did in terms of losing weight - I appreciate it! I struggle with my weight, but know I can do it if I put my mind to it!

Thank you!!

Girl, me too!! Getting married 10/22/22 and not sure when to start looking for a dress as I'm also in the process of losing a significant amount of weight. I'm down 25 lbs from last year, but hoping to loose another 25. I started a Pinterest board just for wedding dresses and I have an idea of what I want so I'm hoping that helps me narrow down choices once I'm ready to try on.

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No problem at all! And yes you totally can do it...you got this!!! Enjoy dress shopping, take lots of pictures and only take the people who think the world of YOU!

I'm getting married 9/17/22 and I bought my dress on 7/9/21, so about 14 months in advance. I also want to lose weight but ordered in my current size.

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You're so on top of it, I love it!!

I'm getting married this October and went looking for my dress last January. I happened to find "the one" at the second shop I tried. I've been to a few other bridal salons since (grooms appointment/bridesmaid appointment) and I've seen other dresses, but none compare. My first fitting is in August and I've gained a little weight thanks to COVID. But it's still manageable.

My advice is if you're the type of person who can definitive in your choice, and not "cheat" on your dress, go shopping ASAP. It will be one less thing you need to to do. Remember that you can take a dress in, but you can only let it out so much. A good shop will steer you in the right direction, sharing the designer's sizing with you and give you advice on what works best.

I would suggest going in September to January, it is taking 6 months for my dress to come in, I would also get as close to your goal weight as possible so you don't have to spend so much on alterations

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Thank you for sharing your experience!

I don't think I'll "cheat" on my dress lol - I think once I find it, I'll stop looking because then I'll just drive myself crazy!

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Thank you for the suggestion!! I was originally going to start in January - but I think I'll start a little sooner!

BUY IT NOW! The bridal industry is experiencing longer lead times and a "wedding boom" so the sooner you shop and order, the better!

I am getting married this September. I went wedding dress shopping last September because I wanted to get my dress before my bridal party. It was a great idea because in September they have a bridal week where dresses are all on sale everywhere..lol. I was also happy because I found my perfect dress early and I probably would have missed out on it. There's nothing wrong with going early.. plus you may even be able to do a good payment arrangement for the dress that you really want because you will have time. That's what I did and I couldn't be more pleased.