How soon should i be shopping for a dress?

Hi there,
Try to go during big sale times. For example, since your wedding is next fall, go shopping during this year’s Boxing Day sale week. I got my dress in 2020 Boxing Day week for 50% off! Mind you, it was off the rack. Do not put too much pressure on knowing exactly what you want. Just maybe have a general idea (silhouette, how much bling) and be super open minded when you are there. Sometimes you are recommended to try something out of your imagination and it could turn out to be THE dress!

View quoted message Congrats!
I think I will start taking a look, since I’m really not sure what I want.
Thanks!

View quoted message I’m just not sure what I want at all! So I figured I’d start a bit earlier to narrow it down. I’m not a big trend person so I don’t think dress regret will be an issue!
My town doesn’t have many shops either, I’ll be travelling around the GTA

Please keep in mind some dress take 8-12 months to come in and you want time to have 2 fittings.


I bought mine over a year ago. Have my first fitting in April and my second a month before my August wedding

Personally I got engaged in August, bought my dress in September & am getting married this upcoming November. Go have fun!

Our wedding is late September of this year (2022). My fiancee started looking for dresses about a year before, and 'said yes to the dress' in October of last year. From what I've been told it takes several months to get the dress and then another 6-8 weeks (not sure if this is right) for alterations, so it's probably not a bad idea to start looking.

I think about a year in advance especially since many dresses take roughly 6-8 months to come in. If you are lucky enough and fall in love with an "Off the rack dress" then you buy the dress then and there and get to take it home!! But if you don't find an off the rack dress, then you definitely need to account for the 6-8 months period to have your dress come in ( plus alterations after that )

best of luck

View quoted message Very special to have my mother in law to be make my wedding dress, it also saves me money on not having to worry about ordering one!

View quoted message Oh that’s so special!! Something you can cherish and pass down.

I tried on dresses not too long ago but my mother in law to be is going to make my wedding dress! My wedding is in June of 2023

It's not too early but I would hold off if you plan on making significant changes to your body. It's generally more advisable to get a dress as close to your size around the wedding period than to make big changes to your body or dress in order for it to fit.

There's also a bunch of posts here about dress regret so if you're that type, hold off on buying a dress until closer to the date.

I don't think it's necessarily too early to start looking! I'm getting married in the summer of 2023 and my mom and I are going dress shopping at the end of June of this year. Unfortunately, I live in a city where there are no dress shops so I have to travel to Toronto.

We’re newly engaged and planning a wedding for October of this year. I’ve just started looking and most dresses are taking 6-8 months, then you need to allow time for alterations. New lines are just starting to arrive in the stores now (usually January) as covid has delayed sample delivery to a lot of stores.

View quoted message Of course!! I was curious right after I got engaged in 2017 started looking at different designers, styles fabrics to see why I liked and didnt like. A year later, the dress I fell in love with was still in the store and as soon as I tried it on I knew it was the one but of course I did try on about 10-15 different styles beforehand to make sure. Now my dress has been sitting and waiting patiently for the big day since we've had to postpone twice

View quoted message Right?! After all my other appts I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to find a dress for $1000. So I'm super happy I got the chance to go to the consignment store

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Thats amazing! what a bargain!

View quoted message I actually still didn't end up getting that "this is the one feeling" but it's a super beautiful dress. Everyone I was with cried and I knew if I didn't get it I while regret it. It was at a bridal consignment store so if I left it, I wouldn't be able to get it as it's original price was $4500 and the store was selling it for $1000!

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Oh wow! But i'm sure you ended up with a gorgeous dress! I guess you just have to get that feeling that you know its the perfect dress for your big day!

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Thanks! I'm not super fussy about trends, but I definitely dont want to end up with dress regret.

View quoted message Thats a good idea!! I dont think starting a bit early would be a bad idea. Especially if you end up being like me! I spent almost 2 months dress shopping before finding my dress. I had a total of 8 appointments!

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Thanks! I think i'm more just curious to see myself in a dress! It could take a while to find the right one, so maybe it isn't too early!

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Thanks for the advice! I'm thinking I might start a bit earlier with the 2022/2023 wedding boom. I know designers will be busier!

I say about a year before. Dresses are usually made to order and can take like 8 months to arrive then you also need time for alterations.

It's never too early to look for your dress!!! I went and bought my dress in January 2019 for my August 2020 wedding

They say a year in advance is the best time! In my opinion I think it is too, but I like to keep up with the new trends! If you don’t care about new collections coming out in 2023 then go for it!