Wedding Dress Timeline for the Bride

Wedding Gowns Hanging on Rack
Choosing the perfect wedding gown doesn’t have to be a complicated step in your wedding planning, if you do it right and have a realistic timeline to follow.
So he or she popped the question and it is time to look for the wedding dress of your dreams. This is one of the most exciting parts for the bride, but does indeed take a great deal of planning. Buy a dress on a whim is a no-no, and if you do so, you may end of regretting it. Therefore below is a brief timeline for how to best manage the actual process of buying your wedding dress. Stick to this and you will be fine!

Top 5 priorities for your wedding day

Nine to 12 Months before the Wedding
First and foremost, this is the time when a wedding dress budget should be set. Always stay within the budget and look for designers that fit the mold. Then start thinking about your personality and individuality. What types of silhouettes would fit the bill? Also, think about your body type and what style of dress will flatter your figure the most. Try browsing online or in magazines to get a feel for what you want. The possibilities are many so you want to narrow it down as to not be overwhelmed.

Seven to Eight Months before the Wedding
By this point, you should have narrowed down your choices to a few gowns. Have a sit down with a few of your closest friends or family members and discuss what the best choice will be. But always pick something you feel beautiful in. This is also the time to consider the appropriate undergarments for under the wedding dress. Never underestimate the importance of this. After the final decision has been made, order the gown asap. Remember that some designers can take up to five months to get the gown to you and you need to have time for alterations if needed.

Five to Six Months before the Wedding
Now you are simply waiting for your wedding gown to arrive and should be shopping for the rest of your bridal accessories. Have fun looking at jewelry head pieces, shoes and more that will compliment your dream dress. Take your time and choose wisely.

Two Months before the Wedding
Once your wedding dress arrives you will want to schedule your first fitting as soon as possible (don’t forget to take your shoes!). Usually, about a week or two later you will have your second fitting to make sure that everything is perfectly altered. Try not to go on any crash diets at this time. You don’t want the dress to be too big on your wedding day.