How early is TOO early to buy your wedding dress?

Congratulations! :)

I'd say if you're planning on it happening within the next year or so, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start looking.

I'm getting married in July and just went wedding dress shopping last weekend. The people at the bridal shop said that was perfect timing because sometimes it can take up to two months just to get the dress in the store in your size..Plus, the alterations (depending on how many are needed) can take a few weeks too.

I was lucky enough to find a dress that nearly fit me perfectly, so I wont need to get alterations done until about April since it's only a few detailed things. Hopefully you find yourself in a similar situation, but if not..at least you'll have a ton of time!

Also, I got mine at Davids Bridal and their service/dress selection/ prices were great (we're on a tight budget too)

So basically, about 8-10 months before the date you set. But if you want to start looking now, it wouldn't hurt! Just so you can get an idea of what you want and how much it'll cost you :)

Good luck!!

As others have said, set your date first and book your venue. You might end up purchasing a dress that doesn't at all go with your venue, and you'll change your mind. Once those two things are done, then you can purchase your dress anytime between 6-12 months before your wedding. You'll need at least six months to order the dress and have it altered, so thinking ahead is a good thing, but too far ahead could cause problems, especially when you don't have a date or location set.

Just FYI, I honestly thought I had my dress all picked out about three weeks after I got engaged, then I tried on all different kinds of dresses at the insistence of my mom and cousin, and they were right, now I'm going with a completely different dress that I love even more. It just fits our venue and style of the wedding so much more.

Congrats on your engagement!

If you think you're wedding will take place within the next year, I say go ahead.

But if you think it could be longer than that I'd wait. Yes, you may get a better deal by buying in the off season - but your taste could change, the style of dress you want may differ, or you could buy a dress suited for a summer wedding and end up setting a winter date. Not to mention your size could change (smaller or otherwise).

So, I think if the wedding is more than a year away, I'd wait a little longer.

You could probably buy it now, but it would be helpful to have a date planned first. The people at the store will need to know the date of the wedding, so they can schedule the fittings and make sure they are done in time. At the very least, you can buy the dress now and then you would have to tell the store as soon as possible when you have your date so they can start planning the dates of the alterations. Good luck!

I would go look at some dresses either in stores or online and get a price range of the ones you like. Try to set aside that amount so it doesn't put you behind once the wedding gets closer. You will need all the money you can get! Once a date is set though, I would get it about 1 year in advance. Don't get one that fits perfectly, go for the next size up. Depending on who your seem-stress is and how busy they are, check with them when you should get the alterations done. I would go for about 4 months before that way you can try it on and make additional alterations if needed. Then go for the fitting about 1 month to 3 weeks before the wedding.

Congratualtions and best of luck!

Set the date first because wedding dresses are very seasonal. Planning for a wedding does involve a lot of costs all coming at one time, so instead of purchasing the dress now, set some money aside for when you know the date and can be measured for the right size.

ok honey hear to this one. i'm no longer getting married until would 23 2009. I already bought my dress from Davids Bridal! I considered it and needed it so badly. it particularly is darling. it particularly is a lace up the back so as that way if my weight fluctuates i've got been given some places to enhance and take in by using lacing it tighter. I recieved a bag with my dress even though it develop into $10 and intensely worth to purchase so no longer something have been given on the dress. Davids has a sale constantly. There are revenues for each merchandise in that shop. Congrats on your weight btw. Um uncertain what type of bag it particularly is in yet they pronounced to place it in the bag and take it out everyonce and on an identical time as to enable some air and to shop it in dry area which incorporate open closet then whilst is in the bag to go away it unzipped some foot so it does not get discolored. I had the situation with discontinues at davids it particularly is the reason i bought it. The bridesmaids are bought and ordered additionally because of fact they have been going to be discontinued and that they matched my dress and have been to die for

I would set a date first. If it becomes a really long engagement then your weight could go up or down. Then as soon as you set the date you could go out and buy the dress. Of course if you happen to find an amazing deal now then you could chance it and go ahead and purchase.

Set a date. 75% of wedding take place in the Spring/Summer but what if you have a Fall or Winter wedding? You may want a different style dress.

What if the date is a few years away? You may want to wait.

I bought my dress when I got engaged, and then found out I was pregnant. I had to lose 6 inches to fit back in. My wedding is a week from tomorrow, and the dress fits but now I have to have 5 people zip it for me.