The Essential Timeline for Bridesmaid Dress Shopping: A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses is a crucial part of the wedding planning process. These dresses not only add a touch of elegance and harmony to your ceremony, but they also contribute to the unforgettable memories captured in your wedding photos. However, the process of selecting and purchasing bridesmaid dresses can be a bit daunting, especially when it comes to timing. Don’t fret, we’re here to guide you!
12 Months Prior: Begin Your Bridal Gown Hunt
The journey to a perfect wedding often starts with the bride’s dress. With a plethora of designs to choose from, it’s essential to start this quest early. Ideally, you should order your bridal gown a year before your wedding. This timeline allows for custom requests and ensures that your dress sets the tone for the bridesmaid dresses.
9-10 Months Prior: Decide on Bridesmaid Dresses
Around nine to ten months before your big day, it’s time to finalise your choice of bridesmaid dresses. Remember, it can take a couple of months for the dresses to arrive and you’ll need to factor in time for potential alterations. To ensure colour consistency, it’s advisable to order all the dresses simultaneously.
8-9 Months Prior: Initiate Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Once your bridal gown is ordered, it’s time to focus on the bridesmaid dresses. This period is for gathering ideas, exploring various bridal shops, and refining your preferred dress styles. It’s also the time to decide whether you want a uniform look for your bridesmaids or different dresses that follow a similar colour scheme.
3-4 Months Prior: Secure Shoes and Undergarments
A month or two after the dresses are ordered, remind your bridesmaids to purchase their shoes and undergarments. These items are crucial for the first fitting, as they influence the accuracy of measurements and the overall fit of the dress.
4-5 Months Prior: Schedule the First Fitting
Regardless of their sizes, your bridesmaids should anticipate some alterations to their dresses. As soon as the dresses arrive, it’s a good idea to try them on to avoid any surprises. If standard alterations are needed, schedule the first fitting about four to five months before the wedding.
2-3 Months Prior: Arrange the Final Fitting
The final fitting should be scheduled approximately two to three months before the wedding. This timeline is particularly important during the busy wedding and prom seasons when seamstresses are in high demand.
A Few Days Before: Final Dress Try-On
Encourage your bridesmaids to try on their dresses a few days before the wedding. This allows for any last-minute alterations if necessary.
And there you have it, a comprehensive timeline for purchasing bridesmaid dresses and accessories. This guide should help streamline the process, but remember, it’s just a guide. Every wedding is unique, so feel free to adjust this timeline to suit your specific needs. After all, your special day should be nothing short of perfect!
