Bridal designer Lourdes Castañeda of Edith Élan holding a wedding dress
The Inside Scoop

When Should I Buy My Wedding Dress?

January 24, 2025
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Woman sitting in front of a rack of wedding dresses and looking into the distance.
Photo by Horizon Bridal

When should I buy my wedding dress? It’s a question that bridal designers and bridal boutiques alike hear often. Finding “the one” can be a magical experience, but timing is everything when it comes to your wedding dress. Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate this exciting (and sometimes stressful!) part of the wedding planning process.

Bridal designer Lourdes Castañeda of Edith Élan holding a wedding dress

Edith Élan’s Recommended Timeline

To avoid unnecessary rush fees and stress, buy your Edith Élan wedding dress 6-9 months before your wedding date. On average, normal (aka non-rush) production takes 4 months for our stock styles.

Keep in mind that other designers can take 4-6 months or more!

So, “When should I buy my wedding dress?”

Use this simple guide to determine when you should buy your wedding dress using the 6-9 month recommendation:

Graphic with the timeline of when you should buy your wedding dress.

The Importance of Buying Your Wedding Dress Early

Generally, when it comes to time, order your wedding dress or bridal wear as soon as possible. The more time you have between finding “the one” and your wedding date, the better! Why? Because there are many factors to consider that can affect its arrival.

Factors to Consider in Your Wedding Dress Buying Timeline

  • Custom-Designed Wedding Dresses: Depending on the style and design you are looking for, you will want to start the custom design process with our designer, Lourdes, at least 6 months out for a custom Edith Élan wedding dress.
  • World Events and Holidays: As we’ve learned, world events (wars, pandemics, natural catastrophes, etc.) can also affect production time if things come to a halt. Also, for other designers that manufacture in Asian countries, the Lunar New Year often sees factories close for extended periods of time in January/February. That means nothing is being produced. So, it’s better to prepare by having a buffer built in.
  • Alterations: Also, don’t forget to factor in time for alterations. Even though your wedding dress will be ordered in the best size for your measurements, you will likely need adjustments to ensure the perfect fit for your proportions. Plan for multiple fittings with your seamstress that start 2-3 months from your wedding date to ensure a perfect fit on your big day.

Bridal Pro Tip: Book Your Alterations Early!

Once you order your wedding dress and have an estimate of when it’s supposed to arrive, book your first alterations appointment as well. Seamstresses and bridal alterations specialists book up quickly. So, unless the boutique you are buying from has in-house alterations, you’ll want to contact an alterations specialist asap.

If you are still confused as to why you need to book your first alterations appointment before you have your dress in hand, Katie of Katie Rose Alterations does a great job explaining it on her Instagram.

Ready to Start Shopping?

Schedule your appointment today with one of our fabulous stockists and boutique partners, and let the magic begin!

When should you buy your wedding dress blog post by bridal designer Edith Élan

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