When did you get your wedding dress?

[DisneyFairy19]

Hi ladies
I am wondering when some of you got your wedding dress? I fell in love with this dress in Coral Gables and the lady told me that it takes about 6 months to order and about 1 month to alter the dress. I am getting married either Oct or Nov of 2008. Its too early to get this dress, but I am absolutely in LOVE with the dress. So I wanted to ask my disboard friends how far in advance did you get your dress???

Thanks

 

[Moonpie]

I ordered my dress nine months before the wedding! It took six months to get here, and they held it for me at the bridal shop until about a month before the wedding for my fitting. I wanted to order early in case something didn't get ordered properly, or in case there was something wrong.

 

[IrishCinderella]

I ordered mine in January 2006 for my November 2006 wedding. I found the dress in October 2005, however.

Normally, they say to start looking for your dress about a year out from your wedding date. If you order too early, you could change your mind or the styles could even change (yes, that quickly they could change). Your body could change a lot too (most brides gain/lose a lot of weight in the months leading up to the wedding - I lost about 15 pounds in the last month before the wedding), leading to problems with the size of the dress ordered, etc.

They also say not to order your dress until your know your locations for the ceremony and reception. Your locations often determine the level of formality for your whole wedding, and your dress is the one detail that must reflect that level of formality.

On the flip side, the dress could be discontinued or something while you wait to order it.

It's a tough call, but if you cannot imagine your day without this dress - then you have to go for it.

Good luck deciding!

 

[wendy46001]

My dress to 11months to make and a 1month to alter (I lost a lot of weight so they had a lots to do)....most dresses don’t take that long but hate to be down to the wire....I'd rather have it earlier then later....

 

[JonetteA]

I ordered mine in August for a May wedding the next year. I did have to exchange it for a smaller size and then I had to have alterations done to it.

 

[JJClemson]

I ordered mine in May 2006 for my June 2007 wedding. I ordered it as soon as I found "the one". It just came in a couple weeks ago, so it took almost 8 mos to arrive. I say order the dress as soon as you find it, b/c you never know how long everything will take. Also, if you order less than 6 mos before your wedding, some places charge "rush" fees. Good luck

 

[happylalagirl]

I ordered mine in August 05 for our Dec. 06 wedding. It came in about 6 weeks later (David's Bridal). I absolutely fell in love with it. It's a good thing I ordered it because they discontinued it shortly after... good luck!!

 

[cryssi]

I ordered mine end of April 05 for our Sept 05 wedding. It took 16 weeks to arrive (which was what they quoted). 2 weeks to get an alteration appt., 2 weeks to alter and steam...I only had 2 fittings, the first and the final. I picked the dress up on the way to DL for the rehearsal!

 

[RangerPooh]

I ordered mine in August of 2002 for our June 2003 wedding. It arrived my mid November. Alterations took another month.

 

[luna99]

I ordered mine end of April 05 for our Sept 05 wedding. It took 16 weeks to arrive (which was what they quoted). 2 weeks to get an alteration appt., 2 weeks to alter and steam...I only had 2 fittings, the first and the final. I picked the dress up on the way to DL for the rehearsal!

did you feel rushed and do you wish you had gotten it sooner?

I'm getting married September 1st and really didn't want to buy a dress until April or so because I'm trying to lose weight!

(that dancing guy has nothing to do with anything, I just like him. lol)

 

[cryssi]

did you feel rushed and do you wish you had gotten it sooner?

I'm getting married September 1st and really didn't want to buy a dress until April or so because I'm trying to lose weight!

(that dancing guy has nothing to do with anything, I just like him. lol)

I got a little nervous in August...after the 1st week I called the bridal shop every other day! lol We were also waiting for BM dresses from Alfred Angelo...they came in about the same time as my dress. I kind of wished that I ordered earlier, but circumstances prevented that (I had brain surgery!).

Also, I lost a lot of weight on the stress diet during the summer, enough that my dress had to be altered down probably a whole size. I was really hoping that all I would have needed was a hem! They had to take in everything! I probably could have ordered a size smaller...oh well. Just make sure to allow for major alterations, that way if you don't need them...bonus! lol HTH!

c

 

[luna99]

I kind of wished that I ordered earlier, but circumstances prevented that (I had brain surgery!).

oh my goodness! I'm glad you're ok and everything went well!

thanks for answering my question.. could you also tell me, how much weight did you lose that required the dress to be altered down one size?

and how much does the alterations usually cost? I want to lose say 30 to 40 pounds.. that would make a big difference in the size of my dress right?

 

[BrideToBe82]

I ordered mine in October 2006 for an August 2007 wedding.

 

[cryssi]

thanks!

you know, it didn't seem like much, but I probably lost 15-20 lbs since I ordered the dress. Granted I was eating healthier and exercising...but when stress causes you to stop eating...well...I really don't recommend it!

30-40 lbs is probably 2 sizes, but I know that the bridal shops will hesitate to let you order that. I would just see how you are coming along and order in a few months. I ordered at the last possible minute for the full 16 week production time. You might want to give yourself at least a couple of months leeway... good luck and pm me if you like!


DisneyFairy19, SO SORRY for hijacking your thread! BTW, if you LOVE the dress on you, just get it! Then...STOP LOOKING! No more knot gowns, wedding channel, DB, nothing...cut yourself off cold turkey...

 

[luna99]

thanks again cryssi!! and yes, sorry for taking over the thread! We now return you to your normally scheduled discussion!

 

[Tink11302]

Hi!

 

[calanniebu]

I ordered mine in early March of '06 for an October 8th, 2006 wedding. (I got engaged at the very end of January - just wanted to add that to put everything in perspective). I was originally thinking that I would order mine in April but found out that my dream dress takes 4-6 months both because of the particular style is always made on demand and because I needed extra length.

So, I would definately suggest finding out the specifics of that dress from that designer as far as lead time goes.

Then think about it, is this truly your dream dress? Would you be truly upset if you waited and then they discontinued it? If the answer is yes to either or both of those questions then order it now! Talk to the shop to make sure there is wiggle room if you have a weight change. Some dresses are harder to take in or out depending on the style of the dress.

 

[JandJ]

I ordered my gown in March 2005 for our October 2005 wedding. It took about 4 & 1/2 months to come in, but they were saying it could be as long as 6 months. It was made for me, to my measurements, and my weight doesn't fluctuate, so I didn't have to have any alterations done save for one small "tweak." I had 3 fittings, just to make sure, and the bridal boutique held it until the day before I drove to Disney for our wedding! If you love the gown, get it. Once you find "the one" you know it - that applies to gowns and guys