How do I buy a wedding dress?

[Brideof2020]

So we've finally decided to get married next year, booked a venue etc. So the dress... wedding is August, when do I start looking, what do I do? I have found 2 shops locally that I like the look of. Can I go and browse, without feeling obligated to buy ? I have an idea of the style I like and have been keeping pictures of the styles to try and find something as close. I also would like to lose about a stone before the wedding, do I wait until I have lost weight or get something ordered a bit bigger and have it altered. I have a budget in mind and I have seen on the Facebook page that one of the shops quite often has impromptu sale weekends and sample sales. Help !! Any advice appreciated. Thanks !

August this year? Most dresses have a longer lead time than 2 months.

I recall that when I bought mine (years ago) certain dresses weren’t possible as I didn’t have long enough, I think I had 5 months.

Some designers allow you to pay extra for shorter delivery time

Sorry, just seen it is next August.

Wedding fairs give you a chance to see lots of designers on one day.

I had appointments at 3 shops, found my dress in the second.

Congratulations! You usually need to make an appointment to look at and try on wedding dresses as you need help getting them on. Dresses are usually made to order so ordered many months in advance and altered close to the wedding. Phone them and make an appointment and they'll explain everything to you. I didn't know what I wanted so literally tried on every style before I bought. I went on my own to loads of shops and then went back with my mum and sister to see my 2 favourite dresses for their opinion

Do you really want to spend hundreds getting a dress altered. ..you probably never had to before,so why this one? Literally because they keep telling you . Just buy a dress in your size that suits you. Like normal eveing dresses.
Do not be sucked into the whole order, alter, take in again shit at vast expense because you wear it less than 24 hours. And if your wedding lasts 10 years you will look hideously dated anyway.

You can buy samples. You can buy from a lady that sells on unused stock, you can buy second hand or buy from JJ ‘s house in China.

Look online in photos from other weddings at yours or a similar style venue, This is key because what works in a Scottish hotel against dramatic cloud, isn’t the same for a Southern festival wedding. Get a feel for what your dress will look like at your wedding.

Join a Rock and a Roll brides on Facebook. Not necessarily rock and roll but a brilliant showcase of women doing weddings the way they want..from Disney to Star Trek to middle of no where hippy.

I went to one wedding dress shop (did check before in case they wanted me to book a time) and bought a dress then and there. Depends how much you enjoy the experience vs just getting it done!

Be clear about what you want - I tried on dresses that MIL and the shop owner thought I should have. Thankfully I'd shown DSis pictures of what I liked and while I was in the changing room she went and found some in my style - it's very easy to be persuaded into other people's ideas.

I lost weight pre-wedding and it was fine, but my dress had a corset back so I just did it up a bit tighter. But the shop will be able to tell you how much wiggle room you've got so just ask.

And congratulations!

I looked a year in advance, bought a dress in 3rd shop. It is made to measure so I’ve now had measurements taken and dress is being made now and will be in store in November to start any alterations

Congrats! I had a big google and booked four appointments over the course of July. I went to my first one on Saturday, picked a few dresses to try on.

Cancelled all my other appointments on Monday as I bought the first one I put on!

Hi all thanks for all the help and advice, I've made appointment at one of the shops I like so I'll take it from there ...

Also check out Etsy. They have some designers who show their line on there and then provide a bespoke service. I just got my dream dress custom made and with some design tweaks from me, for under £500 from a designer on Etsy.

You could also consider a bridal hire shop. I hired my lovely dress for just £200, which included having it custom fitted. We then just posted it back to the shop the day after the wedding.