Wedding prep is a long and stressful process. Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of a timeline of exactly what needs to be done and when and it seems like there’s always something more to be done.
When it comes to your bridesmaids, it can be very exciting picking a group of your closest friends to help you transition into your new married life. Between planning nights and bridal showers, though, there’s the very important matter of bridesmaid dresses to consider.
Deciding on the color and style are important, but it’s also important to order the dresses in time.
Here, we’ll help you to figure out when exactly to order the bridesmaid dresses so you can get hitched without a hitch.
When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses: By Type
No two weddings are the same and the bridesmaid dresses you choose will reflect that. There are some general guidelines for when to order bridesmaid dresses, but not every timeline will work for you and your wedding. A lot the timing depends on what kind of dress you want.
Boutique Bridesmaid Dresses
Many people opt to order their bridesmaid dresses through a bridal boutique, often the same one they purchase their wedding dress from. There are several benefits to doing this. First, many boutiques have a wide variety of dresses available and can order additional colors and designs. They also typically offer custom tailoring on dresses.
When ordering through a bridal boutique, you should place orders about six months before the wedding date. This gives enough time for the dresses to arrive and for you to have a fitting once they do. At the fitting, you can determine if some of the dresses need to be tailored for a better fit. If they do, they’ll go to a tailor next.
Sometimes there may have to be other rounds of fitting to make sure the dress fits perfectly, that’s why it’s essential to leave plenty of time before the wedding.
Custom Bridesmaid Dresses
Some wedding parties prefer to go all out and build their own outfits from top to bottom. If there’s a designer you want to work with, they will usually have guidelines on how much time they need to create custom pieces. If you are doing a batch order for multiple bridesmaid dresses, they may need more time.
Working with a local seamstress and designer gives you the opportunity to do in-person fittings and work with them closely. This is a very special way to select your bridesmaid dresses and ensure they are unique pieces that your bridesmaids will keep and wear for years to come.
To be certain that the designer of your dreams can fulfill your wishes, plan to reach out to them about a year in advance to see if they can fit you into their schedule.
Formal Dresses
While custom couture is a desirable dream, it’s not very budget friendly or accessible if you’re on a tight deadline. If you have less than six months until your big day, it may be better to look into off-the-rack formalwear.
There are plenty of cute options at dress shops that often let you purchase a dress the same day. We’ve been loving the bridesmaid dress collection from Sherri Hill that feels fresh and modern for almost any wedding theme. You can check which stores near you carry designs you’re interested in online and try them on in person before committing.
For a perfect fit, you may still want to take your dress to a local tailor. It’s easier to take in a dress that’s a little too big, than try to enlarge a dress that’s too small, so bear that in mind when choosing a size. Typically you can get alterations done within just a few weeks, so make sure you get your dress about three months before the wedding to account for any delays.
The Key to Planning Success: Knowing When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses
It’s always a good idea to get your bridesmaids dresses ordered as early as possible, but not everyone has a long engagement and planning phase. For standard bridesmaid dresses from a bridal boutique, order your dresses about six months in advance.
If you have more time and a bigger budget you can consider getting custom dresses working directly with an independent designer. On a time crunch, you can still get beautiful dresses on a budget by looking at formalwear brands.
No matter which option you choose, you and your closest friends will look amazing while celebrating your big day.
