At Simply Elegant, we believe that every bride deserves to feel like the best version of herself on her wedding day. The key to feeling your best is having a wedding planning experience that’s as stress-free and exciting as possible, so we’re here to help you through one major aspect of your special day: wedding dress shopping. Here’s an approximate timeline to guide you through the journey of finding the dress of your dreams:
After You Get Engaged
You’ve said yes, congratulations! Immediately after you get engaged, it’s time to get to planning. Although you may be itching to get inside a bridal boutique right away, we recommend that the first items on your to-do list are selecting a date and venue for your ceremony. Knowing these two things will give you a mental image of the setting you will be wearing your dress in, which can make it much easier to have an idea of the style you’re looking for.
10-12 Months Before, “I Do!”
A little under a year before your wedding, start booking your bridal appointments, -- yes, you read that correctly. This may sound like an exaggeration, but there are many steps involved in finding the wedding dress of your dreams, and we often find that many brides aren’t aware of just how long each one can take. For starters, many boutiques are booked out several weeks in advance, and looking through hundreds of gorgeous gown options takes careful consideration and plenty of patience. Even after you do find the one, it can take up to several months for your designer to source materials, handcraft your high-quality dress, and have it sent to our boutique.
2-3 Months Out
Finally, once your dress arrives, it’s time for the final and most important step of transforming your bridal vision into reality: alterations! Alterations are crucial in ensuring that your gown fits you absolutely flawlessly, and you can expect to set aside 6 to 8 weeks to complete them. During this time, you’ll have several fitting appointments with a professional bridal seamstress to make necessary adjustments to your gown, as well as add any personal embellishments. Although many brides typically only request quick, minor tweaks, it’s always better to have time to spare than to find yourself scrambling at the last minute. Thoughtful planning, patience, and playing it safe are the key to the bridal shopping experience of your dreams.
Feeling inspired to start your wedding dress shopping journey? Book an appointment with Simply Elegant By Cheri today!