I'm getting married next summer... June 28, 2008. When is a good time to start shopping for a dress?

Question

Also when is a good time to register for gifts for a bridal shower?

Answer 1

Now!

Answer 2

Congratulations! My friend is getting married that same day. I already went shopping for her- just to help her get a feel for what she wants. It could take you anywhere from 1-10 shopping trips to really know what you want. One tip: You can hunt online for dresses you love and then call the designer to see which stores near you stock that particular dress, and you can go in and try it on. Most dresses will take 6 months to come in, and you should leave a cushion of time so it's not right down to the wire, because it's likely you'll need some sort of alterations. My friend who just got married didn't actually need any alterations, and all the workers at the bridal store couldn't stop gushing about how rare that was. So I guess I would start shopping in the next couple of months, with a goal to have it ordered by September or earlier. Once you have your style chosen, then you can look for a complementing bridesmaid style, which can also take 3-4 months to arrive (unless you buy ready-to-wear, which can be a nice alternative).

As far as registering for bridal shower gifts- you can do that whenever you have time, when you know what you'll need. It should be done well before the date of your shower so guests have ample time to buy you a gift (at least one month). My roommate registered before Christmas, and some people were already shopping off her registry for Christmas gifts, which I thought was nice.

Answer 3

Start looking now but ask questions about how long it takes to order the dress some take 6 months.
Bridal showers usually are given 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding and registering should be done about 3 months before. What if you change your mind between now and then and you decide you don't want the orginal stuff you picked out? The next year will be filled with a lot of people telling you what you should or shouldn't do but listen but don't change your mind if you want to do something do it so there is no regrets later. To avoid being overwhelmed since you have a year avoid doing everything at one time do something each month that way you can concentrate on that one thing not a million things. The first you should get is the church, reception because June is one of the very big wedding months so your first choice could be taken very quickly.

Answer 4

Start by looking in bridal magazines for designs that you like, then in a few months schedule an appointment to try on dresses. Depending on that first visit, you might know exactly what you want, so you can wait even longer to buy it, or you might need to keep looking.

I got engaged this March and bought a dress in May, wedding's not until November. I was told to look right away, but I knew what I would look good in so trying on dresses was not a long process. So if you look now, be prepared to store a dress for a long time. My alteration shop is storing it for me until October.

Registries should be done 5 months or so before the wedding.

Answer 5

A wedding gown can take up to 4 months to get on special order. Most gowns are not mass produced, and are only made once ordered, so I would say the sooner the better to start shopping and getting an idea of what you want. I registered about 6 months before the wedding, people that can't come may send you a gift when they get the save the date card or wedding invitation.

Answer 6

Go start looking NOW. It's a long process finding the perfect dress for this once in a lifetime special occassion, and you don't want to feel rushed. In addition the bridal shop needs to have time to either alter the dress for you or have one custom made and you'll be surprised how long their lead time is.

If you're in the NYC area - check out Kleinfeld's they're world renowned for their selection and prices. Also checkout theknot.com they have great advice and will let you know where there are sample sales on bridal dresses.

As far as registering make sure you are registered before the invitations go out. Depending on how far most people will have to travel to your shindig give them 10 weeks to 6 months.

May all your wedding wishes come true plus one. Congrats

Answer 7

I would start looking at Bridal Magazines now.

The reason: When you go into the stores you can have an idea of what you want and eliminate what you don't. This way you don't waste your time having people try to talk you into things you don't want.

Register 4-5 months prior to the wedding. That way, your gifts will already be available for showers and stuff.

Answer 8

I'd start first by checking out some magazines and getting a better idea of what you like and don't like. Of course, trying them on makes all the difference. I'd give yourself at least 3 months of dress shopping before you find the one. It's a good time now, because they have the summer dresses out....and if you find it at the end of the season, you could really get a discount! You've given yourself over a year to plan....take my advice and get as much done as you can!! The more you get taken care of and out of the way, you get to just enjoy the parties and pure joy of it all without stress!

If you think it's a bit too soon to register, maybe just register at one place to start with....like Target for instance, you can register for some very general things and not feel like you've already got to pick out your China pattern!

Answer 9

Maybe, six months before the wedding for a dress. Get on a bridal shower register,now. It took me five months to find the right dress for my wedding.

Answer 10

I think once you have enough money to buy a dress, you should get it asap because you don't want to precratinate(wiating at the last minute) that way you don't have to stress out a couple weeks before the wedding date. A good time to have a bridal shower is maybe 2-3 months before your wedding date.IDK that's just what my family always does.

Answer 11

NOW!

Really, if you wait any longer, you are going to be so busy prepping for the wedding that you wont have really time to start. Just start going through the door stop size bridal mags and look for a design that catches your eye. Also, since you have time, if you know any tailor/seamstresses, you can have them make you the dress that some name that you cant pronounce from New York has designed thats perfect for you but is worth 10,000 clams.
It will be more enjoyable to casually flip through mags now and get things started then to have a panic rush $200.00 bargain bin dress later.