Are you recently engaged? Congratulations! We imagine that you’re eager to begin trying on wedding gowns this very minute! But, should you begin dress shopping as soon as he puts the ring on your finger?

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Our first recommendation is to simply slow down, take a breath, and enjoy being a bride-to-be! Do not rush to your nearest bridal shop to begin looking for a dress. Instead, before you even consider entering a bridal boutique, take the time to make some initial plans. We want to prepare you for success and minimize frustration. So, begin the planning process by first selecting a venue and a wedding date. The month and location of your wedding can dramatically influence the style of gown and fabric that you select.

After your date and venue are confirmed, it’s time to determine how much you are able to invest in the purchase of your gown. Prior to calling a bridal boutique, have a specific idea how much you can really afford. If it’s appropriate, confirm this price-point with anyone attending your appointment to make sure they respect your budget and, who knows, other family members may decide to contribute towards this special purchase. When you do schedule your appointment, confirm that they have an adequate selection within your price range. Keep this amount etched in stone and never try on dresses that exceed your budget. In our experience, you’ll end up disappointed because you fell in love with a gown you cannot afford. An experienced bridal boutique will be able to direct you to dresses that are both beautiful and within your budget.

Begin your gown search about a year in advance of your date. While most gowns are available sooner, some wedding dresses can take up to 9 months to arrive directly from the designer and production time varies greatly by manufacturer and season. This is because ready-to-wear wedding gowns are not hanging on a rack in a warehouse waiting to be shipped, they are custom made for you. Therefore, it is important to order early! Planning to buy months in advance protects you from having your dream gown discontinued or subject to a price increase. For this reason, it’s never too early to say yes to ordering your dress!

Pop the champagne, it’s time to change your last name!

Most bridal salons are crowded after the New Year and appointments book quickly. If you are not under a time crunch, just relax. Only after you have determined when and where your wedding will take place, and you are ready to SAY YES, should the dress shopping begin. Congratulations, again, on your engagement! We sincerely hope you enjoy this special time and we look forward to helping you say yes to your dream dress!

Photos by Pompy Portraits

I said YES to my fiancé! When do I say YES to my dress?