Plan your wedding dress search from first appointment to final fitting, including budget setting, alteration timelines, accessories, and dress preservation.
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Research and Budget
Set your dress budget before visiting any shops
The average wedding dress costs $1,500-$3,000, but alterations add $300-$800 and accessories add $200-$500 on top of that. Set your total budget including these extras so you do not overspend on the gown itself.
Factor in alterations, veil, shoes, and undergarments in the total
Ask shops about payment plans if paying in full upfront is not feasible
Research dress silhouettes and identify 2-3 styles to try
The main silhouettes are A-line, ballgown, mermaid, sheath, and fit-and-flare. Looking up styles online before your appointment saves time at the shop. Be open to trying one style outside your comfort zone.
Read reviews and book appointments at 3-4 bridal shops
Bridal boutiques require appointments and book up 2-4 weeks ahead on weekends. Weekday appointments are easier to get and often feel less rushed. Limit yourself to trying on 4-6 dresses per appointment to avoid decision fatigue.
Shopping Timeline
Start dress shopping 8-12 months before the wedding
Most bridal gowns are made to order and take 4-6 months to arrive after ordering. Starting 8-12 months out gives you time to order, receive, and complete 2-3 rounds of alterations before the wedding.
Place your dress order at least 6 months before the wedding
Rush orders are available from some designers for an extra $200-$500, but they limit your alteration timeline. Ordering 6+ months out keeps you on a comfortable schedule without rush fees.
Consider sample sales and trunk shows for discounts
Trunk shows offer 10-20% off retail and let you try the full collection from one designer. Sample sales sell floor models at 40-70% off but in limited sizes (usually 8-12). Follow bridal shops on social media for sale announcements.
Bring a maximum of 2-3 trusted people to appointments
Too many opinions create confusion and pressure. Bring people whose taste you respect and who will be honest without being negative. Inform your group beforehand about your budget and style preferences.
Appointment Preparation
Wear nude undergarments and bring a strapless bra
Most sample dresses are strapless or have low backs. Nude seamless underwear and a strapless bra let you see the true look without distracting lines. Some shops provide bustiers, but bringing your own ensures comfort.
Bring photos of dresses you like to show your stylist
Save 10-15 photos on your phone showing styles, necklines, and details you are drawn to. This gives your stylist a starting point and prevents wasted time pulling dresses that are not in your direction.
Tell the shop your budget upfront
A good stylist will show you dresses within your range. Some shops pull dresses 10-15% over budget to upsell. Be firm about your ceiling. If a shop pressures you, that is a sign to leave and shop elsewhere.
Ask about trunk show dates or upcoming sales for your favorite designers
Alterations
Schedule your first alteration fitting 8-10 weeks before the wedding
Most dresses need 2-3 fittings spread over 6-8 weeks. Common alterations include hemming, bustle creation, and bodice adjustments. First fitting is for pinning, second for checking changes, and third is a final fit check.
Bring the exact shoes and undergarments you will wear on the wedding day
Get an alteration cost estimate before committing
Simple hemming costs $100-$200. Bustle addition costs $50-$150. Taking in or letting out the bodice costs $150-$400. Complex changes like adding sleeves or reshaping the neckline can cost $300-$600.
Avoid significant weight changes between ordering and alterations
Order the dress in your current size. Losing or gaining more than 10 pounds between ordering and your first fitting can require costly resizing. If you plan to change your fitness routine, discuss sizing strategy with the shop.
Practice moving, sitting, and dancing in the altered dress at the final fitting
At your last fitting, sit down, raise your arms, and walk briskly. Ask someone to bustle the dress while you watch in the mirror so your maid of honor can learn how to do it on the wedding day.
Accessories
Shop for a veil or headpiece after choosing the dress
Veils range from $50 for a simple tulle piece to $500+ for cathedral-length or lace-trimmed options. Try the veil with your dress at the bridal shop. The veil should complement, not compete with, dress details.
Choose comfortable shoes you can wear for 8-10 hours
Break in your wedding shoes by wearing them around the house for 1-2 hours a day during the 2 weeks before the wedding. If your dress is floor-length, comfortable block heels or flats are invisible and save your feet.
Select jewelry that works with your neckline
Strapless and sweetheart necklines pair well with a statement necklace. V-neck and off-shoulder dresses look best with earrings only. High necklines call for drop earrings and no necklace. Less is usually more.
Do a full dress rehearsal with all accessories, hair, and makeup before the wedding
Dress Preservation
Have your dress professionally cleaned within 2 weeks of the wedding
Stains from wine, grass, makeup, and sweat set permanently after 4-6 weeks. Professional bridal cleaning costs $150-$350. Drop the dress off within the first week for the best chance of full stain removal.
Decide on professional preservation boxing
Preservation services cost $200-$400 and include cleaning, treating, and sealing the dress in an acid-free box. This protects the fabric from yellowing for 50+ years. Some services offer a guarantee and will reclean if yellowing occurs.
Store the preserved box in a cool, dry, dark place away from attics and basements
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to order a wedding dress?
Most designer wedding dresses take 4-6 months to manufacture after ordering, plus 1-2 months for alterations — plan to start shopping 9-12 months before your wedding. Off-the-rack dresses from bridal shops or department stores can be purchased same-day and altered in 4-6 weeks. Sample sales and consignment dresses also skip the production wait. Rush orders are possible at many designers for a 15-30% surcharge.
How much does the average wedding dress cost?
The national average for a wedding dress is $1,600-$2,000, but the range spans from $200 (off-the-rack or secondhand) to $10,000+ (luxury designers). Alterations add $200-$600 on top, and accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry, undergarments) add another $200-$500. Trunk shows and sample sales offer 10-40% discounts on designer gowns. Online retailers like BHLDN and Lulus offer quality options for $300-$800.
How many bridal shops should I visit before choosing a dress?
Visit 2-4 bridal shops — enough to compare styles and service without decision fatigue. Brides who visit more than 5 shops report higher indecision and stress levels. Book appointments at shops with different price points and aesthetic styles so you can narrow down what you actually want. Bring the same 1-2 trusted people to every appointment for consistent feedback.
Who should I bring wedding dress shopping?
Limit your group to 2-3 people whose opinions you genuinely trust and who will be supportive rather than critical. The most common picks are mother, maid of honor, and one close friend or sister. Groups larger than 4 create conflicting opinions and slow down appointments — bridal consultants report that larger groups add 30-45 minutes to each appointment and increase indecision.
What undergarments do I need for wedding dress shopping?
Wear nude seamless underwear and a strapless bra in a shade close to your skin tone. Many bridal shops provide sample bras and corsets, but having your own strapless option gives comfort during try-ons. Skip shapewear for initial appointments — you want to see how dresses actually fit your body. Bring hair ties to pull your hair up for strapless styles and down for sleeved ones.