Time Line: Buying Your Gown

Over the past few weeks, it has become apparent that many of our brides are unaware of the "gown time-line," so we thought we'd take a moment and break it down. This is a rough time-line and will vary by month as well as by designer.



Typically, it takes 4 to 5 months for a gown to ship (not arrive) from the designer. It can take less time but a well planned bride always works off of worst case scenarios.

Once your gown arrives in the boutique, you will need to schedule an appointment to pick up your gown. Then head with it to your seamstress to begin alterations.

Alterations can take anywhere from 1 to 2 months depending on your schedule, their schedule and the amount of work to be done. This process may include multiple visits to the seamstress.

Add all this up and you are looking at approximately 7 months - just to get the dress ready to wear!

Now, factor in bridal portraits since this is the first time you will wear your gown (assuming you are taking bridal portraits). Then, factor in climate. Why climate? Well, we do live in Arkansas. July-September equals dreadfully HOT! December - March equals all things dead (see plants.) If you have your heart on outdoor portraits, and don't want to be miserable... this could drastically change your time-line.

Example: You are getting married in October. You are taking bridal portraits and want them outdoors so you probably want to take them April - June. To have your gown ready in time, you need to have it purchased by November. Amazing how quickly time gets away from you!

From December until the end of February, the time-line gets longer as you have to factor in the holidays. Gown production typically takes three weeks off during this time which means that your time-line needs to expand by three weeks during these months.


Helpful Hints: Start early, be prepared to buy at your first appointment (we didn't say you had to - just be prepared to) and the gown shopping experience will be blissful.

XOXO