When Should I Order My Wedding Dress?

A commonly misunderstood, and yet vital part of wedding planning is timing your wedding gown purchase. Many brides ask us, when should I order my wedding dress, so that everything arrives on time without rushing or extra fees? 

At Love Spell design, we are here to help you build a realistic timeline that allows time and space for the dress production, your initial fittings, and final adjustments – no hidden fees. So – here’s our perfected guide, just for you.

What’s the Ideal Wedding Dress Shopping Timeline?

The best and most optimal time to order your wedding dress (that we recommend) is at least 10 to 12 months before your wedding date. This allows for:

• 6 to 8 months of gown production (Love Spell’s average production time line)
• Shipping and thorough quality checks
• 1 to 2 months for professional alterations
• Multiple fittings (if needed)

This timeline may seem long, but it gives you flexibility and peace of mind – two things every bride deserves.

Why Ordering Early Matters

Most of the wedding gowns at our London Boutique are made to order. Once you say ‘yes to the dress’, the designers begin crafting your gown from scratch, following your measurements, customisations and any other design notes. That process alone can take several months.

Ordering early means:

• You’ll have full access to every style in the collection
• You won’t need to worry about rush or super rush fees
• You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy fittings instead of stressing about deadlines

What If Your Wedding Is Coming Up Soon?

If you’re planning a shorter engagement, or need to get married fast- ordering early may not be possible – but you still have plenty of options.

At Love Spell, rush and super rush orders depend on the design of the dress, fabric availability, and dress complexity, and additional fees may apply.

Off-the-Rack Gowns for Short Timelines

Our luxury off-the-rack dresses (also known as sample sale gowns) can be purchased immediately, but alterations are still required. Most brides will require 1 to 2 months any of the following: tailoring, hemming, and bustle work.

Even if you’re considering purchasing one of our gorgeous sample sale gowns, starting earlier gives you more flexibility for your final decision and any alterations or accessories that may follow.

When Do Wedding Dress Alterations Start?

We highly recommend having your alterations done about 1 to 2 months before the wedding. This will ensure that your dress fits perfectly as your body settles closer to your big day. If you get your alterations done too ealry, your body could change again before the 2 months out that we recommend- meaning you would have to go through alterations twice. This is why we recommend having alterations done only 1 to 2 months out before your wedding, so that the measurements are as accurate as possible.  

Rest assured, multiple fittings are normal and essential to achieving the flawless look every bride wants. 

A Final Word Of Advice from Love Spell Design

So, when should I order my wedding dress?
For the best experience, we recommend shopping at least 10 to 12 months before your wedding.

This timeline allows for optional custom production, professional alterations, and enough breathing room to enjoy the journey,- without rushing or compromising on the dress of your dreams. That being said, weddings with a shorter timeline are evidentially absolutely possible with our rush order options, sample sale rail and excellent styling team to guide you through!