When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses (Full Timeline)

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Atlanta | Source

You’ve locked down your wedding date, secured your venue, and chosen your band. Congratulations! Some of the most important parts of wedding planning are behind you! 

But one of the best parts of wedding planning is still on your to-do list:

Bridesmaid dress shopping! 

One of the details that can sneak up on you is shopping for wedding attire and ordering your bridesmaid dresses on time.

Not sure when to start shopping? 

Wondering when you need to place your dress orders?

Here’s the full timeline for when to order bridesmaid dresses:

Order Your Wedding Dress First

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Dallas | Source

The first thing most brides do when planning their wedding is to go on the hunt for THE DRESS. And with so many wedding gowns available, you have to get that ball rolling early in the process.

Before you even start thinking about bridesmaid dresses, you need to order your own dress.

You can start shopping as early as you want, but it’s best to order your wedding gown at least nine months before the big day. 

If you’re having a made-to-order custom gown, order it at least a year in advance.

This is super important because you’ll need to know what you’re wearing to choose bridesmaid dresses that complement your look. Your wedding dress will set the tone and vibe for the entire celebration. You’ll want your bridesmaids’ dresses to have a similar vibe and sense of formality.

Talk to Your Bridesmaids About Dress Cost

After finalizing your bridal gown decision, have a conversation with your besties to agree on a fair price point for their dresses. 

If you plan to have flower girls in your wedding party, have a similar conversation with their moms or dads so that you’re all on the same page. 

Many bridal designers create gorgeous, affordable dresses and more extravagant designs. You can save yourself some stress by knowing how much your bridesmaids and maid of honor are willing to spend before you set your heart on any specific dresses.

When to Start Shopping for Bridesmaid Dresses

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Indianapolis | Hunter Ryan

With your gown ordered, it’s time to shop for bridesmaid dresses. 

About eight months before the wedding, start gathering inspiration, browsing bridal shops in person and online, and narrowing down the dress styles you like.

Whether you want your girls to channel romantic vibes in chiffon or go super glam in sequins, this is the time to hone in on your official wedding style. It’s also the time to decide if you want your girls to wear the same look or for each to wear a different dress.

The more bridesmaids you have, the trickier the shopping process can be. Whether you’re having four or 14 girls walk down the aisle, it’s best to start shopping with one or two key decision-makers to help you narrow your vision.

Select a few potential styles that you love. Then, gather your girls together for a fun shopping experience followed by a mid-day brunch or a night out on the town!

Choosing a Dress for Out-of-Town Bridesmaids

Have a bridesmaid out of town who can’t be with you to shop in person? 

Bella Bridesmaids has over 40 U.S. showrooms! So send your out-of-state ‘maid to her local Bella shop for a complimentary fitting.

If any of your bridesmaids don’t live near a Bella, don’t worry. They can have their measurements taken by a local tailor or dry cleaner. Then, you can connect them with your Bella stylist for a virtual fitting.

And if they can’t get to a local tailor or dry cleaner, they can take their own measurements. 

It’s much easier than it sounds — just send them our How to Take Your Measurements video!

When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Grand Rapids | Emma Quinn

About six months before the wedding, decide on the bridesmaid dress (or dresses) you want your girls to wear. It typically takes two to three months for dresses to arrive, so you’ll want to allow enough time for alterations.

Whether they’re wearing the same dress or different styles in the same color palette, be sure to order all of your bridesmaid dresses at the same time. 

That way, you’ll know that all of the fabric for all of your dresses will be in the same dye lot. If you order your dresses at different times, there’s a chance your dress colors won’t match perfectly. 

Shop our bridesmaid dress collection online:

Bridesmaid Dresses | Junior Bridesmaid Dresses | Flower Girl Dresses

When to Order Your Shoes and Undergarments

About four to six weeks after ordering your dresses, have your bridesmaids order their shoes and undergarments. This is usually plenty of time to receive those items before the first fitting.

Why is this so important?

Because they’ll need their shoes, bra, and undies for their first fitting in order to get the bust measurements and hem length just right.

If you’re having your bridesmaids wear strapless necklines, stress that they need to wear strapless bras. Those bras with clear straps just don’t cut it for a wedding!

When to Have Your First Fitting

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Miami | Jesus & Martha

Regardless of their body types, all bridesmaids should expect to require alterations (and pay for them). Regardless of shape or body type, almost every dress will need alterations.

We recommend trying on the dress as soon as it arrives to ensure no major surprises. If you require standard alterations, such as shortening the hem of a full-length silhouette, schedule your first fitting at least four to six weeks before the wedding.

Book your first fitting even further in advance if you need more complicated alterations. Just call ahead and ensure your timeline aligns with your tailor’s schedule.

When to Have Your Final Fitting

Don’t wait until the last minute! Schedule your final fitting approximately one month before the wedding to allow extra time for any additional alterations.

This is even more important if you’re getting married during the height of wedding and prom season. Seamstresses are super busy and tend to book appointments far in advance from late spring to October.

The only exception to this step in the timeline is if you have a pregnant bridesmaid. If her belly is still growing, she’ll want to do her final fitting as close to the wedding day as possible. 

Check out our selection of maternity bridesmaid dresses!

Try on Your Dress a Few Days Before the Wedding

Don’t wait until the morning of to try on the dress — do it a few days before the wedding. With a few days' advance notice, you can rush to a seamstress for some last-minute alterations if absolutely necessary. 

Shopping for bridesmaid dresses can go seamlessly if you start shopping early and order your dresses with time to spare. 

If you stick to this timeline, you’ll give yourself plenty of wiggle room for delays in shipping and other unforeseen circumstances. With proper planning, shopping for bridesmaid dresses will be a fun, memorable wedding experience you’ll never forget! 

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