Is Shopping for Your Wedding Dress Online a Good Idea? (2024)

FAQs

Is Shopping for Your Wedding Dress Online a Good Idea? ›

With an online purchase, you'll have no idea if and how the dress will fit you. And bear in mind that wedding dress sizing might be different than what you typically wear for casual clothes. This is where having a bridal consultant by your side can save you time, money, and headaches.

You have to be very careful when shopping bridal online. There are issues with counterfeit dresses. Some stores feature designer pictures, but the dress you receive in the mail is nothing like the picture, and certainly not designer. You also don't know how well the colors or detailing will match up.

The spotlight is truly on you.

“Bringing large groups or very opinionated guests can only distract you and cause confusion,” says Lisa. In this case, shopping alone puts the spotlight on you! Tell your consultant how you really feel about the styles you're trying on without your mom or bestie whispering in your ear.

Here's what you need to know. Because of frequent online promotions, shopping online for your wedding attire can often save you money! Not only is it cost-effective and convenient, but you're able to shop a much larger selection of designer wedding dresses and attire from the comfort of your couch.

Not having a sparks-flying feeling (like the brides you've seen on Say Yes to the Dress, for instance) is far more common than you think. And even if you do feel the earth move as you finally find your dream dress, it's normal not to feel the same way about it a few months later.

Typically, we suggest making your bridal dress appointments 9-12 months prior to your wedding date. This date is suggested with the goal of picking out and ordering a dress 8-9 months before the wedding. This gives you plenty of time to shop around and find the dress of your dreams.

Don't go just to try dresses on.

Now, on a slow day this doesn't matter so much, which may lead you to believe that you could always schedule to come in on a weekday without it being a problem. But even if it's not inconvenient for the boutique, it's not a good idea for you. Wedding dress shopping is a special time.

We recommend limiting your gown shopping entourage to about three people at most. This will help make your experience the best it can be with the very most important people by your side.

While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories.

Can you rush order a wedding dress? ›

Most boutiques require that you order your dress 6-12 months in advance to allow for ample creation, shipping, and alteration time. Rush fees typically come into play if you're ordering your dress 5 months or less before your wedding. Designers require time to source their materials from all over the world.

How long does it take for a wedding dress to come in? Most wedding dresses take 4-6 months to come in. This range can fluctuate slightly depending on holidays, shipping delays, and if you are ordering a custom wedding gown.

Folding the dress inside out is the last line of defense in case the box is damaged or gets wet during shipping. If your box gets damaged, crushed, or wet while being shipped, having the dress inside out will protect the outer detailed layers that are beautiful.