One of the most common questions we hear from newly engaged brides is, “When should I order my wedding dress?”. Choosing a bridal gown is completely different to shopping for any other kind of dress, so it’s natural for brides-to-be to be confused about what to do, when. We’ve helped dress thousands of brides over the past 19 years, so you can trust you’re in safe hands at Ellie Sanderson. Here, we demystify the wedding dress timeline, so you can just enjoy the process of falling in love with your dress.

When should I start looking for my wedding dress?

The simple answer is: earlier than you think. Choosing your wedding dress should be a memorable experience for all the right reasons. The last thing you want to do is rush it. Give yourself plenty of time to find the right bridal studio that matches your vibe. Book an appointment as soon as you have an idea of your wedding style or venue type – this will often lead your dress choice. We’d recommend starting to look around for your dress around 12 months before your wedding, if you can. A great place to start is our Ellie Sanderson Find Your Dream Dress quiz.

When should I order my wedding dress?

Unlike high street fashion, luxury wedding dresses are not sitting in a warehouse waiting to be dispatched. The majority of gowns we offer are made to order, meaning production only begins once a bride places her order. This is one of the reasons a bridal gown feels so special – it is being created specifically for you. And this is the reason why it’s helpful to understand the wedding dress timeline.

Each wedding dress passes through multiple stages of production, from pattern cutting to construction, embellishment and hand-finishing. Many gowns involve hours of skilled craftsmanship. Experienced seamstresses and pattern cutters work on every detail before the dress ever reaches our studios. We are proud to work with designers who still value this level of craftsmanship.

Some of our British designers, including Suzanne Neville and Andrea Hawkes, continue to craft their gowns here in the UK, supporting local skills and traditional bridal craftsmanship. Other internationally renowned collections, including KYHA Bride, Hera Couture and Milla Nova, typically require around 6-9 months from order to delivery. While their production may take place overseas, these gowns are still made specifically for each bride rather than mass-produced in bulk.

At the high-fashion luxury end of the spectrum, you’ll find designers such as Shehzarin Batha and Tom Sebastien. Intricate construction, bespoke elements, hand-finished detailing and couture-level craftsmanship can mean production times of up to 9 -12 months.

It may seem like a long way in advance, but getting such an important decision sorted way before your wedding day means no last-minute panic – hooray to that! 

When should I have a wedding dress fitting?

If you are having your dress fitted directly with a seamstress we’ll send you links with lots of brilliant information to help you get you organised. If you have a couture dress and are fitting in house we will send you all the links to get organised months ahead of your big day. Usually your first wedding dress fitting will be around 10-12 weeks before your big day. This will be your first chance to try on your actual wedding dress at Ellie Sanderson. Come with the underwear you plan on wearing for your wedding and as little make-up as possible (foundation stains on a white dress is not ideal!).

How long before my wedding should I have the final dress tweaks?

Your second wedding dress fitting will follow about a month later after the first. Here we can make any final tweaks and adjustments. Again, we’ll arrange all of this months in advance. Then, about 2-3 weeks before your wedding, we’ll book you in for a 15-minute collection appointment, and your dress will be ready to go home with you. It’s a good idea to bring someone along with you who will help you get dressed on the day (whether that’s a bridesmaid or your mum). There’s a knack to putting on a made-to-measure wedding dress, so having people who know what they are doing will really help on the day.

What do I do if I need a wedding dress quickly?

Of course, we understand that not every bride has a year to plan. If you can’t work to this wedding dress timeline, in many cases rush orders can be arranged with our designers, although these will be at an additonal cost. If you speak to one of our team, we’ll do our best to help. We also stock a gorgeous range of sample sale gowns available off the peg and ready to take home the same day, at The Sample EDIT. Click here to find out more.

Why do I need to order my wedding dress so early?

The reality is that the best wedding dresses take time. They are not designed to be fast fashion, they are carefully crafted, thoughtfully constructed and created with the intention of becoming one of the most important dresses you will ever wear. The earlier you begin your bridal journey, the more possibilities are available to you – and the more enjoyable the experience becomes.

How can I book an appointment at Ellie Sanderson?

Now you know about the wedding dress timeline, it’s easy to book your first wedding dress appointment at either our Beaconsfield, Kiddington or St Albans bridal studios. Click here to find a date that suits you and book online. We can’t wait to meet you!