When is the Right Time to Say Yes to Your Dress?
It’s probably our most commonly asked question: when should I shop for my wedding gown? We will always hold the position that every bride’s journey is different, and the same goes for when that journey unfolds. But in general we do have a few suggested guidelines for when to shop for your gown.
As a good rule of thumb, we suggest shopping for your wedding gown:
After you book your venue
Before you make any design decisions for your wedding
At least 8 months prior to your wedding
Allow us to elaborate. #1. After you book your venue. Not only will booking your venue determine the look and vibe of your wedding day, but it will also determine your wedding date. This tells you what season your wedding will take place, and overall gives you a much better sense of the mood of your day.
#2: Before you made any design decisions for your wedding day. This includes color palette, bridesmaid dresses, florals, linens, you name it. The reason being, all of these things should be made based on your wedding gown, not the other way around. There’s no way of knowing what type of gown will win your heart, but you definitely don’t want to feel limited by a narrow set of parameters set by your wedding design decisions. You want the freedom to fall in love with anything under the sun - and nothing causes a bride more inner confusion than loving a gown that completely clashes with her bridesmaid dresses, or a classic gown that feels off compared to all the boho decor she's purchased. Most often, the type of gown you love will determine the style of wedding you truly want, whether it’s luxe and dramatic or breezy and effortless.
#3: At least 8 months prior to your wedding. Of the utmost importance are the realities of wedding gown production timelines, so take that into consideration first. Ideally a bride will be ordering her gown at least 8 months prior to her wedding day at minimum. This allows time for a standard delivery time (with a little buffer for any possible delays) plus 3 months for alterations. We always assure brides that sometimes a tight timeline can’t be helped, and in those instances we’re always happy to provide options. But when possible, allow yourself at least 8 months between your order date and your wedding date.
Purchasing your wedding gown can be such a thrilling time, but it’s typically unfamiliar territory. We’re here to help with all your gown shopping questions to ensure that the day you say ‘Yes’ to your dress is as magical as the day you wear it.
House of White is an intimate bridal experience in the heart of Historic Newburgh, Indiana, just outside Evansville. For eleven years House of White has been a designer bridal shopping destination for brides from Indianapolis, Bloomington, Louisville, Bowling Green, Owensboro, St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, and everywhere in between :)