When Should I Start Wedding Dress Shopping?

elizabethkatebridal
Oct 16
2 min read

Updated: Oct 30

Real Elizabeth Kate Bride Wearing Eva Lendel Wedding Dress

Your Top Bridal FAQs Answered

Just said “yes”? Congratulations!

The moment you get engaged is full of excitement, Pinterest boards, and venue research - but one of the first big questions every bride asks is: “When should I start wedding dress shopping?”

We’ve gathered our top bridal FAQs to help you plan your dream dress journey stress-free, with expert advice from our team of fairy dress mothers here at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.

When Should I Start Shopping for My Wedding Dress?

We recommend starting your dress search 12–18 months before your wedding.

Designer gowns typically take 5–10 months to arrive once ordered, and you’ll want to allow time for fittings and any alterations closer to your big day.

If your wedding is sooner, don’t panic! We also have ready-to-wear and sample gowns available for shorter timelines - so you can still find your perfect dress without compromise.

How Long Do Wedding Dresses Take to Arrive?

Once you’ve found the one, your chosen gown is made to order by the designer. Most of our designers, including Made With Love, Eva Lendel, Serene by Madi Lane, Rebecca Ingram, and Enzoani- have a lead time of around 5–10 months.

Your dress will then arrive at our boutique for fittings with our in-house alterations team, ensuring it fits you perfectly when your big day arrives.

What Sizes Do You Carry?

We believe every bride deserves to feel celebrated. Our boutique offers a beautiful range of sample sizes from UK 8–22, and we’re always happy to guide you through how each designer’s sizing works. Your comfort and confidence are everything to us - and we’ll make sure you feel amazing at every step.

How Do Payments Work?

A 50% deposit secures your gown and begins the production process with your designer. The remaining balance is due when your dress arrives at the boutique - usually 3 months before your wedding.

We’ll guide you through the full process during your appointment so everything feels simple and stress-free.