Shopping for a wedding dress if you aren’t ready to buy yet - our advice
For many brides, wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting parts of the planning journey. Before you step foot in a bridal shop, there’s one important question you should ask yourself: Am I truly ready to commit to buying a dress?
Unfortunately, as a small business, we aren't able to offer appointments just for getting ideas.
Here’s why shopping for your wedding dress before you’re prepared—both mentally and financially—is not a good idea and is not something we can accomodate.
You might fall in love with a dress you can’t afford
Most brides actually find their perfect dress in their first appointment! Brides often think they need to get a head start to get ideas first, but truthfully this isn’t actually needed. When you start shopping without a clear budget in place, it’s easy to get attached to a dress that you want to buy to secure it, but you unfortunately can’t commit to right now.
Due to discontinuations and dresses being sold off-the-peg, the chances of a dress still being available in your size months later is unlikely. You could find yourself heartbroken, leaving behind your favourite dress, not knowing if it will be available when you are ready - adding unnecessary stress & disappointment!
It’s best to have your budget set and be financially ready to purchase your dress, just in case you have that moment and find the one.
Shopping etiquette matters
Wedding dress boutiques are often small businesses that take time to prepare for each appointment, which are often limited due to the small amount of appointments they can offer. If you’re not genuinely in a position to commit, it can take appointments away from other brides who need a dress more urgently.
There is absolutely no expectation or pressure for you to buy a dress, we simply ask you to come in when you are actively trying to find and buy your dress and we will aim to do just that - hopefully help you find your dream dress!
Styles & preferences may change
Your vision for your wedding might evolve over time: shopping too early means you could choose a dress that doesn’t match the overall vibe of your day.
It’s best to shop when you have a clearer idea of your venue, time of year, and overall wedding vibe to avoid you questioning whether you have bought the right dress for your day - which nobody wants!
So, when should you shop?
The best time to shop for your wedding dress is when you’ve finalised a few key details:
You’ve set a clear budget.
You know the date and time of year.
You have chosen or secured your venue.
You’re ready to make a purchase if you find the dress.
By waiting until you’re fully ready to commit, you’ll avoid the stress, disappointment, and uncertainty that can come with shopping too early. Just remember to give yourself at least a few months before your wedding date to allow for any alterations.
Not ready yet? Do this instead!
Browse wedding dresses. Use images to inspire you and find what you are drawn to. You can even write a list/screenshot dresses you’d like to try when the time is right.
Establish your must-haves. While it’s good to stay flexible, knowing the things you do and don’t want from your dress (silhouettes, budget, dress details) will help making the choice easier when it comes to finding a shop that suits.
Plan your shopping trip. The ideal time to shop for your wedding dress is about 6-12 months before the big day, once your venue and budget are all set. Book ahead of time if you know when you want to come: our appointment calendar is open for the next 4 months online, or pop us a message if you want to book further in the future.
Thank you for your understanding - this helps us keep our appointments free and accessible for everyone!
Ready to say yes to your dress? Book your appointment with us when the timing is right, and we’d love to help you find the gown of your dreams!