First of all, congratulations! You’ve said “yes” to forever, and now it’s time to bring your wedding vision to life - starting with one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning: finding your dream dress!
At Michelle’s Bridal & Tuxedo, we’ve helped hundreds of brides through this process, and we know just how important it is to make it memorable, magical, and stress-free. To help, we’ve put together the ultimate bridal timeline along with our top dress shopping tips so you feel confident, prepared, and truly excited.
Let’s get started.
9-12 Months Before the Wedding: Start Dress Shopping
This is the ideal time to begin your search. Wedding dresses can take anywhere from 5 to 6 months to arrive, and you’ll need extra time for alterations and accessorizing.
Dress Shopping Tips:
Essense of Australia Style D4115 |
Book your bridal appointment early. This gives you first pick of upcoming trunk shows, new arrivals, and our full stylist support! Do some pre-appointment research. Save photos of dresses or designers you love. It helps our stylists guide you in the right direction. Keep an open mind. You may walk in wanting one style and fall in love with something completely different than what you originally pictured! We always encourage brides to try on silhouettes that they never considered, because who knows? It could be "the one!" |
Wear the right undergarments. Nude, seamless underwear and a strapless bra help you better envision the final look. And if you forget your strapless bra, we’ve got some here you can use!
Bring the right people. 3-4 trusted guests is ideal. Too many opinions can feel overwhelming! Make sure you only bring people who will be positive and supportive.
Focus on how you feel. Don’t chase perfection - chase the dress that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
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Essense of Australia Style D4034
9–10 Months Before: Say Yes to the Dress
Once you’ve found the one, don’t wait. Placing your order now ensures enough time for production, shipping, and customizations!
Tips:
Say yes with confidence! If you can’t stop smiling and picturing yourself walking down the aisle, it’s probably the one.
Ask about personalization. Want to add sleeves? Change the neckline? Our team can help customize your look.
Start looking at accessories. Think veil, headpieces, jewelry, belts, and shoes - this is the perfect time to start building your full bridal ensemble.
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Madi Lane Style Luisa
6–8 Months Before: Dress Your Wedding Party
Now it’s time to turn your attention to your bridesmaids and the groom’s party. Dresses for your girls and tuxedos or suits for the guys should be ordered now to allow for arrival and alterations.
Style Tip:
Think about your wedding palette, the formality of your day, and the overall vibe when choosing styles for your party. At Michelle’s, we offer a wide selection of bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos so everyone looks cohesive, comfortable, and celebration-ready.
3–4 Months Before: First Fitting and Alterations
Madi Lane Style Lanette |
Your gown should arrive during this window. While we don’t offer in-house alterations, we do have a list of fabulous seamstresses nearby who can help turn your dress into the gown of your dreams!
Don’t panic if it doesn’t fit perfectly at first. That’s what fittings are for! Voice your preferences. You want to make sure your gown feels and fits exactly how you want it to. |
1–2 Months Before: Final Fitting and Final Touches
Your final fitting ensures everything is perfect. This is the time to complete your look with final accessory decisions and any last-minute tweaks.
Checklist:
Confirm your veil, jewelry, and other accessories are ready.
Practice walking and sitting in your dress.
Ask about steaming or pressing services so your gown is flawless on the big day.
From saying yes to finding your perfect dress and celebrating all the special milestones in between, Michelle’s Bridal & Tuxedo is here to guide and celebrate with you. Our team is passionate about making sure you feel confident, beautiful, and completely taken care of from your first appointment to the moment you walk down the aisle.
If you have any other questions about the wedding dress shopping experience at Michelle's, check out our FAQ page!
Book your bridal appointment today and let’s make your dress dreams come true!