When Should Bridesmaids Get Their Dresses?
Whether you're a first-time bridesmaid or a seasoned pro (a la 27 Dresses), you may be asking yourself the same question: when should bridesmaids get their dresses? Luckily for you, our wedding-obsessed team at The Knot is here to help you with all of the ins and outs that come with being a bridesmaid, including when to order bridesmaid dresses. From what to expect as a bridesmaid dress cost to all of the latest bridesmaid dress trends, consider us your own personal wedding planner who can guide you through everything you need to know. Below, we've broken down our recommended bridesmaid dress timeline so you can rest assured that you're on track for the big day.
The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great resource to help you search for the perfect bridesmaid dress. Filter by location and dress type to find local bridal salons that carry bridesmaid dresses. The Knot Vendor Marketplace lets you read reviews from real brides and bridesmaids that can help you figure out which shop is best for you.
In this article:
- When Should Bridesmaids Get Their Dresses?
- When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses
- When Should Bridesmaids Get Their Dresses Altered?
When Should Bridesmaids Get Their Dresses?
You should order bridesmaid dresses about six months before the wedding. Dresses can take up to three months to arrive and you want to allow extra time for any alterations your bridesmaids may need. Of course, custom dresses take longer to arrive than if you order straight off the rack, but it's always best to give yourself a cushion of more time than needed, in case of any unexpected changes.
Grace Lee, founder and CEO of Birdy Grey, shares, "I like to say it's never too early to start scoping out dresses! At a bare minimum, I would suggest five to six months out, so that you have plenty of time to narrow down on your selections."
Bella Bridesmaids recommends gathering your bridesmaid dress inspiration and narrowing down styles about eight months prior to the wedding so that you have ample time to make the final decision. Look through your favorite magazines and comb through Pinterest for inspiration. Pro tip: Order all of the bridesmaid dresses at the same time to ensure that the color is an exact match. Take it from us, the same exact dress can vary slightly in color depending on the dye lot it comes from.
- 8 Months Before Wedding: Start seeking bridesmaid dress inspiration
- 6 Months Before Wedding: Order the bridesmaid dresses
- 3-4 Months Before Wedding: Schedule your alterations appointment for four to six weeks before the wedding
- 4-6 Weeks Before Wedding: Get your alterations done.
When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridesmaids should order their dresses about six months before the wedding for both in-person and online bridesmaid dress shopping. When in doubt, it's always better to allow yourself ample time rather than procrastinate. We recommend starting your shopping process by gathering inspiration around eight months before the wedding so that you have an idea of what you're looking for when it comes time to shop. Pinterest, Instagram, and, of course, The Knot, are wonderful sources of inspiration where you can see what other bridesmaids are wearing.
In 2024 buying bridesmaid dresses can be as simple as pressing a button. While some bridesmaids prefer the more traditional route of shopping in person, many bridesmaids love the ease of ordering their bridesmaid dresses online. Many brands, like Azazie, even offer home try on programs so you can try on multiple options from the comfort of home. You can often order swatches too to see how different bridesmaid dress colors will appear on different fabrics.
It's important to consider that if you are ordering a custom or made-to-order bridesmaid dress there may be longer lead times and you may want to allot extra time as a buffer. "Many of our bridesmaid dresses are made to order, which can take up to eight weeks to produce and deliver to your door, which is a common practice in this industry," Lee shared. "So we like to tell our brides to have their bridal party shop at least four months out, which will allow some wiggle room to exchange your dress if you're not 100% happy with it."
Make sure you look into shipping times for your bridesmaid dresses in advance so you know if you need to order earlier than the standard six months ahead of time that we recommend. Off-the-rack dresses will arrive much quicker, so you can feel secure in the six-month window for ordering these. If you're in a time crunch, Lee suggests shopping Birdy Grey's ready-to-ship assortment.
When Should Bridesmaids Get Their Dresses Altered?
The average turnaround time for bridesmaid dress alterations is about a month, so we recommend having your alterations done between six and four weeks before the wedding. Simple alterations like a hem can be ready in a month, whereas more complex tailoring will take closer to six. "My biggest tip? Try on your dress ASAP and consult your tailor on the timing," Lee suggests. "The last thing you want is stressing the bride out with a bridesmaid dress catastrophe a week before the wedding! Also, don't forget to bring heels with you to the tailor."
It's important not to schedule your alterations for any earlier than six weeks out to ensure an accurate fit. Depending on the complexity of your alterations, you may need to go back for multiple visits to get the fit right, so having your first fitting six weeks is a good time frame to allot for any unexpected delays or additional fittings. If possible, call and schedule your appointment slot three to four months out from the wedding so that you are guaranteed an appointment. Wedding season gets busy fast and you'll want to lock down your appointment in advance.