THE ULTIMATE TIMELINE FOR WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING ⏰

AKA: How to avoid last minute panics and actually enjoy the process.

Let's be real - wedding planning can feel like a full-time job. And the dress? It's one of the biggest (and most emotional) decisions you'll make.

So if you're already feeling that little voice in your head saying

"Wait... when am I meant to actually start dress shopping?"

Don't worry! You're not behind, you're not clueless, and you're definitely not the only one asking!

We're here to break it all down - no fluff, no pressure, just straight up realistic advice from your favourite curvy bridal rebels 🩷

Because with a bit of planning and a heap of support (that's where we come in!), you can avoid the chaos and actually enjoy finding your dream dress.

Skipping to the good part? Find our TL;DR breakdown here!

Charlotte looked ~in👏cred👏ib👏le~ in her Lazaris gown. Sometimes you just need a whole heap of glitter to make you feel like you're on top of the world - yaknow? ✨

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💭 12+ Months Before: Pinterest and Magazines

This is the dreamy phase. The Pinterest vortex. Collecting ideas and let yourself imagine it all, the "what if's".

Start getting obsessed with silhouettes, sparkles, structure, and all the juicy bridal details!

Now is a good time to start looking into boutiques, getting a feel for the atmosphere, the dress collection and the ✨vibe✨. You want to find a boutique that stocks the style of dresses you're interested in (and in your size!), as well as being somewhere you feel you can confidently walk in the door and know you'll feel comfortable.

Feeling overwhelmed? You're not the first and you won't be the last! If the thought of having to shop for... try on... choose... a wedding dress fills you with dread - don't panic! You've got plenty of time, and if you arrive at our boutique without a single Pinterest board or cut out magazine, we'll talk you through all the different bridal options and find the one that makes your bridal heart sing 🩷

We have looooads of curvy wedding dresses on our rails - over 150 actually! Like our Arwen gown which Ellie is wearing here. So don't panic if you come in not knowing what you want, we'll try on lots of options until you find what you feel the most you in! 🩷

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👗 9 - 12 Months Before: Yes to the Dress!

THIS. IS. IT. ⚡

Now is the sweet spot for actually choosing your wedding dress. You want time. You want options. You want to feel relaxed, excited, and in control. You want all the time to choose with your heart, without any last-minute pressure or having to pick from what is left on the rails.

Why 9-12 months?!

💌 Dresses take 4-5 month to arrive (yep, really, because all our dresses are made to order!)

🧵 Alterations take time after that (and you'll want them to be perfect)

🎀 You'll probably want to look at accessories too - veils, crowns, capes, belts, tiaras, shoes, we've got it all.

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👑 Accessories: Start Thinking Now

Whether your vibe is full glam or minimal chic, your accessories matter. They can elevate your entire look from "lovely" to "OH. MY. GOD." 🔥

Some brides buy their accessories at the same appointment as their wedding dresses, some prefer to only make one big decision at a time!

Between your first appointment, your collection appointment, and our specific accessories appointments, you'll get plenty of opportunity to try on all the headpieces, veils and shoes we have to offer - and we'll be right there with alllllll the styling options to help you build the look.

We have accessories galore. Blame (or thank) Wendy for being an actual magpie! We have tiaras, hair clips, headbands, veils, capes, shoes, halos, belts, jewellery - you name it, we've got it! 👑

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📦 4-5 Months Before: Your Dress Arrives!

It's here! It's GORGEOUS! It's everything! 😍

We'll let you know as soon as it lands in the boutique, and then you can book your collection appointment - we'll brew up, get you in the dress, chatter all things wedding and make sure everything is looking banging.

If you didn't pick your accessories earlier, this is the perfect time to solidify your full look!

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✂️ 1-3 Months Before: Altering to Perfection

You've done the happy cry - now it's time for the final tweaks to make your dress perfect.

Every seamstress works differently, but most will want to start working on your dress 8-12 weeks before the big day. That gives time for fittings, adjustments and any last minute changes to make sure everything fits just right.

Don't worry if your body has been doing it's own thing while you've been waiting for your dress to arrive - we're all human! This is why we plan ahead and work with amazing local seamstresses who know exactly how to sculpt, tweak and finesse until your dress fits like a glove.

We also offer split sizing when you order your dress - if your top and bottom half are different sizes (and honestly, whose aren't?!), this can help reduce the amount of alterations you'll need once your dress has arrived.

Your dress will literally ALWAYS need some alterations. Even if you're like Kait, who is wearing Ashby here - and it fits like a dream... she would still need the hem shortening at the front! So make sure you leave time for tweaking! ⏰

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💒 THE BIG DAY

You've done the work. You trusted the process. You chose the dress that made you feel powerful, beautiful, and unapologetically you.

And now? You get to live that dream! Strut down the aisle. Dance like nobody is watching. Hug everyone just a little bit too tight. And know that your dress is doing the absolute most for you - just like we planned.

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TL;DR - YOUR CURVY BRIDAL TIMELINE

💭 12+ months before - Get inspired, figure out what vibe you're drawn to, book your bridal boutique

👗 9-12 months before - Say yes to the dress

🎀 4-9 months before - Think about accessories if you haven't already chosen them

📦 4-5 months before - Your dress arrives

✂️ 1-3 months before - Alterations with your seamstress

💒 Wedding day - You. Look. Incredible!

You made it! Like Carolanne and her husband in this gorgeous confetti photo from Moor and Moon 🔥

Still not sure where to start? Worried you've left it late?

Whether you've got 18 months or 8 weeks, we're here to make it work - with expert guidance, stunning gowns in sizes that actually fit, lots of options, zero pressure, and a whole lot of experience making magic happen 🪄

Your bridal experience should feel like champagne, belly laughs, and a big exhale - not stress and second guessing.

So, let's make it happen!

⚡Book your appointment today and feel like the best version of yourself⚡