To counteract this problem, dresses are all returnable. Most brides are surprised to learn how far in advance they must place the order for their gown. At the bare minimum, you need at least three months. Ideally, you should order your gown anywhere from five to nine months before your wedding. The biggest factor is the kind of gown you want.
Some gowns take as little as six weeks to order, while others can take up to six months.
Sure, you may find your perfect gown on the first day of shopping, but most brides we've interviewed said they took at least two to three weeks to visit a handful of their area's best shops and make a final decision. Ordering Once you place your order, the shop sends it to the manufacturer. Know your designer and how long their delivery takes. After the gown comes in, you need another month for alterations. Some shops may be able to do rush jobs, but the quality may be rushed, too.