Wedding Wednesday - Wedding Day Attire Timeline

This Wedding Wednesday we’re talking timelines.  Not just any timeline, but wedding attire timeline.  When should you start shopping for your wedding gown?  How far in advance should the groomsmen order their tuxedos?  We’ve got answers to these questions and more below!

Wedding Gown

Start shopping for your wedding gown 9-10 months prior to your wedding (if your getting married in 6 months, go right now!).   Choosing a wedding dress is the part of the wedding planning process that brides are often most excited about, but don’t start shopping too soon!  Styles change, as may your taste.  Also, don’t visit the bridal shops until you are ready to purchase a dress.  It’s quite disheartening to try on that perfect gown and fall head over heels in love, but walk out with nothing.

Once you’ve chosen your dress, you should pay for and order it by 8 months prior to your wedding date.  Wedding gowns, on average, take 4-5 months from payment to delivery.  Of course, all shops and designers are different.  Allow yourself ample time for delivery and alterations.  Schedule your first fitting for 3 months out, 2^nd fitting for 6 weeks out, and the final fitting should be 2-3 weeks before your wedding date.

Bridesmaids' Dresses

Aim to have your attendants’ dresses picked out with 8 months to go, and have your girls order their dresses within the 4-6 month window.  This will allow 2-3 months for delivery and 4-6 weeks for alterations (allotting time for a 2^nd fitting, if needed).  Again, all shops are different.  Some dresses may come in right away, while some of the smaller boutiques may require more time.  Check with your specific location, once you have narrowed down that perfect bridesmaid dress.

Veil, Shoes, Accessories

About 5 months before the big day is when you should start shopping for your veil, shoes, undergarments, and accessories.  You’ll need your shoes and undergarments by your first fitting.  Consider bringing a couple different types of undergarments with you.  Different cut bras, shape-wear, petticoats, etc. can drastically change the look of your gown.  You’ll want to make sure everything fits perfectly and isn’t visible with your dress on.

Groom and Groomsmen Tuxedos/Suits

The style of the groom’s and groomsmen suits should be chosen by 4 months prior to the big day, and ordered about 2-3 months out.  Check with the store where the suits are being rented.  Many of the bigger chains have larger inventory and the suits can be ordered a little bit later. 

Wedding Wednesday - Wedding Dress Mishaps & Solutions

Sometimes they can’t be avoided.  No matter how careful you’ve been with your wedding gown, you need to be prepared for potential wedding dress messes.  This week we’re covering some common wedding day mishaps, and quick emergency fixes.  We’ve also included some must have items to add to your wedding day emergency kit.  Think like a Boy Scout,  “Always Be Prepared”.

You’ve got a stain on your dress!

Let me preface this section by begging you to please, please, please avoid having potential stain culprits anywhere in or near the vicinity of your dress while you get ready.  Sip on champagne, not red wine, and don’t even allow nail polish in your get ready room.   Should something terrible happen, like a flying tube of lipstick lands on your dress, remain calm and first determine how noticeable the stain is.  Sometimes it’s best to leave it alone.  However, if it’s really bad, here are some emergency stain removal solutions.

Red Wine Stain

First dab (don’t rub!) the stain with a dry white cloth. Then pour a little bit of club soda over the stain and dab some more until the stain is gone. 

Make-Up/Lipstick Stain

Spray dry shampoo on the back of the stain, and blot with a paper towel or white cloth.

Oil Based Stain

Use baby powder to help absorb the stain and blot with a  white cloth.

Chalk, talcum powder, baby powder, or white toothpaste can be used to help disguise stains.  Take heed that emergency solvents may discolor fabric, so always test an unseen portion of the fabric first!

The Zipper Is Stuck!

If the zipper gets stuck on it’s tracks, rub a waxy substance like a candle or bar of soap along the zipper teeth.   Gently try to move the zipper back up or down – do not yank!

Should the zipper get caught on the fabric, take the dress off and carefully free the fabric from the zipper.

Your Dress Is Too Loose

If that 6 week bridal boot camp plus a little added stress has your dress fitting a smidge too loose, do not freak out.  What’s important is to make sure the dress stays up on it’s own, so you are not constantly tugging on it throughout the day.

Turn the dress inside out and use safety pins to pin darts on the inside where they won’t be seen.  Once you have the dress back on, use double-sided fashion tape where needed for added support.

Bustle Blunders

WARNING Most dresses do not have a built in bustle.  Find out if your dress has one at the time of purchase.  If not, have your seamstress add it when she does any other alterations.  Many dresses, however, do come with a wrist loop; if not, one can be added as well.

Practice your bustle! Try the bustle at your final fitting to ensure it can hold.  Also, don’t wait until right before cocktail hour to have one of your bridesmaids figure out where the heck your bustle hooks are.  Show your maid-of-honor where the hooks and loops are before you get dressed, so that she can help you get bustled up quickly and right back to the party.

Should your bustle fall, use your wrist loop.  Depending on the type of fabric, safety pins can work in a pinch.  Contrary to what you may think, big heavy safety pins will work better than the tiny sized pins.  The little pins often won’t hold, and could potentially tear your gown.

Dress Related Emergency Kit Supplies

Clean White Cloth

Club Soda

White Toothpaste

Baby Powder

Dry Shampoo

Bar of Soap

Safety Pins (large and small)

Double-sided Fashion Tape (Hollywood Tape)