Wondering how to get a wedding dress fast? A major PSA for anyone planning to head down the aisle soon: the advised timeline for purchasing a gown in a salon, having it produced and shipped, and then altering it to your body is nine months. Wedding gowns are couture pieces that require many hours to craft thanks to their intricate layers, beading, embroidery, and bodice construction. Unfortunately, shopping with a timeline under eight months might get you turned away from certain bridal salons.
However, just because you want to marry the love of your life quickly (or you took a bit too long to start your dress hunting journey) doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a beautiful gown. You can find a dress and alter it in a shorter timeframe… but you’ll need to get creative.
Ahead, we provide all the advice you’ll need to be able to find the wedding dress of your dreams in record time.
Pay Rush Prices
If you’re working with a traditional bridal designer, you may be able to pay a rush fee to expedite the process. A designer’s ability to do this is truly on a case-by-case basis and depends heavily on the style you choose. Some gowns rely on beading work or fabrics cut and produced in different countries, and will need to account for shipping and production times required to produce that piece. If bridal designers have their ateliers locally, they may be able to craft something on a quicker timeline and work with your shorter turnaround need.
Also, think about the scale of the design you’re interested in. Intricate ballgowns that require hundreds of hours of work by seamstresses might be tricky to get on a rush schedule, but a more minimal look could be more easily accommodated.
Go Custom
Going bespoke is one way you can get a wedding dress fast. While the custom process is more intensive and expensive, designers can often work on these projects on a shorter timeline as well. Draping will be done on a muslin cut to your exact measurements, so it eliminates some of the extra alterations needed down the line if ordering a standard bridal size. If you’re interested in a custom gown, be sure to reach out to the designer as soon as possible to see if they can fit it in their own schedules and if they will have the fabric and team available to produce your desired style. While a custom look will cost more, it will also require more of your time as multiple fittings will be needed to bring this style to life.