For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to find their wedding day looks. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the magic of Kleinfeld. Not only does Kleinfeld have 30,000 square feet filled with the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world, it also has the greatest professional staff of over 200 employees who are dedicated to finding and perfecting your bridal look.
You’re engaged! Congrats, future Kleinfeld bride. As you begin wedding planning and searching for your wedding dress, you may be curious as to how far in advance you should be saying “yes!” and buying your wedding dress.
As always, we’ve got you covered! Before you schedule your bridal appointments, we’re providing you with everything you need to know about the industry-recommended timeline.
As a general rule of thumb, it is best to order your gown about 9-12 months prior to your wedding day. However, the optimal timeline really begins around 12-18 months before the big day. Connect with your personality and your personal style. Consider how you want to look, and most importantly, how you want to feel on your wedding day. Do you want your bridal look to feel romantic and bohemian, classic and minimalist, or sexy and glamorous? Browse bridal inspiration, establish your budget, and book 1-2 bridal appointments. That way, when you do select your gown, you feel well prepared to do so. Once it’s 9-12 months prior to the big day, say “yes!” and order it ASAP. Trust us, don’t overthink it and trust your gut. Then, celebrate!
Be mindful that some bridal designers require more time than others. Also consider that if you’re customizing your dress, it may require more time to be produced by the designer. In order to avoid having to select from a limited assortment, encounter rush fees, or experience the stress of having to make a rushed decision, allow for plenty of time to choose your dress, order it, and complete alterations. Remember, more time is always better!
In a rush? You have options and we’re here to help.
Consider shopping a sample sale or purchasing a second-hand wedding dress, so you’re able to take your gown home the very same day and begin alterations immediately. Kleinfeld’s biannual sample sale, occurring every March and September, as well as our wedding dress resale site, Kleinfeld Again, are both great options for brides in a pinch.
If these options don’t prove to be successful for you, schedule a bridal appointment and seek the guidance of an expert bridal stylist. You may be able to purchase an off-the-rack gown and take your dress home the very same day. Or, inquire about bridal designers who specialize in rush orders. Through rush fees in or in-stock styles, a bridal designer may be able to accommodate an order with as little time as 4-10 weeks!
Plus, we’ll let you in on an important disclaimer… What you see or try on today is not always available tomorrow. While it’s rare, be mindful of the fact that manufacturing, designers’ collections, and the industry’s supply chain are all constantly changing. Gowns may be discontinued, the designer may run out of fabric, or world events may influence shipping or delivery. Often, these things happen unexpectedly or without much notice. So, when you find the gown that you love, don’t wait!
Seeking more guidance or advice? Explore more of our Bridal Guides here: