Bridesmaids Dress Ordering Timeline

Your guide to perfect timings and effortless planning

Your wedding may be the most special day of your life and, as you embark on your next beautiful chapter together, the planning stage must be as pain-free as possible. Planning a wedding can be stressful with so many factors to consider such as guest lists, table settings, photographers and more. The timelines on when these things need to be finalised can be hard to keep on top of. To help on your wedding journey, we’ve put together a guide on how to choose the bridesmaid dress and in this piece we will cover when you should slot it in and which details you should be considering. 

At Cameron House, our dedicated team of wedding coordinators are on hand to help you out every step of the way when you entrust us with your wedding venue in Loch Lomond. Whether you’re dreaming of a small wedding, a large wedding or a self-catering wedding, our stunning venues make a beautiful setting for saying “I do”. Explore our wedding packages on our website and kick-start the wedding of your dreams at Cameron House. 

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The Stress-Free Bridesmaid Dress Ordering Timeline

Pre-Shopping Prep (6+ Months Before Wedding)

Set a Budget: Discuss budget expectations with your bridesmaids openly and honestly. Some may have different financial situations, so ensure you pick a dress that everyone can afford to ensure no one is uncomfortable and the process is as open and goes as smoothly as possible. 

Choose a Color Palette: Consider factors like wedding theme, season, and bridesmaids’ skin tones as well as the colour palette of your venue. At Cameron House, our modern venues are neutral, giving you the freedom to choose a theme that suits your vision. You can find a more in-depth guide on ordering the perfect bridesmaid dress on our blog post all about your bridesmaid’s dresses and how you can go about picking them out. [ADD LINK WHEN LIVE]

Research Dress Styles: Browse online stores and magazines to get an idea of styles that flatter different body types and create a cohesive look that complements Cameron House’s ambience. Pinterest may also be a good place to find some initial ideas and get an idea of the kind of thing you’re looking for. 

Shopping Spree (4-6 Months Before Wedding)

Schedule Appointments: During this stage, you should start to plan shopping trips with your bridesmaids at local boutiques or salons that carry styles within your budget and colour palette. Even if you don’t intend on buying dresses from a specific place, this will give you the chance to see how certain styles and colours may look. If you’re on a budget, you may find similar dresses online that better align with your budget. 

Try-On Time: Encourage bridesmaids to try on various styles to find the perfect fit and flatter their figure. This will let you try out different styles and colours against skin tones and body types to ensure everyone is looking and feeling their best on the best day. 

Consider Cameron House: Your venue is a huge part of your day. Consider visiting Cameron House, or your chosen venue, to allow your bridesmaids to visualise the dress in the context of Cameron House’s stunning setting. Things like outdoor ceremonies versus indoor ceremonies can help inspire your dress choice as well as the natural environment that will serve as the backdrop for your wedding day.

Ordering and Alterations (3-4 Months Before Wedding)

Finalise Orders: Once everyone finds their dress, place the orders with enough time for alterations. Certain sizes, colours or styles may take longer to arrive, so make sure you have plenty of time to avoid a dress disaster. Consider adding a week or two onto your ordering plan if you can to allow for any delivery issues to put your mind at ease. 

Schedule Alterations: Schedule individual fitting appointments for any necessary alterations to ensure a perfect fit. Initial fittings should be carried out, as well as additional ones if required. Ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible when going through the alterations phrase. 

The Big Day (1-2 Weeks Before Wedding)

Final Touches: Pick up the dresses from alterations and have a fun bridesmaid gathering to try them on one last time. This will give you a complete picture of what everyone will look like together on the day, allowing time for any last-minute alterations or changes. 

Relax and Celebrate: Reassure your bridesmaids that everything is coming together beautifully, and focus on enjoying the excitement leading up to the wedding. At this point, everything should be done, and you can look forward to the day!