When Should You Buy a Wedding Dress? Your Timeline from Yes to Wedding Day

The question of when to buy a wedding dress is rarely about the choice itself. Most brides do not underestimate the time it takes to choose the dress. They underestimate the time afterwards: production, alterations and the final try-on. That is where the time pressure builds.

The short answer: Order a Costume Design dress about 6 months before the wedding – at the latest about 5 months before – and a Couture Made dress 10–12 months before. Production typically takes 3–4 months for Costume Design and 6–9 months for Couture Made, and after that there needs to be time for alterations with a seamstress or tailor. Start trying on dresses a couple of months before you plan to order.

Here is the timeline we recommend. It depends on which route you choose – and if you follow it, you will have time for everything, without the rush.

The timeline: when should you order your wedding dress?

With us, every wedding dress is made to order. Costume Design is made to your three measurements – bust, waist and hips. Couture Made is created entirely from scratch to your full measurements and your own ideas, which is why it takes longer. If you do not yet know which route is yours, follow the earlier plan. That way, both options stay open.

12–14 months before: start trying on if you dream of Couture Made

A dress created entirely from scratch needs time for the idea to mature. Book your first appointment in good time – not because you need to decide straight away, but because you need to discover what you love. It is hard to know until you have had three or four silhouettes on. To prepare, our guide to wedding dress styles gives a good overview.

10–12 months before: order your Couture Made dress

A Couture Made dress typically takes 6–9 months to produce. Count backwards: if you order 11 months before, the dress will typically be ready somewhere between two and five months before the day. That leaves time for alterations.

8–10 months before: start trying on for Costume Design

With a Costume Design dress, there is a little more breathing room. Start trying on a couple of months before you plan to order, so that you have time to compare silhouettes and fabrics. If the wedding is still a long way off, there is no risk in looking early. You simply learn more about yourself.

About 6 months before: order your Costume Design dress

This is when the decision should be made – and at the latest about 5 months before the wedding. Production typically takes 3–4 months. Count backwards: if you order 6 months before, the dress will typically be ready two to three months before the day, leaving ample time for alterations. To learn more about price levels, read how much a wedding dress costs.

Once the dress is ready: alterations with your seamstress

Most dresses need some fine-tuning to fit perfectly. We do not carry out alterations ourselves, but we are happy to recommend a skilled seamstress or tailor. Book the appointment as soon as you know your dress's expected delivery time – the best seamstresses can be busy, particularly during wedding season.

Bring your shoes and underwear to the alterations. The length cannot be set correctly without them.

1–2 weeks before: the final try-on

Put the dress on one last time with all your accessories: shoes, underwear, veil and hair accessories. Walk around in it. Sit down. Raise your arms. This is when the small things should be noticed – not on the day itself.

How long does it take to make a wedding dress?

At Karim Design, a Costume Design dress typically takes 3–4 months from order to finished dress, and a Couture Made dress typically 6–9 months. We design every dress ourselves, and each one is made to your measurements in our own production – and, for certain models, by our trusted partner workshops. The exact time depends on the model and the fabric, and we work with everything from lace and silk to embroidery and stone-embellished fabrics. That is why it is wise to leave some breathing room in your plans: an exact delivery date cannot be promised in advance.

Accessories such as veils, hair accessories, belts and bags are kept in stock in the shop.

Running late?

Contact us anyway. We cannot promise a rush order, but we are happy to look at what is possible.

If you have less than five months until the day, one of our sample dresses is often the best route. The dress already exists, so there is no production time to wait for, and prices start from around DKK 4,500.

Three things that typically upset the schedule

• You change your mind about the design. Perfectly natural, but it takes time. Hence the early first appointment.
• Your seamstress has no availability. Book the alterations as soon as you know your expected delivery time.
• The accessories are forgotten. Veil and hair accessories are best chosen together with the dress, so that the whole look comes together.

The dress is only one part of the plan. If you are getting married at Copenhagen City Hall, check the requirements and waiting times with the City of Copenhagen.

Getting started

The best first step is a complimentary consultation at our bridal shop at Store Kongensgade 112 in Copenhagen. We have been family-owned since 1991, and we design every one of our dresses ourselves. All appointments last 60 minutes, and you have a stylist entirely to yourself. You can also browse our wedding dresses in Copenhagen beforehand.

Book a bridal appointment, or call us on +45 33 32 07 22.

Frequently asked questions about wedding dress timing

When should you buy a wedding dress?

Order a Costume Design dress about 6 months before the wedding (at the latest about 5 months before) and a Couture Made dress 10–12 months before. Start trying on dresses a couple of months before you plan to order.

How long does a wedding dress take to make?

At Karim Design, production typically takes 3–4 months for Costume Design and 6–9 months for Couture Made. Add time for alterations with a seamstress or tailor. An exact delivery date cannot be promised in advance.

When should I book my first wedding dress appointment?

Ideally 8–10 months before the wedding for Costume Design, and 12–14 months before if you are considering Couture Made. If you are unsure which route is yours, follow the earlier plan.

Can I get a wedding dress in less than five months?

For a made-to-order dress it is tight, and we cannot promise it – but contact us and we will look at the options. A sample dress from around DKK 4,500 is often the quickest route, because the dress already exists.

When should I book my seamstress?

As soon as you know your dress's expected delivery time. Karim Design does not carry out alterations in-house, but we are happy to recommend a skilled seamstress or tailor.