Choosing a wedding gown is one of the most important decisions a bride will make. Every bride wants the dress that is perfect for her. Her wedding gown will become a cherished heirloom that she may even pass to a daughter or granddaughter. Buying a wedding gown is also expensive and should be a carefully considered purchase. Bearing that in mind, when during the planning process of her wedding should a bride buy her wedding gown?

This question can be answered by thinking about how far in advance the bride is planning her wedding, what time of year the wedding will take place, and how extensive the wedding gown alterations are likely to be. How long is it until the bride marries? If she has set her date more than 12 months in the future, she has plenty of time to shop. She can take her time about getting a dress. However, if she is getting married in less than six months, she needs to start looking seriously now. Unless she is a perfect size, her dress will likely need alterations, in length if nothing else, and this takes time. The sooner the gown is fitted and sent for alterations, the better. A bride does not want to spend the week before the wedding waiting for her wedding gown to be finished.

The time of year of the wedding is also important. Wedding gowns tend to anticipate the coming seasons, so looking for a winter dress in January is probably counter-productive. The spring dresses are out by then. However, shopping at the very end of the season is not a bad idea. Many bridal salons bring in the new year's fashions in December and January and last year's wedding gowns may be greatly discounted. Styles in wedding gowns do not change so much in eight or 10 months that wearing last year's style will look hopelessly outré at the wedding.

Alterations also dictate the purchasing schedule for a wedding gown. If a bride is very short or very tall, for instance, the alterations may take longer. Some brides whose hips and bustlines are not proportional may also need extensive alterations in their wedding gowns, which also takes time. Bridal salons are particularly busy in the late spring and summer (all those June brides) and this extends to their alterations departments. Buying a wedding gown for a June wedding in January and having it altered immediately can save the bride a lot of headaches down the road. She knows her wedding gown is ready and needs only to be pressed or steamed a day or so before in order to be ready to wear.

It's best then, to buy the wedding gown at least six months before the big day, but the bride should start looking as soon as possible. An earlier purchase gives the salon time to have it perfect and gives the bride peace of mind.