Congrats! You found your wedding dress with us here at The White Dress by the Shore. You had your moment in front of the mirror. Maybe there were happy tears. Maybe there were hugs. Maybe you left our bridal boutique in Clinton, CT floating a little bit. And now that the excitement has settled, you might be wondering what happens next.
If you recently said "yes" to your wedding dress at The White Dress by the Shore, this information is for you. We want you to feel completely confident about what comes next, from your wedding gown’s production timeline, to when you can expect your dress to arrive in our shop to fittings to all the little details in between.
At The White Dress by the Shore in New England, we guide brides through this every single day. Once you place your deposit and officially say “yes” to your wedding dress, there is a clear and thoughtful process that begins behind the scenes. We are walking you through exactly what to expect after purchasing your wedding dress, including gown production, arrival timing, bridal alterations, accessories, undergarments, and your overall bridal timeline.
Our goal is simple. We want you to feel prepared, confident, and completely comfortable every step of the way. With over 20 years of experience serving brides throughout Connecticut, New England, and beyond, we have refined this process to make it seamless and stress free.
Photo Credit: Aly V Photography
What Happens After You Say Yes To The Dress
Once you say “yes” to your wedding dress and place your deposit, your bridal gown officially goes into production with the designer. Most wedding dresses are made to order, which means your gown is not sitting in a warehouse waiting to ship. It is carefully created just for you.
Wedding dresses typically arrive at our bridal shop about four to six months before your wedding date, depending on when the order was placed and the designer’s production schedule. In most cases, bridal gowns are delivered about five months before the wedding unless an alternate delivery date was requested.
The moment your wedding dress arrives in our bridal boutique, we will call you right away to schedule your Gown Reveal appointment. That is when you will see your actual bridal gown for the first time, and it is always such a special moment.
Planning Your Bridal Alterations
Alterations are an important part of your wedding dress journey. When you purchased your bridal gown, your bridal stylist likely recommended one of our trusted bridal seamstresses. We strongly suggest reaching out to your seamstress before your wedding dress arrives to ask about availability and scheduling.
Booking early ensures you will have a trusted professional ready to begin alterations once your bridal gown arrives. This helps you avoid last minute stress and keeps everything running smoothly.
If you need a referral to one of our preferred seamstresses, simply reach out to us. We are always happy to guide you.
When To Shop For Your Bridal Party
Now that your wedding dress is ordered, it is time to think about your bridal party. We recommend shopping for your bridesmaid dresses about six months before your wedding date. This gives your bridal party enough time for delivery and alterations.
To make things easier for your bridesmaids, we have created a network of trusted out of house seamstresses we can refer them to for alterations. We want the entire experience, not just your wedding dress, to feel organized and thoughtful.
Do Not Forget About Your Bridal Accessories
Bridal accessories truly complete your wedding day look. Your wedding veil, jewelry, and finishing details bring everything together in a cohesive way.
You can schedule a bridal accessories appointment before your bridal gown arrives by using one of our store samples, or you can choose to style your wedding accessories during your Gown Reveal appointment once your dress arrives. Many brides like to coordinate this appointment around their beauty trial so they can see the full vision come together.
If you are ready to book an accessories appointment or any other bridal appointment, get in touch with us, we'd love to work with you.
Finalizing Shoes And Undergarments
Your wedding day undergarments are required for your first fitting. This includes your bra, shapewear, or any other support pieces you plan to wear. These items impact the fit of your wedding dress, so it is important to have them selected before alterations begin.
We often refer brides to Beneath the Gown in Branford, CT for undergarment consultations. If you decide to shop elsewhere, be sure to consider the neckline, back, and silhouette of your wedding dress when choosing undergarments.
If you want a deeper dive into what to wear under your wedding dress, we have a full guide of what to wear under you wedding dress.
Your Wedding Dress Timeline At A Glance
We guide you through each step! To help you feel even more organized, here is a simple overview of your bridal timeline:
- Gown Purchase: 10 to 12 months before your wedding
- Shop For Bridesmaid Dresses: 6 months before your wedding
- Little White Dress For Shower Or Rehearsal: 4 to 6 months before your wedding
- Gown Arrival: 4 to 6 months before your wedding
- Finalize Shoes And Undergarments: About 4 months before your wedding
- First Fitting: 3 to 4 months before your wedding
- Final Fitting: 1 to 2 weeks before your wedding
We Are With You From "Yes" To "I Do"
Everything we do here at The White Dress by the Shore is designed to make you feel supported and cared for long after the celebration of saying yes to the dress. From gown production to alterations, from accessories to fittings, our team is here to answer questions and make sure you always know what to expect.
Finding your wedding dress is just the beginning. The months that follow are about refining the fit, styling your look, and preparing you to walk down the aisle feeling confident and beautiful.
New England Brides, Your Bridal Experience Continues
If you purchased your wedding dress with us at The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, CT, know that you are in experienced hands. And if you are still searching for your dream wedding dress in Connecticut, we would love to welcome you into our historic bridal boutique for a bridal appointment.
We cannot wait to continue this journey with you!
xoxo,
TWD Lovelies
Top Photo Credit: Isabelle Stowik Photo