Your wedding date is set, you have secured your wedding venue, and even the wedding dresses have been finalized. What’s there left to do? Bridesmaid dresses! You want your gals to look just as fabulous as you when they walk down the aisle (okay, maybe not AS fabulous), but you want them to bring their A-game. We get it!
Ordering bridesmaid dresses can be challenging; you are dealing with different budgets, body types, and preferences, and you need to keep everyone happy. A recipe for disaster! So you hand it over to your bridesmaids to work it out themselves. But what if your bridesmaids procrastinate and forget to order their dresses on time? Or what if there are logistic issues and the dresses aren’t here yet and the wedding is just around the corner? Yikes!
Before you stress out and turn into a bridezilla, there is a way bridesmaids can shop for quick bridesmaid dresses in a hurry; they just need to be smart about it.
This article will discuss tips for buying bridesmaids’ dresses at the last minute and popular dress options. Let’s get started!
When to Start Shopping for Bridesmaids’ Dresses
Before we dive deep into the guide on shopping for bridesmaid dresses in a hurry, let’s first see when you should actually start shopping for your bridesmaids’ attire.
This time is long gone for you, or you wouldn’t be here, but ideally, you should start shopping for bridesmaid dresses 6 to 8 months before the wedding or as soon as you have a theme in mind.
Along with the bridesmaid, the bride should start gathering inspiration and finalizing the color theme and overall style of the wedding 8 months ahead. If you have many bridesmaids walking down the aisle, make your decision party smaller and narrow down your options to 2 or 3 styles.
You need to start shopping for bridesmaid dresses super early because you can face timeline issues, and most retailers take around 2 to 3 months to make and ship the dress. And don’t forget about the first and last fittings too. Thus, there is a lot to do. So, finalize your style and go out for a lunch and shopping date with all the bridesmaids.
When to Order Bridesmaids’ Dresses
You need to order your bridesmaids’ dresses 6 months before the wedding. Whether your bridesmaids are wearing different colors and styles, all dresses should be ordered together to avoid the risk of timelines issues. Bridesmaids’ dresses can take around 2 to 3 months to arrive, and you need to leave time for alterations and changes. You also need to consider the first dress fittings 6 weeks before the big day.
Following this strict schedule will ensure nothing goes wrong on the wedding day and all your bridesmaids look fabulous
Tips for Buying Bridesmaids Dresses Last Minute
Are you one of those bridesmaids that realize one month before the wedding, “I did not order my bridesmaid’s dress yet”? If so, you have all the reasons in the world to freak out and panic. And if you are in charge of all bridesmaid dresses, then oh boy, you are in trouble.
But before you completely lose it, we have some last minute bridesmaid dress shopping tips available to ensure things go smoothly when the wedding day arrives. Let’s see what these are.
Have an Open Mind
When you buy a bridesmaid dress last-minute, you need to keep an open mind. The chances of finding your dream designer dress, with the style and colors that you initially decided on, are incredibly slim; thus, be willing to compromise. Who knows? You might find a dress that is even better than what you imagined. Instead of looking for that perfect dress, focus on the wedding theme. What are the colors? What shape and style will suit everyone? And which one can you get instantly?
Set a Budget
Another thing to do when shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses in a hurry is to set a budget. A fixed budget will help you eliminate all options that go overboard and you can quickly reduce the time it takes to make a decision. Also, set aside some money for rushed deliveries, as you can’t take any chances now.
Buy Off-the-Rack
When you are on a tight schedule, you don’t have many options. Buying off-the-rack is your best bet to get the dresses ready on time for the wedding day. Off-the-rack dresses only come in limited sizes; thus, you need to work with a seamstress for alterations to ensure the dresses look fabulous on all bridesmaids and fit them perfectly. The benefit of buying off-the-rack is that you get the dresses immediately and don’t spend money on delivery.
Buy Everything from One Place
To save time when shopping from your local bridal salon, we suggest buying everything from one place, such as shoes, purses, and other accessories. You will save time, but you can also browse accessories explicitly made for the bridesmaid dresses in the store.
Rush it!
When you have finally decided on a dress that you and all the other bridesmaids love, buy or order it instantly! Many retail websites have an option to rush an order for extra charges. Even local bridal salons can expedite orders for you if asked. So always make sure that option is available because you don’t have any time to waste.
Where to Buy Bridesmaids Dresses Last Minute
Local Salons
When shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses in a hurry, your first stop should be local bridal salons. They have the most extensive collection of bridesmaids’ dresses in stock, and you can buy them off-the-rack. The best thing to do is to call all local bridal salons in your area and ask them about bridesmaid dresses available in a hurry or designers that can dispatch dresses in a rush; hopefully, someone will help you out.
Online Retailers
Another option for buying bridesmaid dresses in a hurry is online retailers. They work with leading designers and ensure you have the best dress for your occasion. Ensure that the online retailer is trustworthy by reading reviews online. Most online retailers have fast delivery options, so you have a bit of hope there.
One such online retailer is Madame Bridal. They have a wide range of designer dresses available for every occasion; be it the bride, bridesmaid, or mother of bride and groom; there is something for everyone. Let’s check out their popular Christina Wu bridesmaid dresses available for fast delivery.
Christina Wu Bridesmaid Dresses – Ready to Ship
Cap Sleeve Sequin Bridesmaid Dress
This A-line Chistina Wu bridesmaid dress is the perfect choice if the theme for the wedding is sparkles. The dress is adorned with sequins, accompanied by a V-neckline and V-back, which looks incredibly sexy. The dress has cap sleeves, a sweeping train, and a piping waistband atop the pleated skirt.
Ruffle Top High Low Bridesmaid Dress
Want to add some ruffle action to your dress? Try this out. This Christina Wu A-line dress has a v-neckline bodice with spaghetti straps and ruffles. It also has an open crisscross back and a flowy crossover skirt adorned with a thin bow belt.
Cutout Back One Shoulder Bridesmaid Dress
This Christina Wu bridesmaid dress has a luxurious feel and fabric. Made with soft velvet, the dress has a fit and flare style, which looks fantastic on all body types. It has a one-shoulder neckline and geometric cutout back, making the dress more alluring. The full-length skirt also has a left-leg slit.
Final Words
Shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses in a hurry is not impossible, but it’s not easy. You need to make compromises, be smart about shopping choices, and make every possible effort not to ruin the big day. Thus, it’s recommended to start shopping for bridesmaid dresses at least 6 to 8 months before the wedding, so you are prepared for any mishap. We hope this article helped!
