Your complete timeline guide from “Yes!” to “I do”
You’ve said yes to forever—congratulations! Now comes one of the most exciting (and emotional!) parts of your wedding planning journey: finding the dress. But when should you start shopping for your wedding dress? What’s too early—and what’s cutting it too close?
At MB Bride, Pennsylvania’s largest family-owned bridal store, we’ve helped thousands of brides find their dream gown since 1991. To help you feel confident and prepared, we’ve created this comprehensive wedding dress shopping timeline—plus expert tips to make your appointment stress-free and fun.
📅 Start Shopping: 10–12 Months Before the Wedding
The sweet spot for shopping is 10 to 12 months before your wedding date. This allows plenty of time for:
- Browsing different designers and styles
- Ordering your gown (which can take 4–6 months to arrive)
- Scheduling multiple fittings and alterations
- Accessorizing your look with veils, jewelry, and shoes
Why so early? Wedding dresses aren’t typically sold off the rack—they’re made to order. And even rush options can add extra cost and stress.
💡 Tip: Some brides find their dress at their first appointment, while others need a few visits to decide. Giving yourself time keeps the experience pressure-free.
🧵 Alterations Timeline: 2–3 Months Before the Wedding
Once your gown arrives, you’ll want to begin alterations about 8–10 weeks before the wedding. At MB Bride, our in-house seamstresses will guide you through the fitting process to ensure your gown fits like a dream.
Typical alterations include:
- Hem adjustments
- Bustle additions
- Taking in or letting out sides
- Strap adjustments
- Adding sleeves or custom touches (if desired)
Expect 2–3 fittings over the course of several weeks. If you’re getting married during peak season (spring or fall), book early to secure a spot with our seamstresses. Our alterations department is on a first come first served basis so make your appointment ASAP! (book an appointment)
🚨 What If I Have Less Time?
Planning a wedding in under 6 months? No worries—we’ve got you! MB Bride carries a large selection of off-the-rack gowns and offers rush options for many designers. You can still say yes to the dress and look absolutely stunning. Your selection will be drastically reduced but we have many sale dresses for discontinued stock, forfeits, mis-orders, and even new!
💬 Contact us directly or book an appointment to talk about your timeline.
Browse Bridal Styles Before You Shop
To get the most out of your appointment, spend some time exploring different dress styles. This helps you learn what silhouettes, fabrics, or necklines you might love—or want to avoid.
Check out our collections here:
Bring screenshots or Pinterest saves with you—our consultants love seeing your vision!
Be open to stylists recommendations too! They are trained to know what styles fit what bodies so you may find something you never imagined loving.
🛍️ Why Brides Choose MB Bride
Located in Greensburg, PA, MB Bride offers one of the largest selections of bridal gowns in the region, with over 600 dresses in store and a team of seasoned consultants who treat you like family. Whether you’re just starting to look or ready to say “yes,” our goal is to make your experience exciting, stress-free, and full of joy.
Reasons brides love shopping with us:
- Award-winning service since 1991
- A mix of exclusive designer gowns and private labels
- In-store options for all sizes and budgets
- In-house alterations and expert guidance every step of the way
📍 Book Your Bridal Appointment Today
Ready to start shopping? Whether you’re 12 months out or on a tighter timeline, we’d love to welcome you to MB Bride. Appointments are highly recommended to ensure personalized service—and are necessary on weekends.
👉 Book your bridal appointment here
Or call/text us at 724-836-6626
Let us help you say yes to your dream dress—with confidence, joy, and expert guidance at every step.
MB Bride – Greensburg, PA
Offering award winning service since 1991 as PA’s largest family owned bridal and formalwear store.
Need to know What to Expect When Wedding Dress Shopping at MB Bride?
