Ordering Timelines

When Should I Order My Wedding Dress?

Planning ahead helps ensure a relaxed and joyful bridal journey. At Catherine Deane, we offer both ready-to-ship styles and pre-order pieces, meaning you can find something beautiful whether your wedding is next year or just around the corner.

Below is a simple guide to help you understand when to order and what to expect depending on your timeline. These are the timelines as they relate to our London Boutique.

If you are purchasing your bridal look through one of our stockist, please contact them directly about their unique timelines.

9–12 Months Before the Wedding

The Ideal Timeline

For the widest choice of styles and sizes, we recommend ordering 9–12 months before your wedding date.

This allows time for:

• Creation and delivery
• Your first fitting
• Alterations with your chosen seamstress
• A comfortable buffer before the big day

Most brides will receive their gown around three months before the wedding. Please note that delivery windows are estimates, and delivery timelines can vary per item.

Order Window	Estimated Delivery
December – February	July
March – May	October
June – August	January
September – November	May

1–5 Months Before the Wedding

Shorter Timeline Brides

If your wedding is approaching sooner, you can still find a beautiful dress.

Visit our London boutique where our stylists can guide you through available in-stock styles.

Availability of designs changes frequently, so we recommend purchasing during your appointment when you find the one you love.

Delivery can take up to 4 weeks.

Less Than 1 Month Before the Wedding

Last-Minute Brides

While selection is a little more limited, we will always try to help.

Please book a boutique appointment as soon as possible. Our stylists will show you dresses that can be taken home the same day or delivered quickly.

Alterations

Almost every bridal gown requires some tailoring to achieve the perfect fit.

Our boutique can assist with setting up an alterations appointment with our in-house team. First fittings are bookable on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Second (usually final) fittings occur around 6-8 weeks later, bookable on Thursdays and Fridays. Whilst we endeavour to book as many of our brides in-house, we cannot guarantee availability, and in the event that we are fully booked, we would guide you to our external recommendations. You are also more than welcome to use your own alterations specialist if you prefer.

We recommend allowing 8-10 weeks for alterations.

Alterations costs are separate from the purchase price of your gown.

*Please note your fittings timeline will differ depending on whether you are travelling prior to the wedding.