How Long Does It Take For A Wedding Dress To Arrive?
I have owned a bridal store for almost 14 years. Over those years, we have added and removed countless big-name bridal designers – names you know.
One thing remained virtually the same with all of them: the ship date.
The biggest “untruth” brides are told is how long it takes for a wedding dress to arrive.
Planning your big day can be stressful, yet shopping for your dream dress is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. We see thousands of brides and hear so many stories about what they heard and believe to be true. Whether it’s what they are reading online, what family members said, or other brides sharing their experiences with what their bridal stylist advised, so much of what we hear is a half-truth at best. Most is simply untrue.
Brides are told a falsehood of how long it will take for their wedding dress to arrive. Moreover, they will actually defend the store that lied to them about it. This is awful because I know they want to believe what they were told (that they didn’t “fall for it”).
I have even gone so far as to prove a ship date on a Reddit post. The bride insisted her dress was going to take 8 months because it was an “exclusive” designer (as told to her by the bridal stylist trying to make a commission). I directly called the representative of that line to get their actual ship dates. It was false. The shipping was 16 weeks (4 months). Not 8 months, it was FOUR.
We run our store with an honest and open philosophy. We actually tell the truth. Our family does not lie to make a few extra dollars. So here I am, happy to provide you with insider knowledge about wedding dress production and ship dates when purchasing at an independently-owned bridal shop (also known as brick and mortar dress shops where you receive more personalized service), not the big box stores.
Wedding Dress Shipping
The vast majority of the major bridal gown designers use factories overseas, mainly in China. Some may be produced in other countries like the Philippines or Vietnam, however, the ship dates for overseas orders are virtually the same.
When the order is placed, the dress is put into production with a confirmation number and “approximate” delivery date to the store.
There were some hiccups during Covid, however, stores made up stories about delayed ship dates during that time. Our store had no significant shipping issues when the world opened back up after Covid.
Designers ship wedding dresses by UPS or FedEx. Once there was a UPS strike for a few weeks and that caused delays of about 14 business days. That did not cause any issues.
Lately, I have heard stores recently blaming tariffs for “delays”, which is completely untrue.
How Long Will It Take For A Wedding Dress To Arrive?
Approximately four months (16 weeks) for regular shipping from the date of order placement.
Key words: order placement
As a retailer, we receive weekly communications from our dress designers with shipping dates, including standard and rush ship.
The standard shipping date is approximately 16 weeks from the date the order is placed. Rush ship dates will vary by designer and each may even have multiple levels of rush order dates. These work well if you in fact do have a shorter time frame, however there are additional fees associated.
At Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, we place dress orders immediately. Therefore, your dress will arrive approximately 16 weeks later. There could be an instance where it is a few weeks late (fabric sourcing issue, machinery issues, a QC issue like a fabric mark or pull), but these are rare.
When I hear about or read Facebook or Reddit posts of brides being told their dress will take 8 to 9 months to ship, it is simply the store not placing the order. But, why would the store tell you it will be 8-9 months?
So you buy the dress. It’s a pressure tactic.
“If you don’t order it right now, you may not get it in time.”
Made-To-Order Gowns
They like to say they are “made-to-order” gowns, and there is truth to that. If you say yes to a dress in ivory, size 12 with no changes, it will be made for your order.
It could also be in the designer’s facility (in stock) available immediately. It was made and waiting for your order.
If you are truly having a made-to-order gown such as the ivory, size 12, but you have a custom hem, changed the neckline, and added sleeves, then you have a true made-to-order gown that could go into a bit longer shipping time. Even with customizations such as these, in 14 years we have never had a dress ship longer than 6 months.
NOTE: There are bridal designers that do not have the production capabilities as some of the larger, well-established lines. These may in fact take longer. It may be in your best interest to contact them directly and ask their delivery times.
True Story
We had a bride come to us for an appointment. She fell in love with a dress, but wanted to keep shopping. She wound up purchasing the same dress at a different store. We were very disappointed, but it happens sometimes.
Seven months later, this bride’s mother reached out to us. She asked if they were to order this particular dress, what would the ship date be? We looked it up and told her that it was in stock in the size and color she needed so it was immediate ship.
They were still waiting for the dress from the other store and being told it was “delayed” and would be several more months until they had this dress available to ship. She was told, “Remember it can take up to 9 months or more to arrive!”
That store was in a financial mess and stalling with excuses.
Needless to say, the bride ordered the dress with us. She had her dress in a week. They disputed and won the credit card charge with the other store.
Rush Fees
As indicated above, some designers have levels of rush fees. There is a standard rush, and some have an expedited rush, and each is different in the timing offered. These are usually expensive and best to be avoided if possible.
There are stores that charge rush fees unnecessarily. When I hear stores charging hundreds of dollars for unneeded rush fees, I think of someone taking advantage of my daughters or my family like that. I find that outrageous. We do not use these “practices” in our store.
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is transparent about shipping dates. Some dresses are actually in stock ready for immediate ship so a rush fee would simply not be needed in many instances. Some gowns are in production and available earlier than the four month standard. We are able to check inventory and ship dates in real time. Not just our store, any store that carries major brands will see the same information.
If for some reason, you do have a shorter timeline and need a last-minute wedding dress (say within 2 to 3 months) and the dress is not available, you will need a rush fee applied. For brides in this situation, we first take them through our sample gowns. Our store has a huge selection of sample dresses to purchase off the rack (most at discounted prices). Then there is no reason to stress hoping it comes in on time AND no need to pay extra for it.
What’s The Hold Up?
If a dress takes four months to arrive, what is the holdup? Why do some brides’ dresses arrive 6-9 months after they paid for their dress?
There are a number of reasons a store may do this. One is strictly financial. Financially, they are simply unable to bring in the dress that quickly. They need more sales to pay for the dress you ordered because your deposit paid for someone else’s dress to come in, store expenses, etc. This, of course would be a red flag to me. I would not want to shop at a store experiencing financial challenges.
Another may be perks to bridal boutiques to order a number of dresses from a designer in larger quantities. They could hold your dress order to be combined with others to get a discount or other perks of some kind.
Wedding Dress Shopping Timeline
It is a good idea to make a bridal appointment 9-12 months out, after you have toured (and selected) wedding venues and chosen your wedding date. Remember, you sign a contract for a wedding dress, just like your other vendors, and there are no returns or refunds on a gown. Therefore, 9-12 months in advance of the wedding day will ensure you have enough time to select and order your dream gown! This will also give you plenty of time to complete your bridal look and choose accessories such as your shoes, jewelry, gloves, wrap, etc. It will alleviate stress knowing you will have ample time to make the best decisions adding to your perfect dress.
If you feel like you are the type that requires extra time to make a final decision, you should take as much time as you need. Some brides find the perfect gown and make a same-day purchase. Others need additional time to process all the new dresses and best options for the time of year of the wedding, theme, colors, and formality.
Our Ordering & Timeline
The shopping process at Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is easy! With over 300 gorgeous gowns from our designers’ new collections and our team of bridal experts, brides often say yes with us on their first appointment!
Our store will place the bride’s order immediately, obtain a confirmation number, and an approximate ship date. We communicate this information by text with our brides so they know the status. Rarely are their deviations from the standard 16 week ship and if there are, we are notified of any adjusted ship date. That is also communicated to the bride immediately. It allows us to be clear with regard to the wedding dress timeline:
- Receiving the bride’s gown
- Bridal gown try on with accessories
- Scheduling her first fitting (6 weeks out)
- Scheduling her second fitting (2-3 weeks out)
- Final fitting if needed (1 week out)
- Gown pick up (1-2 days out)
Additional Information
Every bridal salon is different. Do your research on each one you’d like to see regarding:
- Designers offered/specific dress/specific dress style
- Price points/sample sales
- Size ranges/additional cost for plus size
- Guest policies (children, number allowed, food)
- Best time to come/crowding
- Sizing policy
- Ordering policy & tariffs
- Alterations
Look at each bridal shops social media platforms, too. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo’s YouTube channel and blog is a true expert’s view on all things wedding. You can see us in action and get the best advice on bridal fashion, etiquette, reception aesthetics, and more. For even more helpful advice, see our Ultimate Guide to wedding planning for everyone in the wedding party. Read these, especially before you embark on the hunt for your wedding gown to learn the tips, tricks, and lingo! Watch our introduction to our Wedding Guides advice video here:
Also included in the Bridal Guide are:
- Tips like: When you shop for your perfect wedding dress, keep an open mind. Allow your bridal consultant to show you a different type of dress you may not have considered.
- Tricks like: If you find a dress you love that’s over budget, see if there is a similar off-the-rack style in good condition that is in your budget.
- Lingo like: What is a sample wedding dress? It’s simply the in-store gown you try on as a “sample” of what you can choose in that color, a different color, different size, etc.
We love what we do and are committed to providing our customers with the best experience possible and that includes being honest and transparent about one of the biggest myths in the industry: How long it takes for your wedding dress to arrive!
About the Authors and Editors of This Blog:
Wendy Salerno is co-founder and co-owner of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo. She has been advising and dressing brides for almost 14 years and loves what she does. She lives and breaths wedding fashion every day and personally responds to thousands of texts messages sent to our store’s telephone number each week about bridal advice and fashion suggestions. She is the chief strategist in determining the designers and styles carried by the store and watches closely the trends in bridal fashion. She has personally met with bridal gown designers in the United States and in Europe to discuss bridal trends and the wedding business. Wendy is also chief content officer for the over 500 wedding blogs written by her and the staff of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo.
In the first many years of founding Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, Wendy also performed all wedding gown orders, so she personally knows how long it takes for a wedding dress to arrive after it has been ordered! Orders are now placed and managed by Daria, Wendy and her husband’s oldest daughter. Daria is the general manager of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the store. Daria was consulting editor of this blog to ensure accuracy for the 11 bridal brands carried (and an unadvertised private line) and to make sure there was no sugarcoating of the facts.
About Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is owned by Franco and Wendy Salerno. We founded the store in January, 2013 with a mission of running an honest, kind, and family-oriented bridal and tuxedo business. The name is a combination of our two daughters, Daria and Deanna. Today, our business is a Bucks County staple and the go-to place for wedding attire. Our long-time employees are kind, genuine, and truly part of the family. The lasting relationships we have made with customers, vendors, and designers are something we are truly grateful for.
Our store received national recognition in July, 2025 on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. In 2024, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo was named a Top 100 Small Business in America by the US Chamber of Commerce. We have been featured by Apple.com, ABC National News, TLC’s “Say Yes: Wedding SOS”, the Wall Street Journal, Square, and Axios. We are approaching 1,000 Google reviews with a 4.9 rating, and listed in the Knot’s “Hall of Fame”.
Locally, we are active members of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, The Montco Gateway Chamber of Commerce, (formerly the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce), and the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce serving on committees and as board members. Franco was Treasurer, Executive Committee member and a Board member of the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce and their 2024 Mitchell-Conner award winner. He was also a board member of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce for many years. Wendy is a former Chair of the Women In Business, awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023, and named a 2025 Bucks County Parent Woman of Influence. Our daughter Daria is a former wish granter for the Make-A-Wish® foundation. We proudly partner with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Angel Gowns, Wish Upon A Wedding, and donate to local schools and community band, choir, and theater programs.