When to Order Bridesmaid Dresses: A 6-Month Planning Timeline for Made-to-Order Gowns

Planning a wedding involves countless moving parts, and coordinating your bridal party’s attire is one of the most critical. With made-to-order gowns—which are crafted specifically for each bridesmaid’s measurements—timing is everything. This bridesmaid dress ordering timeline will help you avoid stress, rush fees, and last-minute alterations, ensuring every member of your party feels confident and comfortable on your big day.

Why 6 Months? The Made-to-Order Advantage

Made-to-order dresses, like those from 27dress, are not pulled from a warehouse rack. Each gown is cut and sewn to fit the individual wearer’s body, accommodating US sizes 0–30 or fully custom measurements. This process takes time—typically 8–12 weeks from order to shipment. Starting your planning six months out gives you a generous buffer for:

• Fabric and color selection: Swatches can be ordered and compared with your wedding palette.
• Measurement appointments: Bridesmaids need time to get professionally measured or follow your brand’s specific guide.
• Order consolidation: Placing all orders together (or within the same week) ensures dye lots match and production runs smoothly.
• Contingency time: Unexpected delays, sizing tweaks, or a last-minute bridesmaid addition won’t derail your timeline.

By locking in your ordering window at the 6-month mark, you give yourself the luxury of choice—not the panic of a rush order.

Month 6: Research, Swatches, and Style Selection

This is your foundation month. With half a year to go, focus on narrowing down the look and logistics.

• Gather your bridesmaids: Create a private group chat or email chain. Share your vision (e.g., floor-length, satin, or a specific neckline) and ask for initial preferences.
• Order fabric swatches: 27dress offers free or low-cost swatches. Compare colors under natural light and your venue’s lighting. Remember: made-to-order means the fabric is cut fresh, so the color you see on a swatch is exactly what you’ll get.
• Choose a silhouette: Since 27dress customizes to each body, you can mix styles (e.g., different necklines in the same fabric) or keep one uniform design. Decide now to avoid confusion later.
• Set a deadline: Tell your bridesmaids that measurements and final choices are due by the end of Month 5 (or 60 days before you intend to order). This keeps everyone accountable.

Pro tip: If any bridesmaid is between standard sizes or has unique fit concerns (petite, tall, or plus-size), made-to-order is ideal—but she should take her measurements early to confirm the brand’s size chart works for her.

Month 5: Measurements, Final Colors, and Place the Order

Now you’re moving from planning to action. This is when the actual bridesmaid dress ordering timeline kicks into high gear.

• Get accurate measurements: Have each bridesmaid follow 27dress’s specific measuring guide (bust, waist, hips, and hollow-to-hem length). Avoid “guessing” or relying on off-the-rack sizes—made-to-order dresses are built to their exact numbers.
• Confirm the color and fabric: By now, you should have unanimous agreement. Order all swatches for the final choice and keep one as a reference.
• Place the group order: Most made-to-order retailers, including 27dress, allow you to submit multiple dresses in one cart. Do this together to ensure consistent dye lots and production timing. If a bridesmaid needs a custom size (beyond 0–30), note that when ordering—it may add 1–2 weeks to production.
• Pay attention to lead times: Check the current production estimate (usually 8–12 weeks). If you’re ordering at Month 5, your dresses should arrive by Month 2.5 to 3—well before the wedding.

What if someone misses the deadline? Give them a firm 48-hour grace period, then order without them. They can place a separate order, but it may arrive later and could have a slight color variation. Consistency is worth enforcing.

Month 4 to 2: Production, Shipping, and First Fittings

Your order is in the queue. Use this time wisely to prepare for arrival and any necessary adjustments.

• Track production: Most brands send updates when dresses enter cutting, sewing, and finishing. If you don’t hear anything by Week 4, reach out to customer service.
• Plan for shipping: Made-to-order gowns are shipped individually to each bridesmaid’s address (or to you for central distribution). Confirm everyone’s current shipping address is correct.
• Schedule a fitting: As soon as dresses arrive, each bridesmaid should try hers on. Because the dress is made to her measurements, it should fit well—but minor tweaks (hem length, strap adjustment) are normal. Budget for a local tailor if needed.
• Keep one spare week: If a dress needs significant rework (unlikely with custom sizing), you have time to contact 27dress for guidance or a replacement panel. This buffer is your safety net.

Explore made-to-order styles in our bridesmaid collection, or read our complete guide for more on fit, fabric and styling.