Bridesmaid Dress Shopping: What To Know Before Ordering

Planning your bridesmaid dresses should be exciting — not stressful. With so many styles, colours and timelines involved, there are a few important things to know before placing your order.

At Elissa Jay Boutique, we help brides and bridal parties find dresses that not only look beautiful, but also arrive on time and make everyone feel confident.

Start Shopping Early

One of the biggest mistakes bridal parties make is leaving bridesmaid dress shopping too late.

Many bridesmaid gowns are made to order, meaning they are specially produced once your order is placed. Depending on the designer and style, production timeframes can vary throughout the year.

We always recommend shopping early, especially during busy formal and wedding seasons.

Colour Consistency Matters

When ordering multiple bridesmaid dresses, it’s important that all gowns are ordered together where possible.

Designers produce dresses from fabric dye lots, and ordering separately at different times can occasionally result in slight colour variations.

Ordering together helps ensure your bridal party has a seamless, perfectly matched look.

Consider Different Body Shapes

Not every bridesmaid will feel confident in the exact same style — and that’s completely okay.

Mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses have become increasingly popular, allowing bridal parties to choose different necklines or silhouettes while still keeping the same colour palette and fabric.

This creates a cohesive look while helping each bridesmaid feel comfortable and confident.

Understand Made-To-Order Timelines

Many bridesmaid dresses are not kept in stock year-round and are produced specifically for your order.

Production timelines can vary depending on:

• Designer availability

• Fabric availability

• Seasonal demand

• International shipping schedules

Rush orders may be available for selected styles, however they are subject to designer approval and production capacity.

Don’t Forget Alterations

Even beautifully fitted gowns often require minor alterations for the perfect fit.

We always recommend allowing additional time before the wedding date for:

• Hemming

• Strap adjustments

• Taking in or letting out where required

What To Bring To Your Bridesmaid Appointment

To make the most of your appointment, we recommend bringing along a few things to help make the decision process easier and more enjoyable.

Inspiration Photos

Pinterest boards, Instagram saves or screenshots are a great way to show the styles, colours and overall aesthetic you love.

Wedding Colour Palette

If you already have your wedding colours selected, bringing fabric swatches, mood boards or inspiration images can help when choosing the perfect bridesmaid shades.

Nude Strapless Bra & Suitable Underwear

This helps give a better idea of how gowns will fit and sit when trying on different styles and fabrics.

Shoes With Similar Heel Height

If possible, bring heels similar to what you may wear on the day to help visualise the overall look and length of the gowns.

Your Bridal Party

Having your bridesmaids present can make the experience more fun and helpful when narrowing down styles and colours together.

An Open Mind

Sometimes the dress you least expect becomes the favourite. Trying different silhouettes, fabrics and colours can often surprise you.

Book an Appointment

Trying on dresses in person makes a huge difference when choosing colours, fabrics and silhouettes.

At Elissa Jay Boutique, our appointments are designed to make the process easy and enjoyable, with personalised styling support to help you find the perfect look for your bridal party.

Whether you’re planning a classic, modern or romantic wedding aesthetic, we’re here to help make the process feel effortless.

Explore our bridesmaid collections online or book an in-store appointment to start finding your perfect bridal party look.