If you’re a newly-engaged bride-to-be, or you have a feeling that your special someone might be popping the question soon, we’re here with all of the tips to help guide you through this exciting time. From when to start wedding dress shopping to how many people you should bring to your bridal appointment, we have you covered! Keep scrolling for our tips, and congratulations!
What is engagement season?
Engagement season refers to the time of year when a significant number of couples get engaged! In the U.S., this typically lands from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day. During this period, many partners decide to pop the question, often influenced by the fact that families and friends will already be gathered to celebrate and the romantic, cozy atmosphere it brings.

How long should our engagement be?
Most engagements last around 12 – 18 months, giving you the perfect amount of time to order your gown, book a venue, and check off all of the other boxes on your wedding planning list. Each couple is different, though, and if you + your person feel that you need more or less time before tying the knot, that’s totally fine, each love story is different! If you are opting for a shorter engagement period and are worried about the time it takes to special-order a gown, ask your stylist about off-the-rack options, or check out our sister store, Luxe Redux Bridal!
Where do I start?
- Share the news
- Set your timeline
- Discuss your wedding budget
- Determine your vision
- Search for your venue + vendors
- Go wedding dress shopping
How soon should I start wedding dress shopping once I’m engaged?
Once you say YES to a gown, it will take 6 – 8 months for your dress to be made + shipped from the designer. With this in mind, we recommend starting your wedding dress shopping journey about 10 – 12 months in advance, if you’re choosing to special order your gown!

How many bridal appointments should I book?
Getting to try on wedding dresses is exciting! You get to envision the day you’ve always dreamt of, and figure out what your bridal style is. Be cautious, however, of overbooking yourself. Too many appointments can cause overwhelm, and can cause you to question what you’re liking. We recommend booking one or two appointments at boutiques whose values + offerings align with your own for the best shopping experience!
How do I choose the right boutique?
There are a few things you should consider before booking your bridal appointment, including what type of boutique you’d like to shop at, size + designer offerings at each boutique, your price point, and the style range.
Here at La Jeune Mariee, we are a special order boutique – a traditional setting in which you will try on our sample gowns + then order your gown in the size closest to your measurements. As we mentioned above, if you have a fast approaching wedding date, ask us about purchasing a sample off-the-rack or visit our sister store Luxe Redux Bridal. We have samples ranging from size 8-24 from the most sought-after designers in the world, and prices ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 and beyond!
How many people should I bring to my appointment?
Consider who you’ll want to bring with you, and what your schedules look like! You don’t need to bring an entourage of people with you to your appointment. In fact, too many opinions can quickly become overwhelming and distract from the opinion that matters most: yours. We recommend bringing along 1-3 people!

Now that you’re armed with all of our engagement tips, you’re ready to start shopping! Tap the button below to view upcoming availability at our Columbus bridal boutique + to secure your spot. We can’t wait to see you!
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