Whoa Kristy hold up, first congrats on your engagement! You have plenty of time to find a dress. You may first want to lock in a reception site and time since that is going to dictate the dress. Also a lot of brides rush to get the dress when they first get engaged because lets not kid dress shopping is fun, but a lot brides find that later on they regret rushing in to get their dress and end up as two dress brides. Slow down definitely look around maybe try on a few for style but you have some time thought it does take up to 9 months for a gown to come in.
I know it sounds early, but around here you have to make an appointment everywhere first, and most places take 7 to 9 months to get a dress in. (Thats what my friends tell me) Already have reception and ceromony site (early evening). Also, don't know what I like, so I am just going to try a few on to see what type of dress I want.
I think you should start the try-on process now - how long until your wedding?
I started trying on dresses about a year and a half before the wedding (this upcoming July) so I could get an idea of what I liked and what I really did not like - kept me from being rushed into finding the right dress since I didn't have to figure out what I liked and be looking for something to buy at the same time.
Make appointments at all the salons you might want to visit - it's a good time to go because many stores have just finished receiving new lines/merchandise. Don't tell them you're not looking to buy right away, and take your digital camera - it really helped me make a decision looking at a picture of myself in the dress, and sooner or later all the dresses start to blur in your mind.
Good Luck!
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
my wedding is in November, and I guess I was thinking the same thing as you. I don't want to end up freaking out about not finding the dress I love when it gets closer in time.
Plus, I have been waiting six years to go dress shopping, and I can't wait any more!!!(too excited.)