First Communion - the beautiful, holy time when a child makes this sacrament. It is truly wonderful time for for the entire family!
When is a good time to shop for a First Communion dress for Spring 2008?
You can certainly start now. Many, many dress styles are available in white. You can get a jump on it, shop without feeling rushed and get it in plenty of time to check it off your list of things to do. There’s a LOT to be said for the peace of mind knowing it is done!
No matter what, though, be sure to schedule a fitting with your alterations specialist about 6 weeks before her wear date. Who should you use? We recommend somebody who does fabulous bridal alterations.
But the majority of the NEW styles will be arriving some time in December for the January shopping rush.
Shopping in mid-January is the PRIME time to shop for First Communion dresses. Unless her Communion date is really early (February or early March), this should allow plenty of time for the dress of your dreams to arrive, be altered to perfection and ready to wear.
Many manufacturers design and make dresses for First Communion on a seasonal basis. This means that they make x # of them - and that’s it. Once a size is gone - it’s gone. When all the sizes are gone - the entire style is gone for the rest of the year.
Others make styles all year long and do their utmost to have enough in production to handle the surge in orders for First Communion season. But once all those dresses are “spoken for” (as in - sold), then the wait gets much longer. It can be 3-4 months to fulfill an order if it isn’t already in production. Even companies with normally shorter turn-around take much longer during this busiest season of the year (remember - it’s Spring Wedding season too - lots of little Flower Girl dresses!).
What does that mean to you?
To get exactly what you want and in plenty of time - SHOP EARLY.
If you come to the internet shopping late - possibly because you’ve exhausted all local resources and just can’t find anything you like or that fits (as in Plus sizes - very difficult to find) - please be a bit flexible. Perhaps one size different will be available in time - it’s easy for you to have it altered locally - or you may have to go with your 2nd or 3rd choice dress.
We have SO many styles to choose from that you’re sure to get a GORGEOUS dress! But the earlier you shop, the more likely it will be that you’ll get your #1 choice in plenty of time to avoid stress.
