Engagement Season Tips

A new year brings new beginnings and, for many couples, a brand-new engagement! Whether you just said “yes” over the holidays or you’re still floating on that just-engaged feeling, January is the perfect time to start planning what’s next. If you’re a newly engaged bride-to-be (or you have a feeling a proposal is right around the corner), we’re here to help you navigate this exciting chapter with ease. From when to start wedding dress shopping to how many guests to bring to your bridal appointment, we’re sharing all the tips you need to get started. Keep scrolling for our expert advice and congratulations on this beautiful new beginning!
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 secure your venue, finalize details and find the bridal gown of your dreams. No two love stories are the same, so whether your engagement is short and sweet or a little longer, what matters most is choosing a timeline that feels right for you. If you are opting for a shorter engagement period and are worried about the time it takes to special-order a gown, that’s where Luxe Redux Bridal comes in. With off-the-rack designer gowns available to take home the same day, you can skip the wait and move forward with confidence, no matter how soon your wedding date is.
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?
At special order boutiques, brides try on sample gowns until they find their favorite. Once they say yes to the dress, the boutique puts the sample gown back on the rack and orders a new, customized one in the bride’s size and shade. 6-9 months later, it’s ready for pick-up and alterations.
Buying a sample gown is different! When you find the dress of your dreams, we don’t put it back; we lovingly zip it into a garment bag and send it home with you that very day! Check out our "Why Should I Buy a Sample Wedding Dress" blog to learn more about why you'd want to choose a sample sale wedding dress + what makes Luxe Redux the best experience for finding yours!

How many bridal appointments should I book?
Trying on wedding dresses is one of the most exciting parts of planning, you finally get to envision your big day and discover what bridal style feels most you. While it can be tempting to book multiple appointments, overbooking can quickly become overwhelming and make it harder to trust your instincts. We recommend scheduling one to two appointments at boutiques whose values, selection, and experience truly align with what you’re looking for. A more intentional approach helps keep the experience fun, focused, and memorable.
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 Luxe Redux, we are a designer sample bridal boutique, offering designer wedding dresses off-the-rack to take home that same day, for a fraction of the retail price. We have bridal gowns ranging from size 0-20 from the most sought-after designers in the world, and prices ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 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 1-4 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 your local Luxe, or find your dream dress for less online! We can’t wait to see you!


