When Should You Order a Flower Girl Dress Before the Wedding?

Choosing a flower girl dress is one of those wedding details that feels simple—until you start wondering when you should actually order it

Buy too early, and your flower girl may grow out of the size you chose. Wait too long, and you could run out of time for shipping, a size exchange, or small alterations

So, when is the right time?

For most weddings, it’s a good idea to start exploring flower girl dresses several months ahead and plan to order once the wedding colors, dress style, and your flower girl’s current measurements are clear

The exact timing depends on her age, the type of dress you’re buying, and how much time you want to leave for fitting and delivery

Here’s a simple timeline to help you plan without the last-minute stress

How Far in Advance Should You Buy a Flower Girl Dress?

For many families, about two to three months before the wedding is a practical time to order a flower girl dress

That gives you enough time to receive the dress, try it on, and make any necessary adjustments without buying so early that her measurements are likely to change significantly

A simple planning timeline looks like this:

Think of this as a planning guide rather than a strict rule. A dress that is made to order may need more time, while an in-stock dress can often be purchased much closer to the weddingWhy You Shouldn’t Order a Flower Girl Dress Too Early

Wedding dresses are often ordered many months in advance, but flower girl dresses are a little different

The biggest reason is simple: children grow

A dress that fits perfectly six months before the wedding may fit very differently by the time the ceremony arrives. Height is especially important with tea-length, ankle-length, and floor-length dresses, where even a small growth spurt can change how the skirt falls

Her waist and chest measurements can change too

This doesn’t mean you need to wait until the last minute. It simply means there is usually little benefit in locking in a size extremely early

You can still start shopping early. Save the styles you love, decide on the wedding color, and narrow down your fabric and length preferences. Then take fresh measurements closer to the time you’re ready to order

But Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute Either

Waiting too long creates a different set of problems

Even if you already know exactly which dress you want, it’s smart to leave room for:

• Processing and shipping time
• Trying the dress on at home
• A possible size exchange
• Minor alterations
• Changes in shoes or accessories
• Limited availability in a particular size or color

A little extra time gives you options

If the dress arrives and the length needs adjusting, for example, you won’t be trying to find a seamstress a few days before the wedding

The goal isn’t to order as early as possible. It’s to give yourself a comfortable buffer between “the dress arrived” and “it’s wedding day.”

When to Order Based on the Type of Flower Girl Dress

Not every flower girl dress follows the same timeline. Before deciding when to order, check how the particular dress is fulfilled

Ready-to-Ship Flower Girl Dresses

If the wedding is getting close, ready-to-ship styles are usually the easiest place to start.

These dresses are already in stock, so you don’t have to build a long production period into your timeline

You should still check the available size, current measurements, and stated shipping or dispatch time before ordering

For a wedding that is only a few weeks away, this can make the shopping process much simpler

Need a dress soon? Shop our Ready-to-Ship Girls Dresses →

Standard Flower Girl Dresses

If you have a couple of months before the wedding, you’ll usually have more freedom to compare silhouettes, fabrics, colors, and lengths instead of choosing based primarily on availability

This is a good time to explore the full Flower Girl Dresses collection and narrow down the look that works best with the wedding

Made-to-Order or Custom Dresses

Made-to-order and custom-sized dresses require more planning

Production time can vary by dress, and you’ll also want to allow time for shipping and a final fitting after the dress arrives

If you’re considering a custom option, always check the current production timeline for that specific dress before ordering rather than relying on a general wedding timeline

What If the Wedding Is Less Than a Month Away?

First: don’t panic

You may still have options, but now availability and delivery timing matter more than having an unlimited choice of styles

Before ordering, check:

• Is the dress currently in stock?
• Is your flower girl’s size available?
• How quickly will it be dispatched?
• How long is delivery expected to take?
• Will you have time for a try-on?
• Would the dress require alterations?

This is also when simple, easy-to-fit silhouettes can be especially helpful

If time is short, start with dresses that are clearly marked as ready to ship rather than falling in love with a style before checking its availability

Shop Ready-to-Ship Girls Dresses →

Measure Your Flower Girl Again Before Ordering

Even if you measured her a few months ago, measure again before selecting a size

Don’t choose a size based only on her age or the size she normally wears in everyday clothes. Formal dress sizing can differ, and two children of the same age can have very different measurements

At minimum, check the measurements requested by the dress size chart, which may include:

• Bust
• Waist
• Height
• Hollow to floor

For longer dresses, height and hollow-to-floor measurements are especially useful because skirt length can affect both the overall look and how comfortably she walks

And if you’re between sizes, use the measurements and the specific size chart for the dress rather than guessing

A Simple Flower Girl Dress Shopping Timeline

If you’re still unsure when to do what, keep this simple schedule in mind:

4–6 Months Before the Wedding
Start browsing. Decide which colors, fabrics, and silhouettes work with the wedding style

2–3 Months Before
Take current measurements, check the size chart, and choose the dress

4–8 Weeks Before
Try on the dress when it arrives. Check the bodice, waist, hem, and overall comfort.

1–2 Weeks Before
Do one final try-on with the shoes, socks or tights, hair accessories, and anything else she’ll wear

Wedding Day
One happy flower girl, one less thing to worry about

What Else Should You Consider Before Ordering?

Timing matters, but it shouldn’t be the only thing guiding your decision

Before placing the order, make sure you’ve also considered the wedding color palette, venue, season, and how formal the celebration will be

Still deciding between white, ivory, champagne, blush, or another wedding color? Our Flower Girl Dress Color Guide makes it easier to compare the most popular options

For example, an airy tulle dress can feel beautiful for a romantic garden wedding, while satin can create a smoother, more polished look for a formal indoor ceremony

• Length matters too. A younger flower girl may feel more comfortable walking in a shorter dress, while an older child may love the more formal look of a floor-length gown

If you haven’t decided on the overall style yet, our How to Choose the Perfect Flower Girl Dress guide is a good place to start

Flower Girl Dress Ordering Checklist

Before you click “Add to Cart,” make sure you can check these off:

Wedding date is confirmed
Wedding color or dress color is decided
Dress style and length are chosen
Your flower girl has been measured recently
You’ve checked the dress-specific size chart
You know the processing or dispatch time
You’ve allowed enough time for delivery
You have some extra time for fitting or minor alterations

If those pieces are in place, you’re ready

Find the Right Flower Girl Dress for Her Big Moment

There’s no single perfect date that works for every wedding

The best time to order a flower girl dress is late enough that her measurements are reasonably current, but early enough that you still have time to receive the dress, check the fit, and make adjustments if necessary

Start browsing early, finalize the details as the wedding gets closer, and leave yourself a little breathing room before the big day

That way, instead of worrying about shipping or sizing during the final weeks before the wedding, you can focus on the much better part—seeing her walk down the aisle

Shop Flower Girl Dresses →