wedding dress shopping

Alright, so I'm a bit clueless when it comes to wedding dress shopping. I'm getting married next August...when would be an appropriate time to start looking? I was thinking late summer/early fall, but is that too late?

Also, I have no idea where to go. I've looked all over the internet, and it's extremely hard for me to find dresses I like! And of course, when I do, they're out of my price range. What do most people spend on their dresses? I'm hoping to spend between $1-1.5K.

I live in Brooklyn, so any suggestions for NYC locations are greatly appreciated!

I found this link which shows exactly the kind of dress I'm looking for...unfortunately, I can't find prices for any of them except for one which was 3K! http://amandaplanning.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-favorite-wedding-gowns-right-now.html

Why not start in Brooklyn? Lotus Bridal on Avenue U was the best shopping experience I had. Absolutely no pressure, no rushing me, and they were all so incredibly sweet. Aside from Lotus, in Brooklyn, you can try Valentina on New Utrecht Avenue, Monica Bridal (this place is beautiful inside) on Sheepshead Bay Road, and Lestan's in Canarsie.

You can start looking whenever you like. Considering your wedding date, you should probably start looking in the summer.

ETA: Always tell the bridal stores that your wedding is a month earlier than it actually is.

Its not to early to look for your dress b/c if you think about it they have to order it and that alone takes a couple of months ....looking on the internet for dress is different then going in person ....you never know that a dress you might hate ..might be really good on you ..( everyone told me that) and i would try keinfields ..they have so many dresses there its worth a shot...and what do you like as a dress desingers?? sometimes that can help too...and would you go to long island to look??

Thanks everyone for the help!

I'm definitely going to start in Brooklyn...thanks for all the suggestions. Lestan's looks promising since they seem to have a big selection and from the prices posted the site they seem very reasonable.

@NYTherapist...should I be telling them it's a month earlier so they get the dress in early, or is there a different reason?

@Ecostello- I'd prefer not to go into LI cause I don't drive and that would involve FH having to drive me and the ladies there and wait outside. I don't drive, my mom doesn't drive on highways, gram doesn't drive, MOH is a beginning driver, so that only leaves my two BMs, one who I think could do it and the other doesn't drive in the city (she's from central NJ isn't used to city driving). Sooo now that I think about it, FH might have to play chauffeur for some of us anyway but at least if it's closer he could just drop us off and pick us up.

I actually found my dream dress last night by looking at one of the threads here! I forgot whose dress it was, but it was by Paloma Blanca...it's on the link I posted earlier, and out of my range! Ah well.

I had a similar one in my bookmarks for a while: http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=663

I *REALLY* hope it's in my price range, but can't find a price online. I actually saw that Lestan's has it on their site, but there isn't a price.

And if I find it and it doesn't look so great on me...well, then hopefully I'll be a little bit more open to different styles.

most Allure (except maybe some Allure couture's... maybe) are under $1000, $1500 tops. It sounds like Allure is a great brand for you. Also try Jasmine, White One by Pronovias or Maggie Sottero

edited to add: I forgot Mori Lee!